A reevaluation of insurance regulators' use of rating agencies is needed because their poor performance helped prompt the financial crisis, a regulator and consumer advocate testified today.

Nationwide Insurance Company is proposing the creation of a government backstop for insurers willing to offer a homeowners policy for wind and flood coverage.

Insurance industry representatives are raising concerns about possible plans by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners to develop its own natural catastrophe models.

Contrary to what insurers have been saying, the recession has had a nationwide negative impact on credit scores, regulators meeting here were told by a consumer advocate.

Vice President Joe Biden told a meeting of insurance regulators that health care reform can be accomplished without harm to the health insurance industry.

Companies sued for creating damage by contributing to global warming have a major defense available against such charges, according to an attorney at a legal session for policyholders.

Producers' acceptance of contingent commissions from insurers is "a clear conflict," but the controversial practice is unlikely to be banned unless more clients object to it.

Crop insurance buyers are seeing far fewer carriers competing for their business these days, but the 16 remaining private insurers in the market are healthy.