Agency Management

The National African-American Insurance Association said its 2009 National Conference, Oct. 22-23 in Chicago, is themed "New Beginnings: The Challenges and Opportunities of Change."

Reinsurance broker Guy Carpenter & Company, LLC, said it has entered into an agreement to purchase London-based specialty reinsurance broker Rattner Mackenzie Ltd. from HCC Insurance Holdings Inc.

The insurance industry has traditionally been ahead of the curve when it comes to anticipating important trends, getting out in front of large-scale behavioral shifts and rapidly adapting to evolving societal realities.

In a speech today, NU Editor Sam Friedman continued his mini-crusade to convince insurance leaders that their industry's image problem is a risk that can and should be proactively managed. See Sam's blog at www.NUSamSoapBox.com.

Lexington Insurance Company has retained its dominant position among U.S. excess and surplus lines insurers going into this year's biggest meeting of E&S insurance market participants.

American Family Insurance said it is providing new cell phone applications customers can use to file a claim, pay insurance bills, check their accounts and locate the nearest American Family agent.