A trust formed to handle Chinese drywall damage claims for over 700 homeowners has filed a federal lawsuit against 14 insurers, seeking indemnification for their losses.

A lawsuit has been filed against 14 insurers that seeks indemnification for losses and breach of contract arising from claims for the development and sale of homes allegedly containing defective Chinese manufactured drywall.

The Chartered Property Casualty Underwriters Society said it will offer eight courses and eight workshops in leadership at its annual Leadership Summit beginning April 29.

Swiss Re has obtained $150 million in catastrophe bond protection against the risk of a California earthquake, the company announced.

The federal appeals court in Washington, D.C. has found that auto damage adjusters working for GEICO do not qualify for overtime benefits under the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 (FLSA).

The end of 2009 saw the busiest fourth quarter ever for catastrophe bonds with issues exceeding $1 billion, and that high activity level should continue this year, Risk Management Solutions predicted.

Insurance actuaries have the nation's best jobs, according to the Careercast.com Web site that annually rates occupations based on hiring outlook, work environment and other factors.

Jim W. Henderson, Brown & Brown's vice chairman and chief operating officer, will retire later this year, the firm said, also announcing its first acquisition for 2010.