Study shows small business owners trust independent insurance agents more than financial institutions

The Hanover Insurance Group, one of the largest property/casualty insurers in the U.S., has released the results of a new study. The study shows that small business owners have more trust for independent insurance agents than financial institutions that also offer insurance coverage. The study is part of an attempt by Hanover to understand how changes to the insurance industry and the business world are affecting small businesses. The results of the study will likely be used by Hanover to build new insurance products targeting small businesses. Trust is becoming…

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Insurance executives concerned for the future of the insurance sector, says KPGM report

Optimism for the business conditions for the insurance industry in the U.S. is beginning to expire, according to a new report from KPGM, an audit, tax and advisory firm. The report shows that many of the nation’s highest ranking insurance executives are growing pessimistic of the conditions governing the insurance sector. These executives claim that conditions are worse now than they were a year ago and may gradually grow worse as the global economy shows signs of ailing. One of the major challenges facing the industry, notes KPGM, is the…

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As commercial insurance quote comparisons rise, so does the popularity of fleet coverage

The number of consumers seeking commercial insurance quotes in the European marketplace seems to be steadily increasing, and the fleet auto insurance sector is aimed toward a worth of over €18 billion in four years. Finaccord has released the results of its research which has indicated that fleet insurance is now one of the major sectors of the European insurance market, just like property insurance. Regardless of the narrow levels of growth between the years 2007 and 2011, the data produced by the research from Finaccord has indicated that there…

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AIG continues to pay its debt to the U.S. Treasury despite financial turmoil

The U.S. Treasury has received another payment from the American International Group (AIG), one of the nation’s largest insurance organizations. The payment is the latest in a series coming from AIG as part of its massive debt owed to the federal government. To date, the company has repaid $18 billion of the $182 billion provided during 2008’s financial crisis. The company still owes the federal government approximately $50 billion it received from the government’s Troubled Asset Relief Program. This week’s payment totaled $972 million. The insurer has been treading troubled…

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Insurer’s move away from RMS hurricane model amidst controversy

Hurricane risk models were a popular subject for insurers this week during the annual meeting of the Property Casualty Insurers Association of America. Earlier in the year, risk modeling agency Risk Management Solutions (RMS) introduced revisions to its U.S. hurricane model. The changes generated some controversy when they were first announced, but have since become an all-encompassing issue for property insurers in coastal regions. These insurers expressed their discontent for the new model during the meeting, citing multiple factors that have made it more costly to do business in the…

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Strategic alliance formed between Aspen U.S. Insurance and V3 Insurance Partners LLC

Aspen U.S. Insurance has announced that it has formed a strategic alliance with the managing general underwriting agency, V3 Insurance Partners, in order to be able to sell the optional premises liability and miscellaneous professional liability program called Vantage 360® MPL+ to every state in the country. This program was created with professional service companies in mind; specifically those with less than $15 million in yearly revenues. The program is for wholesale brokers only by way of V3. Protection is made available on both a non-admitted and admitted basis. V3…

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Cigna purchased HealthSpring Medicare provider in $3.8 billion deal

Cigna, a global health insurance company based in the U.S., has announced the acquisition of HealthSpring, a health insurer specializing in Medicare Advantage plans. Cigna is looking to expand its presence in the Medicare sector as well as its senior care services. The move may be inspired by an aging populace that will soon enter the ranks of seniority, enabling them to take advantage of new insurance plans. The acquisition is priced at $3.8 billion. HealthSprings serves more than 350,000 Medicare Advantage policyholders across 11 states. The insurer also boasts…

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