Large lobbying expenditures by P&C insurance companies in 2011 predictably focused on catastrophe issues and on pursuing legal reform, according to data released by SNL Financial.

The 10 largest P&C insurance companies covered by SNL also provided money to law firms and trade groups that lobbied for those carriers.

Earlier this month, PC360 reported on SNL Financial data regarding lobbying expenses by insurers. In the chart here, SNL data provides a deeper look at which insurance-holding companies spent the most and where that money went.

The data, based on information insurers are required to file with the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, shows that Allstate made the largest single corporate-lobbying donation ($1.4 million) to ProtectingAmerica.org, which does educational and lobbying work on catastrophe issues.

Travelers Insurance Co. made contributions to the Chamber of Commerce’s Institute for Legal Reform through 33 of its P&C insurance companies. The Chamber’s legal-reform unit deals mainly with federal and state tort-reform issues and is one of the most aggressive lobbying groups in the U.S. on those issues.

State Farm was the largest campaign contributor, according to the data, spending $6.79 million in lobbying through its State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Co.

Nationwide was second, with $3.5 million in contributions, followed by Travelers, at $2.9 million. Liberty Mutual Holding Co. came in fourth, with $2.4 million in contributions.

CNA Financial Corp. was next, with $1.57 million in contributions, followed by Allstate, at $1.48 million. Berkshire Hathaway Inc. came in seventh, with $1.39 million in contributions.

Eighth on the list was Assured Guaranty, a bond insurer, with $1.29 million in contributions, followed by Ace Ltd., at $1.3 million, and Progressive Corp., with $990,000 in contributions.

Special Reports /

A Closer Look at Lobbying Expenditures Among P&C Insurers in 2011

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