Monthly Archives: <span>December 2007</span>

Winds Prompt Renewed Southern California Fire Watch

Dry, gusty winds expected to blow through Southern California prompted weather officials to warn that parts of the region would be under increased risk of fire starting New Year’s Eve. The “fire weather watch” was scheduled to last from Monday …

Survey: Teens Want Friends to be Safer on Roads

With motor vehicle accidents claiming between 5,000 and 6,000 teen lives each year, a new survey commissioned by Allstate Insurance reveals that many teens do not take personal responsibility for safe driving and continue to engage in dangerous driving behaviors. …

Washington’s Workers’ Comp Rate Holiday Ends Tonight

Washington’s six-month rate holiday, during which employers and workers saved $315 million in workers’ compensation premiums, will end with the arrival of the New Year tonight, according to the state Department of Labor and Industries. For work performed on Jan. …

Top Insurance Stories in 2007 in the West

While 2007 was a surprisingly calm year for hurricanes, that doesn’t mean Mother Nature didn’t have a tantrum or two. In 2007, the West faced its share of disasters, with freezes, floods and fires making news headlines from California all …

Ratings Roundup: Georgia Casualty, Conseco

A.M. Best Co. has placed the financial strength rating of ‘B+’ (Good) and the issuer credit rating (ICR) of “bbb-” of Georgia Casualty & Surety Company under review with positive implications. “The rating actions reflect the pending acquisition of this …

Ratings Recap: General (India), SCA, Successor Hurricane, Wing Lung, Dao Heng, Sovereign Assurance

A.M. Best Co. has affirmed the financial strength rating of A- (Excellent) and the issuer credit rating (ICR) of “a-” of General Insurance Corporation of India (GIC) and has revised its outlook on both ratings to stable from negative. “The …

Pa. High Court: Murder Spree is Single Event under Home Insurance Policy

An insurance company can be required to defend policyholders accused of negligence in the aftermath of a deadly shooting spree conducted by their son, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court has ruled. However, the shooting spree that took five lives over several …

Top Insurance Stories in 2007

The debate over climate change captured the world’s attention, including the insurance industry’s, in 2007, while major hurricanes spared the United States’ coastline. The soft market took hold of virtually all segments of the insurance market and even buyers in …

New Ill. Law Requires Background Check on Carnival Ride Workers

A new Illinois law requires background checks on workers who operate amusement park and carnival rides. Governor Rod Blagojevich says the law is designed to protect children by preventing registered sex offenders and other convicted felons from operating rides. The …

Texas Discount, Interest Rate Set for Jan. 1 – March 31, 2008

The Texas Department of Insurance, Division of Workers’ Compensation determined that any interest or discount provided for in the Texas Workers’ Compensation Act shall be at the rate of 6.84 percent. This rate is computed by using the treasury constant …