The upheaval in the Middle East is rattling political risk clients who are relying on rumors and sparse pieces of information to determine if they will be subject to losses in the region, according to brokers familiar with the risk.

Morrill Group, an independent insurance agency based in Norwood, Mass., has acquired Goldman Ernest & Liner Insurance Agency of Needham, Mass.

Although stating that the health care reform law will do more harm than good, Arthur J. Gallagher’s chief executive said one benefit of the law will be to fuel the brokerage’s acquisition strategy.

The turmoil in the Middle East has heightened the interest in political risk coverage as the unrest in that region has increased concerns regarding whether multi-national commercial accounts are adequately covered, an insurance broker said.

Zurich Financial Services Group expanded its insurance operations in Latin America and moved up a notch on the property and casualty scale as it announced a 25 year distribution agreement with Banco Santander SA.

Wholesale insurance brokerages continue to make acquisitions in 2011, with Ryan Specialty Group announcing two earlier this month and AmWINS announcing three.

NAPSLO has provided brokers with a primer on what they need to know comply with NRRA when the July effective date rolls around.

Hosni Mubarak’s resignation as president of Egypt and the subsequent military takeover have brought a measure of stability to the nation, but uncertainty about the future and potential flashpoints throughout the region have insurers casting a wary eye on political risk coverage.