Driven by sound underwriting, the property casualty insurance industry performed well in 2006, according to Robert Hartwig, president and chief economist for the Insurance Information Institute, with net income after taxes near $60 billion and the lowest estimated combined ratio in 60 years. A mild hurricane season certainly helped the numbers but there’s more to the 2006 story. Insurance Journal’s Andy Simpson got the numbers and the story from Hartwig at the III’s Joint Property Casualty Forum in New York.
The alternative energy market has many complicated angles to it, including solar warranties, which are essential to solar manufacturers as well as to the development and funding of solar projects.
According to Mike McMullen, president of PowerGuard Specialty Insurance Services, banks are hesitant to lend against some larger solar projects because of the severe credit [...]
Engle Martin & Associates is an independent adjusting firm providing claims services to the insurance industry. In this interview with Claims Journal, Susan Froman, Engle Martin’s Director of Sales, discusses the growth of the company and providing service to their clients when they need it most.
Too often agency principals find themselves facing a forced sale as a result of not having a proper perpetuation plan. In this podcast, MarshBerry president John Wepler discusses the many difficult and “uncomfortable” decisions required of an owner seeking to properly–and profitably–perpetuate the firm. Listen to this frank conversation as John offers some good news: [...]
The Internet makes it easier to get into business but it also makes it easier to steal others’ ideas. The Web is also expanding the notion of what materials, images and designs need to be protected. Intellectual property attorney David Branfman advises agents on questions to ask clients about intellectual property exposures and warns about [...]
Moving companies face a number of exposures in their daily operations, including workers compensation, cargo, fleet and general liability. Priority Moving in San Diego, Calif. is no exception. A Wheaton Van Lines agent, Priority Moving has created a series of internal procedures, reinforced by a strong employee screening process and training program. Analytics software [...]
Stroz Friedberg is a consulting firm that does computer forensics, mobile phone forensics, electronic discovery and cyber crime response, operating at the intersection of law, technology and behavioral sciences. David Garrett, managing director of Stroz Friedberg’s San Francisco office, explains why clients may or may not have cyber risk insurance, whether those that have the [...]
Joel Ario, formerly Oregon’s insurance regulator, now serves as Pennsylvania Insurance Commissioner and finds his experience helps in what is a bigger market. In this interview with Insurance Journal’s Andy Simpson last fall, Ario explains why he took the Pennsylvania offer and lists his action priorities.
IIABA lobbyist Charles Symington with an update on insurance legislation and politics from Capitol Hill.
Arkansas Commissioner Julie Benafield Bowman says insurance markets, including property, medical