Monday, November 14, 2011

Breaking News: Supreme Court to Hear Healthcare Law in March

Insurance Journal Breaking News
November 14, 2011

Breaking News Alert

Supreme Court to Hear Healthcare Law in March

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The Supreme Court agreed Monday to decide the fate of President Barack Obama's healthcare law, with an election-year ruling due by July on the U.S. healthcare system's biggest overhaul in nearly 50 years.

The decision had been widely expected since late September, when the Obama administration asked the nation's highest court to uphold the centerpiece insurance provision and 26 states separately asked that the entire law be struck down.

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3570 Camino del Rio North, Suite 200
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Copyright © 2011 by Wells Publishing, Inc.

Weekly Reader Picks: Monday, November 14, 2011

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Insurance Journal Weekly Reader Picks
November 14, 2011

Top 10 for the Past Week

1.11/11/11: What’s In a Number?
Nov 10, 2011 -- November 11, 2011 might hold special significance for some, since the date can also be written 11/11/11. When the calendar and its numbers align, some people try to ascribe mystical significance, according to a Wake Forest University professor. Eric ...
2.Insurers, Policyholders Clash Over Business Interruption Claims
Nov 7, 2011 -- Over the years, insurance companies and policyholders have been arguing in courts over how to calculate business interruption losses during catastrophes. This is the type of coverage that is often ignored until there is a loss. But once there is a ...
3.S&P Lowers State Auto Group’s Operating Company Ratings to ‘BBB+’
Nov 10, 2011 -- Standard & Poor's Ratings Services has lowered its counterparty credit and financial strength ratings on the operating insurance companies of State Auto Group to 'BBB+' from 'A-'. S&P also lowered its counterparty credit rating on State Auto ...
4.LexisNexis Selling P/C Insurance Software Business
Nov 9, 2011 -- LexisNexis Risk Solutions said it is selling its property/casualty insurance software business to a San Francisco-based private equity firm, Genstar Capital. The division being sold provides policy administration software for the property/ casualty ...
5.Liberty Mutual Posts $111M Q3 Loss, Hurt By CAT Loss, Asbestos Charge
Nov 6, 2011 -- Liberty Mutual Group reported a net loss of $111 million for its third quarter. In contrast, the third-largest property/casualty insurer in the U.S. had posted net profit of $567 million during the same quarter last year. The company's result was ...
6.S&P Lowers Outlook on Allstate and Subs to Negative; Affirms Ratings
Nov 3, 2011 -- Standard & Poor's Ratings Services has revised its outlook on Allstate Corp., Allstate Insurance Co. (AIC), and its core property-liability insurance companies (collectively, Allstate Protection), as well as the life insurance companies, deemed ...
7.Florida’s Citizens Cutting Back on Coverage
Nov 7, 2011 -- Florida homeowners who insure their homes through the state-run property insurer, Citizens, will have less coverage available next year. Citizens Property Insurance Corp., in a message to agents, said it will no longer provide coverage for most ...
8.Missouri Pastor Pleads Guilty in Death of Congregant, an Insurance Agent
Nov 10, 2011 -- A former western Missouri pastor has pleaded guilty in the death of a former member of his church. Fifty-two-year-old David Love of Independence pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in the death of 42-year-old Randy Stone, a Farmers insurance ...
9.Bering Sea Superstorm Slamming West Alaska
Nov 9, 2011 -- The National Weather Service is reporting an event billed as "The Bering Sea Superstorm" is striking the coast of Alaska. The storm is "punishing the west Alaska coast with hurricane-force winds, destructive waves and surge, severe erosion and ...
10.Insurance Executives Turn Pessimistic Over Business Outlook: Survey
November 10, 2011 -- Many U.S. insurance executives believe that business conditions have worsened compared to a year ago. Faced with ...

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3570 Camino del Rio North, Suite 200
San Diego, CA 92108
(800) 897-9965
Copyright © 2011 by Wells Publishing, Inc.

Monday, November 7, 2011

What's Different About Specialty Lines Claims?

