April 17, 2006
Insurance Journal West Magazine
Insurance Journal West Magazine
Top 100 Property / Casualty Independent Agencies
In this Issue
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New MarketsNew Markets
New Markets Excess Auto Liability Nuts & Bolts: Freberg Environmental... -
FeaturesAOL ad revenue class action suit settled for $2.6 billion
A judge approved a $2.65 billion class-action settlement of claims... -
FeaturesCLOSER LOOK: Agribusiness
Farmers are adding agritainment or agro-tourism to their operations,... -
News CurrentsNews Currents
The Hartford teams with Blue Cross of California affiliate The... -
FeaturesKids and Cars puts in motion a grassroots campaign to reduce backovers
News Currents Sometimes common sense is all one needs to reduce a... -
FeaturesNew law pushed by agents may hamper Nevada mining watchdog group
The chief proponent of a new law cited by Nevada in trying to block a... -
FeaturesCritics allege hurricane risk modelers influenced by insurers
News Currents Risk Management Solutions, Newark, Calif., has defended... -
Closing QuoteBy Robert Poli
A national insurance license helps agents by providing uniformity of... -
News CurrentsNews Currents
Top meteorologist predicts 17 named storms will form in Atlantic... -
FeaturesCloser Look: Insurance Associations
Editor's note: This is the second article in a series on Western... -
News CurrentsNews Currents
Public regulation commission suspends New Mexico's superintendent... -
FeaturesBill will require study before Calif. auto rating factors can change
When a person drives and [where he or she] keeps their vehicle will... -
FeaturesLabor says workers’ comp reform doesn’t work for permanently disabled
News Currents California Governor, Arnold Schwarzenegger won't be... -
News CurrentsNews Currents
Utah city expects $2.5 million fire insurance settlement Ogden, Utah,... -
FeaturesTim Summers
People Pacific Specialty Insurance Co., Menlo Park, Calif., promoted... -
FeaturesConstruction, insurance, banking industries to develop moisture management standards
The PIA Western Alliance will be holding its second Moisture... -
Fraud RoundupFormer Calif. life insurance agent convicted for faulty notes
Fraud Roundup California Insurance Commissioner John Garamendi... -
FeaturesArizona establishes new penalties for late surplus lines tax payments
The Arizona Department of Insurance has established new civil... -
FeaturesHawaii lawmakers propose tax credits for recent rain and flood victims
A proposed tax credit aimed at helping Oahu flood victims was... -
Editor's NoteEditor’s Note: If 1906 repeated itself in a major metropolitan space … during working hours … there would
$7 billion in workers' compensation losses. Close to home: 1906... -
FeaturesCLOSER LOOK: Agribusiness
City slickers are looking for entertainment on the farm - but that... -
FeaturesDeclining rates fuel stand-alone terrorism market
With the exception of a few notorious hotspots, rates for stand-alone... -
News CurrentsNews Currents
GEICO settles lawsuit over discount policy Californians who purchased... -
FeaturesSelling
Major changes in the insurance field have triggered a dramatic... -
FeaturesCalifornia commissioner
California Insurance Commissioner John Garamendi successfully... -
Features
In the past, the agencies each used proprietary formulas to create... -
FeaturesE-Discovery and Electronic Records
The focus of litigations and investigations on electronic documents,... -
FeaturesMiscellaneous Professional Liability
This morning, you received a phone call from a potential client... -
FeaturesStolen Fidelity laptop computer held sensitive data on retirement accounts
A laptop computer belonging to Fidelity Investments and containing... -
FeaturesCalifornia automobile repair bill modified to allow for additional study
In the wake of stiff industry opposition, a California proposal that... -
FeaturesColorado targets 180 ‘sham’ affiliated businesses
Erin Toll, deputy commissioner of the Colorado Insurance Department,... -
FeaturesMergers and Acquisitions
The answer is - to succeed at either one, preparation is the key... -
Features•Doron M. Rotman, audit and RAS managing director for Information Risk Management; and
The participants included: •Scott B. Moritz, director of KPMG... -
FeaturesJohn Niedernhofer
Bob Williford People Barney & Barney LLC, a San Diego-based risk... -
