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“NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--American International Group, Inc. (AIG) today announced that Peter D. Hancock will join AIG as Executive Vice President, Finance, Risk, and Investments. In this new position, reporting to AIG President and Chief Executive Officer Robert H. Benmosche, Mr. Hancock will oversee Finance, Risk, Audit, Investments, Strategic Planning, and AIG Financial Products Corp…Mr. Hancock has spent his entire career in financial services, including 20 years at J.P. Morgan, where he established the Global Derivatives Group, ran the Global Fixed Income Business and Global Credit Portfolio, and served as the firm’s Chief Financial Officer and Chairman of its Risk Management Committee. Mr. Hancock later co-founded Integrated Finance Limited, an advisory firm specializing in strategic risk management, asset management, and innovative pension solutions. Most recently, he served as Vice Chairman of KeyCorp, responsible for Key National Banking.”

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“NORTHUMBERLAND, Pa.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Hayes-Utley-Hedgspeth, Moore Insurance, Cambridge Insurance, Wooten Insurance and Johnson-Pohlmann have partnered with Keystone Insurers Group (KIG) in Kentucky, bringing KIG’s number to eleven. These five firms join KIG’s network of more than 200 independent agencies in six states…Hayes-Utley-Hedgspeth was founded in Louisville in 1954 and is today owned by Ken Hayes, Jr. and Glen Hedgspeth. For more information, go to http://www.huhinsurance.com. Moore Insurance was founded in Russellville in 1922 and is owned by David Moore. Visit http://www.mooreinsuranceagency.com for more information. Cambridge Insurance, Lexington, was founded in 1966. The principals are J. Carson Evans, Joe Browne Nicholson and Paul Ferrell. Visit http://www.cambridgeinsurance.net. Wooten Insurance is in Scottsville and was founded in 1945 and is today owned by Jordan Clarke. For more, go to http://www.wooteninsurance.com. Johnson-Pohlmann Insurance, Danville, was founded in 1944. Principals are Scott Burks, Ray Whitehouse and John Funkhouser. More information is available at http://www.johnsonpohlmann.com.”

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“PHILADELPHIA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--ACE Westchester, the U.S.-based wholesale-focused property & casualty operation of the ACE Group, today announced the appointment of Bruce Kessler as President, ACE Westchester Casualty and Specialty Lines. Based in Atlanta, Ga., Mr. Kessler will have responsibility for leading overall efforts, including new business development, strategic direction and implementation of underwriting strategy and product development of all casualty, environmental, transportation, and management and professional liability products and services. Mr. Kessler will report to Dennis Crosby, President and Chief Executive Officer, ACE Westchester, who recently added to his responsibilities the position of Chairman, ACE Commercial Risk Services®, a newly-established division that provides specialty products and solutions to small businesses in North America…Mr. Kessler brings to this position more than 28 years of insurance industry experience, and most recently served as Executive Vice President and Chief Underwriting Officer, Insurance-North America, a position he held since July 2005. He previously held the position of Senior Vice President, Global Reinsurance, ACE Tempest Re USA, the company’s Stamford, Connecticut-based reinsurance company. Prior to his tenure with ACE, Mr. Kessler held a number of senior underwriting positions with reinsurance companies, including American-Re Insurance Company, NAC Reinsurance Company and General Reinsurance Company.”

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“DES PLAINES, Ill…/PRNewswire/ -- The National Insurance Crime Bureau released its 2008-2009 comparison analysis of questionable claims. A total of 85,209 questionable claims were referred to NICB in 2009 compared with 74,902 received in 2008, an increase of 14 percent. These are claims that NICB member insurance companies refer to NICB for closer review and investigation based on one or more indicators of fraud. A single claim may contain up to seven referral reasons. The full report is available at www.nicb.org. As in previous reports, this review shows an overall increase in questionable claims submitted to NICB member insurance companies under property, casualty, commercial, vehicle and miscellaneous referral reasons…”

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“CANTON, Mass…/PRNewswire/ -- OneBeacon Insurance Group today announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to sell its Personal Lines business to Tower Group, Inc. The transaction will include two insurance companies containing the personal lines business, and two attorneys-in-fact managing the reciprocal insurance exchanges which write the personal lines business in New York and New Jersey…”

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“PARSIPPANY, N.J…./PRNewswire/ -- GAB Robins North America, Inc., a leader in loss adjusting and claims management services, announced that Christopher Walby will serve as a regional sales executive for its loss adjusting business. He will focus on West Coast accounts…Prior to joining GAB Robins, Walby worked at NovaPro Risk Solutions (formerly Ward North America) for 21 years. His experience includes claims management and investigation, branch management, and sales and marketing. He earned a bachelor's degree from San Diego State University. He is a member of the San Diego Chapter of the Risk and Insurance Management Society (RIMS) and is associated with the San Diego Chapter of the Public Agency Risk Managers Association (PARMA)…”

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by Sean Connors, J.D.

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It’s a sunny day, you’re in a bit of a rush and you pull away from the curb without checking your blind spot; then you feel it - that tell-tale thud of impact with another vehicle.  Given that this impact felt slight, you feel confident that the driver of the other vehicle is unharmed — until you hear him request an ambulance. At that point, you’re simply glad that you have insurance, and therefore an advocate to defend the soon-to-be-filed suit. It’s a fairly common occurrence for a civil defense attorney to face a finding of near complete liability against his client. The focus of the attorney must then shift to the alleged damages that this accident could have caused to the plaintiff. This rather arduous task requires the patient scrutiny of the plaintiff’s medical record, where often times, as Richard M.  Sands, Esq., submits, “the details are hidden in plain sight.” Recently I had the pleasure of sitting down and speaking with Richard, newly named Partner at the New York law firm Harvey Gladstein and Partners LLC.  With a career spanning thirty years, he has established himself as a top insurance defense litigator and bulwark against opportunistic fraud. At the heart of Insurance Defense is the belief that if a plaintiff was indeed caused an injury, then compensation is absolutely justified.  On that note, Mr. Sands agrees. “Almost every case is defensible; when it’s not, it tends to settle sooner than later.” Many times, however, the mere appearance of allegations of serious injuries creates an emotional presumption of truth from the perspective of the jury.  Mr. Sands frames the counter-argument plainly when he points out that just because the sun rises after the rooster crows, it doesn’t mean that the rooster had anything to do with the sun rising.  But since anything, even the most counterintuitive result, is possible at trial, the key is to find the most productive way to manage these risks rather than to eliminate them as a whole. Recounting what an intensive review might yield, Mr. Sands reminisced about a plaintiff who received the whole regimen of treatment for a lumbar spine injury, culminating in emergency surgery some eighteen months after the accident.  As above, without an argument on liability, Richard found one of those details hidden in plain sight.  This particular detail took the form of a note scribbled by a physician who had been treating the plaintiff for a vascular disorder that had prevented him from working for the last several years.  In that small note, the doctor memorialized the plaintiff’s admission that his back injury occurred when he had slipped exiting his truck. That note, coupled with a false claim for lost wages made in plaintiff’s own hand to his No-Fault insurer, added the firepower that Richard needed to manage the risk effectively and dispose of the case.  With the plaintiff’s credibility called into question, the risk that juror emotion would run wild had ebbed significantly.  This outcome may very well be the result of Richard’s due diligence in the review of a file; but what if such a review yields no fruit? In his article, “Biomechanical Science Challenges Old Assumptions About Causation,” Richard asserts that advances in science and technology over the past decades have produced the tools for a more objective assessment of the causation issue in litigation. Commenting on the precision of a medical doctor’s testimony in support of a causal connection between accident and injury, Richard notes that the doctor’s “certainty” may often be based on incomplete data or subjective beliefs not necessarily supported by an objective analysis of the facts and circumstances of the accident.  The doctor’s in-court testimony will customarily include detailed descriptions of medical examinations, tests and procedures; this is understandable, since a medical doctor’s primary concern is diagnosis and treatment.  However, a physician generally does not perform any analysis of the facts and circumstances that gave rise to the accident as would seem necessary to establish a certain causal link. Richard points out that without such an analysis to serve as the basis for a conclusion on causation, the doctor’s testimony may be “mere speculation” insufficient to establish a causal relationship.  He asserts that an analysis of causation is not merely a subject of medical expertise, but rather must involve an analysis of the following factors: the identification of the instrumentalities involved and the mechanism of the accident; the kinematics of the individuals involved, i.e., the motion of persons affected by the accident; the injury mechanisms created (or not created) by the accident, and the nature and magnitude of forces generated; and the tolerance of a particular body part to particular forces applied by a particular mechanism. These factors, as Richard notes, are indeed the subjects of physics and mechanical engineering and the scientist who is qualified to perform this analysis is the biomechanical engineer.  Today, in the appropriate case, the defense lawyer may employ this weapon to demonstrate scientifically that the opinion of the plaintiff’s medical expert concerning causation is not, in fact, “reasonably reliable” at all. Why is the biomechanical engineer uniquely positioned to offer this precise analysis on causation? Because, as Richard posits, this breed of scientist is an expert on human anatomy and physiology, including the functioning of various body parts and the types of stresses and forces which will cause them to exceed their natural physiological range of motion. In short, the biomechanical engineer applies immutable laws of physics to human anatomy and physiology. This stands in stark contrast to old notions of causation analysis that had only found purchase in a logical fallacy;  i.e., post hoc, ergo propter hoc, meaning “after this, therefore as a result of this.”  As our conversation about causation analysis continued, both Richard and I were amused that such an important element of the negligence equation had been glibly swept under Logic’s rug with the mere turn of a Latin phrase.  But Richard is quick to acknowledge that as biomechanics gains momentum, the system has the opportunity to correct itself, leaving the plaintiff in the unenviable position of attempting to find chinks in the armor of Newtonian Physics. On plaintiff’s options, Richard offers a wry smile and admits, “they did have some slight success early on, seeking to preclude our experts by arguing that the whole field of study is junk science; but given the superb credentials of these experts, some hailing from the finest graduate schools, all four appellate departments in New York now recognize that they’re qualified to testify at trial.” Richard has watched this evolution and asserts that where the report of the expert is based on good science and it is itself bolstered by scientific reports that are reliable in the engineering community, the trial court’s failure to accept it is improvident. “After all,” he notes, “this field has given us safer cars through seatbelt and air bag design and these professionals apply this science to design prosthetic devices.” With their hope of preclusion in question, some plaintiffs endeavor to notice their own biomechanical expert to provide testimony in rebuttal to that of the defense. But Richard is clear that this tactic is not permissible under the C.P.L.R.  In fact, he asserts that since the plaintiff’s expert must be offered to prove the case in chief, allowing such a rebuttal witness is reversible error.  The implication here, as seen by Mr. Sands, is a shift on the playing field against the plaintiff.  Where causation was once more mysterious, and subject to judicial terms of art which often appear in boiler plate fashion, biomechanics has added precision, presenting itself as the best known fraud detection device available to the defense. “With biomechanics,” Richard states, “there is no mystery because we are all subject to the laws of physics and we know the tolerance of the human body which has been researched and reported.” Mr. Sands points out that when brought into courtroom settlement talks, the biomechanical expert is a force to be reckoned with.  Candidly, he admits, he never thought that he would see exposure on cases reduced by a third to fifty percent; but, generally speaking, that’s what’s going on.  Further, Richard adds, that if the plaintiff gets brazen and takes his case to a jury, biomechanics creates a purely scientific armrest upon which jurors may rest those emotions which give rise to greater awards. For Richard, the value proposition is clear and because of the precision that biomechanics brings to causation analysis, it is sure to gain traction in Insurance Defense litigation.

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Richard Sands (Photo)

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Richard Sands is a graduate of Hofstra University School of Law and was admitted to the New York Bar in 1979.  He is also admitted to United States District Court, Southern and Eastern Districts. Richard primarily practices in the areas of casualty& property defense, automobile liability and construction & labor law.  Lastly, Richard is a member of the New York State Bar Association’s Torts, Insurance and Compensation Law Section.  Articles authored by Mr. Sands include  Claims Magazine: Role of Biomechanics; and Insurance Advocate:   Cause and Effect in the Courtroom:  How Bio-Mechanical Science is Revolutionizing Defense Strategies and Aiding Insurers In Litigation.

