Digital Platforms

In wake of health care debate, Leslie Margolin takes leave to head coalition.

Fitch affirms Aetna and Lloyd’s of London ratings; A.M. Best upgrades NAICO; S&P lowers ratings on Cincinnati Financial Corp.'s operating insurance companies.

Once the bill is signed regulators will have the task of implementing hundreds of regulations and commencing dozens of studies.

Commercial property & casualty business is suffering from excess capacity in the hunt for market share, resulting in another quarter of declining renewal pricing, according to The Council of Insurance Agents & Brokers’ second quarter Commercial P/C Market Index Survey. On average, renewal rates dropped by about 6% in the second quarter, compared with a 5% decrease in the first quarter of 2010, notes CIAB.

Organizations are most fearful that the return on investment isn't worth the cost of ownership.

Two of the industry’s top advocates in Washington give INN an inside look as landmark legislation passes.

Reported to be the 10th-largest securities class action settlement in U.S. history, AIG will pay $175 million within 10 days of preliminary court approval of the settlement. AIG also expected to name Mark Wilson AIA Group CEO.

Ascinsure Specialty Risk to offer insurance solutions for crane owners and operators, scaffolding, rental equipment and party goods dealers and all types of inland marine markets.

Insurers may want to note that as the use of mobile banking increases, many consumers still prefer traditional channels for more-complex transactions.

Life insurers have rebounded from last year’s struggles, recognizing a 20% increase in the industry’s absolute capital from Q1 2009 to Q1 2010.

West Bend hopes to adapt the program as a rating engine for all of its lines of insurance.

Policy circles already are abuzz about what changes to seek in a "corrections" bill to fix problems with the legislation.

As landmark legislation makes it way to the President’s desk, insurers look ahead to rule-making phase with trepidation.

Black Hat was set to expose Chinese cyber-attack capabilities until big-money agencies stepped in to silence them.

Industry cheers flood extension as wind damage amendment complicates matters.

The Senate approved the bill by a vote of 60 to 39; it now moves on to the president, who is expected to sign it next week.

Lawmakers voted for cloture with the help of three key Republicans, meaning the Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act must now clear a simple majority to pass the Senate.

CNA to cede about $1.6 B of net asbestos and environmental pollution liabilities to National Indemnity Co.; A.M. Best's ratings for CNA unchanged.

The reform bill, which could pass today, should make the Fed a more assertive regulator focused on anticipating the next systemic threat.

A survey shows that 3% of firms were “customer-centric organizations,” while 33% of firms were “customer-oblivious organizations.”

Move follows dispute over sale of Asian life unit.

With Bill Bloom leaving Travelers for ExlService Holdings, the Hartford-based insurer tapped 2008 Women in Insurance Leadership honoree Madelyn Lankton and Elio Lagana to fill the void.

Sales analytics tools offer insurers significant benefits, says Aberdeen.

Ten years out, insurers will experience four significant business shifts that will create new technology trends and transformative opportunities for insurers, notes report.

In an ever-competitive market, long-term viability of Islamic insurance sector supported by growth, profitability.

Annuities deemed not to be securities and will remain under state regulatory purview.

Essent Guaranty says it's lined up $100 million of fresh capital, bringing its total equity commitments to $600 million.

Senate passage may come Thursday after Sen. Nelson's commitment.

The consulting firm announced its 50 top U.S.-based life and health insurer list for the 20th straight year.

The consulting firm announced its 50 top U.S.-based property/casualty insurer list for the 20th straight year.

The Department of Health and Human Services says it wants "well-intentioned providers to become meaningful users of electronic health records."

Last procedural roadblocks blocking landmark legislation are cleared as Sen. Olympia Snowe signals she will back bill.

SunGard, in collaboration with Microsoft and HP, has created a new enterprise risk management (ERM) framework that will help support insurance companies' Solvency II (SII) compliance initiatives. The three companies have identified and packaged in the framework technology components and consulting services (SunGard's iWorks ERM solution, HP's consulting services and infrastructure portfolio, and Microsoft's HPC and SQL servers) that can help insurance customers define and implement a comprehensive ERM technology framework that supports SII requirements, reports SunGard.

GoodForLife bundles life insurance and severe accident and critical illness benefits, begins to return premiums paid at age 65.

Fitch affirms ratings of AIG and CIGNA; Moody's and S&P react to the announcement that Aon plans to acquire Hewitt Associates.

Despite major catastrophes, property/casualty insurers accounted for an after-tax net income of $11.5 billion, report says.

Researchers and TV shows have already proven that it’s possible, but is it advisable?

Allegient Systems’ Expense and Reporting Management Suite will provide Southern Pioneer with legal bill review and performance management services.

Claims-handling, licensing and underwriting issues continue to dominate the annual list of market conduct exams.

Both the Property Casualty Insurers of America (PIA) and the American Insurance Association (AIA) hailed a Michigan Supreme Court’s 4-3 decision stating that the Michigan insurance commissioner does not have the authority to arbitrarily ban the use of credit-based information by insurers in pricing and underwriting. The decision, which arose from the Insurance Institute of Michigan, et al v. Commissioner, Michigan Financial and Insurance Services, Department of Labor and Economic Growth, plays forward in positive ways for insureds, notes David Snyder, vice president and associate general counsel of the AIA.

Agents responding to a survey say their customer service reps save several hours daily by using electronic, real-time carrier sites/portals, but there’s still room for improvement.

Broker pays $4.9 billion to acquire outsourcing consultancy Hewitt Associates.

The platform should help Dearborn National eliminate the cost of keeping up with changes to desktop word processing tools.

Ironshore Vacancy Assure is designed to provide coverage for vacant or partially occupied properties against listed perils and environmental damages.

The European Claims Vendors report for 2010 praised FINEOS for its delivery track record and product investments.

FAB Billing is designed to enable better service for insureds and agents.

German reinsurer firm selects Tata Communications to deploy and manage Telepresence Service in 16 countries across the world.

Personal lines property/casualty carriers received confirmation yesterday of a business strategy that works: Claimants of insurance companies that provide highly satisfying property claims experiences are considerably more likely to renew with their insurer and recommend their insurer to others, according to the J.D. Power and Associates’ (http://businesscenter.jdpower.com/) 2010 U.S. Home Claims Satisfaction Study released yesterday.

Three charged in New York with stealing nearly $500,000 from Progressive and Mercury by forging and cashing claims checks.

Annual survey shows fewer implementations this year; management reporting a priority.

Experts contend there's a market for mobile transactions, which aren't limited to mobile-related purchases, but anything consumers might pay for over the Internet or in person, including insurance.

Auto parts, market conduct rules on the docket at legislators’ summer meeting.