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Best Upgrades Fremont Ratings; Affirms Auto Club Group, P/C Members A.M. Best Co. has upgraded the financial strength rating (FSR) to ‘A’ (Excellent) from ‘A-’ (Excellent) and issuer credit rating (ICR) to “a” from “a-” of Michigan-based Fremont Insurance Company, and has also affirmed the FSR of ‘A’ (Excellent) and … February 07, 2012 11:33 PM Ratings Roundup: La Colonial, InterGlobal A.M. Best Co. has affirmed the financial strength rating of ‘B++’ (Good) and issuer credit rating of “bbb+” of the Dominican Republic’s La Colonial, S.A. Compania de Seguros, both with stable outlooks. The ratings reflect La Colonial’s “profitable net results … February 07, 2012 11:19 PM Xchanging Unveils Modernization Technology Initiative for London Market Global business processor Xchanging has unveiled its vision for the Lloyd’s and London market in a presentation to 120 senior market executives. Xchanging highlighted the “business imperative for London to become easier to deal with in order to remain competitive … February 07, 2012 7:47 PM Willis UK N2 Broker Network Adds 10 New Members Willis Group Holdings announced that ten new members have joined its network, Willis N2 – an alliance with local, independent insurance brokers in the UK. The ten new members, which take the total Willis N² membership to 34, were listed … February 07, 2012 7:41 PM Baucher Joins Argo’s Paris Team to Manage Casualty & Financial Lines Argo Group International Holdings announced that Valerie Baucher has joined Argo Assurances, the Argo Group’s Paris-based underwriting platform for large specialty risks. She will lead a financial lines and casualty account with French brokers. “Valerie’s expertise in setting up and … February 07, 2012 7:38 PM OSHA Investigates Virginia School After Lead Found Federal safety regulators are investigating a Roanoke school following the detection of lead in some paint chips. Roanoke City Public Schools deputy superintendent Curt Baker tells media outlets that the amount of lead detected at Highland Park Elementary School doesn’t … February 07, 2012 6:45 PM Insential Unveils Home Value and Involuntary Unemployment Protection Insential Inc. has created a program designed for owners of newly built homes and condos. The program, called HOME VALUE PLUS+, will reimburse homeowners up to 20 percent of the diminished sales price of their home if it sells for … February 07, 2012 6:37 PM Vt. Fire Chief: Chimney Fires on the Rise Because of Warmer Weather A Vermont fire chief says there’s been an increase in chimney fires because of the warmer weather. Townshend Fire Chief Doug Winot says two fires over the weekend were apparently caused by clogged chimneys. He tells the Brattleboro Reformer that … February 07, 2012 6:33 PM Selective Posts $16M Q4 Profit; Jan. Commercial Renewal Rates Up 4.5% Selective Insurance Group, based in Branchville, New Jersey, reported $16.1 million for its 2011 fourth-quarter net income, down 32 percent from one year ago when the insurer posted $23.8 million profit. For the 2011 full year, Selective posted net income … February 07, 2012 5:57 PM Report Card: California Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones marked his first full year in office last month by looking back on his and the California Department of Insurance’s accomplishments during 2011. Insurance Journal wants to know from those in the industry: Is Jones an … February 07, 2012 5:48 PM

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GALLERY: PBGC’s biggest losses If American Airlines terminates its four hugely underfunded pension plans and shifts the promised but unfunded benefit liability to the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corp., it would be the biggest loss in the PBGC’s history. February 07, 2012 4:23 PM Should the board have a risk committee? Boards of financial services companies are required to have risk committees, but there can be value in boards of companies in other industries forming risk committees as well. February 07, 2012 3:24 PM Integro forms four divisions, reports 21% jump in 2011 revenue NEW YORK—Integro Ltd. has formed four divisions to better serve its clients, the privately held insurance brokerage said Tuesday. February 07, 2012 2:45 PM AIG's Miller named CEO of aircraft manufacturer Hawker Beechcraft WICHITA, Kan.—American International Group Inc. Chairman Robert S. “Steve” Miller will become CEO of Hawker Beechcraft Inc., effective Tuesday, Hawker Beechcraft announced Tuesday. February 07, 2012 2:38 PM PartnerRe, Aspen cite catastrophes for 2011 losses PEMBROKE, Bermuda—Last year's record catastrophe toll on reinsurers continues to unfold, with two Bermuda-based underwriters reporting losses for 2011. February 07, 2012 2:21 PM Commenting period on proposed disability rule extended WASHINGTON—The U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance has agreed to requests and granted a 14-day extension for comments on its proposed disability rule, the office said Tuesday. February 07, 2012 2:20 PM FTC warns mobile app marketers providing background checks WASHINGTON—The Federal Trade Commission has sent letters to marketers that the agency says may be providing criminal background information to employers through the marketers' background screening applications—an activity the FTC says may... February 07, 2012 2:19 PM OFF BEAT: M.I.A. fingered for fines from Super Bowl salute Contract indemnification language means M.I.A. will get stuck with any fines NBC incurs for the British singer’s middle-finger salute during Sunday’s Super Bowl halftime show, reports say. February 07, 2012 2:10 PM PBGC updates estimate of funding relief for American Airlines WASHINGTON—Congress gave American Airlines Inc. an estimated $2.1 billion in pension funding relief over the past six years, nearly double an earlier estimate, the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corp. said Monday. February 07, 2012 1:54 PM Arguments made in Supreme Court briefs on health care reform law WASHINGTON (Reuters)—Congress went beyond its powers by requiring Americans to buy insurance under President Barack Obama's sweeping health care overhaul, opponents told the Supreme Court Monday in arguing the law's centerpiece provision should be... February 07, 2012 1:19 PM