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“LOS ANGELES…/PRNewswire/ -- Farmers Insurance Group of Companies® announces the appointment of Susan Bithell to the position of Vice President and Chief Underwriting Officer. In her new role, Bithell will oversee the continued alignment of the company's underwriting strategy, processes and methodology across a number of business units…Bithell began her career with Farmers in 1983 as an Auto Underwriter in the Pocatello Regional Office. In 1984 she moved to the Regional Marketing Department where she held several positions including Life Representative, Division Agency Manager, and Regional Marketing Education Manager. She was promoted in 1991 to Zone Life Marketing Manager in the Home Office. In 1993 she received a promotion to Division Marketing Manager in Colorado and in 1996 she was promoted to Regional Marketing Manager in Merced, California. Her next promotion was to Director Forecasting, Research, and Financial Analysis in 1997 where she oversaw catastrophe modeling, personal lines financial reports, and data reporting. In 2000 she moved to the newly-created position of Director of Customer Advocacy. In 2001 Susan returned to field operations as the State Executive Director in Nevada. During her tenure there Farmers grew to #1 market share. Susan's most recent assignment was as Vice President and State Executive Director of Washington State. Bithell graduated from Idaho State University in 1983 with a BBA in Marketing. In 1998 she earned her MBA with Distinction from California State University - Fresno…”

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“DES PLAINES, Ill.../PRNewswire/ -- The National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) reported receiving 5,562 tips from the public in 2009 -- more than doubling the 2,500 received in the previous year. Americans can report suspected insurance crimes by text, toll-free telephone and online through the NICB Web site - https://www.nicb.org/...In 2009 tipsters provided valuable information to NICB investigators which helped uncover fraudulent insurance schemes involving medical fraud, chiropractors, auto body/glass repair shops, roofers and others. Schemes like these occur daily and cause millions of dollars in losses to insurance companies -- losses that are ultimately passed on to consumers through higher premiums…”

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“LANSING, Mich…/PRNewswire/ -- Accident Fund Holdings, Inc. announces the appointment of Steve Cooper as president of United Heartland, a national workers compensation insurer based in New Berlin, Wisconsin, and a subsidiary of the holding company. Cooper succeeds Emil Pfenninger, who has led United Heartland since its founding in 1990. Cooper brings a wealth of talent and 21 years of property-casualty experience to the position. Prior to joining United Heartland, Cooper served as vice president of Claim Operations & TPA at Accident Fund Insurance Company of America, another Accident Fund Holdings subsidiary. Prior to joining Accident Fund, he served in various service center and claims leadership positions at Specialty Underwriters Alliance, General Electric Insurance Solutions, Metropolitan Life Insurance Company and Travelers Insurance Company. Cooper holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science from Central Michigan University and an MBA from Indiana Wesleyan University…”

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“SCHAUMBURG, Ill.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Zurich, a leading property and casualty insurance provider globally and in North America, announced today that it is further committed to expanding its presence in the U.S. energy casualty insurance market. Zurich, which has a strong presence in various sectors of the energy industry, including mining, oil and gas, utilities, power generation, and alternative energy through both its Global Energy and U.S. Energy Casualty units, has expanded its team of experienced and dedicated leaders to include Greg Cropp, vice president of Energy Excess Casualty, and Marie Gwin, vice president of Energy Primary Casualty. Both have joined Zurich North America Commercial's Energy Casualty business unit. Cropp joins Zurich's U.S. Energy Excess Casualty team after nearly seven years with AIG, where most recently, he served as senior vice president, Global Marine and Energy Excess Casualty. Prior to AIG, he served for seventeen years at Chubb with roles including Mid-Atlantic region manager and Affinity Program marketing underwriter. Cropp’s responsibilities with Zurich will include oversight and management for the umbrella practice strategy, customer-centric leadership, setting direction, and accountability for production, profitability, and compliancy of the energy umbrella practice. Gwin assumes her new role as vice president, Primary Energy Casualty, for Zurich's U.S. Energy Casualty business, after nearly 28 years with Zurich, where she began as an underwriter in commercial insurance. Most recently, she served as vice president and chief underwriting officer for Energy Casualty. In her new role, Gwin's responsibilities include oversight and management for the primary casualty practice strategy, customer-centric leadership, setting direction, and accountability for production, profitability, and compliancy of the energy primary casualty practice. Both Cropp and Gwin will report directly to Patrick Lundy, head of Energy, North America Commercial.”

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“LOS ANGELES…/PRNewswire/ -- Farmers Insurance Group of Companies® announces the appointment of Dan Schrock to Vice President - Expansion Markets. The promotion of Mr. Schrock will have him reporting to Senior Vice President Scott Stice…Mr. Schrock joined Farmers in May 1990 as an auto underwriter in the Overland Park Regional Office. In January 1993 he transferred to the Claims function as a Claims representative. Mr. Schrock moved quickly through the Claims ranks as senior Claims representative, Claims management trainee, and branch Claims supervisor of the Tulsa, Oklahoma BCO. In August 1998, Mr. Schrock transferred to the Columbus Service Center as a Personal Lines agency consultant. Two years later, in October 2000, he relocated to the Los Angeles area as Farmers Financial Solutions National Sales Manager. In May 2002 Mr. Schrock transferred to the Austin Service Center as division marketing manager and returned to the Home Office as a senior marketing consultant and was subsequently promoted to director of Home Office Sales. In June 2006, he was promoted to State Executive Director - Michigan. Mr. Schrock earned a bachelor of arts degree in economics from the University of Iowa in Iowa City, IA and holds Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter (CPCU) and Graduate in Claims Administration (GCA) designations…”

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“SCHAUMBURG, Ill.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Zurich, a leading property and casualty insurance provider globally and in North America, announced today that Steve Gillen has joined Zurich in a key new role as Global Head of Marine Claims. Effective immediately, Gillen will work closely with regional marine leadership and regional claims organizations to enhance Zurich’s claims proposition in support of the global marine specialty practice, and enhance claims capabilities in support of Zurich’s marine business. Gillen has more than 25 years of extensive experience in marine claims and risk engineering, most recently serving as senior vice president and president, Chartis Marine Claims Adjusters, Inc. Prior to his time at Chartis, Gillen held numerous senior level positions within the industry. Additionally, he has served as chairman of the Service Committee for the American Institute of Marine Underwriters for the last eight years, and is an adjunct professor with the American Institute of Marine Underwriters. He also holds the designation of U.S. Coast Guard Licensed Master…”

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“WORCESTER, Mass…PRNewswire/ -- The Hanover Insurance Group, Inc., a leading provider of property and casualty insurance, today unveiled a powerful suite of management liability solutions that includes a newly launched capability to protect private companies against a growing number of financial exposures...To provide private companies with protection against a multitude of exposures and costly litigation, The Hanover has launched Hanover Private Company Advantage. This new coverage is part of the company's Hanover Professional Portfolio, a growing selection of professional and management liability products designed to give The Hanover's agent partners another competitive advantage in their local markets…”

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“UNIVERSITY PARK, Ill.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Insuresoft, a leading provider of insurance software, announced today that Lexington, KY based Kentucky National Insurance Company has signed an agreement to implement The Diamond System in Kentucky, Tennessee and Indiana for their commercial auto and liability lines of business…The Diamond System is a fully automated and integrated policy administration system for both personal and commercial lines insurance carriers. The Diamond System can be implemented as a component based or enterprise solution for policy, billing and claims processing. Built on the Microsoft .NET platform, it has a services-oriented architecture that enables web-based access for agents, consumers and other insurance carrier partners…”

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“BOSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Liberty International Underwriters (LIU), a division of Liberty Mutual Group, today announced that it has restructured its U.S. Specialty Casualty unit to better serve its clients and to more effectively access business opportunities. To ensure that LIU continues to provide the expert underwriting service that brokers, clients, and program administrators have come to expect, the following organizational changes are effective immediately: Carl Pursiano has been named Chief Underwriting Officer, U.S. Specialty Casualty and Senior Vice President. In this role, Mr. Pursiano will oversee Management Liability and Professional Liability for LIU U.S. Trevor Howard has been named Senior Vice President of U.S. Management Liability in charge of all management liability operations. Christopher DePuy has been named Senior Vice President in charge of Lawyers Professional Liability (LPL) and Accountants Professional Liability (APL). Georges Pigault has been named Vice President of Architects and Engineers (A&E). Michael Auerbach has been named Vice President of Allied Health and Miscellaneous Programs. Mark Blankenship joins LIU as Assistant Vice President of Architects and Engineers in Chicago…”

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“PHILADELPHIA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The ACE Group of insurance and reinsurance companies today announced that it has appointed Doug Poetzsch Executive Vice President, ACE USA Claims. Mr. Poetzsch will have overall responsibility for the ACE USA Claims unit, including several specialized teams responsible for ACE USA’s wide array of commercial insurance products. Mr. Poetzsch will report to John Lupica, President and Chief Executive Officer, ACE USA and Chief Operating Officer, Insurance-North America, and Frank Lattal, Chief Claims Officer, ACE Group. Paul Ramsey has been named Executive Vice President, Claims, for ACE Commercial Risk Services^®. In this new role, Mr. Ramsey will oversee the establishment of an integrated claims infrastructure for ACE Commercial Risk Services, the company’s new small business division in North America. In addition, Mr. Ramsey will work directly with Mr. Lattal on strategic claims initiatives for ACE in North America. He will report to Dennis Crosby, Chairman, ACE Commercial Risk Services and Mr. Lattal. Mr. Poetzsch joined ACE in 2004 and most recently served as Executive Vice President, Head of ACE USA Specialty Claims and Chief Technical Officer. Prior to joining ACE, he held several senior claims management positions at The Navigators Group, The Gulf Insurance Group and American International Group (AIG). He holds a bachelors degree in Accounting from Siena College in Loudonville, New York, and his Juris Doctorate from Fordham University, also located in New York. Since joining ACE in 2005, Mr. Ramsey has served as Executive Vice President, ACE USA Claims. He brings more than 30 years of experience in the property and casualty insurance field, including numerous senior leadership positions in claims operations with St. Paul and Travelers. Mr. Ramsey earned his bachelor of arts degree from Union College in Schenectady, New York.”

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“WORCESTER, Mass…/PRNewswire/ -- The Hanover Insurance Group, Inc., a leading provider of property and casualty insurance, today announced that it has significantly expanded its professional liability capabilities and product line, adding professional liability for architects and engineers as well as a stand-alone miscellaneous professional liability coverage to the company's Hanover Professional Portfolio of products. The Hanover Professional Portfolio is a growing selection of professional and management liability products designed to offer the company's agent partners a distinct competitive advantage and more opportunities to grow in their local markets…”

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“NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. (MMC) announced today that its Board of Directors has elected H. Edward Hanway as a Director, effective immediately. Mr. Hanway, 57, served as Chairman and CEO of CIGNA Corporation from 2000 to the end of 2009. From 1999 to 2000, he served as President and Chief Operating Officer of CIGNA. From 1996 to 1999, he was President of CIGNA HealthCare, and from 1989 to 1996 was President of CIGNA International. Previously, Mr. Hanway was with the Insurance Company of North America (INA), a CIGNA predecessor company, and was appointed to management and executive roles of increasing responsibility through the merger in 1982 of INA and Connecticut General, which formed CIGNA…”

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“JACKSONVILLE, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The concerns of property insurance and the perils facing the industry and consumers are some of the key issues to be addressed at the Eleventh Annual Windstorm Insurance Conference, set for January 25-28, 2010, at the Hyatt Regency Riverfront in Jacksonville, Florida…More than 1,200 property insurance professionals are expected at the three-day event, which is hosted by the Windstorm Insurance Network, Inc. (WIND) (association website: www.windnetwork.com and 2010 conference website, www.windconference.com). The conference, which is co-sponsored by the American Bar Association/Tort Trial and Insurance Practice Section (TIPS), is designed to provide a variety of general sessions and workshops for all segments of the windstorm insurance industry, including insurance agents, insurance company claim managers, adjusters, risk managers, attorneys, accountants, contractors, engineers, and other experts and consultants…”

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“PHILADELPHIA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--ACE Westchester, the U.S.-based wholesale-focused property & casualty operation of the ACE Group, today announced the appointment of Joseph Casey as President, ACE Westchester Professional Lines. Based in Atlanta, Ga., Mr. Casey will have responsibility for leading overall efforts, including new business development, strategic direction and implementation of underwriting strategy and product development -- of all management and professional liability products and services. Mr. Casey will report to Dennis Crosby, President and Chief Executive Officer, ACE Westchester, who recently added to his responsibilities the position of Chairman, ACE Commercial Risk Services®, a newly-established division that provides specialty products and solutions to small businesses in North America. Mr. Casey replaces David Lupica, who most recently was named President of this new division, reporting to Mr. Crosby. Mr. Casey brings to this position more than 17 years of risk management, underwriting and business development experience in the insurance and financial services arena. He joined ACE in 2000, serving as Vice President, Product Manager for ACE USA’s retail-focused Professional Risk Division. He most recently served as Senior Vice President, Management Liability for ACE Westchester’s Professional Lines Division. To learn more about ACE Westchester, please visit: www.acewestchester.com.”

