Digital Platforms

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.

Consumers want it, but will we survive it—and how do we insure it?

SourceMedia and MyPRGenie announce a partnership in which MyPRGenie will distribute its clients' press releases to SourceMedia's audience.

National Western Life Insurance, an Austin, Texas-based provider of individual universal life, whole life and term insurance plans, annuity products, and investment contracts, launched the iGO e-App for its life and annuity products on a global scale. The technology deal between National Western Life and iPipeline, an Exton, Pa.-based provider of on-demand software, makes it possible for iGo users to take advantage of intelligent fillable forms designed to simplify and accelerate the marketing, selling and processing of insurance applications.

Moody's affirms ratings of New York Life and TIAA-CREF Life Insurance; A.M. Best and S&P react to Fidelity National Financial’s merger announcements.

Unusual circumstances, geographies and risk concentrations contributed to higher-than-normal natural catastrophe losses, notes German reinsurer Munich Re, which points to the first half of 2010 as being marked by an exceptionally large number of natural catastrophes and the scale of the losses they caused.

The insurer settled its suit with the Connecticut AG regarding a lost drive in 2009 that contained the health info of 1.5 million members.

A year ago, Northeast Bancorp projected 10% annual growth in its insurance business, but instead is eking out growth of 1% to 2%.

Nationwide survey shows that 38% of drivers say they have been hit or nearly hit by a driver distracted by a cell phone.

An increase in qualified actuarial resources, and a need to move actuaries into more strategic activities, will offer insurers opportunities that were previously unavailable.

Prudential CEO to apologize to shareholders, while AIG board and CEO remain at odds.

Just ahead of midyear reinsurance treaty renewals, the June 2010 composite Property/Casualty rate index, released by Dallas-based MarketScout, an insurance exchange comprising primarily independent retail agents, measured down 3% as compared to the same time one year ago.

The new unit will support clients and prospects in the insurance, banking and mutual fund sectors.

Insurer says old enrollment forms containing sensitive information were mistakenly left in discarded file cabinet.

Sword Group’s new company, Sword Insurance, will offer CRM, BI tools and policy admin software to the property/casualty industry.