Top comprehensive technology solutions provider for property and casualty insurers, Cover-All Technologies Inc., has announced the positive review it received in a report released by Celent, an independent analyst firm. The Celent report, called “Policy Administration System Vendors North American Commercial P/C Insurance 2011” examined the My Insurance Center (MIC) NexGen solution and referred to it as one of the most configurable and advanced systems that is currently offered to the industry. The ABCD Vendor View from Celent is a structure for evaluating solutions that offers vendors a perspective of…
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Insurance groups rally against New York rule that puts pressure on agents
Two insurance groups have filed an appeal with the New York Supreme court regarding a decision regarding the state’s new broker disclosure rule. The rule, New York Insurance Regulation 194, requires insurers to inform policyholders on how policies are paid out even if such information is not requested. Several other states have similar rules, much to the chagrin of the insurance industry that often withholds information it deems arbitrary. The two insurance groups are looking to have the rule revoked. The Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of New York and…
Read MoreKentucky obtains federal waiver on insurance provisions
Insurance companies in Kentucky have been granted a waiver from a provision of the health care law that requires insurers to spend at least 80% of the money they collect from premiums on improving medical care. The waiver does not remove mandate, however, and insurers will still need to spend 75% of their premiums toward medical care. According to federal law, if companies do not follow this mandate, they must refund the money to policyholders. The state’s Department of Insurance petitioned the federal government for a waiver in an effort…
Read MoreDebate continues over bill allowing consumers to purchase insurance across state lines
Congress is considering a bill that would allow insurance companies to sell policies across state lines. The bill has been before Congress for some time, but legislators have yet been unable to determine the necessity or viability of such a law. Now, Congress is calling upon witnesses to testify whether or not the law will actually help lower the number of uninsured people in the nation and entice insurers to provide more affordable coverage. These witnesses have begun appearing before the Health Subcommittee of the House Committee on Energy and…
Read MoreTrends reveal huge growth in online insurance purchases
Last week, Allstate announced their acquisition of Esurance, the online auto insurance provider. The purchase was billed as an effort to expand Allstate’s online market, providing customers with more options and flexibility when purchasing coverage. There is another factor that may have contributed to the acquisition, according to a new report released by comScore, a global source of digital market intelligence. The firm conducted a survey in the U.S. that suggests that the online market is becoming increasingly popular amongst consumers. The survey shows that, of those participating, 20% of…
Read MoreInsurance commissioner’s surprise announcement
Michigan is down one insurance commissioner. Today, Ken Ross, former holder of the office, announced that he would be stepping down, effective Friday. Ross’s announcement was a surprise as he was expected to hold office well into next year. Speculation abounds as to why Ross has abdicated his position, but Ross himself holds that the decision was motivated by personal reasons. Ross was first appointed to the office in 2008 by then Governor Jennifer Granholm. The position normally constitutes a four-year-term. He oversaw the agency through trying economic times and…
Read MoreInsurance giant reports a surprise in earnings
The world’s second largest insurance company, Marsh & McLennan Cos. Inc., has defied predictions by analysts and reported strong fourth quarter earnings. The insurer is also declaring earnings growth in 2011 driven by a recovering economy. The growth is estimated to affect all segments of the insurer. Last year, MMC completed a deal to acquire the HSBC Insurance Brokers unit. The deal had an impact on the company’s earnings as they took restructuring charges to the acquisition. MMC expects to continue to acquire smaller regional insurance brokerages in the future…
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