Digital Platforms

Study finds nearly 20% of life insurance producers willing to switch to another carrier whose culture, style and office support are a better fit.

A.M. Best revises CNA Insurance Co.’s outlook to stable from negative and upgrades Farmers Mutual Insurance Co.’s financial strength rating.

A new study from IBM suggests that data governance is critical, but actions based on data are unique.

Insurer qualified its overall growth objective of working with agents who can provide “superior levels of customer service.”

Company says suit that alleges it pilfered workers and trade secrets is without merit.

Priorities through 2012 include a focus on underwriting discipline, risk management and gearing up for Solvency II.

The Property Casualty Insurers Association of America and the Insurance Information Institute were among the organizations urging reform.

Dodd presses ahead without Shelby, but can he succeed?

USAA tops list of insurers garnering high marks for being perceived as doing what’s best for their customers, not just their bottom line.

Complaint alleges recently departed workers conspired to misappropriate Liberty’s trade secrets.

S&P cites acquisition of Burlington Northern Santa Fe Corp. in downgrade.

iPartners’ Insurance Scorecard offers performance management dashboards and scorecards, ad-hoc detailed analysis and production reporting.

Elementum will utilize CATRADER and ALERT to manage risks associated with its portfolio of cat bonds and other insurance-linked securities.

Experts say the best way to address systemic risk is by providing the regulatory community with direct access to a database that contains all firms’ networks of financial information.

IVANS study sees carriers embracing automation and efficiency efforts.

Talks have collapsed between Senators Dodd and Shelby over how best to improve consumer protection.

Lawmakers set to unveil bill that will strip some insurers of protections enjoyed under McCarran–Ferguson Act.

LexisNexis, in partnership with the Council of Insurance Agents & Brokers, will use FirstBest Systems to power automated intermediary distribution workflow.

Both federal and state governments are looking to crack down on unsafe practices.

A panel of four C-level insurance executives agree: the economic crisis has changed the competitive landscape. Just what they intend to do about it is another matter.

Despite being in talks to buy Alico from AIG, MetLife insists it doesn't need acquisitions to grow.

Statements made last week during congressional testimony rekindle debate about insurance regulation.

Carrier raising the bar, asking for $4 million in premium per location.

Official accused of using the power of the mayor's office for years to steer business to a friend's insurance agency.

Against growing discord, Obama’s pay czar says finalization of “grandfather” bonuses will be distributed in March.

TARP-driven BI discourages behavior that focuses on short-term results at the expense of value creation and innovation in the long run.

Like a pair of shoes, insurers may find that they are most comfortable with their new policy administration systems after a while. Indeed, a new report from Boston-based Celent, “Policy Administration Systems: Building Value over Time,” reviews strategies carriers can employ to glean continuing value from policy administration systems.

Of the many cuts included within the Obama administration’s proposed annual budget, terrorism risk insurance remains a hot button issue, as the insurance industry reacts to news that changes to the Terrorism Risk Insurance Act would include lower subsidies and higher deductibles and co-payments. Additionally, the proposal would remove any coverage for attacks by domestic terrorists, according to the Wall Street Journal (www.wallstreetjournal.com).

A little self-examination goes a long way for insurers when it comes to the purchasing of technology solutions, a new report from Boston-based insurance industry analyst firm, Strategy Meets Action (SMA) finds.

Preliminary results from an annual national survey of office-based physicians show 43.9% of respondents reported using some level of electronic health records systems in their practices in 2009, up almost 6% from 41.5% reporting EHR use in 2008.

XL Insurance, a unit of Bermuda-based XL Capital Ltd., reports that Patrick Tannock, a veteran Bermuda-based insurance executive, will assume the role of president effective Feb. 22.

Recent deals for technology software and services

KAREN CLARK OFFERS NEW CAT MANAGEMENT REVIEW

A trio of risk managers weigh in on creating a culture of risk awareness.

A new report reveals an increase in spending on enterprise risk management technologies.

Mitchell analysis reveals correlation between declining total loss claims and ongoing economic downturn.

Just a few pieces of information may be all that is needed to identify you—yet new methods make breaching your privacy even easier.

The insurer plans to "go west" by selling its life insurance products through banks in the Midwest and California.

Insurers releases details of toxic assets in SEC filing.

2009 was a record year for The National Insurance Crime Bureau, which received more than double the fraud tips than in 2008.

Six product lines have been made available on the platform, designed for high-volume transactions.

Life insurers receptive to White House plan to aid middle-class Americans.

Helping to enhance enterprise agility, mashups can be an important tool for insurers.

After endorsing Obama's financial reform plan, critics call Geithner out for flip-flopping on backing a return to the Glass-Steagall Act.

Cintas lists ways to keep electronic and paper documents secure.

A Texas bank is suing a business customer that was victimized by cyber-theft; what will insurers do in similar circumstances?

Report says secondary market ready for technical innovation.

President urges congress to continue efforts during State of the Union speech.

New study says mergers and acquisitions fell in 2009, but expects more action in 2010.

The analyst firm recognized 28 insurers in eight different categories, and named Missouri Employers Mutual its Model Insurer of the Year.

New Novarica report finds CIOs focused on improving business agility, insights and service quality.

Payments to counterparties at issue during congressional hearing.