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Ironshore Specialty Casualty Introduces Program for Firearm Risks Ironshore Inc. has announced that its Specialty Casualty unit will provide casualty coverages for Cochrane and Company’s new Ammunition and Rifle Manufacturing Specialist Program. Additional coverage enhancements will be available to address the needs of firearm manufacturers and importers, retailers/dealers, … February 06, 2012 4:10 PM Aon Revenues Up 3% in Q4 Global insurance broker and risk management firm Aon Corp. reported that net income rose 19 percent in the fourth quarter 2011 to $277 million and overall revenues increased 3 percent to $3 billion. Fourth quarter operating income decreased 8 percent … February 06, 2012 3:39 PM P/C Insurers’ Combined Ratio for 2011 Estimated at 107.5% The U.S. property/casualty (P/C) industry reported its largest underwriting loss since 2006 and saw its operating performance deteriorate sharply in 2011, as catastrophe-related losses throughout the year wreaked havoc. Insurers were affected by an unprecedented number of natural catastrophe events … February 06, 2012 3:21 PM Lloyds TSB Adds Travel Disruption Insurance All Lloyds TSB silver, gold, platinum and premier customers will be automatically covered for disruptions to their travel as part of the company’s travel insurance policy. The company added this policy at the beginning of February. The bank says this … February 06, 2012 2:51 PM Global Mining Insurance Market Capacity Down 30% After Losses: Willis In 2011, the mining insurance market was not only hit by $2.7 billion in natural catastrophe losses, but over 60 operational losses totaling $835 million. The $3.5 billion total estimate of losses facing mining insurers has prompted a 30 percent … February 06, 2012 2:32 PM China Tightens Rules for Auditors of Listed Firms China has tightened the qualifying criteria for firms wanting to audit listed companies, to protect investor interests, according to new regulations published on Monday. The new regulations, made jointly by the finance ministry and the securities watchdog, were aimed at … February 06, 2012 2:17 PM Carlyle Group Drops Controversial Arbitration Requirement for Shareholders Carlyle Group LP, a giant private equity firm that has filed for an initial public offering, has dropped a controversial effort to require its future shareholders to resolve claims through arbitration rather than in court. The Washington, D.C.-based firm, with … February 06, 2012 1:16 PM Mine Safety Chief Seeks to End Complacency Over Safety If there’s one lasting cultural change Mine Safety and Health Administration Director Joe Main wants to make in both the federal agency and the industry it regulates, it’s ending the cycle of intensity and complacency. After every high-profile disaster, regulators … February 06, 2012 3:41 AM Florida Senate Panel Clears PIP Fraud Bill But House Showdown Looms Florida lawmakers are heading to a showdown over the state’s no-fault automobile insurance law with state Senate lawmakers seeking to reform current law as opposed to a House plan that would repeal the law in favor of a new insurance … February 06, 2012 3:34 AM Florida Bill to Let Surplus Lines Assume Citizens Policies Advances Legislation designed to help state-backed Citizens Property Insurance Co. spin off customers to reduce its hurricane risk cleared the Florida House after a heated debate Friday. The bill (HB 245) would let surplus lines companies, which have unregulated rates, take … February 06, 2012 3:30 AM

