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Most Read Mid-Market Executive News

Brown & Brown buys Beecher Carlson for $336.5 million

Published May 21, 2013 CST

Brown & Brown Inc. has acquired rival Beecher Carlson Holdings Inc. for approximately $336.5 million in net consideration, the brokerage announced Tuesday.

Willis North America launches private health insurance exchange

Published May 22, 2013 CST

Willis North America, a unit of Willis Group Holdings P.L.C., on Wednesday announced the launch of its private medical and voluntary benefits exchange.

Large losses expected in Oklahoma tornado; market impact limited

Published May 21, 2013 CST

As rescuers searched for survivors in tornado-ravaged Moore, Okla., insurance industry experts said they expect Monday's massive tornado to result in large insured losses.

Property valued at $6 billion in track of Oklahoma tornado: Modeler

Published May 22, 2013 CST

Property worth more than $6 billion was within the track of the massive tornado that ravaged areas around Oklahoma City Monday, AIR Worldwide Corp. estimates.

Property insurance pricing stable after Superstorm Sandy: Marsh analysis

Published May 20, 2013 CST

Superstorm Sandy's effect on property insurance pricing was muted in the first quarter of 2013, but underwriters are scrutinizing storm and flood risks more closely, according to a study by Marsh Inc.

NOAA predicts 'active or extremely active' hurricane season

Published May 23, 2013 CST

Delivering its annual outlook, NOAA's Climate Prediction Center said it foresees an “active or extremely active” hurricane season this year, which begins June 1.

New York mulls 16.9% boost in work comp loss costs

Published May 17, 2013 CST

New York state officials are considering a 16.9% hike in workers compensation loss costs, following a filing this week by the New York Compensation Insurance Rating Board.

Michigan Senate approves four-year extension of 1% health claim tax

Published May 20, 2013 CST

The Michigan State Senate has approved legislation that would extend the state's controversial 1% tax on paid health care claims for another four years.

2012 family PPO cost posted smallest increase since 2004: Milliman

Published May 22, 2013 CST

The average increase in medical costs for families enrolled in employer-sponsored preferred provider organizations was just 6.3% in 2012, according to a report that Seattle-based Milliman Inc. released Wednesday.

Schinnerer launches workers comp program for small, midsize firms

Published May 24, 2013 CST

Specialty underwriter Victor O. Schinnerer & Co. Inc. has launched a stand-alone workers compensation program for small to midsize firms, the company announced Thursday.

Cyber security programs should be on the alert for insider threats

Published May 19, 2013 CST

While most enterprisewide cyber security programs focus on threats to high-tech intellectual property posed by outsiders, they also should examine any insider threats that may be lurking within organizations, cyber security experts advise.

Employees' 401(k) balances hit record in first quarter: Fidelity

Published May 23, 2013 CST

Aided by a strong equities market, employees' 401(k) plan account balances hit a record average of $80,900 at the end of the first quarter, according to Fidelity Investments.

New York fish processor accused of flouting orders to sanitize plant

Published May 21, 2013 CST

The U.S. Justice Department has accused a New York fish processor of repeatedly flouting regulators' orders to prevent “life-threatening” bacteria from contaminating its products.

AmWINS launches voluntary benefits practice

Published May 22, 2013 CST

AmWINS Group Benefits is launching a new voluntary benefits practice that will be headed up by Robert Shestack, who joined the Charlotte, N.C.-based division of AmWINS Group Inc. this year.

Lumber company wins insurance dispute over contract language

Published May 24, 2013 CST

An Arkansas lumber company can recover the actual cash value of electrical wire stolen from its facility even though it purchased optional replacement cost coverage, an appeals court has ruled.

Midsize employers restructure workforce to lower health reform costs

Published May 19, 2013 CST

Many midsize employers say they are considering restructuring their workforces in order to mitigate projected cost increases associated with new health care coverage requirements beginning in 2014, according to several recent surveys.

Senate bill would end 'use-it-or-lose-it' FSA rule

Published May 17, 2013 CST

Legislation introduced in the Senate would end a decades-old Internal Revenue Service rule that requires the forfeiture of unused health care flexible spending account contributions.

Episcopal church settles sexual harassment, retaliation case

Published May 23, 2013 CST

Grace Episcopal Church of Whitestone Inc. and the West Babylon, N.Y.-based Episcopal Diocese of Long Island will pay $192,500 to settle a sex harassment and retaliation suit accusing an interim rector of sexual harassment and retaliation against two female employees.

Bill to ease workers comp Medicare set-aside process introduced

Published May 15, 2013 CST

A bill that would ease the Medicare Secondary Payer reimbursement process for workers compensation settlements has been introduced in Congress.

U.S. cargo thefts drop 16%: Analysis

Published May 23, 2013 CST

The level of U.S. cargo thefts dropped from February through April compared with the previous three month-period, although it is unclear at this time whether this is because of an actual decline or a change in the reporting structure, according to FreightWatch International (USA) Inc.

Small, midsize businesses need expanded cyber security protection

Published May 19, 2013 CST

The recent cyber attack on the daily deals website Living-Social.com demonstrates the vulnerability of online business operations, Internet security experts say.

Liberty Mutual introduces tools to aid ADA compliance

Published May 24, 2013 CST

Liberty Mutual Insurance Co. has rolled out tools and resources on Americans with Disabilities Act compliance issues.

Michigan lawmakers approve bill extending 1% health claim tax to 2018

Published May 24, 2013 CST

The Michigan House of Representatives has given final approval to legislation that would extend the state's controversial 1% tax on paid health care claims through 2017.

Reputational risks rising, but mitigation lags: Webinar panelists

Published May 16, 2013 CST

Although reputational risks are becoming a front-of-mind concern for corporate executives, implementing strategies to minimize those risks is lagging, experts say.

ERISA issues could surface from staff cuts, reduced hours

Published May 19, 2013 CST

Beyond potentially detrimental effects on an employer's business operations, reducing employees' hours or cutting staff to avoid an influx of new members to a group health benefit plan could have substantial legal ramifications.