Core systems

Since its founding in 1970, the Association for Cooperative Research and Development (ACORD), Pearl River, N.Y., has brought members of the insurance industry together to collaborate in the development of standards to improve data exchange and communication within and across organizations.

The more than $43 billion cost to the global insurance industry was an increase of more than 60% over the previous year, according to a Swiss Re sigma study.

Bill that eliminates annual report card for quality of claims service passes house by wide margin.

While industry observers are still assessing the long-term financial impact of the events on Aflac, MetLife and The Hartford, disaster may have been averted on their balance sheets.

In this soft market, it’s no secret that carriers are openly courting their distribution network, looking to drum up new agency principals and producers. What may be an eye-opener, however, is why agents and producers choose to represent certain insurers over others.

Report says an increasing number of insurers are outsourcing management of their general account investments to third party investment managers.

A.M. Best releases life/health financial results, showing MetLife, Prudential and Manulife with the highest value of 2010 admitted assets.

Insurers may want to keep an eye on how Google's Android-based payment system will offer payment firms and retailers more customer data and help them target ads to mobile users.

A new study shows that 86% of financial services pros use social media, up from 73% last year.

Allianz report highlights catastrophe-prone regions, climate change and the importance of preparedness.

Insurance association questions need for proposed solvency assessment tool as NAIC meets in Texas.

New reports list multi-line, life and health insurers with the lowest price to forward sales ratios.

While sales soared to a record high in 2010, they dropped sharply in Q4 thanks in part to Allstate exiting the bank market.

A.M. Best releases P&C financial results, showing State Farm, Allstate and Liberty Mutual with the highest net premiums written in 2010.

Berkshire Chairman’s visit to India coincides with expanded insurance operations on Subcontinent, but says foreign ownership cap will limit further investment.

Economy will be seriously altered after $309 billion in losses, but may be diffused against the country’s global market position.

One year after President Obama signed the bill, the vultures are anxiously circling.

Women are now placing more value on life insurance than men, according to a LIMRA study.

A year ago today, as President Obama signed the landmark Affordable Care Act into law, members of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) probably did not envision being in the center of a firestorm over its ultimate governance. But state regulators in Texas this week and next for the NAIC’s 2011 Spring Annual Meeting are indeed finding their industry-related activities under question from a consumers’ group.

Michael McRaith weighs in on the status of the Affordable Care Act, and its impact on insurers.