Weekly Reader Picks: Monday, November 25, 2013

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November 25, 2013 Top 10 for the Past Week 1. Tower Group Update: CEO Says Insurer Will Meet Obligations Nov 20, 2013 -- A day after Tower Group International Ltd. disclosed "substantial doubt about the company's ability to continue as a going concern," the insurer's CEO issued a letter seeking to reassure business partners that it ... Share This: 2. States, Insurers Working on Ways to Bypass Obamacare Federal Exchange Nov 21, 2013 -- States and insurers are already working to bail out President Barack Obama's healthcare overhaul, anticipating the system's online insurance exchanges may not be ready by a critical December deadline. All of the ... Share This: 3. Prospects Dim for Bills to Delay Flood Insurance Rate Hikes Nov 21, 2013 -- Efforts to delay implementation of changes in the federal flood insurance program have run into roadblocks on both sides of Capitol Hill. The leaders of the House Financial Services Committee say they are standing ... Share This: 4. Tower Group Expects to Avoid NASDAQ Delisting Nov 22, 2013 -- Tower Group International, Ltd. announced Wednesday that NASDAQ has notified the company that it is not in compliance with the exchange's listing requirements. According to Tower's press release, which was issued in ... Share This: 5. Some Interest in Selling Private Flood Insurance in Florida Surfaces Nov 19, 2013 -- With increases in federal flood insurance rates looming, two insurance providers have said they are prepared to sell private flood policies in Florida. Their actions come as state officials are trying to provide ... Share This: 6. Scientists Say Asteroids Pose Serious Threat… But Don’t Panic Nov 22, 2013 -- On Feb. 15, a 13,000-ton rock plunged through the skies above Chelyabinsk, Russia. It shone 30 times brighter than the sun, and hurtled at 42,000 miles per hour toward a city of more than a million people. As the rock ... Share This: 7. Tower Restating Prior Financials; ‘Going Concern’ Status in Doubt Nov 18, 2013 -- Tower Group International Ltd. announced Nov. 14 that it is restating previously filed audited annual consolidated financial statements for 2011 and 2012, which are contained in Tower's March 31, 2013 10-K annual ... Share This: 8. State Insurance Commissioners Lack Consensus on Cancellations Nov 21, 2013 -- Kansas, North Dakota and other state insurance commissioners snubbed a meeting with President Barack Obama set up to discuss allowing some people to keep medical plans that don't meet the requirements of the U.S. ... Share This: 9. State Proposals to Mandate Insurance for Gun Owners Falter Nov 19, 2013 -- Plans to mandate liability coverage for U.S. gun owners after last year's school shooting in Connecticut have languished as opponents attack the proposals by comparing them to President Barack Obama's health ... Share This: 10. 10 Ideas Chosen for Coastal Shields in New York, New Jersey Nov 19, 2013 -- Here's one way to stop the floodwaters the next time a monster like Superstorm Sandy comes ashore in New York City: Build an 8-mile-long system of dikes around the low-lying parts of Manhattan. A proposal for just such ... Share This: Popular Videos Wells Media Group is Nominated for a 2013 Folio Eddie Award! Why Commercial Carriers Cling to Legacy Systems: Xuber's Robinson TSLA - Join Today! Subscriber Tools Send this to a friend Subscribe Unsubscribe Submit News Contact Us More Newsletters Choose Newsletters Daily Headlines Weekly Reader Picks Magazine Update Insurance Journal TV Classifieds Breaking News MyNewMarkets Daily Claims Daily Enter Your E-mail

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This Week's Most Popular: Monday, November 25, 2013

