Personal Lines

Civil litigation costs rose only 1.1 percent in 2008, but this year the percentage may have nearly tripled, driven up by damage from the financial crisis and medical malpractice cases, a consulting firm reported.

On the heels of Fitch Ratings' negative analysis of the property and casualty insurance industry's near-term future, an analyst with Celent said he is even more pessimistic about the industry than Fitch.

Disappointing returns on equity in the coming year may lead the property and casualty insurance industry to a quicker return to stiffer pricing, according to Keefe, Bruyette & Woods analysts.

A change in statutory accounting rules by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners could help insurers' financial flexibility, but it will not impact their ratings, said an analyst with Moody's Investors Service.

The Insurance Information Institute said the United Nations Climate Change conference in Copenhagen is a reminder of the range of new insurance products and services available to people interested in "going green."

Will insurers ever be able to project the positive image it has of itself to the public at large, wondered NU Associate Editor Mark Ruquet after attending an industry love fest honoring Joe Plumeri of Willis.