Digital Platforms

S&P and Moody’s offer differing takes on insurer’s pursuit of Alico.

The agencies issued a joint proposal detailing potential substitutes for credit ratings in setting capital minimums, but officials warned that Congress' decision to eliminate them from the supervisory process may be a mistake.

The number of IT services deals rose 14% from Q1 to Q2.

The Treasury released a comprehensive report on how it has unloaded warrants in more than four dozen lenders that have repaid the Troubled Asset Relief Program.

Carriers developing mobile applications to educate, entertain consumers.

All four rating agencies react to CNA’s issuance of $500 million in senior unsecured notes; GEICO and Nationwide ratings affirmed, and State Auto National’s ratings placed under review with negative implications.

Company plans to benefit from resulted expanded products, agency network.

Realized capital gains totaled $82 million for 2009, compared with $1.2 billion of realized capital losses in 2008, A.M. Best says.

Technology may some day enable cars to sense danger and avoid it, but how will this affect auto insurance?

Despite the GAO's skepticism, AIG's CEO says he expects to fully repay the bailout, and has commenced discussions with the government on the process and terms of a complete exit.

Industry says ongoing federal backstop is necessary to keep market functioning.

The financial crisis laid bare the flaws of the credit rating agencies, raising doubts about the agencies' objectivity in evaluating debt issuers that helped to fund their operations.

Support for the company’s encryption program, CipherEngine, is designed to help simplify compliance with industry regulations.

The Blackberry Enterprise Server automatically captures messages sent from employees’ Blackberries and stores them for personal and company record.

The Brownyard Group, a program administrator providing specialized insurance coverage for select industry groups, has formed a new division to serve as a facilitator between their agents/brokers and its underwriting and claims teams.

Risk Management Solutions' Enterprise Grid Computing software fully integrates the RMS RiskLink modeling platform with Microsoft’s Windows HPC Server.

V3 Insurance Partners will use AgencyPortal to launch its V3 Internet Workers Compensation product.

MarketStance says following the recent recession, insurers have an opportunity to grow if they take a proactive approach through marketing, underwriting and economic forecasting.

American Medical Association says there is nearly one malpractice claim filed for every physician.

No one would argue that the stakes in subsea deepwater drilling are high: Currently, investors are managing up to $2.5 trillion in deepwater wells across the globe. Deepwater oil production capacity (2,000 feet or deeper) has tripled since 2000 to five million barrels a day and has the potential to double again by 2015, according to Cambridge Energy Research Associates. There are now 14,000 deepwater wells worldwide.

Law curtails regulator's powers, requires radical transparency.

Already renowned for its high levels of customer service, USAA continues to innovate in sales and distribution.

As federal insurance entity germinates, insurers ask for adequate funding in letter to Treasury Secretary.

Moody's expects U.S. P&C insurers will either raise prices or experience continued pressure on underwriting profitability as reserve releases taper off.

Former Marsh CEO heads buying firm.

Swiss Re will leverage CSC’s CyberLife, Customer Service Accelerator and Claims Management Accelerator software for e-delivery and self-service capabilities.

A new report questions when insurer will be able to pay back Treasury for assistance.

Predicted uptick in portfolio systems technology spend sees vendors gearing up for rebound.

Insurer group hopes Mitchell's WorkCenter will reduce cycle time and increase customer satisfaction.

Aon, Genworth, Marsh, MetLife and XL Group all reported their Q2 financials.

Customer satisfaction with auto insurers declined considerably from 2009, says report, but much of that may be tied to flawed perception.

More than a decade since the repeal of the Glass-Steagall Act, the concept of a financial services supermarket staggers on.

U.S. CFOs believe tech spending and hiring will each increase 7% over the next 12 months, according to a Baruch College survey.

Insured losses for Deepwater Horizon disaster will be between $4 billion and $6 billion, Towers Watson estimates.

New report details value proposition for using semantic Web technologies.

S&P keeps MetLife on CreditWatch with negative implications, A.M. Best, Fitch and S&P all update ratings on Everest Re.

A survey ranks the underwriting processes most-influenced by technology, and the ways improving underwriting ops can aid collaboration.

Survey shows parents willing to support graduated driver licensing for younger motorists.

New York-based MetLife confirmed that it priced a 75 million common share offering at $42 a share (below yesterday’s closing price of $42.73), to raise $3.15 billion to help fund the cash portion of it acquisition of American International Group Inc.'s American Life Insurance Co. (Alico).

Insurers may be interested to learn of banks' similar quandary when debating the merits of implementing an emerging tech and selecting the right vendor for the job.

BlueWave Technology’s PipelineClaims solution will be part of Narragansett Bay Insurance Co.’s technology modernization project.

NICB says there has been a 527% increase in questionable auto glass claims so far this year compared to the first half of 2009.

North American insurers still troubled by transfer model of risk calculation.

ClaimCenter is designed to consolidate all of Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Company of Idaho's claims systems into one for all lines of business.

Proposed legislation would impose new requirements on carriers, while they come under scrutiny from the NAIC, Veterans Affairs Department and New York State’s attorney general.

The Ontario-based P&C insurer will be Duck Creek’s first Canadian customer.

The companies will offer Mitchell’s SmartAdvisor bill review solution integrated with Aon iVOS claims technology to benefit the workers’ compensation industry.

The fourth annual INNovators Awards has been enhanced this year to include additional awards in three specific categories that recognize the full complement of insurance technology excellence across all aspects of the business.

Multi-year data shows that hybrids have a 6.5%—or $182 higher—average claim severity than gas-powered counterparts.

Some see too many agencies, each with its own agenda.

Accenture will develop, implement and manage a variety of applications to support the insurer’s Canadian operations.

The P&C industry remains financially strong, and is well positioned to handle future investment volatility, S&P says in its latest report.