The workers’ compensation market felt the effects of the global financial crisis last year, with net premiums written plunging 14.6%, to $12.3 billion, marking its lowest level in a decade.

Federal health reform is being blamed for up to one-quarter of the increase to employers and employees’ health insurance costs for 2011, according to a new analysis.

A collection of nine U.S. metropolitan areas, including five in California and Philadelphia, experienced higher than average increases in their health premiums for this plan year.

The 2010 property-casualty industry forecast is for net premium growth of 1.4%, almost three times lower than the anticipated growth rate for the nation’s gross domestic product.

A Washington State woman lost her insurance license and promised not to work in the industry again after Oregon regulators determined she collected $135,225 worth of business insurance premium payments for policies she never wrote.

The chief executive of a bankrupt Scranton, Pa., insurance agency was charge with stealing more than $1.3 million in clients’ premium payments from education institutions, a casino and a municipal government.

A Chantilly, Va.-based insurance company has developed a new approach to clinical trial and products liability protection that has led to up to a 30% reduction in some premiums.

MetLife has introduced a new dual-option dental offering for smaller businesses it says is designed to make it easier for these firms to achieve their top benefits objectives of controlling costs and retaining employees.

A Houston, Texas, insurance agency paid about $30,000 in restitution to surplus lines policyholders it was found by Maryland insurance regulators to have overcharged.

A Republican member of Virginia’s House of Delegates was selected to lead the state’s top health care committee, indicating the panel will be “shining a spotlight” on how new federal reform law affects the state.