Wal-Mart, the nation's largest private employer, has told President Obama it would support health care reform legislation requiring businesses to provide employees some level of health insurance coverage.

While hopes were high for the 2009 reinsurance market after the troubles of 2008, many rate expectations were not met, although capacity has remained steady, reinsurance brokerages reported.

The Western Insurance Agents Association said it has named Phil Hakopian, a principal with Cornerstone Commercial & Personal Insurance Services in Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., to a two-year term as its new chairman.

Aon Corp. said it has appointed Peter Lieb, currently senior vice president, general counsel and secretary at NCR Corporation, as Aon general counsel and executive vice president.

In reporting consolidated results, p&c groups mistakenly emphasized the industry's financial strength rather than the fact carriers had the worst first-quarter on record, says NU Editor In Chief Sam Friedman in his blog today at www.NUSamSoapbox.com.

After days of dark, rainy weather at the Bermuda Captive Conference last week, organizers put their risk management skills to work for the closing night event, reports NU Assistant Managing Editor Caroline McDonald.

An event cancellation claim by the promoter of Michael Jackson's planned London concerts could be complicated by medical questions surrounding his death, a legal expert said.

American International Group shareholders at the firm's annual meeting voted down a proposal to have executives hold shares in the company until two years after their employment ended.