The rising unrest throughout the Middle East and Africa, plus civil strife in parts of Europe and the continued threat of terrorism, mark this year’s Terrorism and Political Violence Map from insurance broker Aon.

Building contractors run into problems doing business in New York City after June 13 when a new set of insurance requirements is scheduled to take effect, says an independent agent group.

Firefighters continue to battle fires throughout two counties as residents flee in the face of advancing flames.

Firefighters continue to battle fires throughout two counties as residents flee in the face of advancing flames.

Despite market conditions that should be edging pricing up, the U.S. property and casualty market still remains soft with composite rates in May running at minus-4 percent, according to the online insurance exchange MarketScout.

Managing general agents (MGA) face the daunting technology challenge of having to act as a data go-between with all the many groups with which they have relationships—so their focus remains on the basics, not next-generation technology.

While many segments of the insurance industry are struggling mightily with the challenges of modernizing their technology, at least one area of the business has made significant strides in streamlining carrier-to-carrier communication: subrogation.

More and more auto-insurance buyers are changing their habits and going direct to such carriers as GEICO and Progressive. This presents a big technology challenge to independent agents and the companies that distribute through them.