Monthly Archives: <span>December 2005</span>

If Assistance Bill Survives, Miss., La. Could Receive Billions to Recover From Katrina

If the Hurricane Recovery Assistance Bill survives the U.S. Senate, Mississippi could receive a significant share of the $29 billion assistance, according to Sen. Thad Cochran, R-Miss. The senator said he has negotiated a deal to provide funds to Gulf …

IBC Picks Canada’s 2005 “Top Ten” Insurance Crimes

The Insurance Bureau of Canada has released its annual Top Ten Insurance Crimes list, which highlights “some of the strangest and most audacious insurance frauds and auto theft cases uncovered by insurance investigators this year.” Topping the list was a …

Best Assigns ‘A-‘ Ratings to Bermuda Start-Up Flagstone Re

A.M. Best Co. announced that it has assigned a financial strength rating of “A-” (Excellent) and an issuer credit rating of “a-” to Bermuda- start-up Flagstone Reinsurance Limited, and has given the ratings a stable outlook. “Flagstone will operate as …

Estimates in Swiss Re sigma Study Confirm 2005 as Costliest Ever

Ever since Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans, 2005 looked certain to be a record-breaking year for insured losses. Swiss Re’s newly issued sigma report has now confirmed the sad fact. According to preliminary estimates (the full and exact figures won’t …

Texas-based CAA Member Agencies to Participate in Big ‘I’ Best Practices Study

Bigham-Kliewer-Chapman-Watts and Bosworth & Associates, two member agencies of Combined Agents of America, have been selected to be a part of the Independent Insurance Agents and Brokers of America “Best Practices” Study Group. Founded in 1952, Bigham-Kliewer-Chapman-Watts is based in …

Gilsbar Expands into Texas

Gilsbar, Inc., a leading health plan administrator, announces the addition of Andy Hillyer as Regional Sales Manager for the Texas region. Hillyer will be responsible for expanding current self-funded group health partnerships in Texas. Hillyer brings to Gilsbar extensive experience …

Ill. Insurance Dept. Offers Advice for Holiday Hosts, Travelers

If you’re hosting friends and family this holiday season, it might pay to check your insurance first, according to the Illinois Department of Insurance. Better to know in advance what is covered and what isn’t when hosting that Christmas dinner …

California Insurers Charge Drivers in Black, Latino Neighborhoods More, Report Indicates

Insurers charge good drivers living in California’s predominantly African-American and Latino zip codes substantially more for automobile insurance than good drivers in predominantly white communities, claims an analysis by Consumers Union, the non-profit publisher of Consumer Reports magazine. In some …

Fire Destroys Idaho Mall

Several businesses at a Coeur d’Alene mall were destroyed in a fire over the weekend. The blaze early Saturday was likely started by a heat cable in a drain pipe, fire department investigator Glenn Lauper told the Coeur d’Alene Press. …

Nevada Court Cancels Big Construction Defect Award

A multimillion-dollar construction defects award was erased Thursday by a unanimous Nevada Supreme Court decision that held the case had been improperly given class-action status by a lower court judge. The high court ruling favors Beazer Homes Holding Corp. and …