Insurance news

• Feds offer a break to health insurance shoppers hung up on hold - Charlotte Observer

  23-12-2014 23:16 via charlotteobserver.com
  
  Feds offer a break to health insurance shoppers hung up on hold
  Charlotte Observer
  North and South Carolina are among 37 states using the federal exchange to offer health insurance with income-based subsidies. Those states are included in the weekly tallies, but the federal government has yet to release state-by-state breakdowns.
  
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• Wake Forest insurance agent charged in fraud scheme - WRAL.com

  23-12-2014 21:52 via wral.com
  
  WRAL.com
  Wake Forest insurance agent charged in fraud scheme
  WRAL.com
  Aaron Collier Guetterman, 33, of the 1300 block of Haltwhistle Street, was charged Monday with felony embezzlement by an insurance agent and eight counts of felony financial identity theft, according to the North Carolina Department of Insurance.
  
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• New York Life Retirement Plan Services being acquired by John Hancock

  23-12-2014 21:47
  New York Life Investment Management will sell its New York Life Retirement Plan Services business, excluding the stable value business, to John Hancock Financial, said NYLIM spokeswoman Sarah Lazarus.
  
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• Terre Haute, Indiana, Area Had Nation’s 2nd-Biggest Construction Job Gain

  23-12-2014 21:20
  
  The city of Terre Haute and surrounding areas of western Indiana had the nation’s second-highest percentage gain in construction jobs during the past year, a new analysis of job data shows. A spokesman for one state agency said the region’s …
  The article Terre Haute, Indiana, Area Had Nation’s 2nd-Biggest Construction Job Gain appeared first on Insurance Journal.
  
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• Policyholder Dividend Approved for Louisiana’s LAMMICO

  23-12-2014 21:15
  
  Louisiana-based medical professional liability insurer, LAMMICO, announced that its board of directors’ Dec. 10 declaration of a dividend has been approved by the Louisiana Department of Insurance. This marks the eighth time since 2008 that LAMMICO has authorized the payment …
  The article Policyholder Dividend Approved for Louisiana’s LAMMICO appeared first on Insurance Journal.
  
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• Commissioner tempers insurance rate increases - Lumina News

  23-12-2014 21:12 via luminanews.com
  Commissioner tempers insurance rate increases
  Lumina News
  Goodwin ordered an overall 0 percent statewide average change in homeowner's insurance rates, effective June 1, 2015. On average throughout the state, homeowner's insurance rates will decrease by 0.3 percent, renter's insurance rates will increase by ...
  Insurance rates to increase for Burke County homeownersMorganton News Herald
  Maybe we'll catch a break on property insurance rates this timeBeaufort Observer
  
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• Lockton Dunning Benefits Adds Foerster as VP

  23-12-2014 21:07
  
  Lockton Dunning Benefits, the Dallas-based operation of Lockton Companies, has added Kim Foerster as vice president in Lockton Dunning’s pharmacy consulting team, Excelsior Solutions. Foerster brings six years of relevant industry experience to the position. Most recently, she worked as the …
  The article Lockton Dunning Benefits Adds Foerster as VP appeared first on Insurance Journal.
  
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• Guy Carpenter updates online risk modeling tool

  23-12-2014 20:49
  Reinsurance broker Guy Carpenter & Co. L.L.C. has released an updated version of its reserve risk modeling tool, MetaRisk Reserve.
  
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• Travelers loses round in long-tailed Goodyear asbestos case

  23-12-2014 20:42
  A judge in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania on Monday ruled in favor of the Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. in a long-running dispute with Travelers Casualty and Surety Co. over asbestos liabilities.
  
