E&S/Specialty

With global gross written premium for the property and casualty insurance industry standing at $1.15 trillion, the United States still ranks number one in gross written premium, but expansion of the marketplace remains a challenge for insurers, according to Aon Benfield.

Specialty insurers increased premium at an average 4 percent annual-growth rate over the past five years, beating the industry average, which remained close to flat over that time, a Conning Research & Consulting report says.

Shelly, Middlebrooks & OLeary, Inc., a Jacksonville-based wholesale broker, has developed an exclusive program with an A.M. Best rated A+ XIV carrier to provide commercial auto coverage for sugar cane haulers.

Citizens Property Insurance Corp.'s board of governors met in emergency session Monday to discuss the proposed sinkhole rate increases.

A major shareholder advisory firm has recommended shareholders of Transatlantic Holdings vote against its proposed merger with Allied World Assurance.

Industry experts discuss the impact on the insurance industry of the Terrorism Risk Insurance Act.