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“CAMBRIDGE, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Workers’ compensation total costs per claim in Michigan were among the lowest of 15 states, and cost growth in Michigan over time was more stable than in most other study states, according to a new study by the Workers Compensation Research Institute (WCRI). The study by the Cambridge, Mass.-based WCRI found that the Michigan workers’ compensation system was a competitive asset for the state. The average cost per claim in Michigan was 35 percent lower than the median of the 15 study states, at nearly $4,700 per claim, according to WCRI. Compared to the study states that Michigan often competes with for business, employers in Michigan paid 20 percent less for workers’ compensation costs for an average case than the median of those states. The Michigan workers’ compensation system provided a better value proposition for both employers and injured workers. The average medical cost per claim with more than seven days of lost time in Michigan was among the lowest of the 15 study states. This was the main driver of the much lower total cost per claim in Michigan. According to another WCRI study, the lower medical costs per claim were the result of both lower prices paid and lower utilization of most medical services. Injured workers in Michigan reported typical outcomes despite the fact that employers paid less for medical services on an average case, according to a WCRI study Comparing Outcomes for Injured Workers in Michigan. Compared with other states in that study, injured workers in Michigan reported typical physical recovery, typical access to and satisfaction with care, and fairly typical return-to-work rate and speed. WCRI found that indemnity benefits per claim with more than seven days of lost time in Michigan were lower than in many study states, including several of the study states that Michigan often competes with for business. The key drivers of this result were system features and the statutory benefit structure in Michigan that led to shorter duration of temporary disability than the other wage-loss systems and a slightly lower average weekly temporary total disability (TTD) benefit rate. States with a wage-loss benefit structure typically have longer duration of temporary disability, but among the four states in the WCRI study with wage-loss benefit systems, Michigan was an exception. At an average of 19 weeks, duration of temporary disability in Michigan was five to six weeks shorter than in Massachusetts and Pennsylvania, and 15 weeks shorter than in Louisiana. Several system features and processes in Michigan, including processes for terminating TTD benefits, might contribute to the shorter duration of temporary disability, according to WCRI. Another factor underlying relatively lower indemnity benefits per claim in Michigan was a slightly lower average weekly TTD benefit rate, which was related to the statutory benefit structure in the state. Michigan’s benefit structure is different from the benefit structure in most states in two ways. First, Michigan bases weekly benefits on 80 percent of after-tax (spendable) earnings, whereas most states pay two-thirds of the worker’s pre-tax average weekly wage. Second, Michigan sets the maximum statutory weekly benefit at 90 percent of the statewide average weekly wage, while most states set the maximum benefit at 100 percent or higher. Under the Michigan benefit structure, about 16 percent of workers (those with lower wages) received higher weekly benefits than under the typical structure in other states, but more than a third of workers (those with higher wages) received at least 5 percent less. The WCRI study, CompScope™ Benchmarks for Michigan Workers’ Compensation System Performance, 10^th Edition, provides a meaningful comparison of the workers’ compensation systems in Michigan and 14 other important states on key performance measures such as benefit payments and costs per claim, timeliness of payments, and defense attorney involvement, by analyzing a similar group of claims and adjusting for interstate differences in injury mix, wage levels, and industry type. WCRI also reported that injured workers in Michigan received their first indemnity payment slower than in the typical study state, mainly due to longer injury reporting time than in all other study states. The speed of payment once payors received notice of injury in the state was faster than typical. However, over the study period, the injury reporting time improved steadily in Michigan – the percentage of claims reported to payors within three days of injury increased about six percentage points from 2002 to 2007. The Workers Compensation Research Institute is a nonpartisan, not-for-profit membership organization conducting public policy research on workers’ compensation, health care, and disability issues. Its members include employers, insurers, governmental entities, insurance regulators and state administrative agencies in the U.S., Canada, Australia and New Zealand, as well as several state labor organizations.” For more info, visit www.WCRINET.org  

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“WOODLAND HILLS, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Zenith National Insurance Corp. (NYSE:ZNT) announced today that Judge Pamela Foust joined Zenith Insurance Company. Judge Foust has stepped off the bench after 25 years of service in California as a Workers’ Compensation Judge. She has written numerous articles on workers’ compensation issues and has been a frequent speaker on educational programs…Zenith National Insurance Corp. is a property-casualty insurance organization with headquarters in Woodland Hills, California, and provides workers’ compensation insurance nationally through its insurance subsidiaries.”

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“NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Chartis Inc., a world leader in property-casualty and general insurance…announced that Samir Shah has been named Senior Vice President and Chief Risk Officer for Chartis, responsible for the organization’s worldwide risk management strategies…Mr. Shah joins Chartis from Validus Holdings Ltd., where he held the position of Executive Vice President and Chief Risk Officer. Prior to Validus, Mr. Shah worked as Executive Vice President and Chief Risk Officer for Scottish Re Group. He also was employed at Towers Perrin as a Principal, responsible for development of the firm's intellectual capital and delivery of client services in risk and capital management. Mr. Shah has also held consulting and actuarial positions with Watson Wyatt Worldwide and William M. Mercer, Inc. He holds B.S. and M.S. degrees from Northwestern University.”

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“BIRMINGHAM, Mich…/PRNewswire/ -- Oswald Companies announced today a service expansion in its fast-growing Lawyers Professional Liability practice with the hire of Theodore Nittis. He will counsel clients on risk management, program placement, and serve as lead claims advocate with insurance underwriters and carriers. Before joining Oswald as risk management counselor and senior consultant, Nittis was vice president of risk management at ProQuest Insurance and Alliant Insurance Services. He specialized in the placement of professional liability insurance for large law firms and risk management consulting for all professional service firms. Prior to the purchase of Alliant by the Blackstone Group, he was the vice president and general counsel of ProQuest Insurance and Kelter-Alliant Insurance Services…Learn more at  www.oswaldcompanies.com...”

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 “WORCESTER, Mass…/PRNewswire/ -- The Hanover Insurance Group, Inc. today announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement through which it will acquire the Vienna, Virginia-based Campania Group, which specializes in insurance solutions for the healthcare industry. The transaction reaffirms The Hanover's commitment to continue to provide industry-leading specialty insurance solutions to its partner agents, and represents a significant step in the company's commitment to offer a range of products for the healthcare industry. The Campania Group provides professional and general liability solutions for a range of healthcare providers, including durable medical equipment suppliers, behavioral health specialists, eldercare providers, and podiatrists. The organization has served the specialty healthcare insurance market since its founding in 1992 and has companies admitted in 21 states, as well as the District of Columbia. The transaction is subject to regulatory reviews and approvals. It is expected to close before the end of the first quarter…”

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“HARTFORD, Conn…/PRNewswire/ -- Small insurers retain a sizable share of the overall property-casualty market and strong positions in some specific market niches, according to a new study by Conning Research & Consulting…” For more info, visit www.ConningResearch.com.  

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“ATLANTA…/PRNewswire/ -- The Atlanta Chapter of the CPCU Society has recognized Crawford & Company, the world's largest independent provider of claims management solutions, for its contributions to the chapter's educational and charitable programs. Company President and CEO Jeffrey T. Bowman accepted the chapter's President's Award…The Chartered Property Casualty Underwriters (CPCU) Society is a community of credentialed property and casualty insurance professionals who promote excellence through ethical behavior and continuing education. The society's almost 28,000 members hold the CPCU designation; requirements include rigorous undergraduate- and graduate-level examinations, industry experience and adherence to a strict code of professional ethics…”

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“NORTHUMBERLAND, Pa.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Keystone Insurers Group (KIG), the nation’s sixth largest privately-held property/casualty agencies, today announced that C.M. Moore Insurance of Bowling Green and Al Torstrick Insurance of Lexington would be their first franchises in the Commonwealth of Kentucky. The two firms become part of KIG’s network of more than 200 independent insurance agencies, serving clients in six states…C.M. Moore Insurance is headquartered in Bowling Green, Ky., where it was founded in 1933 by Charles H. Moore. Now under the leadership of brothers Tommy and Charles Adams, who serve as president and corporate vice president, respectively. Tommy is past president of Independent Insurance Agents of Kentucky (IIAK), and is currently Kentucky’s representative to the national organization, the Independent Agents & Brokers of America (IIABA). For more information on C.M. More Insurance, visit www.cmmoore.com. Al Torstrick Insurance is headed by its president, Sandra (Torstrick) Blain, whose father, Al Torstrick, created the agency in Lexington in 1967. Sandra was recently sworn in as the first female president of the IIAK. Visit www.altorstrick.com for more on the agency…”

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“ROSELAND, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Crump Group Inc.’s Property & Casualty Insurance division announces several key management changes, reports Crump Group Inc.’s president and CEO, John Howard. Dave Obenauer, currently chief financial officer of Crump Group, Inc., will assume the role of president of Crump’s Property & Casualty Insurance division, effective immediately. He will be responsible for the growth and development of the Property & Casualty business. Mr. Obenauer will continue to oversee the financial operations of Crump Group, Inc. pending the selection of a successor to fill the CFO role. John Jennings will move into the newly-created position of vice chairman, business development for the Property & Casualty Insurance division, responsible for national retailer relationships, carrier relations and producer recruiting, as well as leading Crump’s New York property and casualty operations. Mr. Jennings brings more than 20 years of industry expertise and relationships to this important new role. Joining Crump’s Property & Casualty Insurance division as executive vice president and chief sales officer is Phil Eisenmann, who will be transitioning from Crump’s Life Insurance Services division where he serves as executive vice president. Mr. Eisenmann brings many years of experience in sales management and will work closely with the office heads, program leaders and operational teams. His responsibilities within the Life Insurance division will be transitioned over the next few months as the company evaluates internal and external candidates…”

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“SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Majestic Insurance Company, a full-service provider of workers' compensation insurance, proudly announces the appointments of Janine Parokian, Senior Underwriter and Underwriting Specialist, and Livia Marie Ferrari, Manager, Claims Services. Both will be based from Majestic Insurance's home office in San Francisco…Ms. Janine Parokian will serve as expert advisor to the Northern California Underwriting team. She has over 20 years of experience in large casualty underwriting, most recently with Travelers where she served as an Account Executive, managing a significant book of business. Prior to that, she was with Marsh Global Broking and before that ACE Risk Management/ CIGNA Special Risk where she served in a variety of leadership roles over a 16-year span. Janine will report to Nora Greathouse, Senior Vice President, Underwriting. Ms. Livia Marie Ferrari will serve as a manager of the San Francisco claims office, which includes claim supervisors, claim examiners and clerical support personnel. She brings to the position a wealth of experience, serving in variety of claims management roles at Insurance Group of the West, Farmers Insurance Company, Kaiser Permanente, Great American Risk Management, and Zurich American, Livia’s experience includes building claim operations, developing effective procedures, customizing policyholder return-to-work plans, while providing the highest standard of customer service. She will report to Donald R. Bellinger, Senior Vice President, Claims.”

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“PARSIPPANY, N.J…/PRNewswire/ -- GAB Robins' Loss Adjusting Services business today introduced its General Adjusting (GA) Services segment. Comprised of more than 70 general adjusters, the GA Services segment augments the company's Executive Loss Adjusting and Catastrophe Services segments, and focuses on managing complex regional claims and serving clients through a single point of contact. Adjusters within the GA Services division have, on average, 19 years of experience and offer broad industry expertise, including complex business interruption and high-value property and casualty claims. Several adjusters within the division are certified in dispute resolution/mediation and others provide specialized expertise in soft cost evaluations/insurance appraisals…”

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“WORCESTER, Mass…/PRNewswire/ -- The Hanover Insurance Group, Inc. today announced the appointment of Steven J. Bensinger as executive vice president and senior financial officer. Bensinger joined The Hanover today and will be appointed chief financial officer in March, replacing Eugene M. Bullis, who will retire later this year…Bensinger has more than 30 years experience in the financial services business, with most of it in insurance, and in particular, property and casualty insurance. He began his career in 1976 with Coopers & Lybrand, where he rose to partner in the firm's financial services practice. In 1987, he joined Skandia America Corporation as senior vice president and chief financial officer, and later was named president and chief operating officer. Bensinger held senior leadership positions at Chartwell Re Corporation, Trenwick Group Ltd., and Combined Specialty Group, Inc., from 1993 to 2002, before joining American International Group, Inc. as vice president and treasurer in 2002. He was appointed executive vice president and chief financial officer in 2005. Bullis joined The Hanover in 2007. He plans to retire from the company May 10, 2010, and will work closely with Bensinger in the interim to ensure a smooth transition in financial leadership…”

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“HARTFORD, Conn… /PRNewswire/ -- Inflation and inflation volatility should be significant concerns for property-casualty insurers, especially for the next few years, according to a new study by Conning Research and Consulting. ‘While the insurance industry has dealt with inflation and associated volatility in the past, there has been little inflationary impact in the past 15 years,’ said Stephan Christiansen, director of research at Conning. ‘As we look ahead, there appears to be increased prospects for inflation in components that could have significant impacts on insurer operating results and economic value, both good and bad.’ The Conning Research study, ‘Inflation in Property-Casualty Insurance: How Bad Can It Be?’ reviews the history of inflation and its components in the U.S., its impact on the property-casualty industry and potential mitigation strategies for negative impacts. The study also analyzes the likelihood of inflation in the 2010-2012 Conning industry forecast period. ‘In our study we looked at historical industry results, and then modeled the personal auto and workers compensation lines of business in order to better analyze inflation impacts from both steady and volatile increases,’ said Christiansen. ‘In some early stage inflation scenarios, operating results actually improve, but longer term we see dramatic value destruction from hyper-competitive pricing and loss reserve development. Insurers have a number of tools at their disposal to mitigate inflation risk, but must be prepared to respond quickly, particularly in the case of a volatile inflation event.’ ‘Inflation in Property-Casualty Insurance: How Bad Can It Be?’ is available for purchase from Conning Research & Consulting…www.conningresearch.com.”

