Max Re Capital Ltd. seeks to change monikers

HAMILTON, Bermuda—Max Re Capital Ltd. is seeking shareholder approval to change its name to Max Capital Group Ltd. It also wants to rename its Bermuda-based operating company, now Max Re Ltd., as Max Bermuda Ltd.

In a statement, Max Re said the changes--set for a vote at its May 4 annual meeting--are intended to show its evolution from purely reinsurance offerings at its founding in 1999 to today's mix of reinsurance and specialty products.

Markel to purchase social services book

GLEN ALLEN, Va.—Markel Insurance Co. said it has agreed to purchased the $24 million social services book of business from Black/White & Associates Insurance Brokers of Alameda, Calif.

Markel, a Glen Allen, Va.-based niche market commercial lines insurer and subsidiary of Markel Corp., said the acquisition is part of its strategy to take its social services business nationwide.

"It will be business as usual for our agents and customers," Euclid G.H. Black, founding partner, chairman and chief executive officer of Black/White, said in a statement.

Underwriting association opens Capitol Hill office

WASHINGTON—The Assn. for Advanced Life Underwriting has opened a Capitol Hill office from which its key legislative and public affairs staff members now operate.

The office is at 101 Constitution Ave. N.W., Suite 703 E., Washington D.C., 20001.

The AALU, a professional trade association founded in 1957 that now represents 2,000 U.S. life and health insurance agents and financial advisers, will maintain its headquarters at Falls Church, Va.

Woodruff-Sawyer acquires Northwest Benefit Planning

PORTLAND, Ore.—Woodruff-Sawyer & Co. has acquired Northwest Benefit Planning, which will move its operations and staff to Woodruff's existing Portland, Ore., offices.

"We already share several clients, which makes a great fit even better," Bill Paulbitski, founder and president of Northwest Benefit Planning, said in a statement.

The entire staff of Northwest Benefit Planning--a 20-year-old provider of employee benefits, management liability and property/casualty insurance--will join the Portland operations of Woodruff-Sawyer--an 87-year-old insurance brokerage based in San Francisco--the privately held companies said.

The purchase price was not disclosed.

FERMA completes office move

BRUSSELS, Belgium—The Federation of European Risk Management Assns. has moved to a new office in Brussels, Belgium.

The new address is Avenue Louis Gribaumont, 1 B/4, 1150, Brussels, Belgium.

The phone number is 011-322-761-9432 and the fax is 011-322-771-8720.

Squaremouth rolls out health comparison site

ST. PETE BEACH, Fla.—Insurance agency Squaremouth Inc. has added health insurance to the products it offers as well as a Web-based quote and comparison engine at www.squaremouth.com/health-insurance.

The system, which builds on the insurer's already existing travel insurance offerings, provides health insurance quotes from major insurers in all 50 states, the St. Pete Beach, Fla.-based company said in a statement.

Standard Insurance celebrates 100 years

PORTLAND, Ore.—Standard Insurance Co. has celebrated 100 years of being in business by providing more than 10,500 hours of public service activities to 164 nonprofits across the United States, the Portland, Ore., financial services company said.

"It is important not only that we give of our own time, but that we encourage and teach volunteerism so that our communities remain healthy and vibrant for the next 100 years," said Eric E. Parsons, chairman, president and chief executive officer of Standard Insurance and StanCorp Financial Group Inc., in a statement.

What now is Standard Insurance Co. was founded in 1906.