Latest Underwriting Headlines

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

Best Comments on Universal Underwriters Group; Downgrades UULIC Rating

Apr 5 2005 // A.M. Best Co. announced that the financial strength rating of “A” (Excellent) of Universal Underwriters Insurance Company, based in Overland Park, Kansas, and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Universal Underwriters...

Specialty Underwriters’ Alliance Lost $8.2 Million in 2004

Apr 4 2005 // Chicago-based commercial property/casualty program carrier Specialty Underwriters’ Alliance Inc. reported a net loss of $8.2 million for 2004. Total revenues were $300,000, representing investment income earned after...

How to Float to the Top and Other Words of Wisdom

Apr 4 2005 // Berkshire Hathaway’s Buffett on Insurance Economics, 2004 ResultsBy Chairman Warren Buffett’s own admission, Berkshire Hathaway Inc. did not have one of its best years in 2004. Last year, Berkshire’s...

Regulators Look for a Clue

Apr 4 2005 // Was it Colonel ChoicePoint in the Conservatory With a Knife?When ChoicePoint Asset Co. finally disclosed Feb. 15 that criminals had gained access to the personal information of as many as 145,000 people in all 50 states,...

Best Places Platinum’s Ratings Under Review, Downgrades Credit, Debt Ratings; Company Comments

Apr 1 2005 // A.M. Best Co. announced that it has placed the financial strength rating of “A” (Excellent) of the reinsurance subsidiaries of Bermuda-based Platinum Underwriters Holdings, Ltd. under review with negative...

Glencoe Acquires Savannah Re from Palmer & Cay

Mar 25 2005 // In a joint announcement private retail brokerage firm Palmer & Cay, Inc., and Glencoe U.S. Holdings Inc., the wholly owned U.S. subsidiary of Bermuda’s RenaissanceRe Holdings Ltd., affirmed that Glencoe has...

AIA OPPOSES WASH. BILL LIMITING UNDERWRITING BASED ON DOG BREED:

Mar 21 2005 // If a Washington measure becomes law, responsible pet owners who take care of their animals will face higher insurance costs to subsidize rates for others with dogs more likely to bite, according to the American Insurance...

Serving the Friendly Skies

Mar 21 2005 // When the 1970s began, Bill Moloney was afraid of flying.When the 21st century dawned, he had his own aviation brokerage based in an airport and flew his plane as often as he could. Moloney, a self-described...

Pratka Joins Burns & Wilcox of Houston as Commercial Lines Underwriter

Mar 16 2005 // Burns & Wilcox of Houston announced that James Pratka has joined the managing general agency as a commercial lines underwriter. As a commercial lines underwriter, Pratka’s responsibilities include serving as a...

Burns & Wilcox of Dallas/Fort Worth Promotes Littlejohn to Associate Underwriter

Mar 16 2005 // Burns & Wilcox of Dallas/Fort Worth announced the promotion of Andrew Littlejohn to associate underwriter. As an associate underwriter, Littlejohn is responsible for producing new business and maintaining his renewal...

Berkshire Hathaway Chairman Warren Buffett on Insurance Economics and 2004 Results

Mar 8 2005 // By Chairman Warren Buffett’s own admission, Berkshire Hathaway Inc. did not have one of its best years in 2004. Last year, Berkshire’s book-value gain of 10.5% fell short of the S&P 500 Index’s 10.9%...

AIA Opposes Washington Bill Limiting Underwriting Based on Dog Breed

Mar 8 2005 // If a Washington measure becomes law, responsible pet owners who take care of their animals will face higher insurance costs to subsidize rates for others with dogs more likely to bite, according to the American Insurance...

Deals for $460M from Bank of America, $100M from 4 Underwriters Reached in Worldcom Case

Mar 7 2005 // Four investment banking firms that participated as underwriters in WorldCom’s May 2000 bond offering have agreed to pay a total of $100.3 million to settle the claims asserted against them in the WorldCom securities...

Heads Up! Employees at Large

Mar 7 2005 // Wal-Mart, Morgan Stanley, Boeing, Texaco, State Farm and Farmers have all been the targets of recent employment practices lawsuits. Wal-Mart was hit with sexual harassment charges. Farmers was sued for wrongful...

Insurers Must Underwrite Smarter, Not Succumb to D&O Market Pressures

Mar 7 2005 // Insurers must not be lulled into thinking that the Directors and Officers liability market has recovered because the quantity of cases remain high and the complexities of litigation are overwhelming.As a result, carriers...

Max Re Announces Executive Appointments

Mar 4 2005 // Max Re Ltd., has announced the following appointments in its insurance division. All appointments are still pending Bermuda Immigration approval.Angelo Guagliano has been appointed president and chief underwriting officer,...

Beazley Opens Up Shop in U.S. for Specialty Lines

Mar 2 2005 // London-based Beazley has started underwriting specialty lines business locally in the U.S. on behalf of its syndicates at Lloyd’s.The opening of its office in Farmington, Conn. is part of Beazley’s plans to...

QBE Adds Greenhill Underwriting Group

Mar 1 2005 // QBE announced on Tuesday it had agreed to acquire Greenhill Underwriting Group, subject to regulatory approval, to enhance its strength and profile in the continental European market.Greenhill is a UK-based underwriting...

William Blair & Co. Begins Coverage for Specialty Underwriters’ Alliance with Outperform Rating

Mar 1 2005 // William Blair & Company has initiated research coverage of Specialty Underwriters’ Alliance Inc., a start-up commercial property/casualty underwriter based in Chicago, focused on the specialty program business...

Trident Insurance Names Murphy to Underwriting Post

Mar 1 2005 // Trident Insurance Services LLC, a member of San Antonio-based Argonaut Group Inc., announced that Thomas Murphy has been appointed senior vice president of Underwriting. As chief underwriting officer, Murphy is responsible...