A New Jersey superior court dismissed all claims in franchise lawsuits filed against Allstate New Jersey Insurance Co., based in Bridgewater, N.J.

A federal judge in Philadelphia has rejected an effort by Nationwide Insurance agents to challenge the insurer’s new contract, which they say is unfair.

Guggenheim Partners, a diversified financial services firm, is buying EquiTrust Life Insurance Co. from its parent, FBL Financial Group.

The independent insurance agent and broker channel is alive and well nationally, especially in New York, where it grabbed a bigger market share than the national average, according to a trade group.

An insurance agent trade group praised the New York State Insurance Department’s draft regulation that will allow insurance producers to use out-of-state and Internet-based banks.

Property-casualty insurance provider Liberty Mutual Agency Corp. filed papers with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission to raise $1.22 billion by selling shares through an initial public offering.

Kevin Gilroy, an independent insurance agent from Paxinos, Pa., was named temporary successor to Northumberland County Treasurer Ronald L. Chamberlain, who announced he will resign July 30 for health reasons.

Travelers Insurance recently distributed its 2010 Personal Insurance Agent of the Year Awards, recognizing three independent agents from the mid-Atlantic.

The Professional Insurance Agents of Connecticut, New Hampshire, New Jersey and New York State have begun their annual Company Performance Surveys, gauging insurance producers’ views of the companies they represent.

Two New Jersey insurance agencies have joined forces to create a “master agency” to offer agents a new way to do business.