Cyber-liability insurance may be a hard sell for independent agents, but the changing nature of exposures and the responsibilities states have imposed upon businesses are making it a growing necessity for even smaller mom-and-pop operations, says an educator.

The state's regulator is pressuring QBE to reduce rates by 35 percent and announced that Great American Assurance Company has reduced premiums by 28 percent in its forced-place program.

London-headquartered insurance broker Aon plc. says fourth-quarter net income was up 10 percent, primarily due to the strength of its insurance-brokerage business, where revenues grew by 15 percent.