The Hartford Financial Services Group Inc. increased its estimated fourth-quarter earnings per share by 80 cents, noting strong performance in its property and casualty business and improved margins on its life business.

The 6.5-Mw earthquake that struck off the shore of northern California on Jan. 9, 2010 caused widespread blackouts but only minor structural damages and no major health injuries.

The New York Insurance Department has issued a legal ruling that with certain restrictions a property and casualty insurer can pay claims by issuing prepaid debit cards rather than checks if the claimant agrees.

A 50-year-old Lancaster, Ohio man set fire to his rented home to collect insurance money but failed to ponder the toll this would have on his family.

Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. said it has named Scott R. Hudson president and chief executive officer of Gallagher Bassett Services Inc.

XL Capital said it plans to re-domesticate to Ireland, and Zurich Financial Services Group has transferred business from Italy, Portugal and Spain to local branches of its EU-based risk carrier, Zurich Insurance plc, also based in Ireland.

Pricing in the soft commercial insurance market won't turn around for another two years, at least, thanks to a variety of factors, the head of Arch Worldwide Insurance Group predicts.

The Insurance Information Institute said a recent NU Online report should not have linked I.I.I. President Robert Hartwig to possible solutions for a halt in New York no-fault claim costs.