A.M. Best Company BestWire Feed

European Commission to Release Long-Awaited Pensions White Paper on Feb. 14 The European Commission said it plans to release its long-anticipated white paper on pensions Feb. 14. The white paper, the release of which had been delayed several times, outlines the EC's ... February 06, 2012 11:22 AM Genworth Financial Leads Friday's AMBG as Global Insurance Index Rises 1.24% The AMBG closed Friday, Feb. 3, at 875.25 (+1.24%). Of the 15 A.M. Best stock indexes, 11 rose and four declined. Leading A.M. Best's Global Insurance Composite Index (AMBG) were Genworth Financial ... February 06, 2012 11:11 AM A.M. Best Upgrades Ratings of Fremont Insurance Company & Affirms Ratings of The Auto Club Group & Its Property/Casualty Members A.M. Best Co. has upgraded the financial strength rating (FSR) to A (Excellent) from A- (Excellent) and issuer credit rating (ICR) to “a” from “a-” of Fremont Insurance Company (Fremont) (Fremont, ... February 06, 2012 11:11 AM A.M. Best Upgrades Ratings of Validus Reinsurance, Ltd. A.M. Best Co. has upgraded the financial strength rating (FSR) to A (Excellent) from A- (Excellent) and issuer credit rating (ICR) to “a” from “a-” of Validus Reinsurance, Ltd. (Validus Re) ... February 06, 2012 10:34 AM Robust Reserves Free Health Writers to Eye Products, Acquisitions Health insurance companies are sitting on record levels of cash reserves, which is likely to spur merger and acquisition activity into the foreseeable future. Those cash reserves are giving health ... February 06, 2012 10:19 AM A.M. Best Special Report: U.S. P/C Industry’s 2011 Results Slammed by Catastrophe Losses The U.S. property/casualty (P/C) industry’s operating performance deteriorated sharply in 2011, as catastrophe-related losses wreaked havoc on underwriting results throughout the year and led to the ... February 06, 2012 10:11 AM Helped Along by Lack of Regulation, Fraud Brings Florida Auto Market to Tipping Point As widespread fraud associated with the Florida automobile insurance market racks up costs for insurers, industry experts are wondering if the state is nearing an unsustainable tipping ... February 06, 2012 10:06 AM Ocean Marine Market Buoyed by Underwriting Strength After years of smooth sailing, the U.S. ocean marine market has been challenged by the lackluster economy, softening rates and increased competition from new players entering the ... February 06, 2012 10:00 AM Ironshore Opens New Singapore Office, Targets Asia Growth Ironshore Insurance Ltd., a Bermuda-based property and casualty insurance company, opened a new office in Singapore as part of the company's strategic expansion of its global business platform. ... February 06, 2012 9:47 AM Perspectives: Ernst & Young Warns That European Insurers Will Need to Be More Nimble in an Unfavorable Economic Environment The ongoing sovereign debt crisis and other economic factors are likely to make business difficult for European insurers as they force changes in consumer behavior, investor confidence and capital ... February 06, 2012 8:04 AM

