Warren, N.J.-based insurer Chubb says its 2011 fourth-quarter net income decreased 27 percent as losses and operating costs increased over the same period last year.

Peoria, Ill.-based specialty insurer RLI Corp. says fourth-quarter net income dropped 17.5 percent primarily on the increase in loss and settlement expenses and policy-acquisition costs.

Airline insurance claims dropped 66 percent below 2010s loss numbers, and pricing in the marketplace exhibited stability through the 2011-2012 renewal period, says insurance broker Aon.

Airline insurance claims dropped 66 percent below 2010s loss numbers, and pricing in the marketplace exhibited stability through the 2011-2012 renewal period, says insurance broker Aon.

Despite record losses for the insurance industry in 2011, low interest rates and continued economic volatility affecting insurers earnings, there is no indication that the commercial-insurance marketplace is making a hard-market turn, says the chief executive of Marsh.

Despite record losses for the insurance industry in 2011, low interest rates and continued economic volatility affecting insurers earnings, there is no indication that the commercial-insurance marketplace is making a hard-market turn, says the chief executive of Marsh.

A stunning 4 percent of employers are very confident that their employees will have sufficient retirement funds when they retire, according to an Aon Hewitt survey.

Workers compensation led the way for fourth-quarter rate increases at 7.5 percentcontributing to an overall industry average rise of 2.8 percent for the time period, according to The Council of Insurance Agents & Brokers.