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“WORCESTER, Mass…/PRNewswire/ -- The Hanover Insurance Group, Inc., a leading property and casualty insurance provider, today announced that Andrejs Krutainis will lead Hanover Specialty Property, a provider of specialized underwriting, risk management and claims services for a broad range of small- and medium-sized companies that manufacture, store, transport or use industrial chemicals and other flammable or combustible materials. In this role, Krutainis will work closely with The Hanover's middle market and loss control teams to continue development of The Hanover's total capabilities in the manufacturing space, enabling the company's agent partners to deliver a full suite of products and services for all segments of this profitable industry. He will be based in The Hanover's Silver Spring, Maryland office…Krutainis brings more than 30 years experience to The Hanover, having worked with several leading carriers over the course of his career. Most recently, he was vice president of inland marine and property at Harleysville Insurance, responsible for all package, property and inland marine operations. Prior to joining Harleysville in 2007, Krutainis served as chief operating officer for Comprehensive Auto Resource Company, Inc., where he was responsible for strategic direction, product development and marketing. He also served in other leadership roles, focusing on property business at Chubb, Reliance National, and Reliance Insurance Company.”

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“ Keene, N.H…Peerless Insurance, a Liberty Mutual Agency Markets regional company, intends to expand its school program market share this year in New Hampshire, Maine, and Vermont. Currently insuring more than thirty-five public school districts and private schools across the three states, Peerless Insurance plans to double these accounts during 2010. Through school inspections, providing safety tools for administrators and teachers and access to specialized safety professionals and services, Peerless Insurance differentiates itself in the school insurance marketplace by encouraging its school clients to be active participants in loss prevention and safety programs…This spring, Peerless Insurance is partnering with the National Alliance for Insurance Education & Research to offer school administrators throughout northern New England its Certified School Risk Manager designation program…”

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“SCHAUMBURG, Ill.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Zurich, a leading property and casualty insurance provider globally and in North America, announced today that Doug Bergen has been appointed southwest regional property manager for its Global Corporate in North America business unit. Bergen will be located in Zurich’s Glendale, Calif. office…Bergen previously served as global property segment manager for Zurich’s large international property business. In his 18 years at Zurich, Bergen has served in a number of roles in Global Corporate, having spent time managing both the Western and Southeast regions. Bergen graduated from the University of South Dakota with a Bachelor of Science degree in history and math.”

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“WORCESTER, Mass…/PRNewswire/ -- The Hanover Insurance Group, Inc., a leading property and casualty insurance provider, today announced that it has named Tony de Padua as a member of the company's executive leadership team. In this role, de Padua will lead the company's corporate commercial lines product and underwriting functions. Additionally, he will have direct responsibility for The Hanover's growing marine and umbrella businesses, driving continued profitable growth and building new niche products for lucrative markets, such as the technology industry. He will be based in The Hanover's Worcester headquarters…De Padua brings more than 30 years experience to The Hanover, having worked in the field and in field support leadership roles with CNA, The St. Paul Companies, Allstate and Aetna. Most recently, he was senior vice president, commercial segments at CNA with strategic and operational responsibility for risk management casualty and middle market business, as well as strategic responsibility for the construction and technology practices. Prior to joining CNA in 2003, de Padua was president of construction at The St. Paul Companies, where he served in various leadership roles since 1996. Before that, he was chief underwriting and loss control officer at Allstate…”

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Pennsylvania…”/PRNewswire/ -- Philadelphia Insurance Companies (PHLY) is pleased to announce it will begin offering Chiropractor's Malpractice Insurance in several states. Chiropractors may now obtain policies in Alabama, California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, South Dakota and Utah. Filing approval is anticipated for Mississippi, Ohio and Texas within the next 60 days with additional states to follow in 2010…Philadelphia Insurance Companies designs, markets, and underwrites commercial property/casualty and professional liability insurance products incorporating value added coverages and services for select industries. In operation since 1962, the Company, whose commercial lines insurance subsidiaries are rated A+ (Superior) by A.M. Best Company and AA- for counterparty credit and financial strength by Standard & Poor's, is nationally recognized as a member of Ward's Top 50 and National Underwriter's Top 100. The organization has 50 offices strategically located across the United States to provide superior service. Philadelphia Insurance Companies is the marketing name for the property casualty insurance operations of Philadelphia Consolidated Holding Corp., a Member of the Tokio Marine Group…”

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“BOSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Liberty Mutual Group, through its wholly owned subsidiary Liberty Insurance Company Limited (LICL), has been granted approval to establish a branch in Zhejiang by the China Insurance Regulatory Commission (CIRC). Headquartered in Chongqing, Liberty Mutual’s Chinese operations received CIRC approval on December 14, 2009 to prepare for a provincial branch in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province – the third-largest property and casualty insurance market in China…Liberty Mutual will be the first foreign property and casualty company to operate in Zhejiang, a province of over 47 million people located 700 miles south of Beijing on China’s southeastern coast. The Zhejiang operation joins the company’s two current operations in China – located in Chongqing and Beijing - in offering personal lines products and a wide range of commercial lines products that focus on the needs of small-to-medium enterprises…”  

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“LOS ANGELES… /PRNewswire/ -- Farmers Insurance Group of Companies® announces the appointment of Larry Pratt to Vice President -Sales…Mr. Pratt started with Farmers in June 1990 as a Sales trainee in Vancouver, Washington. While working in the Washington Regional Office, he gained valuable experience as a computer representative, life specialist, and regional marketing administration manager. Mr. Pratt was promoted to Seattle division marketing manager in 1997 and to marketing manager in May 2000. He transferred to the Home Office in June 2001 as a marketing consultant II, a position he held until he was promoted to Executive Director--Alabama in April 2002. In April 2005, Mr. Pratt was given a new assignment as Executive Director--Texas. When responsibility for the Texas market was split earlier this year, Mr. Pratt was named South Texas State Executive Director. Mr. Pratt earned a Bachelor's degree in business human resources from the University of Idaho and holds the Chartered Leadership Fellow (CLF) designation.”

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“NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Travelers Companies, Inc. today announced that it has entered into two reinsurance agreements with Longpoint Re II Ltd., a newly formed Cayman Islands insurance company, each providing up to $250 million of reinsurance from losses resulting from certain hurricane events in the northeastern United States. The reinsurance agreements, entered into on December 18, 2009, provide protection for covered events occurring before or on December 18, 2012 and December 18, 2013, respectively...”

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“LOS ANGELES… /PRNewswire/ -- Farmers Insurance Group of Companies® has introduced eZsign, a new claims settlement option for their customers with total loss claims. It is currently approved in the states of Washington, Oklahoma, and Illinois. Farmers is anxiously awaiting approval in all other states. ‘Previously a customer who had reached settlement would have to wait for documents to arrive in the mail, and then sign and return those documents for payment to be issued,’ stated Odom Wu, Director of Farmers Strategic Initiatives. ‘Now Farmers, with the agreement of the Washington, Oklahoma, and Illinois Departments of Motor Vehicles, can give customers the option to receive the documents via email, sign them online using their mouse, and return them instantly to expedite payment. This initiative is consistent with Farmers' commitment to innovation, and keeps Farmers on the cutting edge in providing customers the best claims experience possible. Farmers is the first in the insurance claims industry to accomplish this for its customers,’ Wu continued. Wu explained that the new process will replace the current system where the insured receives an overnight package, endorses the documents and sends them back by a return overnight package…”

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“NEW YORK… /PRNewswire/ -- The insurance industry may not see a return to relative stability and certainty for a few years as it reacts to the effects of regulatory reform, increased government intervention and potential tax law changes in the aftermath of the financial crisis, said PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP in a report released today. Within five years, the industry landscape could look markedly different, and Americans may find their insurance policies underwritten by a handful of large, well-capitalized firms that can demonstrate financial strength and economies of scale. The PricewaterhouseCoopers report, entitled ‘Emerging from the Storm: The Day After Tomorrow for Insurance,’ outlines nine key developments that are expected to reshape the insurance industry and their strategic implications during the next five years. The most significant of these developments for U.S. insurers will likely be sweeping regulatory changes resulting from proposed legislation to reform health insurance and increase federal oversight of insurance and financial industries. The majority of regulation of insurance firms in the U.S. occurs at the state level, but there is political pressure to expand federal oversight. Creation of a Federal Insurance Office could provide federal policymakers with the information and resources to better respond to crises, mitigate systemic risks and help ensure a well-functioning financial system, but it could also lead to dual regulation at both the state and federal levels…”

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“CHICAGO…/PRNewswire/ -- Aon Risk Services, the risk management and insurance brokerage business of Aon Corporation, today announced that it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Allied North America, one of the largest independent surety and construction insurance brokerage firms in the United States. Financial terms of the acquisition were not disclosed. Closing is expected by year's end…” 

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“CHICAGO…/PRNewswire/ -- Property, casualty and directors' and officers' liability insurance rates will continue to stabilize in 2010, according to Aon Corporation, the leading global provider of risk management services, who today released its U.S. Q3 '09 Quarterly Market Overview for Property, Casualty, and D&O liability insurance lines for commercial and large corporate segments. The report, which examines the third quarter of 2009 and forecasts 2010 insurance market trends, was created by Aon Analytics to provide clients with the latest information on pricing, limit, deductible and retention trends…”

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“NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The ACE Group today announced the appointment of Michael Furgueson to President, Multinational Client Group, ACE Overseas General. In this newly created role, he will be responsible for leading the company’s commercial property and casualty insurance capabilities targeted to large multinational clients based outside North America. Based in New York and reporting to John Keogh, Chief Executive Officer, ACE Overseas General, Mr. Furgueson will work with ACE’s international product line and regional management to deliver the company’s insurance products and services tailored to the unique and often complex needs of multinational companies based in Europe, Africa, the Middle East, Latin America and Asia Pacific. He will also coordinate the service capabilities of ACE’s international network for the benefit of multinational clients based in North America… Mr. Furgueson brings more than 25 years of diverse experience in the property and casualty insurance industry to his new role. He had been Executive Vice President, International Commercial and Multinational Lines, since 2007. Mr. Furgueson joined ACE in 2002 as Executive Vice President, Financial Lines. In 2004, he was named President and Chief Operating Officer, ACE Europe, and oversaw the expansion of ACE into new territories, including Switzerland and Poland, and the introduction of new products throughout the European region. He became President of ACE’s U.K. and Ireland business in 2005. Mr. Furgueson joined ACE from the Financial Lines division of Kemper Insurance Companies, and previously served in a range of U.S. and international management assignments with Chubb. Mr. Furgueson earned a bachelor’s degree from Georgetown University in Washington, DC and is a past board member of the International Underwriting Association of London. The ACE Group is a global leader in insurance and reinsurance serving a diverse group of clients. Headed by ACE Limited (NYSE:ACE), the ACE Group conducts its business on a worldwide basis with operating subsidiaries in more than 50 countries…”

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“SCHAUMBURG, Ill.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Zurich North America Commercial congratulates Seraina Maag, president of its Specialties business unit for being named one of Business Insurance’s 2009 ‘Women to Watch.’ Several hundred women are nominated, and the select winners are honored for ‘doing outstanding work in insurance, reinsurance, risk management, employee benefits, and related fields.’ According to Business Insurance, the winners must meet the following criteria: ‘achievements within the past three years, impact on the wider industry (not just within a woman's own organization), and role in promoting the advancement of women.’ ‘This award is a reflection of the energy and focus Seraina brings to her work,’ said Mike Foley, CEO of Zurich North America Commercial. Maag has been with Zurich since 2002, and joined Specialties as chief financial officer in 2006, after spending four years running Investor Relations & Rating Agencies for Zurich Financial Services in Switzerland…Prior to arriving at Zurich, Maag was a partner and financial analyst for NZB Neue Zuercher Bank in Zurich. She also spent more than 10 years with Swiss Re both in Zurich and in Melbourne, Australia. While at Swiss Re, she held a variety of senior management positions in areas including finance and underwriting surety and property & casualty lines…” In 2009, Maag was nominated as a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum, which annually identifies 200-300 exceptional young leaders who share a commitment to shaping the global future...”

