NATIONAL COVERAGE
S&P Says Nationals Safe, While Midwest- Focused Insurers at Risk
N2 | Washington Report
House Subcommittee Moves Key Federal Insurance Regulation Bills
N4 | Home Insurers Bitten by $350 Million in Dog Claims
Average Liability Claim Tops $24,000
N6 | Conning: Insurers’ Financials Strong, Despite Price Deterioration
Outlook for 2009, 2010 Better Than for 2008; With Slight Price Increases Early Next Year
N8 | Misc. Professional Liability Endorsement Creates Opportunities
Some 80% of Small Business Professionals Do Not Carry Coverage
N12 | From Novelty to Necessity:
Bermuda’s Insurance Market in 2008
N21 | 2008 Excess, Surplus & Specialty Markets Directory, Vol. II
WEST COVERAGE
10 | Regional Brokerages Not Immune to Slump
Smaller Brokers Must Be Competitive
10 | Oregon Adopts Declaration of Emergency Rules
Director Can Direct Insurers to Extend Grace Periods for Premium Payments
11 | California Orders Allstate to Cut Home Insurance Rates 28.5%
Rates Too High When Economy Is Struggling
12 | Nevada Countersignature Law Null DOI Seeks Clarification on Court Ruling
14 | Majority of California Wildfires Contained
100 Homes Destroyed
14 | Washington Raises Workers’ Comp Benefits
Also Pays Dividend to Employers
22 | California High Court Clarifies Policies on Workers’ Comp Utilization Reviews
Employer Not Required to Use Utilization Review Process
WEST COVERAGE
22 | Hawaii Mandates Fire-Safe Cigarettes
Lower Temperature Helps Reduce Accidental Fires
26 | National Insurer Wants to Include Flood Coverage in Home Policies
Nationwide Says It Could Save Taxpayers Money
28 | Contingent Commissions Legal, N.Y. Court Rules
Agent Groups Praise Liberty Mutual for Fighting Battle in Court and Winning
28 | Feds Hire More Than 300 New Coal Mine Safety Inspectors
Will Scour Operations for Unsafe Conditions
30 | Insured Property Value in Coastal States to Double in 10 Years
Cost to Rebuild Properties to Double in Total Value Every Year
30 | Survey: Despite Need, Only 17% of Americans Have Flood Insurance
15% in West Have Flood Insurance, Up from 13% in 2007
122 | Obtaining Optimal Catastrophe Coverage
Seven Ways Agents Can Partner with Wholesalers
138 | Colorado Ranks High on Tornado Charts
Texas Had Most Tornadoes from 1999 Through 2007
128 | Entrepreneurs at Heart
A Love for Startups Set EPIC in Motion
140 | Study: Buyer Satisfaction Better When Local Agent Plays a Role
Despite Trend, Insurance Providers Steadily Enhancing Web Site Capabilities
IDEA EXCHANGE
N18 | Carrier Watch
Soft Market Hammers Commercial Carriers’ Stocks
N20 | Growing Your Property Casualty Agency
Remedying Common Personal Lines CSR Sales Excuses
141 | Moving Beyond the Perception Trap
Key to Growth: Become Remarkable, Indispensable to Customers
144 | Mid-Year 2008: Securities Lawsuit Filings Remain Up
Subprime and Credit Crisis Filings Show No Sign of Abating
146 | Legal Beat: Responding to an Insurance Department Request for Assistance
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
150 | Closing Quote: AIG’s Troubles = Industry Troubles?
CEO Willumstad is Wrong Person for the Job
8 | Opening Note
N16 | MyNewMarkets
16 | People
24 | Business Moves