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• 'Safest' Cars List Almost Doubles for 2015: Insurance Industry - NBCNews.com

  23-12-2014 19:45 via nbcnews.com
  
  KFDX
  'Safest' Cars List Almost Doubles for 2015: Insurance Industry
  NBCNews.com
  The number of vehicles earning one of the top two ratings from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has nearly doubled for 2015 despite the industry's ongoing recall problems. A total of 71 vehicles have earned either a Top Safety Pick or Top ...
  More Vehicles Earn Top Marks From Insurance InstituteKFDX
  Insurance Institute for Highway Safety Releases 2015 Top Safety PicksThe Charlottesville Newsple
  
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• Owner accused of trying to torch building for insurance money - WWAY NewsChannel 3

  23-12-2014 19:37 via wwaytv3.com
  
  WWAY NewsChannel 3
  Owner accused of trying to torch building for insurance money
  WWAY NewsChannel 3
  WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) -- A Wilmington building owner is accused of trying to destroy his building in order to receive money from an insurance claim. According to a news release from Insurance Commissioner Wayne Goodwin, David Lawrence Rouen, ...
  Woman accused of helping couple's insurance schemeInsurance News Net
  Wilmington woman accused of giving bogus invoice in insurance fraud schemeW
  
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• Here's what you need to know about fire safety during the holidays

  23-12-2014 19:30
  Don't fire ruin your holiday celebration.
  
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• Maryland Insurance Commissioner Goldsmith to Step Down in January - Insurance Journal

  23-12-2014 19:16 via insurancejournal.com
  
  Maryland Insurance Commissioner Goldsmith to Step Down in January
  Insurance Journal
  Maryland Insurance Commissioner Therese M. Goldsmith — who was appointed by Democratic Gov. Martin O'Malley in 2011 for a four-year term that ends on May 31, 2015 — will step down from her post on Jan. 21, 2015, a Maryland Insurance ...
  State Insurance Commissioner Therese Goldsmith to step down as Larry Hogan ...Baltimore Business Journal
  
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• Ridesharing insurance leaves many drivers in the lurch - Engadget

  23-12-2014 19:05 via engadget.com
  
  BuzzFeed News
  Ridesharing insurance leaves many drivers in the lurch
  Engadget
  Ridesharing companies like Uber insure drivers when they're picking up fares, and personal policies are supposed to cover moments when those drivers are waiting for customers. However, BuzzFeed News has learned that it doesn't work that way in practice ...
  Uber Advises Drivers To Buy Insurance That Leaves Them UncoveredBuzzFeed News
  City, ride-share firms remain at odds; insurance one issueFlorida Times-U
  
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• Maryland Insurance Commissioner Goldsmith to Step Down in January

  23-12-2014 18:59
  
  Maryland Insurance Commissioner Therese M. Goldsmith — who was appointed by Democratic Gov. Martin O’Malley in 2011 for a four-year term that ends on May 31, 2015 — will step down from her post on Jan. 21, 2015, a Maryland …
  The article Maryland Insurance Commissioner Goldsmith to Step Down in January appeared first on Insurance Journal.
  
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• Report Calls for More Study of N.H. Workers’ Comp Costs

  23-12-2014 18:57
  
  A commission aimed at addressing New Hampshire’s high workers compensation costs says it needs more time to study the issue and more comprehensive data on costs. The 15-member commission released its report on Dec. 19 after studying the issue for …
  The article Report Calls for More Study of N.H. Workers’ Comp Costs appeared first on Insurance Journal.
  
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• Grand Rapids, Michigan, to Redesign Grand River Floodwalls

  23-12-2014 18:50
  
  Grand Rapids, Mich., is redesigning its flood protection system along the Grand River after years of resistance to calls by the Federal Emergency Management Agency to boost floodwalls. The Grand Rapids Press reports the city is studying 16 sites along …
  The article Grand Rapids, Michigan, to Redesign Grand River Floodwalls appeared first on Insurance Journal.
  
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• Report: Texas Insurance Industry Impacts State Economy in a Big Way - Insurance Journal

  23-12-2014 18:44 via insurancejournal.com
  
  Report: Texas Insurance Industry Impacts State Economy in a Big Way
  Insurance Journal
  Except for insurance carrier investment data, information contained in the report shown below, “The Insurance Industry's Impact on the Texas Economy 2015,” was obtained through publicly available sources, including the Insurance Information Institute ...
  
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• Report: Texas Insurance Industry Impacts State Economy in a Big Way

  23-12-2014 18:43
  
  A new study commissioned by group of state and national trade associations shows that the insurance industry — including both the property/casualty and life/health sectors — positively impacts the Texas economy. For instance: The industry is one of the largest …
  The article Report: Texas Insurance Industry Impacts State Economy in a Big Way appeared first on Insurance Journal.
  
