Commercial insurance prices rising— but will it last?

By: Mark A. Hofmann

Published February 05, 2012 - 6:00am CST

Signs are increasing that the commercial property/casualty insurance market is definitely turning, but it's by no means a hard market yet, according to industry observers.

Broker acquisitions pick up as economy improves

By: Timothy J. Cunningham

Published February 05, 2012 - 6:00am CST

Merger and acquisition activity among insurance agents and brokers regained momentum in 2011 with 285 announced transactions.

Greenhouse gas lawsuit dismissed in Minnesota

By: Joanne Wojcik

Published February 05, 2012 - 6:00am CST

ST. PAUL, Minn.—A district court judge in Minnesota last week dismissed a lawsuit seeking to force the state of Minnesota to reduce the state's greenhouse gas emissions.

Workers comp covers temporary worker: Court

By: Sheena Harrison

Published February 05, 2012 - 6:00am CST

AUSTIN, Texas—A temporary employee who died on the job can't be excluded from an employer's workers compensation policy, the Texas Supreme Court ruled in reversing a $2.7 million liability judgment for the worker's family.

Will European financial crisis hit U.S. insurers?

By: Mark A. Hofmann

Published February 05, 2012 - 6:00am CST

Observers on both sides of the Atlantic say the eurozone sovereign debt problems are not likely to have a direct effect on U.S. insurers, at least not immediately.

Broker BB&T to buy Crump operations

By: Judy Greenwald And Mark A. Hofmann

Published February 05, 2012 - 6:00am CST

ROSELAND, N.J.—BB&T Corp.'s planned acquisition of the life and property/casualty operating divisions of Roseland, N.J.-based Crump Group Inc. for $570 million is a solid strategic move that will strengthen BB&T's wholesale operations significantly, analysts say.

Climate change case to be reheard by Virginia high court

By: Rodd Zolkos And Joanne Wojcik

Published February 05, 2012 - 6:00am CST

RICHMOND, Va.—The Virginia Supreme Court's decision to rehear a climate change suit has cast uncertainty on what little judicial guidance exists on the issue of insurance coverage in climate change cases.

PBGC opposes termination of American Airlines pension plans

By: Jerry Geisel

Published February 05, 2012 - 6:00am CST

FORT WORTH, Texas—American Airlines Inc.'s move to terminate its pension plans could launch a legal battle over the airline's plan to shift billions in unfunded benefits to the financially ailing Pension Benefit Guaranty Corp. and could affect the premiums that employers pay to the PBGC.

Captive insurance companies now handling tough risks

By: Mike Tsikoudakis

Published February 05, 2012 - 6:00am CST

MIAMI—Companies and organizations are looking at their captive insurance structures to address difficult coverages and risks, such as rising medical costs for employee benefits and reputational risks.

Plumeri stresses value of captives

By: Rodd Zolkos

Published February 05, 2012 - 6:00am CST

MIAMI—Captive insurance is an important tool for companies seeking business resilience, perhaps the most important attribute for success in today's environment, Joseph J. Plumeri, chairman and CEO of Willis Group Holdings P.L.C., said last week.

Captive insurance owners may face increased costs in 2012

By: Rodd Zolkos

Published February 05, 2012 - 6:00am CST

MIAMI—A changing insurance and reinsurance market means captive insurance company owners should be prepared for higher prices for fronting and reinsurance coverage as well as the possibility of capacity becoming harder to find.

World Captive Forum draws 230 to Miami

By: Mike Tsikoudakis

Published February 05, 2012 - 6:00am CST

MIAMI—The 21st annual World Captive Forum, held Jan. 30-Feb. 1, drew more than 230 attendees to the Doral Golf Resort & Spa in Miami.

COMMENTARY: Guns play big role in work violence

By: Roberto Ceniceros

Published February 05, 2012 - 6:00am CST

Guns play big role in work violence

Turning patients into health care consumers

By: Joanne Wojcik

Published February 05, 2012 - 6:00am CST

Although more midsize employers are encouraging their employees to become more conscientious health care consumers, very little information about the price of medical services was publicly available until recently.

OPINION: American saga full of lessons

Published February 05, 2012 - 6:00am CST

THE PROSPECT OF American Airlines Inc. terminating its hugely underfunded pension plans and shifting billions of dollars in promised but unfunded benefits to the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corp. is drawing closer.

UP CLOSE: John Sullivan

Published February 05, 2012 - 6:00am CST

JOHN SULLIVAN

Factory closure can create new risks for plant owners

By: Russ Banham

Published February 05, 2012 - 6:00am CST

The tally is sobering: 6 million jobs lost and nearly 42,000 factories closed in the past decade.

Metal theft from abandoned buildings creates costly problems

By: Russ Banham

Published February 05, 2012 - 6:00am CST

When a building is boarded up to protect against intrusion, it ironically alerts criminals that a potential treasure trove—copper, aluminum and precious metals—may be there for the taking.

Quality control helps improve safety records

By: Sheena Harrison

Published February 05, 2012 - 6:00am CST

Manufacturers are using quality control and efficiency standards to improve their safety track records—a method that has contributed to fewer accidents in recent years at U.S. manufacturing plants, experts say.

Product liability claims rise with new laws

By: Louise Kertesz

Published February 05, 2012 - 6:00am CST

Manufacturers in the consumer products and food industries are facing increased liability claims and product recalls as a result of new laws and growing consumer awareness of safety and quality.

U.S. manufacturers step up efforts to manage Chinese supplier risks

By: Louise Kertesz

Published February 05, 2012 - 6:00am CST

American manufacturers buying products from Chinese suppliers are taking steps to protect themselves from product liability claims and ensure the quality and safety of their goods.

Be aware of who your key suppliers are

By: Mike Tsikoudakis

Published February 05, 2012 - 6:00am CST

Risk managers who recognize the need to clearly define and quantify their supply chain risks for insurers to try to take advantage of better coverage pricing can find that a difficult task, experts say.

Business interruption losses generate concerns over rising global supply chain exposures

By: Mike Tsikoudakis

Published February 05, 2012 - 6:00am CST

A series of natural catastrophes that disrupted supply chains around the world in the past year have shown that business interruption is an ongoing risk for manufacturers.

Low claim frequency keeps Virginia workers comp claim costs down

By: Sheena Harrison

Published February 03, 2012 - 3:20pm CST

CAMBRIDGE, Mass.—Virginia's workers compensation system has higher medical costs than many states, but low claim frequency has kept down insurance premiums and average claim costs, according to the Workers Compensation Research Institute.