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New Class: What to Expect from Specialty Lines Claims
New Training from Academy of Insurance

What to Expect from Specialty Lines Claims

The claims processes for specialty lines claims are often different than those experienced in commercial general liability claims.

Join us this Wednesday to learn
the important differences that every broker
should understand (and be able to explain).

Date: Wednesday, Nov. 9
Time: 1:30pm ET / 10:30am PT
Duration: 1 Hour

Don't worry, all registrants will receive recording download after the live webcast so you can watch and rewatch anytime.

Click Here to Register

There are several reasons these differences may arise. This Wednesday we'll talk about many of these reasons including:
* the presence of a claims-made trigger,
* the "four corners approach" to policy review and analysis,
* the complexity of the claim in general,
* the different models used by insurers to handle and supervise claims,
* and the fact that attorneys have long manned the claims desks.

The types of claims addressed in this class include errors and omissions, professional liability, directors and officers, and employment practices liability.

Join us this Wednesday to learn the important differences that every broker should understand
(and be able to explain).

Click Here to Register

What you will learn in this webinar:

  • Explore the claims process differences between basic casualty and specialty casualty claims
  • Explore coverage issues that require attention in these claims; and
  • Learn the errors and omissions implications of these types of claims

What you'll receive when you register:

  • Access to the live webinar
  • Video and audio recordings, so you can watch or listen again
  • Question & Answer session with the instructor
  • Audio download of the webcast
  • Presentation slides download

Join us this Wednesday, November 9th for this one-hour training webinar. (PLUS, all registrants will receive video and audio recordings of the webinar, so you can listen/watch again at your convenience.)

Click Here to Reserve Your Spot!

Regularly priced at $129.00, just $89 when you
register today!
(special pricing expires November 8th)

Register Now

Have questions or need help?
Send an email to webcasts@insurancejournal.com
or call Barbara at 800-897-9965 x166.

Date: Wednesday, Nov. 9th
Time: 1:30pm ET /
10:30am PT
Duration: 1 Hour
Price: Save $40 until Nov. 8th! Register today for just $89!
Click Here to Register

Instructor: Fred Fisher

Photo of Fred Fisher Agency executive, industry leader and widely published author.

Best Seller

How Contracts Impact Insurance Insurance and Contracts Triple Pack: Get immediate access to three one-hour trainings about insurance and contracts that you can watch at your convenience.

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Professional Liability Triple Pack Master the art of identifying professional liability exposures and matching coverage to ensure proper coverage and accomplish the insured's objective.

More Great Training
Coming Soon:


NOV 16: Getting "Free" and Local Listings in Search Engine Results
This course will provide an overview of the search engine landscape and their differing results pages, with varied types of content returned.

NOV 17: How to Read and Understand ANY Insurance Policy
Learn the rules of reading insurance policies and why exclusions and exceptions exist.

DEC 7: Paying for Web Traffic Through Sponsored Search Engine and Directory Listings
Did you know that you could have prominent exposure within search engine results pages for queries performed by qualified leads within as little as a day?

DEC 8: Understanding Commercial Property Underwriting and "COPE" (A 2-Part Series)
Learn the importance of each of the four basic data points in the property underwriting process: Construction, Occupancy, Protection and Exposure (COPE).


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Insurance Journal
3570 Camino del Rio North, Suite 200
San Diego, CA 92108
(800) 897-9965
Copyright © 2011 by Wells Publishing, Inc.

