Most Clicked NAMIC dailyLead Stories
1. Texas court rules "good Samaritan" not covered after leaving vehicle
NAMIC dailyLead | Dec 31, 2008
The Texas Supreme Court has ruled that a man who was hit by a car on a Houston-area toll road was not covered by his auto insurance when he left his vehicle to attempt to help an accident victim. The court said that the insurance policy covered only vehicle occupants. Southeast Texas Record (Beaumont), The (12/30)
2. A year-end review of some odd office behavior
NAMIC dailyLead | Dec 31, 2008
The Globe and Mail chronicles workplace oddities from 2008 in its year-end "Office Awards." Among the incidents that caught the newspaper's attention: Employees who lost their jobs for bathing at work, a worker who sued his employer after being waterboarded in a sales meeting, and the suspension of a Japanese worker who managed to log 780,000 visits to pornography sites on a company computer before being sent home. Globe and Mail (Toronto), The (12/29)
3. Insurers groups unhappy with records seizure by FTC
NAMIC dailyLead | Dec 29, 2008
NAMIC, the American Insurance Association and the Property Casualty Insurers of America have all expressed concern over the Federal Trade Commission's seizure of insurers' records to determine whether the use of credit scoring to set rates discriminates against the poor and minorities. Jimi Grande, vice president, federal and political affairs for NAMIC, said he doesn't expect the FTC to find anything new when they study the records. National Underwriter (free registration) (12/26)
4. A.M. Best: P/C insurers experienced underwriting loss through Q3
NAMIC dailyLead | Dec 30, 2008
A.M. Best reports that the U.S. property-and-casualty insurance sector had an $8.7 billion underwriting loss for the first three quarters of 2008, putting it on pace for its first year-end underwriting loss since 2005. The entire sector experienced a 0.6% decrease in new premiums written in the first nine months of the year, falling to $339 billion. Net income for the same period fell 85% to $7.3 billion. Business Insurance (12/29)
5. Commercial insurance premiums expected to increase by early 2010
NAMIC dailyLead | Jan 02, 2009
Although the worldwide economic slowdown is likely to drive down the demand for commercial insurance in the coming months, premiums are expected to rise by the fourth quarter or the first quarter of 2010. Underwriting losses and lackluster returns are the reason, according to a report by Advisen. FinancialWeek (12/31)
6. How to take a call in a loud room
NAMIC dailyLead | Dec 30, 2008
For those with a must-take call in a noisy spot, here's a tip from neuroscientist Sam Wang: Put your finger over the microphone as you listen. Otherwise, noise from both the room and your caller is funneled into the same ear and your brain can't handle it. Wired (12/31)
7. 2009 looks like a good year for LinkedIn
NAMIC dailyLead | Dec 31, 2008
Every individual is a small business or brand on LinkedIn, says the social-networking site's new CEO, Reid Hoffman. The site's membership is increasing faster than ever, making Hoffman optimistic about 2009. USA TODAY (12/31)
8. Nationwide to buy back chunk of its financial-services division
NAMIC dailyLead | Dec 30, 2008
Nationwide Mutual Insurance is set to repurchase 34% of Nationwide Financial Services for $2.48 billion on Thursday. The portion of the unit, which sells life insurance and retirement-income instruments, was sold by its parent about 10 years ago when Nationwide wanted to focus on its home and auto insurance segments. Wall Street Journal, The (subscription required) (12/30)
9. 2008 traffic fatalities likely lowest on record, NHTSA says
NAMIC dailyLead | Dec 30, 2008
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has projected an almost 10% drop in road fatalities for the first 10 months of 2008. The NHTSA, which has taken advantage of new technology to generate estimates prior to the end of a calendar year, says the numbers are on track to be the lowest since 1966, when the government began tracking traffic deaths. RoadsBridges.com (12/29)
10. Cheap bail-bond scheme seen as possible danger to public safety
NAMIC dailyLead | Dec 29, 2008
Some criminal defendants are being released through extremely cheap financing provided by bail bondsmen -- a practice that is keeping law enforcement and insurance professionals awake at night. "When you have a bail bond that's half a million dollars and you can get out with 1% down, that's pretty scary," said Bill Lee, a deputy district attorney in California's San Bernardino County. Chicago Tribune (free registration) (12/26)
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