Latest Insurance News

Viriyah Upbeat Even As Economy Falters: Motorists Stick With Insurer

Feb. 13--Viriyah Insurance Co, the country's largest automobile insurer, remains upbeat about its business prospects this year despite economic and political uncertainties. It projects direct premiums to grow to 15.4 billion baht this year from 13.64 billion baht in 2006. Viriyah Insurance experienced robust growth of 16 percent last year with 13.66 billion baht in total sales.....We are unable to display this entire news item because this article's licensing expires after a certain amount of...

Auto-Insurance Case Goes to Justices: Man Says His Car Insurance Company Should Make Up for Underinsured Driver

Feb. 15--If you need another reason to drive carefully on Ohio's icy roads, here it is: Your insurance company may not cover the difference between your policy limit and that of an underinsured driver who hit you. In a case heard by the Ohio Supreme Court yesterday, a lawyer for William Webb -- who was injured in the Logan County accident that killed his wife, Deborah Ann Webb -- argued that his insurance company should cover the difference between his policy limit and the amount paid by the ...

Judge Rules Against Auto Insurers

SACRAMENTO, Calif. - Siding with consumer groups and state regulators, a state judge on Thursday threw out a lawsuit that challenged rules requiring auto insurers to base their rates primarily on drivers' records instead of where they live.Superior Court Judge Loren McMaster granted a summary judgment, ruling that regulations adopted last year by John Garamendi, insurance commissioner at the time, were consistent with a rate-regulation initiative adopted by voters in 1988."The regulations sim...

Geico to Hire 230 at Call Center

Feb. 16--Insurance giant Geico said Thursday it is planning to hire about 230 policy-service and claim-service representatives at its Tucson office by the end of the year. The jobs start at $14 an hour, potentially more for candidates who can work evenings. In September, the company announced plans to add 600 Tucson jobs in a 15-month period.....We are unable to display this entire news item because this article's licensing expires after a certain amount of time. This article was originally p...

2-Minute T-D

IN THE NEWS YES, THEY'VE GOT MILK Panda cubs drink milk at the Giant Panda Breeding Center in Chengdu, China. A baby boom has pushed up the number of pandas bred in captivity in China to 217, state media said. Some 34 pandas were born by artificial insemination in 2006. (Photo cutline) NATION OBAMA ANNOUNCES Illinois Sen. Barack Obama formally announced his presidential candidacy in Springfield, Ill. The freshman Democrat called for an end to the war in Iraq and what he called "the smal...

Martin Agency's Star Keeps Rising / Richmond Ad Firm Starts Year With New Partner, New Clients and Industry Praise

By BOB RAYNER For The Martin Agency, 2007 is turning into the year of the win. The Shockoe Slip advertising firm snared the creative and strategic pieces of Wal-Mart Stores Inc.'s $570 million account - and all the national visibility that goes along with it. The agency just named Brad Armstrong as one of the leaders for the Wal-Mart account. Until last year, Armstrong headed the Virginia Performing Arts Foundation. From 1994 to 2001, he worked at Martin as director of account managemen...

Insurers Defend Auto Rate Factors

Feb. 10--State insurance regulators said they left a public hearing Friday without adequate responses from Geico Corp. and two other insurance companies about why they charge higher rates to Florida drivers who have lower education levels or job classifications. "The answers were not very satisfying,' said Bob Lotane, a spokesman for the state Office of Insurance Regulation. Insurance Commissioner Kevin McCarty will prepare a report for lawmakers, state officials and Gov. Charlie Crist about ...

NEW INSURANCE COMMISH ; Patrick Names Judge Top Regulator

By JAY FITZGERALD Gov. Deval Patrick yesterday tapped a Superior Court judge with no insurance sector experience to become the next insurance commissioner, in a move that surprised industry officials grappling with major regulatory issues. Judge Nonnie Burnes, who was a law partner with Patrick at Hill & Barlow in the early 1990s, will start in her new job later this month and almost immediately be confronted with major auto, health and coastal-property insurance matters. "I think I can...

State to Weigh Insurance Profiting

Feb. 9--Geico's reptilian mascot "Gecko" seems to be everywhere with his promise that the insurance company can save its customers money on their auto insurance policies. Educated professionals are entitled to savings at Geico, Florida and the country's fourth-largest auto insurer. Those with a high school diploma or less who work in areas Geico considers less desirable -- including assistants, postal clerks, stock clerks -- are charged higher rates.....We are unable to display this entire ne...

Martin Agency's Star Keeps Rising

Feb. 11--For The Martin Agency, 2007 is turning into the year of the win. The Shockoe Slip advertising firm snared the creative and strategic pieces of Wal-Mart Stores Inc.'s $570 million account -- and all the national visibility that goes along with it. The agency just named Brad Armstrong as one of the leaders for the Wal-Mart account.....We are unable to display this entire news item because this article's licensing expires after a certain amount of time. This article was originally publi...