FeaturesTechnology
Given the pace of today's technological developments, it is often... -
FeaturesPoll Shows Drivers Don’t Save Money Immediately By Owning a Hybrid Vehicle
Most new-car buyers in Washington who are likely to buy a hybrid... -
News CurrentsNews Currents
California hidden tax legislation doesn't go before committee The... -
News CurrentsNews Currents
Insurers well-braced for next big California earthquake When the next... -
FeaturesArchdiocese uses reserves to settle sex-abuse claims, pays $5.25 million
News Currents The Seattle Archdiocese looked deep into its reserve... -
News CurrentsNews Currents
Safeco considering internet-based auto insurance sales Seattle-based... -
Business MovesBusiness Moves
Aviva, Prudential "It takes two to tango," as the saying goes, and... -
Editor's NoteClose to home: 1906 revisited
April 18 marks the 100th anniversary of the Great San Francisco... -
CurrentsPublic regulation commission suspends New Mexico’s superintendent
State Insurance Superintendent Eric Serna has been suspended by the... -
CurrentsHawaii lawmakers propose tax credits for recent rain and flood victims
A proposed tax credit aimed at helping Oahu flood victims was... -
FeaturesWestern Insurance Associations: How the West is run
Editor's note: This is the second article in a series on Western... -
CurrentsArizona establishes new penalties for late surplus lines tax payments
The Arizona Department of Insurance has established new civil... -
CurrentsCalifornia automobile repair bill modified to allow for additional study
In the wake of stiff industry opposition, a California proposal that... -
Fraud RoundupFraud Roundup
Former Calif. life insurance agent convicted for faulty... -
CurrentsFormer 49er Wersching indicted on $8M insurance fraud and tax evasion
Ray Wersching, once the kicker with the San Francisco 49ers of the... -
CurrentsLabor says workers’ comp reform doesn’t work for permanently disabled
California Governor, Arnold Schwarzenegger won't be making major... -
CurrentsCritics allege hurricane risk modelers influenced by insurers
Risk Management Solutions, Newark, Calif., has defended its hurricane... -
FeaturesMinimizing litigations and investigations by managing e-records
The focus of litigations and investigations on electronic documents,... -
CurrentsColorado targets 180 ‘sham’ affiliated businesses
Erin Toll, deputy commissioner of the Colorado Insurance Department,... -
FeaturesThe reliance on digitized information is one reason identity theft is a growing problem
Editor's Note: This is the first part of a two-part roundtable... -
CurrentsTexas judge’s ruling partially favors Allstate and Sterling
Allstate and Sterling Autobody Centers can communicate benefits of... -
CurrentsStolen Fidelity laptop computer held sensitive data on retirement accounts
A laptop computer belonging to Fidelity Investments and containing... -
FeaturesNot all policies are created equal
This morning, you received a phone call from a potential client... -
NewsbriefsCALIFORNIA COMMISSIONER UNDERGOES SURGERY, RECUPERATING WELL
California Insurance Commissioner John Garamendi successfully... -
FeaturesAgribusiness’s New Appeal
Alternative and agro-tourism enterprises are allowing farmers and... -
FeaturesNew uniform credit agencies’ scoring system not likely to affect insurers
A recent announcement by the three major consumer credit reporting... -
CurrentsBill will require study before Calif. auto rating factors can change
A bipartisan group of five assemblymembers joined with local elected... -
People & PlacesPeople and Places
Barney & Barney LLC, a San Diego-based risk management consulting and... -
CurrentsInsurers well-braced for next big California earthquake
When the next big earthquake strikes California, it's unlikely to... -
New MarketsNew Markets
Excess Auto Liability Nuts & Bolts: Freberg Environmental Inc. has... -
CurrentsConstruction, insurance, banking industries to develop moisture management standards
The PIA Western Alliance will be holding its second Moisture... -
FeaturesFeeding the farmowners business
If you've been writing agricultural and farm insurance for years and... -
FeaturesTechnology can help agents boost sales and more
Given the pace of today's technological developments, it is often... -
CurrentsUtah city expects $2.5 million fire insurance settlement