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• Market Fine After Congress Fails to Reauthorize Fed-Backed Terrorism Risk ... - The Weekly Standard (blog)

  23-12-2014 18:41 via weeklystandard.com
  Captive Insurance Times
  Market Fine After Congress Fails to Reauthorize Fed-Backed Terrorism Risk ...
  The Weekly Standard (blog)
  When Congress headed home for the year last week without renewing the Terrorism Risk Insurance Act (TRIA) many in the real estate, tourism, and insurance business predicted disaster. The Coalition to Insure Against Terrorism—a broad grouping ...
  USI Insurance Services Launches Terrorism Insurance Underwritten by Lloyd'sInsurance Journal
  Expiring terrorism i
  
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• Hub International Acquires Iowa-Based Brokerage, Ruhl & Ruhl

  23-12-2014 18:34
  
  Global insurance broker, Hub International Limited (Hub), announced that its Chicago-area region Hub International Midwest (Hub Midwest) has acquired the assets of Ruhl & Ruhl Insurance, based in Davenport, Iowa. Terms of the acquisition were not disclosed. Founded in 1862, Ruhl …
  The article Hub International Acquires Iowa-Based Brokerage, Ruhl & Ruhl appeared first on Insurance Journal.
  
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• Chicago Board of Education Faces Pregnancy Discrimination Lawsuit

  23-12-2014 18:29
  
  The Justice Department has filed a lawsuit against the Chicago Board of Education, alleging that the board discriminated against pregnant teachers at Scammon Elementary School by subjecting them to adverse personnel actions, including termination in some instances, after they announced …
  The article Chicago Board of Education Faces Pregnancy Discrimination Lawsuit appeared first on Insurance Journal.
  
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• AssuredPartners Acquires Sheehan Insurance in Virginia - Insurance Journal

  23-12-2014 18:25 via insurancejournal.com
  
  AssuredPartners Acquires Sheehan Insurance in Virginia
  Insurance Journal
  Headquartered in Lake Mary, Florida, AssuredPartners acquires and invests in insurance brokerage businesses (property/casualty, employee benefits, surety, MGA/wholesalers) across the U.S. and in London. Since its founding in 2011, AssuredPartners has ...
  AssuredPartners Acquires Sheehan Insurance GroupInsurance News Net
  AssuredPartners Scoops Up Sheehan Insurance as Sector Consolidation ...Mergers & Acquisitions - The
  
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• Austin, San Antonio Prepare to Enact Behind-the-Wheel Phone Bans

  23-12-2014 18:24
  
  Two of the biggest cities in Texas are reminding drivers of bans on handheld devices behind the wheel that take effect in Austin and San Antonio come January. Police in both cities won’t start issuing fines until February. Talking on …
  The article Austin, San Antonio Prepare to Enact Behind-the-Wheel Phone Bans appeared first on Insurance Journal.
  
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• Louisiana Police Department Charges Officers for Damage to Cars

  23-12-2014 18:20
  
  A Baton Rouge, La., police officer, who resigned after crashing his police car into one of the LSU lakes while taking a woman on a late-night, off-duty ride, can expect a hefty bill. Police say Byron S. Boudreaux, the former …
  The article Louisiana Police Department Charges Officers for Damage to Cars appeared first on Insurance Journal.
  
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• AssuredPartners Acquires Sheehan Insurance in Virginia

  23-12-2014 18:17
  
  AssuredPartners Inc. has acquired the business and assets of Sheehan Insurance Group. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed. As part of the acquisition 22 employees will join AssuredPartners. Sheehan Insurance Group operations are based in Haymarket, Virginia, and will …
  The article AssuredPartners Acquires Sheehan Insurance in Virginia appeared first on Insurance Journal.
  
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• 10 Companies OK’s to Self-Insure for Workers’ Comp in Texas

  23-12-2014 18:17
  
  The Division of Workers’ Compensation (DWC) approved one new Certificate of Authority to self-insure workers’ compensation claims and renewed nine such certificates. The companies receiving the certificates collectively employ approximately 33,150 employees in Texas. United Airlines Inc., Chicago, Ill., was issued a …
  The article 10 Companies OK’s to Self-Insure for Workers’ Comp in Texas appeared first on Insurance Journal.
  