The Travelers Companies, Inc. News Release

Travelers Reports Fourth Quarter Net and Operating Income per Diluted Share of $1.51 and $1.48, Respectively, Compared to $1.95 and $1.89 in the Prior Year Quarter Solid net income generated return on equity of 10% for the quarter. Total revenues of $6.4 billion, up 1% from the prior year quarter. Higher pricing continued in all segments and accelerated in Business Insurance. Higher pricing expected to result in improved underlying underwriting margins in first half of 2012. Book value per share of $62.32, up 7% from year-end 2010. Repurchased 20.9 million shares for $1.2 billion during fourth quarter. Board of Directors approved quarterly dividend per share of $0.41. ... January 24, 2012 12:00 PM Travelers Announces $3.2 Million Policyholder Dividend for Independent Community Bankers of America Members Dividend Offered for Tenth Consecutive Year SAINT PAUL, Minn., Jan. 19, 2012 – Travelers announced today that for the tenth consecutive year, the company will distribute a dividend to more than 1,200 Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) member banks participating in the Travelers SelectOne® ICBA insurance program. The $3.23 million policyholder dividend is based on a nine percent dividend for the 2010 program year. The dividend is the result of participating ICBA member banks’ efforts to manage insurance exposures in the workplace and to reduce insurance claims. This “safety group” dividend applies only to property and casualty coverages, and is just one feature of the Travelers... January 19, 2012 8:34 PM Travelers Oil & Gas Enhances EnergyPro® Control of Well Care, Custody and Control Coverage and Increases Limits Capacity to $30 Million HOUSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 16, 2012-- Travelers today announced the availability of higher limits and broader Care, Custody and Control coverage for oil and gas well operators, non-operators and drilling contractors, who are being asked to assume more financial responsibility for loss or damage to non-owned equipment located at oil or gas lease sites. More and more contracts for specialized oil and gas field services, such as well-fracturing services, are incorporating a “special event” or “catastrophe” clause that makes the operator responsible for damage to the service provider’s equipment at the lease site, whe... January 16, 2012 3:00 PM Travelers Schedules Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2011 Results Release and Conference Call NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 23, 2011-- The Travelers Companies, Inc. (NYSE: TRV) will review its fourth quarter and full year 2011 results via webcast at 9 a.m. EST on Tuesday, Jan. 24, following the release of results earlier that morning. A slide presentation, statistical supplement and live audio broadcast will be available on the investor section of the Travelers website at http://investor.travelers.com. Following the webcast, the presentation and an audio playback of the teleconference will be available at the same website. About Travelers The Travelers Companies, Inc. (NYSE: TRV) is a leading provider... December 23, 2011 7:30 PM Travelers Debuts "Guide to Better Coverage" Online educational tool helps consumers better understand their insurance needs HARTFORD, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 1, 2011-- Travelers today announced the availability of the “Guide to Better Coverage,” a new online educational tool available at Travelers.com/Guide that is designed to help people better understand and evaluate insurance needs as their life changes. The “Guide to Better Coverage” provides users with a personalized list of coverages to consider, as well as valuable information about insurance at particular life stages - whether they are just starting out, newly married, expecta... December 01, 2011 2:28 PM Dallas Small Business Leaders Identify Access to Capital as Top Challenge Travelers Institute and Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas Co-Host Panel Discussion to Consider Solutions to Entrepreneurial Challenges DALLAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 30, 2011-- The Travelers Institute, the public policy division of The Travelers Companies, Inc. (NYSE: TRV), today convened regional leaders of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), the U.S. Department of Commerce/Minority Business Development Agency and local small business lenders to address challenges facing small business owners and to identify solutions. Co-hosted by the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas, the symposium, “Small ... November 30, 2011 6:30 PM Travelers Chairman and CEO Jay S. Fishman to Speak at Goldman Sachs Financial Services Conference NEW YORK, Nov 30, 2011 (BUSINESS WIRE) --Jay S. Fishman, Chairman and CEO for The Travelers Companies, Inc., is scheduled to speak at the Goldman Sachs Conference in New York City on Tuesday, Dec. 6, 2011, at 10:00 a.m. EST. The event will be available in live audio on the investor section of the Travelers website at http://investor.travelers.com. Replays of the webcast will be available on the same site for 90 days. About Travelers The Travelers Companies, Inc. (NYSE: TRV) is a leading provider of property casualty insurance for auto, home and business. The company's diverse business lines offer its global customers a w... November 30, 2011 3:01 PM Travelers Supports Small Business Saturday(R) Reaffirms Commitment to Small Business Owners and Agents HARTFORD, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 21, 2011-- As one of the largest insurers of small businesses with a national network of agents, many of whom are small business owners themselves, The Travelers Companies, Inc. (NYSE: TRV) today announced its support for Small Business Saturday®, a day dedicated to bringing attention to the important role small businesses play in communities across the country. “The ultimate drivers of economic growth and prosperity are innovation, economic risk taking and investment, the majority of which come from small bu... November 21, 2011 1:47 PM Students Prepare for Success at Insurance and Financial Services Day Travelers Hosts Inaugural Program to Increase College Access and Career Readiness Pipeline HARTFORD, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 18, 2011-- The Travelers Companies, Inc. (NYSE: TRV) today hosted Insurance and Financial Services (IFS) Day, designed to increase access to higher education and raise awareness of careers in the insurance and financial services industries among underrepresented high school students. Through the company’s signature education program, Travelers EDGE (Empowering Dreams for Graduation and Employment), IFS Day offers high school students exposure to opportunities offered through Travelers EDGE, while providing a framework within which they can see and embark on a pa... November 18, 2011 1:31 PM Travelers of Massachusetts Offers New Options for Auto Insurance Savings New Car Discount and Accident Forgiveness Now Available WORCESTER, Mass., Nov 10, 2011 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- New car purchases in Massachusetts are on pace to exceed the 2010 year-end total of 310,547 by more than seven percent, according to data from the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles. In response to increasing new car sales and to help Massachusetts residents save on auto insurance, Travelers of Massachusetts announces the unveiling of its New Car Discount. The New Car Discount provides savings of up to five percent on auto collision coverage for new vehicles. It applies to vehicles less than three years old, with the level of discount based on the car's model year. "Buying a... November 10, 2011 3:45 PM