Weekly Reader Picks: Monday, November 7, 2011

Sponsored by: Lexington Insurance. Where There's a Risk, There's a way. Get the latest on risk with our LexCast Series. Click Here
Insurance Journal Weekly Reader Picks
November 7, 2011

Top 10 for the Past Week

1.Company Health Plans Raising Costs for Smokers, Obese
Oct 31, 2011 -- Like a lot of companies, Veridian Credit Union wants its employees to be healthier. In January, the Waterloo, Iowa-company rolled out a wellness program and voluntary screenings. It also gave workers a mandate: quit smoking, curb obesity, or you'll ...
2.S&P Lowers Outlook on Allstate and Subs to Negative; Affirms Ratings
Nov 3, 2011 -- Standard & Poor's Ratings Services has revised its outlook on Allstate Corp., Allstate Insurance Co. (AIC), and its core property-liability insurance companies (collectively, Allstate Protection), as well as the life insurance companies, deemed ...
3.Marsh & McLennan Agency Acquires Gallagher & Associates
Nov 3, 2011 -- Marsh & McLennan Agency LLC (MMA), a subsidiary of insurance broker Marsh Inc., has acquired Minnesota-based Gallagher & Associates Inc., a $1 million property and casualty insurance agency specializing in public school districts. Gallagher ...
4.Study: Rating Errors Cause $15B Decrease in Revenue for Auto Insurers
Nov 2, 2011 -- Auto insurance companies are missing out on more than $15 billion of revenue because of policyholder misinformation, according to a new study of premium rating errors. Quality Planning, a member of the Verisk Insurance Solutions group at Verisk ...
5.AIG Says Commercial Line Rate Hike Is Accelerating
Nov 4, 2011 -- American International Group said its U.S. commercial line rates are increasing at an accelerated pace. A number of other major insurers have been offering similar observations in this earnings season. "In U.S. commercials lines, we are seeing a ...
6.Farmers Insurance: Nov.1 Will Dramatically Impact Oklahoma Drivers
Oct 31, 2011 -- Farmers Insurance is advising Oklahoma residents that a new law, which goes into effect on Nov. 1, will have a significant effect on all drivers, especially those who drive without proper automobile insurance. The new measure, Senate Bill 272, which ...
7.Early Northeast Snowstorm Deals Insurers Another Blow
Nov 1, 2011 -- The U.S. insurance industry, already bruised by one of the most devastating weather years in history, appears to have suffered another blow from Saturday's unprecedented northeastern snowstorm. Early data from some of the country's largest insurers ...
8.Most of $19.9 Billion Madoff vs JPMorgan Case Tossed
Nov 2, 2011 -- A federal judge threw out most of a $19.9 billion lawsuit against JPMorgan Chase & Co and a $2 billion case against UBS AG by the trustee seeking money for victims of epic swindler Bernard Madoff's fraud. The decision by U.S. District Court ...
9.Why Real Estate Professionals Need E&O Coverage
Oct 31, 2011 -- As real estate professionals know well, most signs point to slow progress in real estate industry growth. Professionals are left to manage their costs, make cuts where possible, keep up-to-date on industry trends, fight for the best terms for ...
10.Maine Ski Area Not Responsible for Man’s Injuries
Nov 3, 2011 -- A jury has ruled that a Maine ski resort was not responsible for injuries suffered by a Bethel man who fell off a chairlift on a windy day. The Oxford County Superior Court jury ruled on Monday, Oct. 31, that injuries suffered at Sunday River in ...

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Insurance Journal
3570 Camino del Rio North, Suite 200
San Diego, CA 92108
(800) 897-9965
Copyright © 2011 by Wells Publishing, Inc.

Monday, October 31, 2011

Is Email Shrinking Your Bottom Line?

Having trouble reading this email? View it as a webpage. Not interested anymore? Unsubscribe instantly.
New Class: Inbox Detox and the Habit of Email Excellence
New Training from Academy of Insurance

Learn the Habits of Email Excellence and Add Hours to Your Days

How much time do you spend on email? Imagine the impact to your bottom line when the Inbox no longer controls everyone in your office.

We would like to invite you to join us for an hour of email tips and hints that are designed to help you add hours to your days, help you get organized, and even reduce some of your stress about email.

Date: Wednesday, Nov. 2nd
Time: 1:30pm ET / 10:30am PT
Duration: 1 Hour

Click Here to Register

When you register, you get:

  • Access to the live webinar on November 2
  • Video and audio recordings, so you can watch or listen again
  • Question & Answer session with the instructor
  • MP3 download of the webcast
  • Presentation slides

Join us this Wednesday, November 2nd for this one-hour training webinar. (PLUS, all registrants will receive video and audio recordings of the webinar, so you can listen/watch again at your convenience.)

