Dutch insurer reportedly will shutter additional operations in Britain.

Distracted driving is quickly rocketing up the ranks of risks for insurers. Coming on the heels of a Chubb study last week that found motorists are in favor of banning cell phone use while driving, the Property Casualty Insurers Association of America (PCI) today reinforced the popular sentiment that the issue of distracted driving absolutely must be addressed on multiple fronts, including:

A report indicates that the Obama administration will work to promote the availability of annuities and other forms of guaranteed income.

Disclosure of risk related to AIG’s portfolio of credit default swaps and securities lending program the focus of class-action suit.

Blue Shield of California will make $24.8 million in bonuses available to medical groups and independent practice associations.

Sonoma Risk Insurance Agency recently announced the distribution of contract litigation insurance in Illinois. The policy is underwritten by Zurich in North America, and is intended to help protect plaintiffs and defendants from having to pay their adversary’s attorneys’ fees should they lose their contract case. Arthur J. Gallagher Risk Management Services, Inc. is the preferred distributor in the state of Illinois, Sonoma Risk says.

The Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (IIABA) announced the 224 independent insurance agencies that have been selected for the 2010 Best Practices Study. Agencies are selected from across the country after a nomination and vetting process.

So far there doesn’t seem to be much demand from plan participants, but insurers are pushing hard to get their piece of the trillions now invested in 401(k) plans.

Bloomberg says deal to expedite sell-off of government stake in insurer may be announced soon.

Devices will develop analytic methods for personal and commercial auto insurance.

Chubb survey finds more than half of U.S. motorists say they have used a cell phone while driving, but 90% say it should be illegal to do so.

Insurers may want to keep an eye on the success of the card issuer's new app, which allows users to post details about their purchases.

House vote grants one more year for cash-strapped program.

ISO plans to develop a behavior database to aid underwriting decisions, but it’s important to remember that correlation does not necessarily equal causation.

National Union Fire Insurance Co. allegedly violated Minnesota law by selling at least 1,500 "Essential Health" plans to Minnesota residents.

Several key provisions of the health care reform law go into effect today.

The typically soft-spoken Alabama Republican told reporters "there's no question" he will be elected chairman by the Republican Steering Committee.

The recession has etched permanent changes into the auto-physical damage industry, according to the “CCC Crash Course Update 2010,” a semi-annual publication written by CCC Information Services Inc. Contributing to the situation is the fact that consumers remain burdened with significant debt, unemployment remains high and consumer spending and consumption are still reserved, notes the publication’s author Lead Analyst Susanna Gotsch. The slow economic recovery is causing lower claim frequency and fewer repairs, which translates into a soft market for the automotive insurance and collision repair industries.

Amica Life, Allianz among companies recognized by StoneRiver