Costa Rican men plead not guilty in $670 million life-settlement fraud

Two Costa Rican men accused of defrauding clients and investors of more than $670 million in an alleged life insurance scheme pleaded not guilty and requested jury trials.  Read Story

NYIA: Cuomo’s budget would mean higher business insurance rates

A New York property-casualty insurance trade group doesn’t like two provisions of New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s proposed budget because it could mean increased insurance costs for businesses.  Read Story

Obama’s budget proposal targets tax breaks for wealthiest Americans

President Barack Obama’s proposed 2012 budget calls for changes to the existing tax regulations that primarily target the top two tax brackets.  Read Story

U.S. Supreme Court should take up health reform now, agents say

The U.S. Supreme Court, the likely final arbiter on the federal health reform matter, should take up the matter now, according to the latest IFAwebnews.com poll.  Read Story

Man fined $10,000 for helping relative improperly sell annuity

A Rosemount, Minn., man was fined $10,000 and suspended by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority for three months after he helped a relative to improperly sell a fixed and variable annuity.   Read Story

Most of the insurance agents I talk to expect the U.S. Supreme Court to repeal the federal health reform law -- sooner or later. The agents who I have talked to -- in Maryland, Virginia, Pennsylvania and New Jersey -- all seem to suggest that if the case reaches the Supreme Court, then an overthrow of ObamaCare is all but certain.  Read Story

Here are seven proven ways to promote referrals to your clients. About 70% of the time, these techniques will result in your clients giving you referrals at some time in the future. However, you can expect that about 30% of the time, these techniques will generate referrals right on the spot. These little adjustments you make now act just like compound interest turns small deposits into large savings. You’ll reap the rewards for years to come.  Read Story

Health insurers’ medical expenses to decline after decade of increases

U.S. health insurance companies are expected to show no overall increase in medical expenses for 2010 – a first in the last decade.  Read Story

N.C. health insurance agents plan Day on the Hill in Raleigh March 1-2

The 2011 North Carolina State Day on the Hill, sponsored by the North Carolina Association of Health Undewriters, will be held March 1 and 2 at the Sheraton Raleigh Hotel in Raleigh, N.C.  Read Story

Increased N.Y., Fla. auto claims drag down Allstate’s profitability

Allstate Corp. said its profitability was within its annual outlook, despite higher catastrophe losses, lower net investment income and increased frequency of auto claims, especially in New York and Florida.  Read Story