Auto Tech - Progressive Insurance Blogs

Boat Gadgets Take Tech to the Water As more people discover the joys of boat ownership, the desire for gadgets and equipment to have on board grows, too. Now more than ever, the boating world is proving that car drivers don't have an exclusive on tech gadgetry. July 02, 2009 11:00 AM Curbing Emissions Takes Center Stage In the last few months, worldwide, federal, and state initiatives have placed an emissions control challenge to automakers: Cut emissions significantly going forward. The new initiatives focus squarely on reducing carbon dioxide (CO2). May 29, 2009 11:00 AM New York Auto Show Highlights Automakers used the recent 2009 New York International Auto Show to roll out new models loaded with the latest technology features and to introduce energy-efficient concept vehicles that your children will drive. May 08, 2009 1:00 PM X-Ray Vision While You Drive To address blind spots, automakers are turning to technology-based solutions. One interesting approach, still in the experimental stage, renders a vehicle's frame transparent, allowing drivers to "see" through a car's pillars and dashboard. March 30, 2009 3:00 PM Motorcycle Gear Improves Safety Motorcycle manufacturers and aftermarket customization shops — even apparel and helmet makers — are finding ways to introduce products that offer head-turning aesthetic appeal while reducing the accident factor of the ride. March 05, 2009 3:00 PM Podcast: 2009 Detroit Auto Show What was unusual about the 2009 North American International Auto Show (The Detroit Auto Show's formal name) was the level of interest in green cars: hybrids, electrics and low-emission diesels. Nearly half the major introductions involved green vehicles. February 06, 2009 11:00 AM Safer Texting and Calling While Driving If you want to curb the potentially dangerous behavior of texting while driving, technology solutions are emerging that leverage the GPS, accelerometer or other capabilities of mobile phones to provide a level of control. January 19, 2009 11:00 AM Best of: Manual Vs. Automatic Transmissions New developments in manual transmissions offer more options for drivers, including a hybrid that provides both automatic and manual shifting. November 10, 2008 1:00 PM Best of: Why Can't I Get the Kind of Mileage on the Window Sticker? The government has introduced new fuel economy ratings that are more accurate. We make them easy to understand. October 28, 2008 1:00 PM Match the Right Tire Technology to Your Driving Tires make a big, if unexciting, difference in your car's performance and safety, especially in the rain, slush and snow of the winter months. For that reason, buying a second set of tires for winter driving may be a good investment. October 14, 2008 1:00 PM

