Mercury Insurance, a multi-line insurance organization operating in 13 states, is offering a new commercial auto insurance product it says uses technology to enable its independent agents to more easily rate, qualify and issue new business.

Sen. Dianne Feinstein, a San Francisco Democrat, has joined forces with those seeking approval of an initiative that would allow California to regulate health insurance rates.

California’s insurance commissioner announced the end to a pair of civil suits, filed over his agency’s efforts to force insurance companies to stop investing in corporations working in Iran.

The largest specialty insurance brokerage in the U.S. acquired a New York-based 401(k) investment and advisory firm, seeking to expand its presence in the Northeast.

Houston’s HCC Insurance Holdings said Pioneer General Insurance Co. will merge into American Contractors Indemnity Co., both of which are wholly owned subsidiaries of HCC.

LPL Financial, the nation’s largest independent broker-dealer, plans to acquire Fortigent, a Rockville, Md.-based provider of high-net-worth solutions and consulting services to RIAs, banks, and trust companies.

A Boston, Mass.-based insurance brokerage and risk management firm acquired its second independent insurance agency this year as part of its growth strategy in the Boston area.

Humana, based in Louisville, Kent., acquired a San Diego, Calif.-based health care analytics company to enhance its health care and identify cost savings.

The largest trade association of public-sector retirement funds endorsed a Washington, D.C.-based insurer’s fiduciary liability insurance program for its members.

An estate and financial-planning lawyer in Philadelphia, his father and several investment brokers in New Jersey were accused of operating an $8.5 million Ponzi scheme that allegedly defrauded 73 investors.