Two Maryland insurers’ ratings boosted on management moves

The outlook for Harford Mutual Insurance Cos. and two of its property-casualty pool members domiciled in Bel Air, Md., have been raised from “stable” to “positive” in response to the ...  Read →  Read Story

Missouri court reinstates $17 million verdict against American Family

A Missouri appeals court has reinstated a $17 million jury verdict against American Family Mutual Insurance Co. in a class-action lawsuit over vehicle repairs and aftermarket auto parts.

The court ruled ...  Read →  Read Story

Buffett says life insurers took ‘crazy’ risks on variable annuities

Warren Buffet, the billionaire chairman and CEO of Berkshire Hathaway, says life insurers took “crazy” financial risk by selling variable annuities with unrealistic promises.

Warren Buffet

“I always thought they were ...  Read →  Read Story

Many of my recent blog postings have been reprints from national associations that are attempting to thwart a runaway Congress that is determined to undermine the livelihood of life and health insurance agents.

The ...  Read →  Read Story

Philadelphia warming to high-deductible health plans

Interest in high-deductible health plans appears to be growing in the Philadelphia area after several years of slow sales.

Independence Blue Cross, a Philadelphia-based health insurer covering the five counties surrounding ...  Read →  Read Story

Health insurers pledge gender parity amidst talk of public plan

America’s Health Insurance Plans has made another concession to health care reform, pledging to end higher premiums for women as talks of a government-run insurance plan progress.

During a health care ...  Read →  Read Story

Pa. benefits consultant unveils new website to help brokers

Brokers can now access a number of services at the click of a mouse at the Kistler Tiffany Benefits website.

The Berwyn, Pa.-based employee benefits consulting firm debuted a new website ...  Read →  Read Story

Maryland regulator considering compensation disclosure rules

Maryland Insurance Commissioner Ralph S. Tyler plans to explore whether to force agents to disclose commissions and other compensation for each insurance transaction.

Following the lead of regulators in New Jersey ...  Read →  Read Story

Trade groups push benefit of credit-based insurance scoring

A collective of insurance trade groups joined credit information and economic experts seeking to promote to state regulators the benefits to consumers when they use credit-based insurance scoring, even in ...  Read →  Read Story

Official says Coventry First ‘illustrates challenges’ in life settlements

Coventry First, a Fort Washington, Pa.-based life settlement firm, is an example of much of what’s wrong with the life settlement industry, according to a Florida regulator’s testimony at a ...  Read →  Read Story