Digital Platforms

Tom Sharkey Jr. will reprise his role as president of his family's recently relaunched firm.

A bill preventing stranger-induced life insurance policies passed the Iowa state legislature.

After learning of a data leak exposing about 128,000 customers’ information, Wellpoint reportedly fixed it and is notifying customers.

Being able to respond quickly to market opportunities is carrier’s goal in technology buy.

In today's soft market, insurers may need to shift their executive focus toward running lean. How can the CIO help?

Four professional bodies support the “Edinburgh Declaration,” which states their commitment to develop and build an industry consensus around raising standards and professionalism.

Orlando, Fla. – The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) is advancing a rule that will protect insurance consumers from discriminatory underwriting practices in the sale of life insurance.

For insurers, privacy tops the list of chief compliance concerns, while Sarbanes-Oxley drops off the radar.

A new report from A.M. Best predicts Solvency II will substantially increase regulatory capital requirements for most European insurers.

Raj Manghani will lead Risk Management Solutions’ efforts to help insurers use catastrophe modeling to make better underwriting decisions.

The increase has been across the board in functional areas, including BPO, IT, F&A and HR.

Law aims to protect senior citizens purchasing securities.

Connecture Inc. wins Small Business Times' Innovation Quotient Award, which is given annually to companies creating innovative products, services or processes in business.

New financial reform plan is reigniting a long-simmering regulatory debate.

Banking-commerce divide would end, Fed would add oversight

CIOs urged to evaluate initiatives for both tactical and strategic import.

Respected technical institute tackles ethical issues in light of recent business scandals.

Research shows that automated processes for risk analysis and management, and the ability to align IT policy, risk and operations management with business initiatives are important when deciding whether to invest in a GRC solution.

Insurer hopes end-to-end book roll solution will help its agents streamline operations.

San Diego – Hurricanes pose the greatest “act of nature” risk to the U.S. insurance industry for 2008, according to EMB, a San Diego-based actuarial consulting firm. In order to stay ahead, P&C companies must develop detailed enterprise risk management (ERM) strategies and processes that account for the risks in a shifting climate, the company says.

To counter stagnant growth, distribution channels and technologies need to be examined anew, says research firm.

Auto insurer fosters innovation through highly visible competition.

The insurer was impressed with the system's flexibility, capacity for rapid deployment and its use of a rules-based model.

NATIONWIDE MUTUAL ADOPTS APP TESTING SOLUTION

EPAM NAMED ITO LEADER

ACCENTURE UNVEILS P&C INSURANCE SOLUTIONS

More sophisticated modeling and advances in location intelligence are helping insurers better assess risk on a changing planet.

A sweeping proposal for a new regulatory framework for the nation’s financial markets that includes establishment of an optional federal charter (OFC) for insurers is splitting the insurance along a familiar fault line. Proponents of an OFC are praising the report, while OFC opponents are united in opprobrium.

The National Association of Mutual Insurance Companies rallies to blunt the recent spate of state regulations.

Florida's insurance commissioner says personal travel should not limit life insurance options.

Lines are drawn over plan to nationalize producer licensing.

ICS Merrill will exclusively handle all of Riverport's investigation, special investigation, fraud abatement and compliance functions.

Washington, D.C. - Five industry leaders were honored with an “Insurance Legends” award for making significant contributions to the life insurance and life reinsurance industry at ReFocus 2008, the premier conference for reinsurance industry professionals.

Springfield , Mass. - Building on several years of successful efforts to recruit and retain top financial services professionals, Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Co. (MassMutual) today unveiled a creative, new Web site that introduces career changers, industry veterans and college graduates to a career with MassMutual through the eyes and words of its agents.

MassMutual, The Hanover Insurance Group Inc. and Zurich Financial Services make technology changes to attract and retain agents.

A new study indicates that investments in a customer-centric approach are paying dividends.

The company released tools designed to simplify the insurance decision-making process for consumers, as well as demystify how insurance works in its short film.

Insurers may have enterprise risk management (ERM) building blocks in place, but lack of data, modeling capabilities and lack of business unit buy-in are impediments to fully incorporating ERM into strategic business decision-making.

A recent Towers Perrin survey found attracting and retaining top talent is emerging as a major issue facing carriers in 2008.

Washington – Insurers are praising the introduction of a bill that clarifies patent law in the aftermarket automobile parts market. The bill, introduced by Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-Calif.), further clarifies existing patent law, and would help reverse an International Trade Commission ruling that sought to ban the importation of competitive parts.

Ethos now provides on-site surveillance operations in Kentucky, Florida and Alabama.

Compliance publication names Norkom “Vendor of Year” for its contribution to financial services and accounting compliance and regulation.

While admirers push a bill seeking to nationalize agent licensing, detractors say the legislation is meant only to stymie other efforts.

Insurers perceive quality of service as key to gaining competitive edge, and will make IT management software investments accordingly.

The Los Angeles P&C carrier adds ID theft resolution services to its offerings.

As the industry continues to consolidate, technology will be key to attracting a broader, more ethnically diverse customer base, says the association.

The federal Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality is providing $5 million to fund two studies of best practices for using clinical decision support software.

To appease concerned insurers, the vendor community needs to step up with improved home health monitoring technologies, according to a recent Parks Associates’ report.

A new survey reports that most insurance industry executives feel confident in their ability to manage risks, yet those with excellent S&P ratings are more conservative. Both cite technology as an enabler.

Members of the insurer, vendor and consulting communities last week discussed the keys to forging mutually beneficial, long-term business relationships.

Washington – State and federal regulators, consumer advocacy groups, life insurance companies and those who sell and distribute annuity products recently gathered to address the issues of suitability of annuity sales at a summit. The Bethesda, Md.-based Insurance Marketplace Standards Association (IMSA) convened the summit.

Hillside, N.J. — myClosingSPACE.com, an online title insurance and closing services company, announced it is now available to new homebuyers, mortgage refinancers, attorneys, lenders and Realtors nationwide. The decision was made after the title company successfully test marketed its online business in New Jersey, Florida, Pennsylvania and New York.