Agent & Broker

At a time when many are suffering from the collapse of financial institutions and other key sectors through no fault of their own, the insurance industry seems committed to greater opacity, and indeed, compounding the hardship of working families.

The good news for insurance brokers who place directors and officers liability insurance is that most insureds and carriers believe producers are positive and relevant factors in the resolution of D&O claims.

As the transportation insurance segment goes, so goes the rest of the casualty market, according to those who write the business.

Between 1991 and 2004, U.S. insurers paid over $24 billion on asbestos claims, according to the Insurance Information Institute in a report published in October 2008.

Daytona Beach, Fla.-based insurance brokerage Brown & Brown said it has acquired W. R. Reed & Co. of Portland, Ore. Financial terms were not released.

Trusted Choice, the independent insurance agent branding campaign, said it has received two Aurora Awards for advertising excellence.

Catastrophe bond issuance activity is not expected to re-visit the record-breaking levels of 2007, but estimates currently put 2009 on track to supplant 2008 as the third-busiest year for cat bonds, according to a brokerage forecast.

The Nevada Surplus Lines Association said in cooperation with the Nevada Division of Insurance it has launched a television advertising campaign advising consumers to do thorough research before buying insurance.