Data security

California leads states in QCs; suspicious loss of jewelry increased 86 percent.

Insurers can expect winter storm loss damages to return to normal after this weekend.

Recent survey reveals cyber risks to be the biggest business concern; insurer develops mobile app in response.

Survey of life insurance CFOs finds few satisfied with speed, reliability; run-time requirements are highest priority.

iWorks Prophet purchased in an effort to centralize and standardize actuarial practices across business lines.

Insurer plans to use eRiskHub's cyber risk resource portal to evaluate data security risks.

One of the largest insurance agencies in Wisconsin grows with the acquisition of Burkart-Heisdorf.

Insurer working with Command Investigations, which will provide SIU, anti-fraud services and investigative services.

Novarica survey identifies longer-term threats and opportunities for both P&C and life/annuity insurers.

Head of the agriculture unit at Munich Re cites drought as the biggest cause of losses in 2012.

More natural peril events occurred in 2012, but the losses incurred were far below the record-highs established in 2011.

With climate change prompting a transformation, insurers will find opportunity to take on some risk in the energy sector, which will continue to be crucial in the world economy.

From 2008 to 2011, the number of questionable claims suspected of being part of an organized group or ring activity increased by 47 percent, according to the National Insurance Crime Bureau’s “Data Analytics Forecast Report.” However, that number of questionable claims with the OGA referral reason decreased markedly in 2011 and continued to fall in in the first half of 2012.

Insured losses from natural catastrophes were greater than $110 billion in 2011, the second-highest figure ever recorded, according to Swiss Re in “Taking a Comprehensive View of Catastrophe Risk Worldwide,” a report from AIR Worldwide. And there is a 6.7 percent probability the insurance industry will experience a loss of this size in any given year. In 2012, insured losses totaled $65 billion, $25 billion of which are attributed to Superstorm Sandy, as estimated by Munich Re.

20-year veteran of AIG climbs to executive ranks after four years at Zurich.

Fitch says total estimated losses could continue to rise, as several insurers have yet to release loss estimates.

A.M. Best maintains its stable outlooks on the P&C, life and reinsurance sectors despite significant and persistent challenges, including loss reserves, low interest rates, weather-related volatility and increasing competition.

Severe weather-related catastrophes in United States accounted for a larger-than-normal portion of global catastrophe losses in 2012, increasing to 67 percent from an average of 32 percent, and 90 percent of global insured losses, compared to an average of 57 percent, according to Munich Re.

This compilation of the top slideshows of 2012 is based on pageviews and represents the biggest topics and trends from the past 12 months.

Ahead of the upcoming holiday, the National Insurance Crime Bureau analyzed vehicle theft data to determine the 11 most popular holidays for vehicle thefts.