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• 10 Companies OK’d to Self-Insure for Workers’ Comp in Texas

  23-12-2014 18:17
  
  The Division of Workers’ Compensation (DWC) approved one new Certificate of Authority to self-insure workers’ compensation claims and renewed nine such certificates. The companies receiving the certificates collectively employ approximately 33,150 employees in Texas. United Airlines Inc., Chicago, Ill., was issued a …
  The article 10 Companies OK’d to Self-Insure for Workers’ Comp in Texas appeared first on Insurance Journal.
  
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• New York DFS Requires Ocwen Reforms, $150M Homeowner Help

  23-12-2014 18:09
  
  New York financial regulators have reached a settlement with Ocwen Financial Corp. requiring the nation’s largest subprime mortgage servicer to reform its practices and provide $150 million to help struggling New York homeowners. The consent order requires William Erbey to …
  The article New York DFS Requires Ocwen Reforms, $150M Homeowner Help appeared first on Insurance Journal.
  
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• Oregon Man Pays $1,000 To Settle 5-year-old $57 Ticket

  23-12-2014 18:08
  
  An Oregon man admits he was driving too fast on a rural highway in Nevada five years ago, but he says the state’s wheels of justice turn too slow, and his wallet is a grand lighter because of it. Robert …
  The article Oregon Man Pays $1,000 To Settle 5-year-old $57 Ticket appeared first on Insurance Journal.
  
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• District judge dismisses NFL players' class action painkiller lawsuit

  23-12-2014 18:06
  A federal judge has dismissed a class action lawsuit from a group of high-profile former National Football League players who say the league negligently provided them with potentially addictive painkillers during their careers despite long-term health...
  
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• Prison Sites at Salt Lake City Could Get Hit By Tsunami

  23-12-2014 18:04
  
  The ground shakes violently and then a wall of salty, brine-shrimp-laden water crashes into the Utah State Prison. The cells of the state’s most dangerous inmates start to flood. Panicked Corrections officers must make a tough choice – hope the …
  The article Prison Sites at Salt Lake City Could Get Hit By Tsunami appeared first on Insurance Journal.
  
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• Marijuana Ban in Washington County Upheld By Judge

  23-12-2014 18:01
  
  A superior court judge on Monday agreed with an opinion issued by the Washington Attorney General’s Office earlier this year, concluding that nothing in a pot legalization initiative overrides local governments’ authority to regulate or ban marijuana businesses This allows Initiative 502 …
  The article Marijuana Ban in Washington County Upheld By Judge appeared first on Insurance Journal.
  
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• Florida Touts Workers’ Comp Market Competition But Warns on Court Rulings

  23-12-2014 17:51
  
  Florida’s workers’ compensation market remains competitive and well-capitalized, with loss ratios that are among the lowest among larger states, according to the latest report from the state’s insurance regulator. At the same time, the report warns that several court cases …
  The article Florida Touts Workers’ Comp Market Competition But Warns on Court Rulings appeared first on Insurance Journal.
  
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• Early Christmas gift for upstate New York: Disaster area declaration

  23-12-2014 17:46
  On Dec. 22, President Obama declared certain counties in New York state disaster areas.
  
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• Why many shouldn't buy long-term care insurance - MarketWatch

  23-12-2014 17:45 via marketwatch.com
  
  MarketWatch
  Why many shouldn't buy long-term care insurance
  MarketWatch
  But how many of them should purchase a long-term-care insurance policy? That number, it turns out, is far lower—at 19% of men and 31% of women, according to a new study published by Boston College's Center for Retirement Research. (Women live ...
  
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• Keurig recalls 7.2 million single-serve brewers, stock falls

  23-12-2014 17:07
  (Reuters) — Keurig Green Mountain Inc. is recalling about 7.2 million single-serve brewing machines, the coffee company announced on Tuesday, warning that the machines could overheat and injure users by spraying hot liquids on them.
  
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• HHS Secretary says 6.4 million sign up for 2015 HealthCare.gov plans

  23-12-2014 16:56
  (Reuters) — About 6.4 million Americans have enrolled for individual insurance plans for 2015 through HealthCare.gov, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Sylvia Burwell said on Tuesday.
  