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“WASHINGTON…/PRNewswire/ -- Legislation to undermine state insurance protections, including laws requiring insurers to hold enough money to pay all claims, passed the U.S. House Financial Services Committee today. Insurance deregulation should not be part of a financial re-regulation package, said the nonprofit Consumer Watchdog, who called on members of Congress to reject preemption of state insurance laws when financial reform legislation reaches the House floor. ‘A plan to roll back oversight of the insurance industry does not belong in the financial re-regulation package,’ said Carmen Balber, Washington Director for Consumer Watchdog. The bill, H.R. 2609 (Kanjorski, D-PA), would undermine state insurance protections by empowering a new Federal Insurance Office in the Treasury Department to preempt state capital, solvency, and other prudential measures on behalf of foreign insurance firms. International agreements made by unelected federal officials would allow foreign regulators to set their own rules for companies selling insurance in the United States, said Consumer Watchdog. ‘This bill is part of the insurance industry's ongoing push to deregulate insurance by limiting state regulators' authority and is sure to weaken consumer protection. It is a real disappointment that Congress would move to weaken state insurance oversight when the failures of bank deregulation are all too obvious to every American who lost a job, home or business in the financial meltdown and its economic aftermath,’ said Balber…”

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“PITTSBURGH, Nov. 24 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The National Association of Subrogation Professionals (NASP), the world's largest insurance subrogation association and leader in subrogation education, is pleased to announce its fifth Annual Subrogation Litigation: Skills and Management Conference, taking place in Tucson, Arizona at The Hilton El Conquistador Resort on April 15 and 16, 2010. This unique educational event is designed to enhance the litigation skills of subrogation attorneys, in-house counsel, insurance professionals and consulting experts involved in the litigation process. This year's agenda includes five tracks - Property Subrogation Litigation, Auto Subrogation Litigation, Health Subrogation Litigation, Workers' Compensation Litigation and the first-ever Consulting Expert Track. All tracks will give attendees a chance to interact with their peers and explore important issues involved in the litigation of subrogation mediation and lawsuits. As a precursor to the Subrogation Litigation: Skills and Management Conference, NASP is once again holding its Executive Forum on April 14, 2010. This year's Executive Forum Advisory Committee is being chaired by Jon Thornton, Director, Claims Recovery and Support Operations at Westfield Insurance. Jon, whose impressive credentials in the insurance industry, coupled with his leadership and commitment, has proven to be an incredible asset to the NASP Board and to the Executive Forum planning process. He, along with a panel of senior-level executives from top insurance carriers, will facilitate interactive discussions relating to pertinent issues in today's subrogation environment and give participants an opportunity to discuss key challenges with their peers in a small, group setting…For registration information, please visit NASP's website: www.subrogation.org.”

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“LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--California has a $1.85 trillion economy that ranks it as a global financial power, thanks in part to a multi-billion dollar boost from the property/casualty insurance industry, according to a new report. In 2007, insurers contributed $30.1 billion to California’s gross state product, accounting for about 2 percent of the state’s GDP. The report, written by the Insurance Information Institute and available on the Insurance Information Network of California Web site, found that: Property and casualty insurers provide approximately 300,000 jobs in California, accounting for $21 billion in compensation. In 2008, property and casualty insurance claims payments totaled $32.8 billion in California. California collected $2.17 billion in premium taxes in 2008, nearly 15 percent of the national total. Nationally, the property/casualty insurance industry contributed $333 billion to the $14.2 trillion gross domestic product in 2007. From auto insurance to homeowner insurance to business insurance, insurers provide millions of Californians with a blanket of security underwriting risks and contributing to the state’s economic engine…IINC is non-profit and non-lobbying trade association dedicated to helping the public understand insurance and manage risk.”

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“WORCESTER, Mass..PRNewswire -- The Hanover Insurance Group, Inc. , a leading provider of property and casualty insurance, today announced new capabilities to write workers compensation for small commercial businesses. As part of this comprehensive effort, The Hanover has introduced a new worker's compensation broadening endorsement, which will be added to all new Avenues® Workers Compensation Policies; upgraded its point-of-sale system to make it easier to quote and issue small commercial workers compensation business; formed a new underwriting company to offer even more competitive pricing for select small commercial businesses; and expanded its appetite for mono-line business. The enhancements are part of The Hanover's continued commitment to offer its independent agent partners the most robust and competitive offering available, helping them to be more distinctive in their local markets. ‘We enhanced our small commercial workers' compensation capabilities as yet another way to help our agent partners attract and round accounts to help grow their businesses,’ said David J. Firstenberg, president, commercial lines at The Hanover. ‘In addition, we will be making even more investments in our small commercial offering in the coming months to continue to help our agent partners take advantage of the emerging opportunities in this market segment.’”

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“TUCSON, Ariz.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--GEICO’s board of directors recently named Martha Furnas a vice president of the company. Furnas leads a sales, service and claims staff of 830 associates from the Tucson operations office at 930 N. Finance Center Drive. The office has primary responsibility for the states of Arizona, Utah, Nevada, Oregon, Idaho and Montana. She previously served as assistant vice president for the Tucson service center. ‘Martha has done excellent work for us in Tucson, and has demonstrated throughout her career the ability to manage areas to improve results,’ said Bill Roberts, GEICO executive vice president. ‘We look forward to benefiting from her experience and skill for many years to come.’ Prior to becoming an assistant vice president in 2004, Furnas served as director of sales and service in the Tucson office. She has been in charge of that GEICO office since it opened in 2003. Furnas joined GEICO in 1981 and held positions of increasing management responsibility in sales, service and underwriting in the company’s San Diego regional office. She was selected to participate in the executive assistant program at the GEICO headquarters in Chevy Chase, Md., in 2001. Furnas is a graduate of the University of Redlands in California with a degree in business administration.”

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“FREDERICKSBURG, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--GEICO’s board of directors recently named John Zinno a vice president of the company. In his new assignment he’ll serve as president of GEICO Insurance Agency (GIA), with offices in Fredericksburg, Va., and Buffalo, N.Y. A company subsidiary, GEICO Insurance Agency is a personal lines insurance agency that provides a wide variety of non-automobile property insurance products to customers including homeowners, renters, boat, motorsports and other coverages. Previously Zinno served as an assistant vice president. Zinno joined GEICO in 1973 as a management trainee in Woodbury, N.Y. He was named director of sales and service for the Fredericksburg, Va., regional office, went on to serve as assistant vice president of GEICO’s centralized services in Macon, Ga., and was later named president of GEICO’s Safe Driver Motor Club. From 2004 to 2006, Zinno served as assistant vice president and general manager of GEICO’s regional operations in the Buffalo, N.Y., office.  Zinno graduate from the University of Maine where he earned a B.S. degree in marketing.”

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“Boston, Mass..Liberty Mutual Agency Markets, a strategic business unit of Liberty Mutual Group, today announced that Ms. Carol Sipe has been appointed President and Chief Executive Officer of Summit, which provides monoline workers’ compensation coverage in ten southeastern states. Ms. Sipe succeeds Mr. Rick T. Hodges, who has led Summit since 1999, and is retiring in January. Prior to this appointment, Ms. Sipe had been the company’s Senior Vice President and General Manager of Operations since 2006. A Lakeland, Florida, native and a graduate of Florida Southern College, Sipe joined Summit in 1989 and has since held several key management positions. Under Hodges’ leadership, Summit more than doubled its premium under management and expanded operations throughout the Southeast. He was the first chairman of the Workers’ Compensation Advisory Council for the Florida Division of Workers’ Compensation, and is a current member of the board of directors for the Florida Workers’ Compensation Joint Underwriting Association.”

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“NORTHBROOK, Ill.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Allstate Corporation (NYSE:ALL) today announced that Joseph P. Lacher, Jr., 40, has been named president of Allstate Protection. In this role, Lacher will lead all of Allstate’s property and casualty offerings serving over 17 million American households. He will serve as a member of the senior management team and report to Thomas J. Wilson, Allstate’s chairman, president and chief executive officer. Lacher will join Allstate effective November 30, 2009. ‘In today’s very competitive environment, success comes down to leadership and high performance. Our goal is to have the strongest possible leadership team with the optimal mix of talent, expertise and experience,’ said Wilson. ‘In Joe we are adding a recognized leader with an outstanding track record of success. We look forward to having him on our team as we reinvent to build a foundation for sustainable growth.’ From 2002 to 2009 Lacher served as the chief executive officer of Personal Insurance and executive vice president at Travelers. In 2006 he also assumed responsibility for small commercial insurance as the executive vice president of Personal Insurance and Select Accounts. These businesses represent approximately 45 percent of Travelers’ premiums. During his tenure at Travelers, which began in 1991, Lacher held a variety of leadership positions, including senior vice president of Pricing, Product and Underwriting for Personal Lines, senior vice president of Strategic Distribution for Personal Lines and chief financial officer of Select Accounts.”

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“SCHAUMBURG, Ill.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Zurich Financial Services Group has been named the best overall property insurer and workers' comp insurer by the readers of Business Insurance. Now in its fifth year, the Business Insurance Readers Choice Awards invite the publication’s readers to vote for the insurance industry companies they believe offer the best overall combination of quality, value, service and innovation. In addition to earning two Readers Choice awards, Zurich also was named to the Silver Circle as runner-up in the category of liability insurer.  ‘Zurich clearly has made a big impact on its customers during the past year, to win this level of recognition from Business Insurance readers across the admitted insurer categories,’ said Business Insurance Editor Regis Coccia. ‘Consistency is difficult to maintain for any company, but Zurich has done that in winning two Readers Choice awards and in being named to the Silver Circle as runner-up.’ ‘This is a great honor for Zurich and our employees from the readers of Business Insurance, many of whom are our valued customers,’ said Mike Foley, CEO of Zurich North America Commercial. ‘Our hard work is paying off.’”

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“NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Tower Group, Inc. (‘Tower’; NASDAQ: TWGP) announced today that it has completed the acquisition of Specialty Underwriters' Alliance, Inc. (‘SUA’; NASDAQ: SUAI). The transaction is valued at $107 million based on Tower’s closing price. Tower announced a definitive agreement to acquire SUA on June 22, 2009. All closing conditions have been met. Michael Lee, President and Chief Executive Officer of Tower, stated, ‘We are pleased to complete the acquisition of SUA. We are accomplishing some important objectives with this transaction including the strengthening of Tower’s specialty business segment with an established underwriting platform in the Midwest. On a pro forma basis as of September 30, 2009, our stockholders’ equity has increased to approximately $1.1 billion, and our book value per share has increased to approximately $23.50. We look forward to working with SUA’s employees in order to deliver substantial value to producers and customers through our higher rating and broader range of products.’ SUA is a specialty property and casualty insurance company providing commercial insurance products through wholesale agents that serve niche groups of insureds. These targeted segments require highly specialized knowledge due to their unique risk characteristics. Examples include transportation, professional employer organizations, alternative staffing, and public entities. SUA produced $143 million of gross premiums for the nine months ended September 30, 2009. With the close of the transaction, SUA shares will be delisted from the NASDAQ.”

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“SCHAUMBURG, Ill.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Zurich in North America announced today that it is offering its risk insights on how to prepare a commercial facility for winter hazards like snow and ice in a Web-based education program. The program titled, ‘Winter hazard control program: what you need to do to prepare’ is designed for business owners and facility, safety and risk managers. There is no charge to view the program. ‘Zurich's team of risk engineers researches statistics and analyzes our claims data in order to identify trends and issues affecting our customers,’ said Armand Fernandez, chief risk engineer for Zurich Services Corporation…”

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“BOSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--With more than 20,000 global kidnappings every year, companies need to take seriously the risk posed to employees and their family members. In response to this need, Liberty International Underwriters (LIU), a division of Liberty Mutual Group, has expanded its product recall crisis management contract with red24, a leader in global security assistance, to give brokers and their clients access to an experienced kidnap, ransom and extortion (KRE) consulting and response team. The expanded relationship with red24 was announced today at LIU’s Global Crisis Management Forum held in New York City. LIU KRE policyholders will have access to red24’s services lead by Jack Cloonan, a retired FBI Special Agent who was the Senior Case Agent on the New York Anti-Terrorism Task Force and participated in multiple high profile investigations over the last decade. ‘Around the world, kidnaps for ransom are becoming increasingly violent and ransom demands are skyrocketing,’ said Lou Lubrano, senior vice president of LIU’s Global Crisis Management. ‘With access to world- renowned specialist Jack Cloonan as their kidnap and ransom team leader, LIU KRE policyholders will have an edge in preventing and responding to these frightening trends.’ Working with red24, LIU’s Global Crisis Management experts will help brokers provide the specialized loss control engineering and loss mitigation services necessary to protect clients’ employees, operations and reputation before, during and after a crisis. LIU’s Global Crisis Management products include Kidnap, Ransom and Extortion; Contaminated Products and Product Recall.”

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“NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Marsh & McLennan Agency LLC, a subsidiary of insurance broker Marsh Inc., today announced it has acquired Insurance Alliance, one of the largest independent insurance agencies in Texas. The transaction marks the first of a series of planned strategic acquisitions as Marsh & McLennan Agency builds a national business to serve the needs of small to mid-sized companies across the country. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed. Established in 1992, Insurance Alliance has annual revenue of $15 million and serves over 1,500 commercial clients located primarily in Texas and throughout the Southwest. The firm has specialist teams serving clients in construction, surety, energy and marine, professional services, general property and casualty, and employee benefits. Headquartered in Houston, Insurance Alliance has 72 employees. David Eslick, chairman and CEO of Marsh & McLennan Agency, said, ‘I’m delighted to welcome the leadership and employees of Insurance Alliance to our firm. As a well-managed and growing enterprise with a highly qualified professional team and a reputation for service excellence, Insurance Alliance fits perfectly with the national organization we are working to build at Marsh & McLennan Agency.’ Concurrent with the acquisition, Marsh & McLennan Agency announced the appointment of Woody Woodard as CEO of its new Southwest operation. Mr. Woodard had been chairman of Insurance Alliance. In addition, Insurance Alliance executives Jim Berger will be COO and Jim Tomforde will be vice president of sales for the Southwest.”