Space is limited!

Click Here to Reserve Your Spot!

Regularly priced at $129.00, just $89 when you
register today!
(special pricing expires November 1st)

Register Now

Have questions or need help?
Send an email to webcasts@insurancejournal.com
or call Barbara at 800-897-9965 x166.

Date: Wednesday, Nov. 2nd
Time: 1:30pm EDT /
10:30am PDT
Duration: 1 Hour
Price: Save $40 until Nov. 1st! Register today for just $89!
Click Here to Register

Instructor: Marsha Egan

Photo of Marsha Egan Celebrated keynoter, facilitator, author and ICF-certified workplace productivity coach.

Popular

How Contracts Impact Insurance Insurance and Contracts Triple Pack: Get immediate access to three one-hour trainings about insurance and contracts that you can watch at your convenience.

Coming Soon:

NOV 9: What to Expect from Specialty Lines Claims
This webinar gives an overview of the specialty-lines claims process as experienced by insureds and brokers. The types of claims addressed in this class include errors and omissions, professional liability, directors and officers, and employment practices liability.

NOV 16: Getting "Free" and Local Listings in Search Engine Results
This course will provide an overview of the search engine landscape and their differing results pages, with varied types of content returned.

NOV 17: How to Read and Understand ANY Insurance Policy
Learn the rules of reading insurance policies and why exclusions and exceptions exist.


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Insurance Journal
3570 Camino del Rio North, Suite 200
San Diego, CA 92108
(800) 897-9965
Copyright © 2011 by Wells Publishing, Inc.

Weekly Reader Picks: Monday, October 31, 2011

Sponsored by: MiniCo Insurance. Join Us For MiniCo's Webcast: Insuring Todays Self-Storage Risk. Friday, November 4, 2011. Time: 11:00AM PT / 2:00PM ET. Click here for more information.
Insurance Journal Weekly Reader Picks
October 31, 2011

Top 10 for the Past Week

1.Disability Benefits Get Costlier and More Complicated
Oct 26, 2011 -- Like just about every other workplace benefit, disability insurance is becoming something workers have to manage and pay for, at least partially, themselves. In the current open enrollment season for 2012 benefits, more employers are asking workers ...
2.Home Insurance Rates Do Not Reflect Cost of Risk: Aon Benfield
Oct 24, 2011 -- U.S. insurers' prospective after-tax return on equity for homeowners' insurance is 4.8 percent on average, a decrease from the 6.9 percent of 2010, mainly due to subdued investment returns and higher estimates of non-coastal losses. That calculation ...
3.Top 10 Excuses From Drivers Caught Using Phones
Oct 14, 2011 -- The Insurance Corporation of British Columbia, a Canadian auto insurer, released last week a list of top excuses from local motorists when they were caught using handheld cellphones while driving. The insurer compiled the information with help from ...
4.Movie Star Stallone Sued, Accused of Copyright Infringement Over Screenplay
Oct 26, 2011 -- Action movie star Sylvester Stallone is accused in a lawsuit of copying another writer's screenplay to make "The Expendables," a movie about mercenaries hired to defeat a military dictator. The lawsuit was filed in Manhattan federal court on Tuesday ...
5.U.S. Offering Small Businesses Free Cyber Security Tool
Oct 25, 2011 -- The U.S. government is making it easier for small businesses to beef up defenses against cyber criminals through a free, online tool, the top U.S. communications regulator said Monday. The Small Biz Cyber Planner will allow business owners to create ...
6.Florida Man Wins $1M Claim Against South Carolina Lawyer
Oct 25, 2011 -- A federal jury has awarded a Florida man $1 million in punitive damages against his former Charleston lawyer. The Post and Courier reported that a jury in Columbia ruled against attorney Robert Lowe Jr. in the legal malpractice case. The jury also ...
7.In Few Years, Social Network Data May Be Used in Underwriting
Oct 13, 2011 -- The insurance industry is paying increasing attention to what people and businesses post on social networking sites like Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn. Already, scouring Facebook and other social network pages of the insureds is a common practice ...
8.Auto Claims Considered Total Loss Deliver Less Customer Satisfaction: J.D. Power
Oct 27, 2011 -- Auto insurance claimants who incur a total vehicle loss are notably less satisfied with the claims experience than claimants who incur a repairable vehicle claim, a new study reports. Satisfaction averages 811 on a 1,000-point scale among claimants ...
9.West Virginia Judge Affirms $91M Damage Award Against Nursing Home
Oct 24, 2011 -- A Kanawha County, West Virginia judge has affirmed most of a $91.5 million damage award against a Charleston nursing home in a lawsuit that claimed it failed to properly feed and care for an elderly woman who died hours after leaving the facility. ...
10.Accident Fund Will Cover Comp Claim for Joplin Tornado Survivor
Oct 25, 2011 -- Michigan-based Accident Fund Insurance Company of America now says it will honor the workers' compensation claims for a man injured during the tornado outbreak in Joplin, Mo., earlier this year. Mark Lindquist, a social worker, nearly gave his life ...

