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.

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.

The Maryland Insurance Administration has approved the Cigna‘s acquisition of Bravo Health, a Baltimore, Md.-based operator of Medicare Advantage plans.

A Washington, D.C.-based advocacy organization says that the federal health reform should be declared unconstitutional because it is cannot function without the individual mandate, which the group also argues is unconstitutional.

Selective Insurance Co. of America, a subsidiary of Branchville, N.J.-based Selective Insurance Group, announced two appointments: Dana D. Shutters as vice president, operational excellence; and Katherine L. Slonina as assistant vice president, regulatory compliance officer.

New Jersey’s insurance commissioner, Tom Considine, is expected to resign his office next month in preparation for a return to the private sector.

A former fishing boat crew member pleaded guilty to contributing to a conspiracy to help an owner sink his boat and collect the $400,000 in insurance.

A Cleveland, Ohio-based business services provider bought the employee benefits and retirement section from Advantage Benefit Planning (ABP), based in Pleasantville, N.J.

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

Natural disasters cost insurance companies more than $32 billion in direct insured losses in the first nine months of 2011, nearly double the average of other years, according to the Insurance Information Institute.