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“HARTFORD, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--When attorneys leave their law firms to become in-house counsel, they usually expect the same level of malpractice coverage they had at their law firms. Without that protection, in-house attorneys could be uninsured against lawsuits arising from any erroneous legal advice they might give their employers. To fulfill this need for coverage, The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. now offers a professional liability policy specifically for staff attorneys. The Hartford Employed Lawyers Choice Liability Policy^SM is designed for small and midsize companies looking to provide comprehensive coverage for their in-house counsel. ‘In-house attorneys can face lawsuits stemming from a variety of areas, including employment practices, contract drafting, mergers and acquisitions. Lawsuits due to errors in those areas can result in significant defense costs and settlement payments,’ said Will Demers, director of financial products underwriting for The Hartford. ‘We designed this policy to address gaps in coverage for these types of exposures, which can be substantial for staff attorneys who aren’t protected with a liability policy...’ To learn more about The Hartford Employed Lawyers Choice Liability Policy, visit www.hfpinsurance.com...”

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“NORTHBROOK, Ill.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Allstate Corporation (NYSE: ALL) announced that Andrea Redmond, 53, has been elected to its board of directors effective January 1, 2010. ‘Allstate’s board has a longstanding record of effective corporate governance, independence and responsiveness to stakeholders,’ said Thomas J. Wilson, Allstate’s chairman, president and chief executive officer. ‘Andrea’s expertise in leadership development, succession planning and financial services will further strengthen an outstanding board.’ Since 2007, Redmond has been an independent consultant providing executive recruiting, succession planning and talent management services to senior executives. Prior to this, she spent 20 years at Russell Reynolds Associates, where her achievements included serving as managing director and co-head of the chief executive officer (CEO) and board services practices. She also was a member of the company’s executive committee, chair of its global training committee, and a founding member of its global professional development committee. In 1990, Redmond established and led Russell Reynolds’ global insurance practice. From 1981 to 1986, she held various positions at the First National Bank of Chicago. In 2004, Redmond co-authored a book on leadership, Business Evolves, Leadership Endures; she currently is writing another book. Redmond earned her bachelor’s degree in 1978 from Northern Illinois University and her MBA in 1982 from George Williams College. She serves on the boards of Children’s Memorial Hospital, Northwestern Memorial Hospital and LivingWell Cancer Resource Center.”

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“FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla., Nov. 6 /PRNewswire/ -- Guarantee Insurance Company, a subsidiary of Patriot Risk Management, Inc. announced today that John Harris, an executive with broad experience in workers' compensation insurance, has joined its leadership team as Director of Underwriting. In his new role, Mr. Harris will be responsible for leading Guarantee's alternative market and traditional workers' compensation underwriting departments. ‘We are very pleased that John has joined the Guarantee team. He brings a wealth of leadership experience and technical expertise to our underwriting facility,’ said Charles Schuver, Chief Underwriting Officer of Guarantee Insurance Company. Before joining Guarantee, Mr. Harris was a vice president of underwriting with Tower Insurance Group. He has also held leadership positions with AleMac Insurance Services, ACE-USA, Reliance National, and International Risk Management Group. Mr. Harris received his bachelor's degree from La Salle University…”

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“BALA CYNWYD, Pa., Nov. 6 /PRNewswire/ -- Philadelphia Insurance Companies (PHLY) will be hosting a product fair at the Cradle of Aviation Museum in Garden City, NY on November 9, 2009 from 3:00 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. The product fair is an open house-style event for insurance agents highlighting all of PHLY's products, including our newest Pest Control, Environmental, and Security Services (The Guardian). Agents are encouraged to attend to learn more about products, coverages and meet with PHLY representatives…”

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“NORTHBROOK, Ill.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Allstate Corporation (NYSE:ALL) today announced that George E. Ruebenson, president, Allstate Protection, will retire effective December 31, 2009, after nearly 40 years of service. As the president of Allstate Protection, Ruebenson has maintained its financial performance in this uncertain economic climate, improved customer loyalty and built a foundation for sustainable growth. ‘George’s service to our customers and company has helped people rebuild their lives after catastrophes, strengthen Allstate and secure a bright future for all of us,’ said Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer Thomas J. Wilson. ‘He is a superb business leader and has led our community efforts to keep teenagers safe while driving. His dedication to customers, employees and agency owners is a core part of our culture and is a strength we will build upon for future success.’ Ruebenson joined Allstate in 1970 and held a number of key leadership positions in the company's home office and field operation. In 2000, he was named vice president for the Property-Casualty Claims Service Organization, the largest employee group in the company. Shortly after, Ruebenson became a member of Allstate's senior management team as senior vice president. Ruebenson was appointed president of Allstate Protection in 2007. Consistent with the company’s succession planning approach, a disciplined process is underway to select Allstate Protection’s next president. Wilson continued, ‘We have a world class senior management team that will build on George’s successes and reinvent protection and retirement for the consumer.’”

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“HARTFORD, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. (NYSE: HIG) announced today that Lizabeth Zlatkus, the company’s Chief Financial Officer, will be appointed Chief Risk Officer (CRO). In addition, the company is launching an external search for a new CFO. Zlatkus will remain in her current role until a new CFO is named, at which point she will assume her new position. Both the CFO and the CRO roles will report directly to the company’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Liam E. McGee, with the CRO leading the risk management function for the corporation. ‘One of the priorities I established when I became CEO of The Hartford was to elevate the role of risk management,’ said McGee. ‘We must ensure that we have the right risk processes, controls and governance to serve as our core foundation. Liz is uniquely suited for the CRO role. She has 26 years of industry and institutional knowledge, coupled with strong leadership, analytical and operational skills. We will move quickly to hire a successor to Liz for the CFO position.’”

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“Centennial, Colo. (October 28, 2009) – Colorado Casualty, a Liberty Mutual Agency Markets regional company, has appointed Michael C. Brewer, vice president of Marketing. Mr. Brewer will be responsible for Colorado Casualty’s agency distribution management, the administration of agent incentive plans, and marketing strategy and execution within the company’s six-state territory, which includes Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming. ‘In this role, Mike will deepen his involvement in our company’s growth and expansion plans,’ said Keith Braxton, president and chief executive officer, Colorado Casualty. ‘His strong management and leadership has led to considerable improvements in our claims operations. These same qualities will lend themselves to strengthening our agency force and growing the Colorado Casualty brand.’ Prior to this appointment, Mr. Brewer was vice president of Claims for Colorado Casualty since March 2004. He has also held management positions with Indiana Insurance between 1995 and 2004. He is a 1995 graduate of Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana.”  

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“The Board of Directors of State Compensation Insurance Fund today announced that it has appointed Doug Stewart, Chief Risk Officer, as president and CEO on an interim basis, replacing outgoing CEO Janet D. Frank. ‘The Board is very confident that Doug Stewart will provide solid leadership and a steady hand during this transition period,’ said Jeanne Cain, Board of Directors Chair. ‘As Chief Risk Officer for the past two years, Doug has played a significant role in State Fund's transformation and well understands our commitment to ensuring that State Fund remains a stable provider of workers' compensation insurance and a vital asset to the state's economy. Despite the significant economic challenges facing California, State Fund remains financially strong and poised to continue providing a guaranteed workers' compensation market to California's businesses. Doug Stewart is ideally suited to ensure we remain on course.’ Doug Stewart joined State Fund in a consulting capacity in November 2007 and was named Chief Risk Officer following passage of SB 1145. He brings more than 35 years experience in the insurance industry in the areas of claims, underwriting, marketing, sales, USL&H and risk management. The Board will begin a national search for a permanent president and CEO immediately.”

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“ORWIGSBURG, Pa.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Robert ‘Bob’ Seltzer, the President of The Seltzer Group, Orwigsburg, Pennsylvania, was recently re-elected to the Board of Directors of Keystone Insurers Group (www.keystoneinsgrp.com) for the ninth year in a row. Keystone Insurers Group is a $1.2 billion group of insurance agencies and is one of the largest privately held agencies in the country. Keystone Insurers Group is located in Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky, and Virginia and will be moving into Tennessee in the near future. Comprised of 180 agencies, the group has over 200 locations. Seltzer has been on the board since 2000 and is honored and proud to be re-elected. ‘I am glad to be a part of this group and to work with a pool of such talented and knowledgeable people,’ Seltzer said. The Seltzer Group is one of only 18 agencies nationwide to be a Level-5 member of the Institute of Workers’ Compensation Professionals, a national organization dedicated to helping clients achieve superior workers’ compensation results. Operating at this level has enabled Seltzer and his team of workers’ compensation and safety experts to save businesses over $1,000,000 in 2006 alone. ‘The Seltzer Group and its group of Client Advocates are ready to help our clients by helping them reduce costs and maximize efficiency.’ Seltzer is also a recognized speaker and seminar presenter for Keystone CompControl and was voted PIA’s Agent of the Year, as well as serving as a former board member of PIA of Maryland, Delaware and Pennsylvania. In addition to his CIC (Certified Insurance Counselor) designation, Bob earned his CWCA (Certified Workers’ Compensation Advisor) accreditation in 2004. To learn more about The Seltzer Group, call 1-888-366-1000 x123, or visit them on the web at www.seltzergrp.com.”

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“COLUMBUS, Ohio--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company CEO Steve Rasmussen today announced new assignments for several executive leaders across the company. Rasmussen was appointed CEO in February. The intent of the announcement is to spread business expertise across the company as Nationwide strengthens its market position by providing superior customer service. ‘Nationwide is blessed with great leaders. Simply put, the company will be even stronger as we share expertise, resources and leadership across our many business lines,’ Rasmussen said. ‘These new assignments will bring fresh perspective and ideas to our entire organization and will help us develop new opportunities to collaborate, innovate, and provide the best customer service in the industry. Combined with our financial strength and strong go-to-market strategy, these changes will optimize our ability to attract and retain customers in both the insurance and financial services categories.’ Among the new assignments announced today: Mark Thresher, current president of Nationwide Financial, will assume the role of Chief Financial Officer for Nationwide. He’ll also oversee Investments and Nationwide Realty Investors. Kirt Walker, current president of Nationwide Insurance, will assume the role of president of Nationwide Financial. Mark Pizzi, current president of Customer Choice Distribution, will assume the role of president of Nationwide Insurance. Larry Hilsheimer, current Chief Financial Officer, will assume the role of president of Nationwide Direct & Customer Solutions (formerly Customer Choice Distribution), which includes Nationwide’s call-center based sales units. He will also oversee Nationwide Bank, Nationwide Better Health, and Customer Service. Kim Austen, president of Allied Insurance, will have his role expanded to include oversight of Scottsdale Insurance. Austen will also oversee Titan Insurance and Nationwide Agribusiness. The new assignments have been approved by Nationwide’s board of directors and take effect immediately.”

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“BOSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Agents and brokers serving the middle market can now access a new Liberty Mutual package product – Package Solution^™ – that features flexible and broad property coverage, provides the general liability coverage businesses need, and offers additional coverage that are tailor-made to suit specific industries. Package Solution^™ is a multi-line offering that combines a proprietary commercial property form with broad general liability, crime and/or inland marine coverage. ‘Combining a package product with our industry-leading workers compensation offerings and strong service capabilities makes Liberty Mutual an even more attractive solution for agents and brokers serving the middle market,’ notes David Blessing, Chief Underwriting Officer, Liberty Mutual Middle Market. ‘That’s the feedback we got from agents and brokers who pilot tested Package Solution^™. They felt that having broader property and general liability in a single package with easy to read forms made it easier to meet the needs of their clients.’”

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“SAN DIEGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Consistently strong financial performance by ICW Group Insurance Companies garnered the carrier several prestigious honors this year, including the most recent from industry rating watchdog A.M. Best. In May, Insurance Journal Magazine identified ICW Group as one of 149 ‘Super Regional Property/Casualty Insurers™.’ In July, the Ward Group selected the company as one of its Ward’s Top 50 P&C Insurers. In September, ICW Group received its most recent recognition of financial strength and stability, with an A- (Excellent) financial rating from A.M. Best. This marks the 7th consecutive year that ICW Group has earned this rating, and places the company among the top performing property-casualty insurance carriers in the United States. The rating process by A.M. Best is a comprehensive quantitative and qualitative analysis of a company's balance sheet strength, operating performance and business profile. An A- rating is assigned to companies that in A.M. Best’s opinion have ‘an excellent ability to meet their ongoing insurance obligations.’ ‘To be identified as a Super Regional carrier by Insurance Journal Magazine, and then receive both the Ward’s Top 50 and the Excellent A.M. Best rating, demonstrates the financial strength of our company,’ said Kevin Prior, president and CEO of ICW Group. ‘Maintaining a consistently strong rating is a testament to the integrity and hard work of everyone in our company along with the solid relationships we have with our independent agent and broker partners.’ ICW Group is performing particularly well in the auto insurance market. Explorer Insurance, a member company, achieved its 100,000th in-force auto policy earlier this year. Explorer has experienced significant growth, and is forecasting 2009 to be the strongest in company history. ‘These prestigious industry recognitions further solidify ICW Group’s position as a leading insurance company,’ stated Prior. ‘And most importantly, these honors help our independent agents and brokers present a financially strong carrier to their clients.’”

