E&S/Specialty

There's been a lot of talk on the acquisition front by excess and surplus lines insurance companies, but little action to date--even in a year that followed back-to-back declines in organic growth for the segment overall.

Marshall Kath of Dallas has been elected president of the National Association of Professional Surplus Lines Offices, Ltd.

Most program business insurers believe gross premiums for the segment total at least $20 billion, but a growing number now have doubts they are doing that much volume, a survey reported.

Property and casualty insurers' current investment portfolios are well positioned to deal with continued investment market volatility, according to the latest analysis from Moody's Investors Service.

American International Group's financial problems should not be a factor in a decision whether to establish optional or mandatory federal chartering of insurance companies, congressional staff were advised at a briefing.

Excess and surplus lines insurance executives at a meeting here expressed worries that pending federal legislation for their sector could be a precursor to U.S. regulation for all insurance activity.