Congress' failure to reauthorize the National Flood Insurance Program is hurting real estate markets and consumers and may cost taxpayers billions, trade groups have warned federal lawmakers.

The property and casualty insurance group is looking at limited top-line growth, but should record a profitable first quarter despite Chilean earthquake and winter storm losses, an investment bank's analysts said.

A federal judge in New Orleans has awarded $2.6 million in damages and repair costs to seven Virginia families that sued the manufacturer of Chinese drywall material.

Personal lines insurers need to pay more attention than ever to many variables between states to determine where they can grow their business and make a profit, a research firm advises.

More than 100 aftershocks have followed Sunday's killer earthquake that hit Baja California, Mexico, with reverberations in Los Angeles and San Diego, Guy Carpenter said.

The California Insurance Department rejects an argument by insurance groups that its rules concerning investments with Iran-linked companies are illegal, a representative for the agency said.

The National Flood Insurance Program was once again allowed to lapse last week, a victim of a feud between the House and Senate over proposed legislative changes.

The California Insurance Department rejects an argument by insurance groups that its rules concerning investments with Iran-linked companies are illegal, a spokesman for the agency said.