Latest Agencies Headlines

All the headlines from our Agencies Topic Page, ordered by recency.

SEC, Congress Eye Increasing Liability of Credit Ratings Agencies

Jul 16 2009 // U.S. securities regulators are looking at ways to rely less on credit ratings and prevent issuers from shopping for their ratings, Securities and Exchange Commission Chairman Mary Schapiro told lawmakers Tuesday.Schapiro...

Louisiana Agent Accused of Misappropriating Premiums

Jul 15 2009 // A Baker, La., insurance agent has been served with a cease and desist order, notice of license revocation and $1,500 fine notice for alleged misappropriation of premiums. Patikii Je Gibbs (a.k.a. Patikii Gibbs Powell), 55,...

Associated Agencies Promotes Herz

Jul 14 2009 // Rolling Meadows, Ill.-based Associated Agencies Inc. has promoted Joshua B. Herz, of Chicago to senior vice president. As Associated Agencies’ senior vice president, Herz will continue to maintain his client base,...

Oak Street Offers New Loan Program for Insurance Agents

Jul 14 2009 // More insurance agents may be able to obtain capital for growth, expansion and acquisition, thanks to a new program from Indianapolis-based Oak Street Funding.The new Gold Program promises reduced interest rates and fees...

Data Sharing from Leads360 Improves Insurance Lead Quality

Jul 10 2009 // AgentInsider®, InsuranceAgents.com, QuoteWizard & Others to ParticipateNew Leads360 Lead Performance Intelligence™ Analytics Gives Insurance Lead Buyers and Sellers Unmatched Visibility into Lead Quality...

ICW Group Now Offers Workers’ Compensation Insurance in Illinois

Jul 10 2009 // San Diego, Calif.-based ICW Group Insurance Companies is now offering workers’ compensation insurance in Illinois.The ICW’s Illinois workers’ compensation office is led by Suzanne Lysak. Lysak has more...

New York Eases Compensation Disclosure Mandate for Producers

Jul 10 2009 // The New York State Insurance Department this week released a new draft of a rule governing when and how insurance producers must disclose their compensation and competing quotes to customers.The latest draft appears to be...

Rockwood Offers Installments on Life Agents E&O

Jul 9 2009 // Rockwood Programs Inc. now offers a quarterly installment option on its life agents errors and omissions (E&O) product. Once established, premium payments will be automatically charged to the policyholder’s...

Colemont Insurance Brokers Promotes Black to Vice President in Atlanta

Jul 8 2009 // Wholesaler Colemont Insurance Brokers reports that Bob Black has been promoted to vice president in the company’s Atlanta office. Black joined Colemont in 2004 as an associate broker responsible for marketing all...

Survey: Claims Service Is Tops for Agents When Evaluating Carriers

Jul 8 2009 // Quality claims service continues to be the top factor in how independent agents evaluate their carriers, although insurers’ financial strength ratings are now a much bigger concern for agents than in the past, an...

Texas DOI to Agents: Forward Apps, Premium in Timely Manner

Jul 8 2009 // The Texas Department of Insurance reported recently that it received numerous inquiries and complaints after Hurricane Ike relating to the failure of agents to forward applications and premium to the Texas Windstorm...

Blackstone, Goldman, Credit Suisse Back New Insurance Brokerage

Jul 7 2009 // A group of private equity investors, including affiliates of The Blackstone Group, Goldman Sachs and Credit Suisse, is launching a new life insurance and benefits brokerage serving the middle market and small businesses,...

More Students Showing Interest in Insurance Careers, Say N.J. Agents

Jul 7 2009 // More than ever before, recent graduates are expressing interest in the insurance industry, according to the Professional Insurance Agents of New Jersey and New Jersey Young Insurance Professionals.The associations’...

New York Warns Agents on Identity Theft Scam

Jul 6 2009 // New York State licensed insurance agents and brokers should be aware of an identity theft scam involving telephone calls used to target insurance professionals in at least a half dozen states. Acting New York Insurance...

People

Jul 6 2009 // DeCotis Insurance Associates Inc. has named Devin B. Haughey chief operations manager. Haughey will oversee the general management and operations of DeCotis, an independent excess, surplus and specialty lines firm with...

Tower Group to Acquire Specialty Underwriters’ Alliance of Illinois

Jul 6 2009 // New York-based Tower Group Inc. has agreed to purchase Specialty Underwriters’ Alliance Inc., headquartered in Chicago, in a transaction valued at approximately $107 million.SUA said the deal will enable it to better...

State Auto: How a Regional Carrier Weathers the Storms

Jul 6 2009 // Regional property/casualty insurance companies don’t make headlines like the large institutions. They simply go about their business serving customers and independent agents — and paying claims.How are regional...

People

Jul 6 2009 // Columbus, Ohio-based State Automobile Mutual Insurance Company and State Auto Property & Casualty Insurance Company has named new managers in various divisions.Robert (Bob) A. Bachtell is claims manager for State...

Oklahoma Regulators: Insurance Agents Being Targeted

Jul 6 2009 // Oklahoma Insurance Commissioner Kim Holland has warned the state’s insurance producers and adjusters they may be contacted by imposters posing as Oklahoma Insurance Department employees seeking confidential personal...

IIAT Installs New Leadership, Names Award-Winners

Jul 6 2009 // At the recent Independent Insurance Agents of Texas (IIAT) 112th Annual Trade Show & Conference in San Antonio, the group installed new officers and directors, and presented membership service awards.Bryan Shofner,...