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November 25, 2013

Top 10 for the Past Week 1. Video Shows Near-Vertical Crash of Russian Plane Nov 20, 2013 -- The grainy airport video is dark, short and chilling. Within five seconds, a dot of light that Russian authorities say is a Boeing 737 appears in the sky over the tarmac and plunges to the ground in a near-vertical crash. The result is a blinding ... 2. State by State Look at Driving Rules for Older Drivers Sep 19, 2012 -- A 50-state look at the varying rules across the nation governing drivers' licenses for older adults. ALABAMA: Licenses are renewed every four years for all drivers, with no additional requirements for older drivers. A legislative committee ... 3. The Difference Between a Hurricane, Cyclone and Typhoon Nov 11, 2013 -- A powerful typhoon hit the Philippines on Friday and moved out to the South China Sea: HURRICANE? CYCLONE? TYPHOON? They're all the same, officially tropical cyclones. But they just use distinctive terms for a storm in different parts of the world. ... 4. Three Stages in the Auto Insurance Claim Process Nov 21, 2013 -- The first few hours-and days following a vehicle accident are stuffed with stress and honest confusion for most insured drivers. Many yearn for someone to take over the entire process for them. An insurance claims adjuster employing the right ... 5. Louisiana Judge Says DWI Laws Need to Change Nov 19, 2013 -- For impaired drivers, alcohol is increasingly not the substance of choice that leads to trouble on Louisiana roads, a Lafayette judge said. City Court Judge Douglas Saloom told the DWI-Vehicular Homicide Task Force that state law needs to catch up ... 6. Sheriff Takes Over Law Enforcement in Louisiana Town Nov 21, 2013 -- With the end of the Sorrento Police Department's liability insurance coverage just a few hours away, the Town Council voted 5-0 to select an offered by Ascension Parish Sheriff Jeff Wiley to provide protection to the Louisiana town at no cost ... 7. '80s Pop Star Springfield Testifies in New York Injury Lawsuit Nov 21, 2013 -- A trial has begun in the lawsuit of an upstate New York woman who's suing 1980s pop star Rick Springfield for injuries she says she suffered when he fell on her during a state fair performance nearly a decade ago. The lawsuit filed by 43-year-old ... 8. Behind the 8 Ball Nov 20, 2013 -- 8 Hidden Claims Headaches for Commercial Insurers and How to Cure Them Grabbing the lion's share of an insurer's revenue, claims involves multiple stakeholders, including handlers, underwriters, brokers and lawyers -- each with a different ... 9. Emerging Cyber Issues Nov 18, 2013 -- According to a recent report by Fitch, the insurance industry is underreserved by about $2 to $5 billion for latent exposures. According to the report, Fitch's estimate is "based on the belief that the industry does not fare well in its ability ... 10. Survey: Passengers Say Spouses Drive Them Crazy Nov 19, 2013 -- Over a third of people point to their spouses as being "the most annoying drivers," according to a new Insure.com survey. Insure.com surveyed 2,000 licensed drivers about their opinions on annoying drivers and the habits that send their blood ... Popular Videos New Forensic Marking Technology Promises to Reduce Property Crimes T.V. Host Discusses Hoarding

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Insurance Mergers & Moves: Friday, November 22, 2013

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November 22, 2013 Business Moves & Mergers of Special Note Leavitt Group Purchases Golf Insurance Services in California Nov 14, 2013 -- The Northern California office of the Leavitt Group has purchased Golf Insurance Services from George Peterson Insurance Agency. Golf ... Liberty Mutual to Enter Mexico with Acquisition of Surety Company Nov 13, 2013 -- Liberty Mutual Insurance said it will acquire Mexican surety company Primero Fianzas from Grupo Valores Operativos Monterrey, a private ... Business Moves & Mergers Three Leavitt Group Agencies in Southern California Merge Nov 21, 2013 -- The Leavitt Group announced a merger of three of their Southern California agencies. The merger will include the Covina office of Valley ... USI Insurance Relocates Corporate Headquarters to Valhalla, N.Y. Nov 21, 2013 -- USI Insurance Services recently moved its corporate headquarters from Briarcliff Manor, N.Y. to nearby Valhalla, N.Y. USI said its ... UPDATE: Swiss Re Buying Zurich's Stake in New China Life for $493 Million Nov 21, 2013 -- Swiss Re announced that it has entered into a transaction with Zurich Insurance Company Ltd to acquire a 4.9 percent stake in New China ... Zurich Insurance Seeks $943 Million for Stake in New China Life Nov 20, 2013 -- Zurich Insurance Group AG is selling its entire stake in New China Life Insurance Co. for $943 million, or HK$25 a share, according to the ... Horner Insurance Services and South & Western Join Forces Nov 19, 2013 -- Dallas, Texas-based South & Western General Agency Inc. has merged with Horner Insurance Services Inc. of Memphis, Tenn. As an MGA ... Swiss Re to Buy Stake in Brazil's Sul America Nov 18, 2013 -- Swiss Re Ltd., the world's second- largest reinsurer, agreed to buy an 11 percent stake in Sul America SA from ING Groep NV to expand in ... The Carlyle Group to Invest in EPIC in California Nov 15, 2013 -- Edgewood Partners Insurance Center announced that funds managed by global alternative asset manager The Carlyle Group have agreed to ... Fairholme Offers to Buy Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac Mortgage Insurance Business Nov 14, 2013 -- Fairholme Capital Management has proposed to buy the insurance businesses of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, a move that seeks to resolve the ... AssuredPartners of Missouri Acquires AHM Financial Group Nov 12, 2013 -- AssuredPartners of Missouri, an AssuredPartners Inc. platform operation, has completed the asset acquisition of the AHM Financial Group LLC ... Sleeper Sewell Insurance Services Acquires Planned Benefits Nov 12, 2013 -- Sleeper Sewell Insurance Services Inc., a division of ANBTX Insurance Services, has acquired Planned Benefit Services Inc., a Dallas-based ... The Wright Group Acquires Assets from AFS in Colorado Nov 11, 2013 -- Denver, Colo.-based The Wright Group Services announced it has purchased substantially all the annuity sales assets from Affiliated ... AssuredPartners Acquires Lee F. Murphy in Minnesota Nov 11, 2013 -- AssuredPartners Inc. through its subsidiary AssuredPartners of Minnesota has acquired the Lee F. Murphy Inc. insurance firm based in St. ... AXA Buys Stake in Insurance Business of Colombia's Colpatria Nov 11, 2013 -- Axa SA agreed to buy a controlling stake in Colombian insurer Colpatria Seguros for €259 million ($346 million) to expand its Latin ... Arthur J. Gallagher Acquires Texas-Based Employee Benefits Analysis Corp. Nov 11, 2013 -- Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. announced the acquisition of Employee Benefits Analysis Corp. in Addison, Texas. Terms of the transaction ... Subscriber Tools Send this to a friend Subscribe Unsubscribe Submit News Contact Us Current Issue November 18, 2013 Top Personal Lines Retail Agencies; Assisted Living / Long Term Care; Contractors & Builders; Regional Wall Calendar - Sponsor a Month More Newsletters Choose Newsletters Daily Headlines Weekly Reader Picks Magazine Update Insurance Journal TV Classifieds Breaking News MyNewMarkets Daily Claims Daily Enter Your E-mail How to Advertise For information about advertising on this newsletter and Insurance Journal magazines, contact Julie Tinney at (800) 897-9965 x148. View our Media Kit for advertising options in our magazines and online properties. Subscribe | Unsubscribe | Send to a Friend | Contact Us Insurance Journal 3570 Camino del Rio North, Suite 200 San Diego, CA 92108 (800) 897-9965 Copyright © 2013 by Wells Media Group, Inc.