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Insurance Journal
3570 Camino del Rio North, Suite 200
San Diego, CA 92108
(800) 897-9965
Copyright © 2011 by Wells Publishing, Inc.

Thursday, October 27, 2011

An Hour of Email Tips and Tricks

Having trouble reading this email? View it as a webpage. Not interested anymore? Unsubscribe instantly.
New Training from Academy of Insurance

Learn the Habits of Email Excellence and Add Hours to Your Days

Imagine the impact to your bottom line when the Inbox no longer controls everyone in your office.

Is your email controlling your day? Do you have "inbox overload?" Do you have trouble keeping up and following up with all your email?

We would like to invite you to join us for an hour of email tips and hints that are designed to help you add hours to your days, help you get organized, and even reduce some of your stress about email.

Click Here to Register

When you register, you get:

  • Access to the live webinar on November 2
  • Video and audio recordings, so you can watch or listen again
  • Question & Answer session with the instructor
  • MP3 download of the webcast
  • Presentation slides

Join us this Wednesday, November 2nd for this one-hour training webinar. (PLUS, all registrants will receive video and audio recordings of the webinar, so you can listen/watch again at your convenience.)

Space is limited!

Click Here to Reserve Your Spot!

Regularly priced at $129.00, just $89 when you
register today!
(special pricing expires November 1st)

Register Now

Have questions or need help?
Send an email to webcasts@insurancejournal.com
or call Barbara at 800-897-9965 x166.

Date: Wednesday, Nov. 2nd
Time: 1:30pm EDT /
10:30am PDT
Duration: 1 Hour
Price: Save $40 until Nov. 1st! Register today for just $89!
Click Here to Register

Instructor: Marsha Egan

Photo of Marsha Egan Celebrated keynoter, facilitator, author and ICF-certified workplace productivity coach.

Popular

How Contracts Impact Insurance Insurance and Contracts Triple Pack: Get immediate access to three one-hour trainings about insurance and contracts that you can watch at your convenience. Special pricing expires soon.

Coming Soon:

NOV 9: What to Expect from Specialty Lines Claims
This webinar gives an overview of the specialty-lines claims process as experienced by insureds and brokers. The types of claims addressed in this class include errors and omissions, professional liability, directors and officers, and employment practices liability.

NOV 16: Getting "Free" and Local Listings in Search Engine Results
This course will provide an overview of the search engine landscape and their differing results pages, with varied types of content returned.

NOV 17: How to Read and Understand ANY Insurance Policy
Learn the rules of reading insurance policies and why exclusions and exceptions exist.


Send to a Friend | Contact Us | Subscribe | Unsubscribe | Privacy Policy

Insurance Journal
3570 Camino del Rio North, Suite 200
San Diego, CA 92108
(800) 897-9965
Copyright © 2011 by Wells Publishing, Inc.