Should private companies and their insurers be held accountable for the effects of climate change?

It's been a bit of an annus horribilis for The Hartford Insurance Group--between declining investment income, speculation about a selloff of its p&c unit, and the announcement of the retirement this December of longtime president and CEO Ramani Ayer.

After Maurice "Hank" Greenberg got his win in court over American International Group, I gave some thought to the whirlwind of events and the surprising speed with which the jury came back with its verdict.

Clements International said it has named J. Christopher Beck as president of the company.