Weekly Reader Picks: Monday, November 18, 2013

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November 18, 2013 Top 10 for the Past Week 1. Florida’s Top 10 Sinkhole-Prone Counties Mar 30, 2011 -- It's no secret that property/casualty insurers have been fielding more and more sinkhole claims in Florida and now online hazard mapping firm CDS Business Mapping and its RiskMeter Online service have come up with a ... Share This: 2. Allstate’s Esurance Hopes Bundling Auto, Home Coverages Will Separate It From Geico Nov 12, 2013 -- Esurance, the online car insurance seller owned by Allstate Corp., is betting that bundling auto and home policies will help it compete with Berkshire Hathaway Inc.'s Geico unit and Progressive Corp. Esurance started ... Share This: 3. California State Fund CEO and CFO Resign Nov 15, 2013 -- Two top executives at California's State Compensation Insurance Fund have resigned. State Fund President and CEO Tom Rowe and Chief Financial Officer Dan Sevilla will resign from State Fund, the board of directors for ... Share This: 4. Clinton, Democrats Pressure White House to Amend Healthcare Law Nov 13, 2013 -- The growing pressure on President Barack Obama to adjust his problem-plagued healthcare law seemed to boil over on Tuesday, as leaders of Obama's Democratic Party called on him to allow a change in the law so that ... Share This: 5. Insurance Kiosks the Wave of the Future? Nov 8, 2013 -- Milk…check; Eggs...check; Bread…check; Car insurance…wait, what? Most Americans' grocery lists don't typically read this way, but a new approach to selling personal auto insurance from Nashville-based, Direct ... Share This: 6. Allianz Looks to Boost U.S. Presence, Improve Fireman’s Fund: Bhojwani Nov 15, 2013 -- Allianz SE, Europe's largest insurer, said it is committed to bolstering operations in the U.S. after international rivals scaled back in the country. "It is a monster market," Gary Bhojwani, the management board ... Share This: 7. Report Calls for Prior Approval for All States Nov 12, 2013 -- Holding automobile insurance regulation in California as an example, the Consumer Federation of America issued a report on Tuesday showing that auto insurance expenditures in America rose by 43 percent on average over ... Share This: 8. Haiyan Worse for Philippines Than Sandy for U.S.; Only 10-15% of Loss Insured Nov 12, 2013 -- Destruction from Typhoon Haiyan, which flattened buildings and unleashed storm surges that may have killed 10,000 people, could be several times worse for the Philippines economy than superstorm Sandy was for the U.S. ... Share This: 9. Older Drivers Catching Up with Younger in Distracted Driving: Survey Nov 12, 2013 -- Cell phone use and texting while driving are on the rise along with accessing the internet while driving — and it's not just young people engaging in these dangerous activities behind the wheel. State Farm today ... Share This: 10. Food Stamp Gridlock Hurting Chance of Congress Passing Farm, Crop Insurance Bill Nov 12, 2013 -- The chances of the U.S. Congress passing a five-year farm bill by year's end are a little better than 50/50 given the gridlock over food stamps for the poor, a top farm policy expert said on Monday. "There is a slightly ... Share This: Popular Videos Selling and Serving the Social Consumer TSLA - Join Today! Holborn: Shaking the Same Hand, Maintaining Long-Term Relationships Subscriber Tools Send this to a friend Subscribe Unsubscribe Submit News Contact Us More Newsletters Choose Newsletters Daily Headlines Weekly Reader Picks Magazine Update Insurance Journal TV Classifieds Breaking News MyNewMarkets Daily Claims Daily Enter Your E-mail

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