Contingent commissions are either a serious conflict of interest that clouds the insurance buying decision, or can act as leverage in the carrier-client relationship, according to the conflicting views of two brokers.

A House panel has reported out flood insurance legislation and two other bills dealing with natural catastrophes, but only the flood program has unanimous industry backing.

Directors and officers liability insurance experts do not foresee any major widespread uplift in D&O insurance prices emerging from Goldman Sachs' current woes or the increased lawsuit activity that has been provoked.

American International Group is "stable," primarily as a result of a huge infusion of government financial aid, the Government Accountability Office said in a new report.

Risk managers considering climate change exposures are concerned about political and regulatory environments and confused about whose job it is to manage such perils, a survey has found.

Most risk management departments are being spared substantial cutbacks and the overwhelming majority of risk managers are happy in their jobs even in these challenging times, an exclusive survey by Logic Associates and National Underwriter revealed.

Brian Duperreault, Marsh and McLennan Inc.'s chief executive, said the company is no longer in survival mode and that he expects it to continue to grow through acquisition now.

Last week's natural and man-made disasters in the form of deadly tornadoes and exploding oil rigs has resulted in significant exposure for insurers and reinsurers