E&S/Specialty

After six months of declining employment figures, agents and brokers added 1,500 jobs in Junea month that saw employment growth in nearly all insurance subsectors.

Bermuda-based insurer Catlin Group's profit dropped by more than a third in the first-half as higher interest rates hurt the value of its fixed-income portfolio, taking the shine off an otherwise solid underwriting performance.

Two updated forecasts for the 2013 Atlantic Hurricane Season slightly reduce the number of named storms expected this year, but there is no change in the expectation for another above-average season.

Actuarially-based flood insurance rates scheduled to be phased in starting next year are unaffordable to Louisianas coastal residents, and could have a devastating impact on the states economy, the states insurance commissioner says.

The training and practice of martial arts has become increasingly widespread across the U.S. in recent years, with Mixed Martial Arts schools gaining momentum for adults and children alike. NU-PC360 visits Gangulys Mixed Martial Arts in Ocean Township, NJ to see first-hand the exposures related to this unique risk.

Commercial lines rate increases moderated in July and the market has become quiet due to the time of year and lack of catastrophic events, according to MarketScouts chief executive.