Commercial Lines

The insurance industry performed poorly for the first half of this year primarily due to an unprecedented level of catastrophes and while the results may point to premium price increases, other factors may keep a lid on them.

Hurricane Irene is bearing down on the North Carolina coast on its way to affecting some of the most valuable states in the country in terms of insured coastal property.

Hurricane Irene is expected to be a multi-billion dollar event for the insurance industry, says Robert Hartwig, president of the Insurance Information Institute.

American International Group sought to have the Treasury Department and the pay czar tone down criticism of the company, and sought more flexibility in pay and hiring, according to a transcript of a meeting held between the two sides in late November 2009.

Marsh provides further evidence that insurance pricing may be moderating in a benchmarking report that says property rates are experiencing an increase in the third quarter, while other lines decline at a slower pace.

Fitch Ratings affirmed the A insurer financial strength ratings of Old Republic International Corp.s insurance subsidiaries and removed the company from Rating Watch Negative, as the rating agency says it does not anticipate that the runoff of ORIs mortgage insurance subsidiary will have a significant adverse impact on capital and...