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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FEMA seeks to partially privatize National Flood Insurance
The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) has had a troubled history. The program is meant to provide affordable home insurance coverage to those that live in areas prone to flooding either from hurricanes or other storms. Thousands take advantage of the program, but it has suffered shortfalls in funding, putting NFIP $18 billion in debt. Congress has been debating solutions to this problem. Legislators have until September 30th to figure it out or the program will be abolished. FEMA administrator Craig Fugate may have a plan that could offset NFIP’s…
Read MoreHigher reinsurance rates predicted
Despite record losses in the first quarter of 2011 and a hurricane season predicted to be exceedingly active, the reinsurance industry is in good spirits. While several insurance companies are dreading hurricanes reaching land, reinsurers expect that one storm causing extensive losses could mark the turning point of the insurance pricing cycle toward their favor. This would mean that higher reinsurance rates, a fact that would go a long way in helping the industry recover from a disastrous first quarter. Henry Keeling, CEO of Guy Carpenter’s International operations, recently attended…
Read MoreAllstate Insurance growth outlook
Allstate is looking to improve its home and auto insurance units by 2013. Executives at the massive insurance company spoke with investors the other day regarding the matter, saying that focusing on these units will help them recover from losses earlier this year. Allstate’s auto insurance unit has been hemorrhaging clients for three consecutive years, a trend that executives expect to continue throughout 2011, only to see modest growth again in 2013. The renewed focus on these units comes after Allstate’s CEO, Tom Wilson, reported “inadequate returns.” As far as…
Read MoreGovernment looking for buyers
Several major businesses floundered in the wake of the global economic recession. Unable to recover in the early days of the economic downturn, many of these companies were allowed to fail. In the U.S., some of these companies received federal aid in the form of massive cash injections. The American International Group, an American insurance corporation, was one such company. AIG, however, mishandled the funds in one way or another, leading the government to seize the company. Now, The U.S. Treasury Department is selling shares of the company in the…
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