Does attendance at live conferences still have value given the proliferation of virtual gatherings? That's the question for readers in this week's online poll at www.property-casualty.com.

American International Group Inc. announced appointments today for two executives whom it said would have a major involvement in efforts to liquidate assets and restructure the firm to pay off government debt.

Independent agencies that do an outstanding job selling insurance and providing risk management services for their clients are urged to enter the 2009 National Underwriter "Commercial Insurance Agency Of The Year" award program, with entries due July 13.

A New York agent's association said it has been alerted to an "alarming' trend, by a fraud investigator who told the group that insurance claims are on the rise in the state.

Hartford Financial Services Group could possibly sell its property-casualty insurance operations for up to $7 billion, according to a UBS analysis issued after reports that the company is shopping the property.

Marsh & McLennan Companies Inc., the parent company of insurance broker Marsh and reinsurance broker Guy Carpenter said William Krivoshik has been named MMC senior vice president and chief information officer.

A coalition of insurers and other groups announced a seven point plan they said could cut hurricane losses dramatically, if public officials and the private sector see to its adoption.

Risk managers tend to be more aware of vulnerabilities in their home office than in the company's outer-lying locations, writes Caroline McDonald.