The end to wet weather conditions in Texas could mean trouble for those fighting wildfires.

A massive tornado with winds of at least 166 mph rumbled through the northwest side of St. Louis on Friday, leaving thousands of damaged homes.

Frederick H. Eppinger, chief executive officer of The Hanover, says he certainly won’t apologize for good timing, but the recent bid to acquire Chaucer Holdings was not driven by the state of the Lloyd’s market.

A drop in catastrophe losses and an uptick in net written premiums improved results for the auto, home and business insurer.

Weather during the last couple of days has helped firefighters battle several massive wildfires in Texas that have destroyed hundreds of homes and more than a million acres of land.

In a move that spans the Atlantic, Hanover Insurance Group has made an offer to buy London-based Chaucer Holdings for $510 million.

Though the credit crisis has waned, securities suits filed during first-quarter 2011 appear to point to another record year, says Advisen.

Michigan insurers Auto Club Insurance Association and Fremont Michigan InsuraCorp Inc. have agreed to merge.