Experts and industry leaders see world-economic conditions having far greater consequences on society in the near term than environmental risks, according to a report from the World Economic Forum.

Brown & Brown completes its purchase of MGA Arrowhead General and CBIZ says it has acquired Meridian Insurance of Boca Raton, Fla.

Insurance broker Marsh has completed its acquisition of the insurance brokerage business of Alexander Forbes, expanding its foothold in Africa.

The personal-lines insurance market is expected to do better than commercial lines, as price increases are anticipated to be tougher to achieve for commercial-lines carriers in 2012, says A.M. Best.

Insurance broker Aon won another round in its ongoing dispute with Alliant Insurance Services Inc. over the poaching of business and employees, which allegedlydid serious harm to Aons Construction Services Group.

Allstate says it will not cut agents base commissions as deeply as it originally announced, but the head of an agents group says the rank-and-file is still not pleased with the companys move.

The Protection and Indemnity (P&I) market, a broad type of Marine Legal-Liability coverage, delivered a blockbuster financial performance last yearbut predicted poor investment returns and increased claims will spell premium increases for 2012.

The drop in the unemployment numbers for December could translate into improved earnings for insurance brokers as increased employment means growth in employee benefits and healthcare insurance, says a financial analyst.