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In the last of a three-part interview with National Underwriter, Eileen A. Frank, president of J.P. West Inc., talks about how brokers can maintain their books of business and keep growing in such a challenging economy....

With companies laying off employees by the millions, closing up facilities or going out of business altogether, fueling a soft commercial insurance market, these are challenging times indeed for workers’ compensation carriers....

In the second segment of a three-part interview, Eileen A. Frank, president of J.P. West Inc. , explains to National Underwriter how the insurance industry can improve its recruitment of the best, the brightest and the most diverse work force....

Eileen A. Frank, president of J.P. West Inc. and a long-term leader in the insurance industry, comments on how carriers might improve their communication and relationship with their agents and brokers....

Steven N. Weisbart, senior vice president and chief economist at Insurance Information Institute, explains in an interview with National Underwriter why most p&c insurers came through the financial crisis in relatively good shape. ...

In the second segment of a two-part interview with NU, John T. Hill II, chairman of the National Association of Mutual Insurance Companies, comments on the advantages enjoyed by mutual insurers, as well as the challenges they face. ...

These are certainly challenging times for the property and casualty insurance industry, given the stagnant economy, a soft commercial lines market and calls in Congress to impose new regulations as part of broader financial services reform....

John T. Hill, II, chairman of the National Association of Mutual Insurance Companies (NAMIC), speaks with National Underwriter in the first segment of a two-part interview......

The Travelers Companies, Inc. has donated a $500,000 grant to support The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp and Capitol Insurance Companies donated a total of $50,000 to 160 charities from around the country, the companies said....

Although this year’s tornado season has begun slowly, weather experts suggest that winters comparable to 2009-2010 have typically produced an above average number of tornadoes the following spring, an industry group warned. Although this year’s tornado season has begun slowly, weather experts suggest that winters comparable to 2009-2010 have typically produced an above average number of tornadoes the following spring, an industry group warned....

While St. Patrick’s Day parades and other festivities are entertaining for onlookers, public risk managers need to look at reducing exposures and preventing losses....

Even before another series of earthquakes struck Chile last week, global reinsurers were tallying their losses from the Feb. 27 event and providing independent estimates of its impact for the entire insurance industry....

St. Patrick’s Day parades and other festivities may mean entertainment for the public, but for municipal risk managers they represent a need for pre-planning, coordination and contractual risk transfer, said an insurance expert.St. Patrick’s Day parades and other festivities may mean entertainment for the public, but for municipal risk managers they represent a need for pre-planning, coordination and contractual risk transfer, said an insurance expert....

Another series of earthquakes struck Chile. A 6.9 magnitude quake shook the central part of the country, including Santiago, the U.S. Geological Survey reported.Another series of earthquakes struck Chile this morning. A 6.9 magnitude quake shook the central part of the country, including Santiago, the U.S. Geological Survey reported....

Liberty Mutual Chief Executive Officer Edmund F. Kelly, said he takes a “bearish” view of the future of the economy with his biggest concern being inflation, which he sees as almost inevitable in a few years.Liberty Mutual Chief Executive Officer Edmund F. Kelly, said he takes a “bearish” view of the future of the economy with his biggest concern being inflation, which he sees as almost inevitable in a few years....

Swiss Re estimated that total insurance industry losses from the Feb. 27 Chile earthquake could reach $7 billion and said its own loss from the event could possibly hit $500 million. Swiss Re estimated that total insurance industry losses from the Feb. 27 Chile earthquake could reach $7 billion and said its own loss from the event could possibly hit $500 million....

A magnitude 5.9 earthquake in Turkey’s eastern province of Elazig has killed 51 people, but the insured losses should be light, a catastrophe modeling firm reported.A magnitude 5.9 earthquake in Turkey’s eastern province of Elazig has killed 51 people, but the insured losses should be light, a catastrophe modeling firm reported....

A magnitude 6.4 earthquake struck south central Taiwan Thursday morning at 8:20 a.m. local time, according to catastrophe risk modeling firm AIR Worldwide. Losses are not expected to exceed $1 billion....

Rising global temperatures may increase the severity of storms to hit Europe, warns Peter Hoeppe, who heads Munich Re’s Geo Risks Research Department.Rising global temperatures may increase the severity of storms to hit Europe, warns Peter Hoeppe, who heads Munich Re’s Geo Risks Research Department....

Catastrophe risk modeling firm AIR Worldwide estimates that insured losses in France, Belgium, Germany and Netherlands from winter storm Xynthia will be between €1.5 billion ($2 billion) and €3 billion ($4 billion).Catastrophe risk modeling firm AIR Worldwide estimates that insured losses in France, Belgium, Germany and Netherlands from winter storm Xynthia will be between €1.5 billion ($2 billion) and €3 billion ($4 billion)....

Catastrophe risk modeling firm Eqecat said it estimates insured losses from the Chile earthquake will range from $3 billion to $8 billion.Catastrophe risk modeling firm Eqecat said it estimates insured losses from the Chile earthquake will range from $3 billion to $8 billion....

Windstorm Xynthia swept across Western Europe over the weekend, causing damage that was widespread but less than the 1999 Storm Lothar catastrophe, according to Risk Management Solutions (RMS).Windstorm Xynthia swept across Western Europe over the weekend, causing damage that was widespread but less than the 1999 Storm Lothar catastrophe, according to Risk Management Solutions (RMS)....