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• Here are the safest vehicles on the road, 2015 edition

  23-12-2014 16:41
  71 vehicles earn Top Safety Pick or Top Safety Pick+ awards from IIHS.
  
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• Can I Keep My Marketplace Insurance If I Enroll In Medicare? - NPR (blog)

  23-12-2014 16:30 via npr.org
  
  NPR (blog)
  Can I Keep My Marketplace Insurance If I Enroll In Medicare?
  NPR (blog)
  My wife has been automatically re-enrolled in a silver policy on the Oklahoma health insurance marketplace. She will turn 65 and be enrolled in Medicare on May 1, 2015. Can she keep her silver policy when she is enrolled in Medicare? And, if she does ...
  
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• 24 holiday quotes to get you through the season

  23-12-2014 16:25
  From the nostalgic to the downright funny, may these holiday quotes help you craft holiday messages for your clients.
  
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• Emotional intelligence highly impacts customer experience

  23-12-2014 16:20
  Fast and generous claims settlements create high degrees of satisfaction. But using empathy to find thoughtful ways to positively impact someone’s life yields an emotional response for the client, who in turn will promote your agency.
  
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• TRIA expiration 'credit negative' for property/casualty industry: Moody's

  23-12-2014 16:14
  
  The Dec. 31 expiration of the federal government's terrorism insurance backstop program is “credit negative” for the U.S. property/casualty insurance industry, Moody's Investors Service Inc. said in a report released Tuesday.
  
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• TRIA expiration 'credit negative' for property/casualty industry: Moody’s

  23-12-2014 16:14
  The Dec. 31 expiration of the federal government’s terrorism insurance backstop program is “credit negative” for the U.S. property/casualty insurance industry, Moody’s Investors Service Inc. said in a report released Tuesday.
  
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• OFF BEAT: Mayonnaise giant cracks, drops suit against eggless rival

  23-12-2014 15:59
  You can’t make an omelette without breaking a few eggs.
  
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• Windstorm Dirk insured loss estimate upped to $513.6M: Perils

  23-12-2014 15:18
  Windstorm Dirk, which affected parts of the United Kingdom and France Dec. 23-25, 2013, caused insured property losses of €420 million ($513.6 million), according to Zurich-based catastrophe loss data company Perils A.G.
  
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• Mass. Residents Seeking Health Insurance Need To Act Fast - CBS Local

  23-12-2014 14:48 via boston.cbslocal.com
  
  blogs.hbr.org (blog)
  Mass. Residents Seeking Health Insurance Need To Act Fast
  CBS Local
  BOSTON (AP) — Massachusetts residents still seeking health coverage have to act quickly if they want to ensure they have insurance beginning in January. Tuesday is the deadline for the uninsured to enroll in a plan through the state's health connector ...
  What the Insurance Industry Can Do to Fix Health Careblogs.hbr.org (blog)
  Washington health insurance deadline passesThe Columbian
  Health Insurance
  
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• 12 days of Christmas scams

  23-12-2014 14:14
  Phony charities, pickpockets and puppies. The Better Business Bureau reveals common holiday cons.
  
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• Homeowners Choice Grabs 36,000 Policies from Florida’s Citizens

  23-12-2014 14:00
  
  Homeowners Choice Property & Casualty Insurance Co. Inc. said it has assumed 36,000 policies from Florida’s Citizens Property Insurance Corp., of which an estimated 30,000 are wind-only. The assumptions, effective Dec. 16, 2014, are based upon an approval in October …
  The article Homeowners Choice Grabs 36,000 Policies from Florida’s Citizens appeared first on Insurance Journal.
  
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• ACE to Keep Most Fireman’s Fund Personal Lines Staff: Andrade

  23-12-2014 12:46
  
  ACE Group said it will keep most of the employees with Fireman’s Fund’s personal lines business once its $365 million acquisition of the division from Allianz goes through. “We value Fireman’s Fund talent and culture,” Juan Andrade, an executive vice …
  The article ACE to Keep Most Fireman’s Fund Personal Lines Staff: Andrade appeared first on Insurance Journal.
  
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