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“NORTHBROOK, Ill., Sept. 24 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- For the 19th consecutive year, Allstate Insurance Company, the nation's largest publicly held personal lines insurer, has been recognized as one of America's top 100 companies for working mothers by Working Mother magazine. "It's an honor to be recognized for nearly two decades for the programs and services that we provide to working mothers," said Anise Wiley-Little, Assistant Vice President, Chief Diversity Officer, Allstate Insurance Company. ‘Women, many of whom are working mothers, make up approximately 60 percent of our employee population, so we emphasize programs and benefits that allow our people to maintain a healthy work/life integration and family-friendly work environment.’ Now in its 24th year, the Working Mother 100 Best Companies program draws attention to the significant contributions working mothers make and to the companies that recognize the importance of tapping this essential labor pool. This year, Allstate was recognized for its notable childcare program, flexible work arrangements, compensation and time off policies for working mothers. In addition, Working Mother also highlighted Allstate's outstanding efforts to develop creative programs to support employees throughout the economic downturn in 2008, including offering financial literacy and personal budget management workshops, increasing tuition scholarship for families who attended the company's on-site early childhood center, reducing tuition increases and costs for its childhood center, enhancing employee discount programs and launching new programs enabling more employees to work from home. On an ongoing basis, Allstate offers families assistance with tuition payments through a scholarship program for its Little Hands Early Childhood Center. Through this program, parents can receive up to 40 percent off their monthly total tuition based on their household annual income. In light of the recent economic times, Allstate extended scholarships to more families in need of financial assistance, which allowed additional families to remain enrolled at the center. In May 2009, Working Mother magazine also recognized Allstate as one of America's best employers for women of color in its ranking of 2009 Best Companies for Multicultural Women.”

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“MAYFIELD VILLAGE, Ohio--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Employers Resource Council (ERC), Northeast Ohio’s largest employers’ association, has named car insurance company Progressive one of the best places to work in Northeast Ohio. Each year, the ERC honors 99 companies in a 22-county region that offer programs and benefits to attract, retain and motivate top performers. ‘Our success as a car insurance company is directly tied to the outstanding people who work here,’ said Val Krasowski, Progressive’s chief human resources officer. ‘Performance bonuses, flexible work arrangements, and the opportunity to advance and grow at Progressive are just a few of the benefits we offer to attract the best and brightest people around. We’re proud to be honored with a NorthCoast 99 award.’ NorthCoast 99 nominees are evaluated on benefits, employee communication, diversity, recruitment and selection, training and development, and workplace health and safety.”

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“HARLEYSVILLE, Pa.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Harleysville Insurance once again has been named to the InformationWeek 500, the publication’s annual listing of the most innovative information technology organizations in the United States. The company’s ranking in 7th place marks its fourth consecutive year in the top 500. In 2008, the property/casualty insurance company was ranked 30th. Harleysville also received InformationWeek’s productivity award, which recognizes the company for its innovative use of information technology advancements to generate additional internal efficiencies. ‘At Harleysville Insurance, we have made tremendous progress during the past few years in using technology to make it easier for our agents to do business with us,’ commented Michael L. Browne, Harleysville’s president and chief executive officer. ‘We’re pleased that we’ve been recognized for the efforts of our talented professionals. Our ranking near the top of the InformationWeek 500 validates the course we’ve taken to implement innovative technology that will best serve our employees, agents and policyholders.’ During the last few years, Harleysville has introduced a number of key strategic technology initiatives with ease of doing business in mind. In 2006, Harleysville introduced its new agent portal—accessHarleysville^SM—which provides frequently needed information regarding agents’ accounts, policies and billing information, as well as access to rating, quoting and policy issue systems for commercial lines, personal lines and life insurance business. In 2007, the company launched a new personal lines policy administration system that allows agents to rate, quote and issue new personal auto and homeowners policies, and to issue endorsements. That same year, the company began rolling out its new commercial lines policy administration system, which delivers new and improved products, and facilitates rating, quoting and policy issue processes in a real-time mode. This new platform also integrates predictive modeling for risk assessment, and incorporates an underwriting rules engine. Both the personal and commercial lines policy administration systems are accessible through the accessHarleysville agent portal. Harleysville Insurance is a leading regional provider of insurance products and services for small and mid-sized businesses, as well as for individuals, and ranks among the top 60 U.S. property/casualty insurance groups based on net written premiums. As a Trusted Choice^® company partner, Harleysville distributes its products exclusively through a network of independent agents primarily across 32 states. Harleysville Mutual Insurance Company owns 53 percent of Harleysville Group Inc. (NASDAQ:HGIC), a publicly traded holding company for eight regional property/casualty insurance companies collectively rated A- (Excellent) by A.M. Best Company. Harleysville Group is listed on the NASDAQ Global Select Market, which is comprised of the top third of all NASDAQ member companies and has the highest initial listing standards of any exchange in the world based on financial and liquidity requirements. Further information can be found on the company’s Web site at www.harleysvillegroup.com.”

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“MAYFIELD VILLAGE, Ohio--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Using technology to improve the experience of shopping for car insurance has put Progressive near the top of the InformationWeek 500, InformationWeek magazine’s annual ranking of the country’s most innovative users of business technology. Progressive has made the list every year for the past 10 years, but this is the first time it has landed in the top five. One of the key drivers of Progressive’s number three ranking on the list is Name Your Price^®, the company’s exclusive online tool that lets customers decide what they want to pay for car insurance. Shoppers enter basic information about themselves and their vehicles on progressive.com, and Name Your Price displays the available package of coverages, limits and deductibles closest to the price they’ve entered. Users can also drag a “slider” bar to the right or left, and coverage options are changed on the fly making it easy for users to see how their price selection affects their coverage.”

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“NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jay S. Fishman, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of The Travelers Companies, Inc., is scheduled to speak at the Barclays Capital Global Financial Services Conference in New York City on Tuesday, September 15, 2009, at 8.15 a.m. EDT…Travelers is a leading provider of property casualty insurance for auto, home and business. A Fortune 100 company, Travelers has 33,000 employees and generated revenues of approximately $24 billion in 2008.”

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“NEWARK, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Prudential Financial, Inc.’s (NYSE:PRU) Group Insurance business announced today the opening of a disability management services office in Scottsdale, Ariz. The office expands the company’s operations for both absence management and short-term disability services and is expected to be operational by January 2010, according to Lori High, president of Prudential’s Group Insurance Business. ‘Opening this office in the west highlights our commitment to our disability product and service offering—and our desire to enhance the service we offer to our midwest and west-coast customers,’ said High. ‘Scottsdale offers a talented pool of people well suited to the needs of our growing disability operation.’ This expansion is the result of Prudential’s growing presence in the disability marketplace and will result in the hiring of approximately 50 employees. The office will be co-located with Prudential Real Estate and Relocation Services. The company currently has disability management offices in Portland, Maine and Roseland, N.J.”

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“HARTFORD, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--As massive wildfires in southern California threaten thousands of homes, Travelers (NYSE: TRV) has deployed its catastrophe response team including a Mobile Claim Office to the area. The Mobile Claim Office is a custom-built RV designed to operate as portable insurance claim office. Once in place, the response vehicle will provide support to Travelers’ northern and southern California-based claim operations by helping assist policyholders should they be affected by the wildfires. While the Mobile Claim Office makes its way to southern California, Travelers’ National Catastrophe Management Center in Connecticut is continually monitoring how customers might be impacted by the wildfires. The Catastrophe Center stays in constant communication with the local team in California, ready to deploy additional resources on a moment’s notice should the need arise. ‘Our team in southern California is very experienced in helping our customers deal with wildfires,’ said Ray Stone, Vice President of Catastrophe Operations for Travelers. ‘Our claim professionals have been through this type of disaster before and can anticipate any additional support customers may need at which point the Catastrophe Center is immediately able to respond. It’s very much a team effort.’”

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“HARTFORD, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Ramani Ayer, chief executive officer of The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. (NYSE: HIG), will be presenting at the 2009 Keefe, Bruyette & Woods Insurance Conference on Thursday, September 10 at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York City. Ayer’s presentation slides will be available at www.thehartford.com/ir before the market opens that morning. At approximately 10:20 a.m., Ayer’s presentation will be simultaneously webcast on The Hartford’s Web site at www.thehartford.com/ir. Ayer will discuss The Hartford’s operating performance and outlook.”

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“BRANCHVILLE, N.J., Sept. 3 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Selective Insurance Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:SIGI) announced the following appointments by its subsidiary, Selective Insurance Company of America ("Selective"): Dennis L. Barger (Duluth, GA) to senior vice president, underwriting officer for Mid-Market & Large Accounts. Mr. Barger joined Selective in July 2009. Prior to that, he was senior vice president, president Field Operations East for CNA Insurance. Mr. Barger holds a B.A. in English Literature and Certificate of Business from the University of Cincinnati in Cincinnati, OH. In addition, he holds a designation as a Certified Insurance Counselor. Andrew S. Becker (Towaco, NJ) to senior vice president, director of Commercial Lines Pricing and Research. Previously, he served as vice president of Commercial Lines Pricing. Mr. Becker joined Selective in April 2001 as managing actuary for Selective Risk Managers, the company's large account operation. Prior to that, he served as vice president - professional liability treaty pricing for Gerling Global Reinsurance Company of America.Mr. Becker holds a B.A. in Mathematics from Tufts University in Medford, MA. He is a Fellow of the Casualty Actuarial Society and a member of the American Academy of Actuaries.Cyndi Bennett (Sussex, NJ), to vice president, Compensation. Previously, she served as assistant vice president, compensation manager. Ms. Bennett joined Selective in 2006. Prior to that, she served as compensation director for Prudential Financial.Ms. Bennett attended Upsala College in East Orange, NJ and holds designations as both a Certified Compensation Professional and a Senior Professional in Human Resources. In addition, Ms. Bennett is a member of the American Compensation Association, the New Jersey Compensation Association and the Property & Casualty Insurance Company Survey Group. Gail L. Petersen (Andover, NJ) to vice president, director of Communications. Ms. Petersen joined Selective in September 2008. Prior to that, she was director of communications for D&M Holdings. Ms. Petersen holds a B.A. degree in Journalism from Shippensburg University and an M.A. in Corporate and Organizational Communications from Fairleigh Dickinson University in Madison, NJ. She is a member of the International Association of Business Communicators and the Conference Board Communications Council. Andrew B. McCray (Matthews, NC) to assistant vice president, underwriting manager for Selective's Southern region. Mr. McCray joined Selective in July 2009. Prior to that, he served as vice president of underwriting for RLI Corporation. Mr. McCray holds a B.S.E. degree in Chemical Engineering from Tulane University in New Orleans, LA and an M.B.A. from Ashland University in Ashland, OH. Stephen C. Petzold (Hamilton, NJ) to assistant vice president, safety operations manager for Selective's New Jersey region. Mr. Petzold joined Selective in July 1994 as a loss control manager. Prior to that, he served as a loss control and premium audit manager for American Reliance Insurance Company. Mr. Petzold holds a B.E. degree from Stevens Institute of Technology in Hoboken, NJ. He holds designations as a Chartered Property and Casualty Underwriter, an Associate in Loss Control Management, an Associate in Commercial Underwriting and an Associate in Premium Audit. In addition, Mr. Petzold is a member of both the Chartered Property and Casualty Society and the National Fire Protection Association.”

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“PARSIPPANY, N.J., Sept. 1 /PRNewswire/ -- GAB Robins North America, Inc., today announced that Carl Mussenden, CPCU, has been promoted to senior vice president, TPA field management. ‘This promotion recognizes Carl's outstanding achievements to date and increased job responsibilities,’ said Michael G. Repoli, president and CEO of GAB Robins' TPA Services business. ‘Since joining GAB Robins, Carl's leadership and technical abilities have further enhanced GAB Robins' performance in several areas including overall claims quality, efficiency and overall claims expertise. He will continue to be responsible for driving product quality and service enhancements that will differentiate us and help make us the leading provider of these services.’ Mussenden joined GAB Robins in 2007 as vice president, workers' compensation product line director, and over time took on additional responsibilities including the Quality and Performance department, product line management and field operations.Prior to joining GAB Robins, Mussenden served as vice president, workers' compensation claims for CNA. Prior to CNA, he held leadership positions with PHICO and Penn National Insurance Company. He began his career with Aetna Casualty and Surety. Mussenden holds a master's degree from Renssalaer Polytechnical Institute and a bachelor's degree from New York State College in New Paltz, N.Y. He also participated in the University of Chicago Graduate School of Business' Executive Program on Strategic Management. He has spoken on workers' compensation issues at several industry forums including the National Trends in Workers Compensation Conference, the National Organization for National Occupational Health Providers and the New York State Merchants Association. GAB Robins helps clients manage the total cost of risk by developing and implementing workers' compensation, general liability, auto and property claims management programs. For more information about GAB Robins' Third Party Administration Services business, please visit www.gabrobins.com.”

