Moody's Investors Service said reinsurance firms' credit profile may be weak and their potential share repurchase activity could mean problems with catastrophe losses.

Robert C. Schiff, former president and chief executive officer of the Schiff, Kreidler-Shell Insurance Agency and co-founder of the Cincinnati Insurance Co and Cincinnati Financial Corp., died Thursday. He was 86.

While the Market Barometer composite rate index for property and casualty insurance was down 4 percent at the close of calendar-year 2009, an upswing is predicted by the end of this year.

Insurance Information Institute President Robert P. Hartwig has reported on a variety of insurer reform proposals to halt the spiraling costs of New York's no-fault auto insurance claims.

The end of 2009 saw the busiest fourth quarter ever for catastrophe bonds with issues exceeding $1 billion, and that high activity level should continue this year, Risk Management Solutions predicted.

Insurance actuaries have the nation's best jobs, according to the Careercast.com Web site that annually rates occupations based on hiring outlook, work environment and other factors.

Narcotics, used primarily to alleviate back pain, account for nearly one quarter of all workers' compensation prescription drug costs, according to a recent study.

Insurance actuaries have the nation's best jobs, according to the Careercast.com Web site that annually rates occupations based on hiring outlook, work environment and other factors.