Ogden, Utah, officials are expecting a $2.5 million insurance... -
CurrentsSafeco considering internet-based auto insurance sales
Seattle-based property and casualty insurer Safeco is considering... -
CurrentsThe Hartford teams with Blue Cross of California affiliate
The Hartford Financial Services Group Inc., a workers' compensation... -
FeaturesNot all agents oppose an optional federal charter
The Commissioners are now fully prepared to go before their various... -
CurrentsCalifornia hidden tax legislation doesn’t go before committee
The Association of California Insurance Companies warned insurers... -
FeaturesFive ingredients for sales success
Major changes in the insurance field have triggered a dramatic... -
NewsbriefsWASHINGTON GAINS FRAUD BUREAU
Washington State approved its first fraud bureau and added a fraud... -
NewsbriefsAOL AD REVENUE CLASS ACTION SUIT SETTLED FOR $2.6 BILLION
A judge approved a $2.65 billion class-action settlement of claims... -
CurrentsDeclining rates fuel stand-alone terrorism market
With the exception of a few notorious hotspots, rates for stand-alone... -
NewsbriefsWASHINGTON BUSINESSES CAN PURCHASE EMPLOYEE BENEFITS ONLINE AT COSTCO
Costco Executive Business Members in Washington will be able to... -
CurrentsUtah city expects $2.5 million fire insurance settlement
Ogden, Utah, officials are expecting a $2.5 million insurance... -
MergersTo acquire or be acquired — that is the question
Independent retail insurance agencies looking to grow through... -
NewsbriefsPOLL SHOWS DRIVERS DON’T SAVE MONEY IMMEDIATELY BY OWNING A HYBRID VEHICLE
Most new-car buyers in Washington who are likely to buy a hybrid... -
CurrentsArchdiocese uses reserves to settle sex-abuse claims, pays $5.25 million
The Seattle Archdiocese looked deep into its reserve funds to cover... -
CurrentsNew law pushed by agents may hamper Nevada mining watchdog group
The chief proponent of a new law cited by Nevada in trying to block a... -
CurrentsTop meteorologist predicts 17 named storms will form in Atlantic Basin
A well-known meteorologist is predicting that 17 named storms will... -
CurrentsGEICO settles lawsuit over discount policy
Californians who purchased auto policies from GEICO and were denied a... -
CurrentsKids and Cars puts in motion a grassroots campaign to reduce backovers
Sometimes common sense is all one needs to reduce a child's risk of... -
FeaturesBrokerage Watch
Stock Prices: Although P/C broker stocks were up 7 percent during the... -
FeaturesRaising the profile of managing general agents in the U.S. and abroad
Outgoing American Association of Managing General Agents President... -
FeaturesUse agency generated coupons to cash-in on new sales
Everyone loves saving money and getting something for nothing. It is... -
FeaturesWriting public entities: how they compare to profit businesses
Does your agency currently write or pursue public entity business or... -
FeaturesWoodruff-Sawyer discusses the secret to success
Knowing how to make a business better and more successful is... -
FeaturesThe London market looks beyond Lloyd’s
Lloyd's insurers have broadened their horizons considerably over the... -
CurrentsSenators introduce Optional Federal Charter legislation
Citing bipartisan support to revamp the insurance industry regulatory... -
FeaturesGetting to the bottom of underinsured homes
Underinsurance not only leaves policyholders vulnerable, it impacts... -
CurrentsYounger adults and those earning above $75K most likely to suffer ID theft
Households headed by young people (18-24 years old), those in urban... -
CurrentsU.S. tort costs reach a record $260 billion, Tillinghast study reports
U.S. tort costs reached a record $260 billion in 2004, or... -
CurrentsPrivate companies at increased risk of liability lawsuits, Chubb & Son survey reports
Today, many private companies are planning activities that may... -
FeaturesTaking a piece of the pie
Independent agents and brokers grew their share of the... -
NewsbriefsLLOYD’S HOLDS 2005 LOSS TO $180.6 MILLION
Despite last year's disastrous hurricane season, Lloyd's posted a... -
NewsbriefsS&P UPS REINSURERS’ OUTLOOK TO STABLE
In two recently issued reports Standard & Poor's Ratings Services... -
NewsbriefsPUERTO RICO’S COUNTER-SIGNATURE LAW UPHELD
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit has refused to...
