Recent wildfires clearly indicate the need for cooperation among public and private firefighting services, along with property owners, to avoid and minimize loss of life and damage to homes and businesses.

The trend in jury awards and medical costs for dog bites is a mean tale for carriers, according to the Insurance Information Institute, noting that homeowners insurance liability claims for such injuries are up 28 percent since 2003.

The decline in insurance prices is finally showing signs of hitting bottom, with commercial property and casualty premiums overall dropping an average of 5 percent last month--half the rate of one year ago, MarketScout's "barometer" survey found.

The drop in insurance prices shows signs of reversal as the directors and officers liability line for the first time in almost three years did not show a downward trend, an online insurance exchange said.