Michael Merlina was fed up, frustrated and seemingly out of options when he walked into Middlesex Superior Court last week and plunked down $275 for court fees.

Group planning for uninsured in Md. after health exchanges start

A feasibility study proposing an insurance co-op to provide coverage to people who cannot afford health insurance despite being mandated to have it, starting in 2014, has been initiated in Maryland.  Read Story

Probe of Prudential Financial’s payout to veteran ‘reassures’ N.J.

New Jersey insurance regulators say an insurance company based in the state properly handle life insurance benefits in a case involving a soldier that has sparked several reviews of how insurers pay out benefits to members of the military.  Read Story

Number of life insurance applications filed sags 3.9% for July

July marked the second consecutive month of declines in U.S. application activity for individually underwritten life insurance.  Read Story

Woman charged with fraudulently cashing mothers $1,132 insurance check

A Raleigh, N.C., woman was charged with insurance fraud for allegedly cashing an insurance claim check sent to her mother.  Read Story

Kaiser Permanente notes gains in members online care management

Health insurer Kaiser Permanente says its members are embracing online communication methods in their medical care.  Read Story

The humanization of pets and the increased costs of veterinary care have sparked a burgeoning industry: pet health care.

Captive insurers’ net income doubles, pushed by investment gains

U.S. captive insurers saw their net income double in 2009, compared to the prior year, driven primarily by the recovery of their investment portfolios, according to an A.M. Best Co. report.  Read Story

Va. fines six CNA insurance companies, orders $252,399 in restitution

A collection of insurance companies paid $252,399.50 in restitution to 46 consumers for failing to adhere to rates in effect for the companies.  Read Story

Old Mutual selling Baltimore life unit for $350 million

Old Mutual plc, a London-based financial services firm, is selling Baltimore-based U.S. life insurance unit to a New York private investment fund for $350 million.  Read Story