Monthly Archives: <span>December 2010</span>

Best Affirms Transatlantic Holdings and Subs ‘A’ Ratings of

A.M. Best Co. has affirmed the financial strength rating (FSR) of ‘A’ (Excellent) and issuer credit ratings (ICR) of “a” of new York-based Transatlantic Reinsurance Company, Swiss-based Trans Re Zurich Reinsurance Company Ltd. and Putnam Reinsurance Company. Best also affirmed …

Kentucky Farmers Eligible for Assistance

A program that provides assistance to farmers who have suffered losses due to natural disasters is taking applications beginning Jan. 10. The applications for Supplemental Revenue Assistance Payments cover the 2009 crop year. To be eligible, a farm must have …

Peoria Siding & Window Co. Cited for Failing to Provide Fall Protection

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited Peoria Siding & Window Co. Inc. of Washington, Ill., with one willful safety violation for failing to provide fall protection for employees working on residential roofing projects. The …

Inspections Reducing Mine Safety Violations: U.S. Official

Conducting special inspections to crack down on mines with poor safety records appears to be working, the federal Mine Safety and Health Administration said last week. The agency said it issued 250 citations and orders during so-called impact inspections at …

2010’s Top Insurance Stories in the West

In 2009, independent insurance agents and brokers faced a “perfect storm” with the economic downturn, premiums at a fraction of what they used to be, and unemployment and home foreclosure rates up, said Kevin Baker of San Jose, Calif.-based Suhr …

Illinois-based Di Paolo Co. Fined $113K for Safety Violations

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited Di Paolo Co. in Glenview, Ill., with one willful and nine serious safety violations for allowing workers in Elgin to perform trenching and excavation work at depths of …

An Improved Ohio Workers’ Comp System Continues to Face Challenges

The Ohio workers’ compensation system is by all accounts in much better shape than it was in the dark days of 2007, when the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation was embroiled in a series of investment scandals. The recent successes, …

12 Days of Riskmas: An Insurance Broker’s Story

In giving her Christmas gifts for 12 straight days, a true love inspires his girlfriend to build a whole new life. It’s a joyful story for the holidays but one that comes with risks. According to the popular Christmas carol, …

Insurers’ Recent Success a Milestone in a Year of Chinese Drywall Litigation

A federal judge in Louisiana recently let 10 insurance companies being sued by Louisiana homeowners over property damage resulting from the installation of defective drywall from China off the hook for coverage from those claims. The early Christmas gift to …

Ratings Recap: Beazley (U.S.), Atradius Trade Credit, HDI-Gerling America

A.M. Best Co. has affirmed the financial strength rating of ‘A’ (Excellent) and issuer credit rating of “a” of Connecticut-based Beazley Insurance Company, Inc. (BICI), both with stable outlooks. These ratings reflect “BICI’s solid stand-alone risk-adjusted capitalization, in addition to …