Yahoo! News: Internet News

Internet giants pull content after warning in India courts (Reuters) Reuters - Internet giants Google Inc and Facebook removed content from some Indian domain websites on Monday following a court directive warning them of a crackdown "like China" if they did not take steps to protect religious sensibilities. February 06, 2012 2:44 PM Apple bounces big-name fake apps from App Store (Appolicious) Appolicious - Not long ago, a game called Temple Jump reached the top of the paid apps list in the iTunes App Store. There was only one problem: the app was a fake, meant to trick iOS device owners looking for the popular Temple Run game. February 06, 2012 2:21 PM Fresh iPhone Apps for Feb. 6: Vanity Fair Hollywood, Game Your Video, Tank Battalion Blitz, Order Up!! To Go (Appolicious) Appolicious - It’s almost time for this year’s Academy Awards, so get primed up for your Oscar ballot with Vanity Fair Hollywood, an app full of information about the nominees so you can make informed picks. After you’re done thinking about the best in Hollywood, you can make videos of your own with effects app Game your Video. In games, we’ve got Tank Battalion Blitz, a top-down tank battling game that includes offline and online multiplayer play. After that, there’s Order Up!! To Go, a time-management restaurant game that uses gesture controls for your cooking. February 06, 2012 1:37 PM Google, Facebook remove content on India's order (AP) AP - Google India has removed web pages deemed offensive to Indian political and religious leaders to comply with a court case that has raised censorship fears in the world's largest democracy, media reported Monday. February 06, 2012 1:34 PM Singapore's Artivision says in tie-up with Intel (Reuters) Reuters - Artivision Technologies Ltd, a Singapore firm that specializes in online video advertising, said on Sunday its technology may be incorporated into a software kit being developed by Intel Corp. February 05, 2012 11:03 AM Hackers intercept FBI, Scotland Yard call (AP) AP - Trading jokes and swapping leads, investigators from the FBI and Scotland Yard spent the conference call strategizing about how to bring down the hacking collective known as Anonymous, responsible for a string of embarrassing attacks across the Internet. February 04, 2012 5:04 AM Apple, Motorola in patent struggle in Germany (AP) AP - Apple Inc. has temporarily blocked Motorola Mobility's attempt to have it withdraw several iPhone and iPad models from its Internet store in Germany, the latest twist in an extended legal duel over patents between the companies. February 03, 2012 11:28 PM Star Wars, Ferris Bueller drive Super Bowl ad buzz (Reuters) Reuters - The Super Bowl is still two days away but some advertisers already are looking like winners as their yet-to-be-aired commercials score millions of hits online and rack up pre-game buzz. February 03, 2012 9:30 PM Cuban blogger says government bars trip to Brazil (Reuters) Reuters - The Cuban government has denied a request by dissident blogger Yoani Sanchez to travel to Brazil, her 19th failed effort to obtain a permit to leave the country, she said on Friday. February 03, 2012 9:27 PM Anonymous publishes FBI call on hacking (Reuters) Reuters - Internet activist group Anonymous published a recording on Friday of a confidential call between FBI agents and London detectives in which the law-enforcement agents discuss action they are taking against hacking. February 03, 2012 7:28 PM

