As the "year of the contagion" sparks a higher level of inquiries about specialty insurance products designed to cover the business side effects of flu pandemics, well-informed agents can seize an opportunity, according to a specialty broker.

Atlanta-based insurance technology provider Ebix Inc. said it has acquired Facts Services Inc., headquartered in Coral Gables, Fla., in a transaction involving an upfront cash payment of $6.5 million.

Ernesta Procope earns the NAAIA Lifetime Achievement Award.

Now that Ed Liddy has decided to quit his thankless job at AIG, the big question becomes who in their right mind would want to sit in the hot seat he is vacating, says NU Editor In Chief Sam Friedman in his blog today at www.NUSamSoapBox.com.