The Bermuda insurance market is unlikely to see widespread upward rating pressure over the next 12 to 18 months, according to Fitch Ratings, but individual insurers and reinsurers in this market could see upward pressure with the right strategies.

Louisiana's last-resort insurer has filed a nine percent rate increase request with the state's insurance department for personal lines risks, including homeowners, mobile homes, dwelling, and tenant risks.

Keefe, Bruyette & Woods (KBW) said it expects weakening returns on equity and continued soft pricing for the property and casualty industry, but the financial analyst said a hard market could emerge "sooner than many anticipate."

Competitive challenges in the property and casualty industry will continue into 2011, and insurers will need to stay ahead of factors such as cycle management, technology, and regulatory and accounting changes to separate themselves from competitors, Ernst & Young said in a recent industry outlook.

Flooding in the Australian state of Queensland has intensified over the last few days as rainfall in January has compounded problems caused by rain and a tropical cyclone in late December, and insurers are reporting increasing claim counts.

Allstate Insurance Company said it has stopped selling its Your Choice Auto program in California but disputed a claim by a consumer group that it did so because of pending action by the state’s insurance department.

Ohio Gov. John Kasich has appointed Lt. Gov. Mary Taylor to be director of the Ohio Department of Insurance.

Ohio Gov. John Kasich has appointed Lt. Gov. Mary Taylor to be director of the Ohio Department of Insurance.