Like other paradigmatic technologies before it, cloud is just a tool that requires the right people working on it in the right environment to be effective.

The record-high interest in hiring from the middle of last year is continuing to grow, as 56.2 percent of insurers are planning to increase staff over the next 12 months, according to the latest “Insurance Labor Market Study” conducted by Jacobson Group, an insurance staffing company, and Ward Group, and insurance consultancy.

Market positioning cited as primary reason for IT budget growth; 10 percent of insurers will reduce IT budgets by 10 percent this year, SMA finds.

Legal Solutions Suite purchased in an attempt to simplify billing and expense tracking, monitor outside counsel performance.

Anticipating a more customer-centric strategy, insurers will look to new data sources and analytical techniques to sharpen risk understanding and customer profiling, according to a new report.

Purchase highlights recent reports indicating life insurers are outspending P&C insurers when it comes to online/mobile quoting systems.

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

The Federal Housing Finance Agency, acting as regulatory overseer to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, will further review the force-placed market and its costs.

Underwriting loss increased by $26 billion, net income fell $10 billion, but the commercial P&C sector can expect 2013 to be better financially.

As a combined average, 42.3 percent of Europeans switching auto or household insurers, or buying for the first time, did so online last year, according to “Aggregation Metrics: Consumer Approaches to Insurance Comparison Sites in Europe,” a research paper from Finaccord. This up from 35.4 percent in 2008, making online aggregators and online comparison sites the fastest-growing distribution channel.

The P&C sector leads insurers in mobile offerings, investments; however, life/annuity insurers are investing more in quote and buy capabilities.

Patent provides a method for managing the policies and security of portable devices that store data through a third-party cloud service.

A new report shows mid-size and large P&C and life/annuity insurers are supporting or planning to support bring-your-own-device, especially for tablets.

See which insurers Superstorm Sandy hit the hardest, as Allstate, Prudential and four others release fourth-quarter and year-end results.

Data experts challenge the basic framework for big data programs.

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

Analysis from HealthPocket Inc., a health insurance information site for consumers, shows that health insurers have some work to do in the areas of out-of-pocket expenses and transparency. The analysis indicates that 38 percent of plans did not disclose their deductible within its annual out-of-pocket limits, concealing the full amount a person could pay if the “Summary of Benefits” was not read carefully. Once these deductibles are factored in, many plans are not compliant with the Affordable Care Act (ACA).

FFVA Mutual Insurance buys into Valen's predictive analytics suite in an attempt to bolster its underwriting performance.

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

A.M. Best says outlook stable for personal and reinsurance, commercial lines’ negative.