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“LOS ANGELES, Sept. 1 /PRNewswire/ -- Farmers Insurance Group of Companies announces its title sponsorship of the 2009-2012 Southwestern Athletic Conference football championships and conference basketball tournaments. The agreement includes coverage of 10 colleges and universities in the SWAC. ‘The title sponsorship means that Farmers is the 'official insurance and financial services provider' of the SWAC,’ explained Faye McClure, Farmers Vice President of Strategic Marketing. ‘The sponsorship is a Farmers tradition of reaching out to communities and young students in today's world and letting them know we support them not only in athletics, but all that they do academically and in their future endeavors.’ The SWAC is a mid-major college athletic conference headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama, which is made up of historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) in the southern United States. It participates in the NCAA's Division I for all sports; in football, it participates in the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS), still frequently referred to by its former designation of Division I-AA. ‘We are elated to announce Farmers Insurance Group as the title sponsor for the SWAC football and basketball championship events,’ SWAC Commissioner Duer Sharp said. ‘This agreement with our newest corporate sponsor allows the rich history, tradition and legacy of our great conference to partner with the one of the nation's most innovative companies and allow enhancement of the Championship experience for our student-athletes.’The Farmers Insurance Group 2009 SWAC Football Championship and SWAC Basketball Tournaments will be nationally televised on ESPNU. The football championship will be played December 12 at 1PM (CT), with the basketball tournaments being held in March 2010. Farmers is a trade name and may refer to Farmers Group, Inc. or the Farmers Exchanges, as the case may be. Farmers Group, Inc., a management and holding company, along with its subsidiaries, is wholly owned by the Zurich Financial Services Group. The Farmers Exchanges are three reciprocal insurers (Farmers Insurance Exchange, Fire Insurance Exchange and Truck Insurance Exchange), including their subsidiaries and affiliates, owned by their policyholders, and managed by Farmers Group, Inc. and its subsidiaries. For more information about Farmers, visit our Web site at www.farmers.com. Founded in 1920 by eight visionary leaders, the Southwestern Athletic Conference has evolved into one of the leading sports associations in the world of collegiate athletics. The SWAC consists of 10 member institutions in five states (Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas) and sponsors 18 championship sports (10 women, 8 men) with over 4,000 student-athletes. For more information on the Southwestern Athletic Conference, visit the official website at www.swac.org.”

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“COLUMBUS, Ohio--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nationwide Insurance today released the results of its new On Your Side^® survey, which found that 8 in 10 Americans surveyed this month say they would support legislation restricting cell phone use while driving. The survey, conducted Aug. 5-9, 2009, by Harris Interactive, reports that 80 percent of Americans favor a ban on texting while driving, while two thirds favor a ban on cell phone calls, and more than half say they would support a ban on cell phone use altogether. Earlier this summer, Nationwide announced its support of the concept of a national ban on texting while driving to help curb crashes and reduce auto insurance claims. The survey results are being announced as hundreds of highway traffic safety advocates and officials are convening at the Governors Highway Safety Association’s annual conference in Savannah, Ga., to discuss driving while distracted (DWD) and other highway safety issues. This meeting is taking place in advance of a presidential summit on DWD that is scheduled for Sept. 30 and Oct. 1 in Washington, DC.”

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“LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--KnightBrook Insurance Company today announced the appointment of Stephen Su as its Chief Underwriting Officer. In this role, Stephen Su will be responsible for the overall underwriting success of KnightBrook’s property and casualty business as well as overseeing the program management division. He will continue to be based in Los Angeles. Prior to his appointment, Mr. Su was the Vice President, Corporate Development, of KnightBrook and of the Knight Insurance Group, which includes Knight Insurance Company, Ltd. He will maintain his active involvement with Knight Insurance Group, also as Chief Underwriting Officer. Mr. Su began his insurance career as a claims adjuster for the Auto Club of Southern California in 1996. Following this he worked his way up at Farmers Insurance Group to become a Senior Fire Product Manager before joining the Knight Insurance Group in 2005. Commenting on the appointment, Eric Jarvis, Chief Executive of KnightBrook, said: "KnightBrook is becoming known for its ability to rapidly execute quality programs and for expertly managing the success of its existing program relationships. ‘This is in no small measure due to the diligent and intuitive abilities of Stephen Su and this appointment is a recognition of the work he is performing. Stephen is well placed to continue the advancement of our program business capabilities at KnightBrook.’”

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“BRADENTON, Fla. & BOSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--GE Security, Inc., a business of GE Enterprise Solutions (NYSE:GE), and Liberty Mutual Agency Markets, a strategic business unit of Liberty Mutual Group, today announced national availability of Onboard Advisor™. The latest evolution in fleet management technology, Onboard Advisor monitors the driving behavior of commercial vehicle operators in relation to conditions such as traffic flow and weather. Its proprietary technology assigns safety scores to drivers, allowing fleet managers to monitor and coach drivers on any aggressive driving patterns. Onboard Advisor combines GE Security’s NavLogix GPS technology with data from an accelerometer to uniquely provide information on how a vehicle is responding to its driver. The information is then recorded along with the vehicle location and event time. The Performance Advisor™ component measures how frequently and severely a driver speeds, brakes and corners to calculate safety scores. Using Onboard Advisor, fleet managers can also replay driving events on Google street maps with second-by-second detail. Onboard Advisor also provides the full range of more traditional GPS software features, allowing fleet managers to further minimize risk and costs. Real-time alerts can score drivers on fuel efficiency. Also, by monitoring the real-time locations of their vehicles, fleet managers can also dispatch vehicles more efficiently and make sure drivers are using the most cost-effective routes. ‘GE Security is committed to keeping people and property safe,’ said Jerry Rose, vice president, product management of GE Security. ‘This revolutionary system focuses on driver behavior which is something other systems can’t do. The goal is to help improve driver safety by coaching performance at the driver level. Agency Markets’ regional companies are the only ones with a program focused at this level.’ Customers who insure their fleets through Golden Eagle Insurance™, Liberty Northwest®, and Ohio Casualty™ can install Onboard Advisor and realize savings on their commercial auto premium of up to 15 percent in the first year and up to 40 percent based on fleet performance upon coverage renewal. Liberty Mutual Agency Markets plans to offer Onboard Advisor and its insurance discount component through its other regional companies in the near future. Customers can generate further savings with Fuel Advisor™, a fuel card that saves up to three cents off each gallon of gas while monitoring usage and preventing unauthorized purchases. ‘Onboard Advisor is the first GPS-based product to harness multiple technologies so companies can take an active and immediate role in risk management,’ said Thomas M. Troy, executive vice president and chief operating officer, Liberty Mutual Agency Markets’ Regional Companies Group. ‘It puts a fleet manager in the driver’s seat of every vehicle with daily, bi-weekly, and monthly performance tracking. It’s a great coaching tool for improving and rewarding safe driving.’ Fleet customers can start saving in their very first month with Onboard Advisor. There are no up-front costs for the hardware or installation, and only a low monthly per-unit fee for this fleet management tool. For more information on Onboard Advisor, please visit www.onboardadvisor.com...”

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“DALLAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Back-to-school means heavy expenses for college students and their parents. According to the National Retail Federation, 48 percent of back-to-college buyers say the economy will cause them to spend less this year. For those thrifty college students, auto insurance is one area that doesn’t usually come to mind as a way to save. Enter MileMeter (www.milemeter.com): a Dallas-based auto insurance company that offers a creative and practical way for students to save on insurance. If you drive less, you pay less. Most college campuses are walking- and bike-friendly, so why not take advantage of this? If you are a dorm dweller, ride a bike, take public transportation, or walk to campus, chances are your vehicle is sitting solo while you’re out enjoying college life. MileMeter rewards college students for minimal driving, helping with their already stretched budgets. Designed for customers who drive up to 12,000 miles per year, this fair, affordable car insurance option can save some students 25 percent or more on their policy. Getting an online quote takes only a few minutes. ‘As a student, I will be able to save a great deal of money. If I need more coverage [for a trip], I just purchase it. Thanks for the ingenuity,’ said MileMeter customer, Jennifer Masters. ‘College savings should be spent on education, not on car insurance you don't use. We encourage you to park your car, take a walk or ride your bike to class, and to start saving on car insurance with MileMeter,’ said Chris Gay, MileMeter founder and president.”  

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“AGOURA HILLS, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Employers Direct Insurance Company (EDIC) (www.employersdirect.com) today announced that it has signed a definitive agreement to sell the renewal rights of its direct placed workers’ compensation insurance policies to GNW-Evergreen Insurance Services, LLC (www.gnw-evergreen.com). Headquartered in Encino, GNW-Evergreen is one of the largest independent insurance brokerages based in Southern California. EDIC has previously announced that they are discontinuing direct sales and plan on distributing their workers’ compensation policies exclusively through independent agents and brokers in the future. EDIC will appoint GNW-Evergreen as a producer in Arizona, California, and Nevada following the close of the sale. ‘As part of our overall strategy to redesign our core workers’ compensation business, finding a broker partner with the same high commitment to service and cutting-edge risk management programs for our policyholders was of paramount importance,” said James E. Little, President and CEO, Employers Direct Insurance Company. ‘Our partnership with GNW-Evergreen is a critical first step in implementing our distribution plans throughout the Western United States through independent agents and brokers.’Andrew Forchelli, partner and chief operating officer for GNW-Evergreen, stated, ‘We are very pleased to work with EDIC. Their commitment to policyholder service is in direct alignment with our core values,’ he said. Noting that several of EDIC’s former producers and customer service staff have recently joined GNW-Evergreen, Little pointed out, ‘We believe that service to EDIC policyholders at GNW-Evergreen will not only be seamlessly continued, but will be greatly enhanced by their highly regarded risk management and full account servicing and market placement capabilities. We could not be more pleased with this partnership.’”

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“NEW YORK & SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--LexisNexis, a leading global provider of content-enabled workflow solutions, and Recommind, the leader in search-powered information risk management (IRM) software, today announced a strategic collaboration to provide law firms with enhanced knowledge management capabilities. The alliance will enable law firms to simultaneously find, track and use legal data from inside the firm as well as from trusted outside sources allowing for a more efficient and complete research process and better service to clients. The new offering integrates Lexis Search Advantage^® content and services accessed through lexis.com with MindServer™ Search, Recommind’s enterprise search platform. It provides a one-stop destination combining access to documents and information from both a firm’s internal sources as well as trusted LexisNexis® content, delivering search results that are more complete, efficient and actionable.”

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“BUFFALO, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--GEICO will begin accepting job applications immediately for its new subsidiary operation in Amherst, N.Y., which will sell and service homeowners, renters, boat and other coverage. New York Governor David Paterson was in Amherst this morning at the company’s subsidiary, GEICO Insurance Agency, to make the announcement at a press conference there. He pointed out that GEICO’s decision to locate a new operation in Western New York was very important for the local and state economies. GEICO Chairman Tony Nicely said, ‘We are very pleased with what our associates here have accomplished in serving our policyholders throughout the Northeast. We’ve grown substantially through their efforts. Their dedication has also helped them take advantage of GEICO’s career opportunities. We know this new GEICO operation and the new associates we’ll welcome shortly will be every bit as successful.’ John Zinno, vice president of GEICO Insurance Agency, announced that the new operation is expected to create 300 new jobs over three years. He says there are job opportunities in the sales and service areas and invites candidates to apply online by going to www.geico.jobs. Click open “Search Jobs” and select the Buffalo location. ‘We would be very interested in talking to people who have strong customer service skills,’ noted Zinno. ‘We are at the heart of it all a service company. If we can provide the service that our customers deserve, we expect to continue a steady pattern of growth.’ Zinno started up GEICO operations locally when the company opened its Buffalo office in Amherst in 2004. He said that he could always count on hiring from a pool of very valuable people ‘We’ll be able to expand our business by tapping into the talented workforce in Western New York. GEICO is committed to providing more of our customers with the valuable insurance products they need like homeowners, renters, and boat coverage. We are excited that Western New York will help us achieve this goal.”

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“MAYFIELD VILLAGE, Ohio--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Are you the poster child for safe driving, always leaving plenty of space between you and the car ahead? Or a business traveler who parks your car at the airport several days a week? Or maybe you have a car that you only take out for a spin on warm summer days. If so, your car is probably less likely to be involved in a crash, so shouldn’t you pay less for car insurance? Progressive thinks so, and that’s why it’s introducing an optional car insurance program that offers lower rates on vehicles that are driven in less risky ways. The behavior-based insurance program, called MyRate, gives drivers a customized rate based on how, how much, and when their car is driven. It is now available to Kansas drivers who purchase policies directly from Progressive online or by phone, or through its more than 500 independent insurance agents in the state."

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"NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--LexisNexis, a leading global provider of content-enabled workflow solutions, today announced the release of the newest version of its PCLaw™ practice management software. Developed based on feedback from private practice lawyers, new features of PCLaw™ 10 help firms run more efficient practices, build and maintain client trust and differentiate from competitors – important factors in the present economic environment."

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