Commercial Lines

Property and casualty insurer employment rose in June for the fifth straight month, raising hopes that carriers have reversed the downward employment trend that began in 2008.

MGIC Investment Corp, one of the largest U.S. mortgage insurers, is caught between a weak housing market and a very big customer, raising questions about the future of the money-losing company that writes 20 percent of private mortgage guarantees.

MGIC Investment Corp, one of the largest U.S. mortgage insurers, is caught between a weak housing market and a very big customer, raising questions about the future of the money-losing company that writes 20 percent of private mortgage guarantees.

The Consumer Financial Protection Agency is conducting a broad investigation into mortgage insurers business practices amid allegations of illegal kickbacks to bankers in order to gain access to customers in need of private mortgage insurance.

Commercial and personal lines rates continued to firm in July as all lines of business in both sectors increased by single digits compared to the same month a year ago, says MarketScout.

For the vast majority of main-street FEC businesses, market capacity is still strong.