auto insurance - Yahoo! News Search Results

Insurance Auto Auctions Paves the Way for Recycling U.S. Salvage Vehicles in China Insurance Auto Auctions, Inc. the leading live and live-online salvage auto auction company and wholly-owned subsidiary of KAR Auction Services, Inc. , today announced an agreement with Chen Jia, Inc. February 06, 2012 7:00 AM Dave Ramsey: Having the right insurance protects your nest egg Q: I've got auto insurance, but can you tell me what other kinds of insurance are good to have? February 05, 2012 3:00 PM Industry seeks no rate increase for auto insurance Drivers are getting a little good news: Auto insurance rates are not going up this year. This is the second year in a row that the state's auto insurers have not sought a rate increase. February 02, 2012 7:16 PM DAVE RAMSEY: Insurance is good for risks you can't afford Dear Dave: I've got auto insurance, but can you tell me what other kinds of insurance are good to have? — Chris February 04, 2012 4:50 PM Auto Insurance: The Next Frontier In Discriminatory Practices Against America's Poor They can't even get lower rates if they try.  January 31, 2012 2:40 PM Poor pay more for auto insurance The poor pay more for auto insurance and that ain't fair. That's the executive summary of a new study by the Consumer Federation of America funded by the Ford Foundation that calls for an end to de facto price discrimination based on questionable rating factors. February 03, 2012 11:47 AM Auto insurance: How much is enough? You probably spent a lot of time studying which car you wanted to buy and trying to get the best price. Well, you need to spend just as much time thinking about your auto insurance needs. February 04, 2012 3:32 AM How to choose the right auto body repair shop It's stressful enough having a car accident, dealing with your auto insurance company and worrying about how to get around. The last thing you need is to get the runaround from the auto body shop tasked ... February 03, 2012 12:00 AM J.D. Power and Associates Reports: Auto Insurance Claims Satisfaction Remains Steady, Despite an Increase in Claims ... WESTLAKE VILLAGE, Calif., Jan. 31, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Overall customer satisfaction with the auto claims experience remained stable during the fourth quarter of 2011, despite an increase in the number ... January 31, 2012 8:00 AM Advocates: Auto insurance hurts poor The Consumer Federation of America charged Monday that the nation's poorest drivers are being charged unfairly high auto insurance premiums because of discriminatory practices and the organization called on state insurance regulators to do something about it. January 30, 2012 10:21 PM

insurance - Yahoo! News Search Results

Insurance Auto Auctions Paves the Way for Recycling U.S. Salvage Vehicles in China Insurance Auto Auctions, Inc. the leading live and live-online salvage auto auction company and wholly-owned subsidiary of KAR Auction Services, Inc. , today announced an agreement with Chen Jia, Inc. February 06, 2012 7:00 AM State investigating insurance auditor The Arizona Board of Accountancy is investigating the firm that conducted audits for the Valley Schools Management Group. February 06, 2012 5:38 AM Willis: $3.5 Billion Losses in Mining Market Prompt 30 Percent Insurance Capacity Reduction In 2011, the mining insurance market was not only hit by $2.7 billion in natural catastrophe losses, but over 60 operational losses totaling $835 million. The $3.5 billion total estimate of losses facing mining insurers has prompted a 30 percent withdrawal in insurance capacity since the start of 2011. February 06, 2012 3:55 AM Debate: Reputation Insurance a Good Idea? by Michael Fertik, Reputation.com February 05, 2012 7:10 PM Three Sapiens Clients, Philadelphia Insurance Companies, DirectAsia.com, and L&T General Insurance, Named Winners of ... CARY, North Carolina, February 6, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Sapiens International Corporation , (NASDAQ and TASE: SPNS), a provider of innovative insurance software solutions, today announced that three of ... February 06, 2012 4:00 AM Selective Insurance Group Beats Up on Analysts Yet Again Just the facts, Fool. February 06, 2012 7:14 AM Charting OneBeacon Insurance Group's Latest Earnings Release Just the facts, Fool. February 06, 2012 6:26 AM Questions raised about proposal for Pennsylvania's insurance exchange Advocates for health insurance reform are taking a dim view of a draft proposal for the state's health insurance exchange, saying it could keep the playing field tilted in favor of insurance companies and against consumers. February 06, 2012 4:02 AM Lloyds TSB Current Accounts Extend Insurance to Protect Against Travel Disruption ENGLAND, UNITED KINGDOM-- - From 01 February this year all Lloyds TSB Silver, Gold, Platinum and Premier current account customers will be automatically covered for any disruption to their travel as part ... February 06, 2012 4:00 AM Motorbike Insurance Guide Launched by Tiger.co.uk Car insurance comparison site Tiger.co.uk, one of the UK’s most popular comparison sites, has announced that it has published a guide to motorbike insurance.Ipswich, UK (PRWEB UK) 6 February 2012 To help riders in their search for good value motorbike insurance, Tiger.co.uk have released a motorbike insurance guide. With spring around the corner and new registrations out in March, the motorbike ... February 06, 2012 5:32 AM