Agency Management

United Fire & Casualty Co. said Wednesday it has the necessary approvals from state regulators and company shareholders to complete its acquisition of Mercer Insurance Group Inc.

Many agents are not fully aware of the enormous influence the experience modification plays and, more importantly, how to help a client manage it to the lowest permissible point. Here’s a checklist that can help agents better serve their clients.

Sen. Jay Rockefeller, D-West Va., called out the National Association of Health Underwriters and Florida Insurance Commissioner Kevin McCarty, saying their lobbying for agent exemptions from the medical loss ratio “will cost American consumers $1 billion in benefits.”

Florida-based Cypress Financial Group earns firm-of-year honors from MetLife.

Merger and acquisition activity for property and casualty insurers, agents and brokers heated up in 2010, as insurers sought to improve their strategic standing within the industry, according to a report from Conning Research & Consulting.

Rep. Heath Shuler, D-N.C., will address the Annual Young Agents & InsurPac State Chairpersons Legislative Luncheon at the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America Legislative Conference & Convention.