News

With litigation and ballot initiatives mounting over the federal mandate to buy health insurance, NU Editor Sam Friedman wonders if the reform law will survive such challenges. Offer your view on his blog at www.NUSamSoapBox.com.

A major 7.3 magnitude earthquake struck near the Pacific Island Republic of Vanuatu, causing power outages and shaking, but as of yet, no major damage has been reported, according to catastrophe modeler Risk Management Solutions (RMS).

Tower Group Inc. said 2010 second-quarter net income was $28.3 million, down from $30.6 million a year ago, while gross premiums written increased 26.7 percent from the integration of its CastlePoint and Specialty Underwriters' Alliance acquisitions.

Higher than expected major losses in the 2010 first half led to a 28.3 percent decline in group net income for Hannover Re compared to the 2009 first half.

State Auto Financial Corp. said it no longer wants to be in the nonstandard automobile insurance business and is selling a subsidiary that sells that insurance--State Auto National--to Hallmark Financial Services Inc.

Claims Magazine is twittering every day about breaking news and timely topics -- not to mention keeping readers up to date on what's being posted on claimsmag.com.