Department of Insurance

• Oklahoma Bill Partially Privatizes Last-Resort WC Insurer

  By Arthur D. Postal, PropertyCasualty360.com  |  May 8, 2013

  The Oklahoma legislature passed legislation partially privatizing CompSource, but AIA says it's not a true privatization because the state will maintain substantive control over it.

• Mercury, Calif. Department, Consumer Group Spar over Insurer's Homeowners Rates

  By Arthur D. Postal, PropertyCasualty360.com  |  March 6, 2013

  The California insurance commissioner Tuesday said he would defend in court his decision to require Mercury Insurance Co., to reduce its homeowners-insurance rates in the state effective in June.

• Nolan to Retire as CWCI President

  By Anya Khalamayzer, PropertyCasualty360  |  March 5, 2013

  John Michael Nolan is retiring as president of the California Worker’s Compensation Institute.

• Legislative Update: Electronic Document Delivery and Innocent Co-Insureds

  By Kathy Donovan  |  February 25, 2013

  From electronic document delivery to PIP reform, insurers will contend with a slew of claims-focused legislative initiatives this year.

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  Getting Ready for January's Requirements

  By Kathy Donovan  |  November 13, 2012

  The halls of state capitols may be still these days, but insurers continue to contend with upcoming Jan. 1, 2013 effective dates.

• New York Files Rehabilitation Plan for FGIC

  By Mark E. Ruquet, PropertyCasualty360.com  |  September 28, 2012

  New York State’s Department of Insurance has filed its rehabilitation plan for Financial Guaranty Insurance Company, outlining how payments will be made in cash to claimants as available funds allow.

• Auto Insurers' Driver Tracking Hits Wall in California

  By Ben Berkowitz, Reuters  |  August 17, 2012

  California is turning into a battleground for technology that allows auto insurers to track their customers' driving behavior and offer them lower premiums, but that privacy advocates reject as an excessive intrusion with serious consequences.

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  Consumer Focus Continues to Drive Legislative Changes for P&C

  By Kathy Donovan  |  July 12, 2012

  State legislatures continue to provide P&C insurers with new mandates. Whether directed at claims or underwriting, these mandates have a strong focus on the consumer.

• White Mountains Acquires Two Insurers in Runoff

  By Mark E. Ruquet, PropertyCasualty360.com  |  June 21, 2012

  White Mountains Solutions Holding Co. says it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Physicians Insurance of Ohio and Citation Insurance Company from PICO Holdings, Inc.

• The Blake Scale: A New Rating System

  By Gary Blake  |  May 31, 2012

  Similar to an academic rating system, the "Blake Scale" uses five categories to help claims professionals discern the overall quality of a typical business-related letter.

• Change in Procedures Lets Medical Malpractice Industry Thrive

  By Arthur D. Postal PropertyCasualty360.com  |  May 14, 2012

  The medical-liability insurance industry has recently seen positive results and is working to minimize the “peaks and valleys” that it has historically seen, according to Brian K. Atchinson, the new president and chief executive officer of the Physician Insurers Association of America (PIAA).

• Two Calif. MedMal Insurers Lower Rates upon Department Request

  By Arthur D. Postal, PropertyCasualty360.com  |  April 11, 2012

  Two California medical-malpractice insurers have agreed to lower their premiums, a decision the state-insurance commissioner says will lower costs to healthcare providers in the state by $4 million.

• California Launches Action Against Zurich Units over WC Policies

  By Arthur D. Postal, PropertyCasualty360.com  |  February 28, 2012

  California has launched enforcement action against two units of Zurich American Insurance Company related to alleged use of a workers’ compensation insurance agreement known as a “large deductible agreement” without obtaining prior approval.

• California Commissioner, Trade Groups Reach Settlement on Iran Investment

  By Arthur D. Postal, PropertyCasualty360.com  |  January 30, 2012

  The California Insurance Department has dropped its efforts to force insurers to end their investments in Iran.

• Louisiana Citizens Proposes 10.5% Homeowners Rate Hike

  By Melissa TinklePaugh  |  January 19, 2012

  Louisiana Citizens Property Insurance Corp. has proposed a 10.5 percent overall increase to homeowners’ insurance rates in order to correct inadequate rates for wind-and-hail coverage, according to Richard Robertson, CEO of the state-run, last-resort insurer.

• State Farm to Appeal $310 Million Refund Order in Texas

  By Chad Hemenway, PropertyCasualty360.com  |  December 20, 2011

  State Farm Lloyds in Texas is asking an appellate court to rethink an order requiring it to refund $310 million in premiums to policyholders.