| Willis Group Sharpens Focus on the Small Business Market
NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Willis Group Holdings Limited (NYSE:WSH), the global insurance broker, announced today that it is accelerating its effort to grow its business among small companies around the world. As a component of Shaping Our Future, a series of strategic initiatives aimed at continuing the Company's growth, Willis is targeting this segment by partnering with carriers to develop insurance solutions which are highly tailored to small enterprises. Growth will be achieved by developing innovative solutions (including facilities, programs and binders) and expanding the broker's already strong Managing General Agent (MGA) business. This effort will also include using the Internet and other technology platforms to streamline processes. To manage and drive this important program, Willis has named Tom Bartleet as Chief Executive Officer of the Global Small Commercial Business.
Phillip Roy Financial Services Announces 500 th Life Insurance and ...
SARASOTA, Fla. (BusinessWire EON/PRWeb ) March 22, 2007 -- Phillip Roy Financial Services, the fastest growing annuity and Life insurance marketing firm in Florida, announces the addition of its 500th life insurance and annuity agent. With agents located everywhere from Florida, Chicago, Las Vegas, Phoenix and California, Phillip Roy Financial Services is one of the nation's largest sellers of annuity products and life insurance. The company's web site, http://www.philliproyfinancial.com has research papers available to the public regarding topics as diverse as reverse mortgages, taxes, long term care, life insurance including term and whole life, annuities and more. The company currently has over 3000 clients. Phil Wasserman, president of Phillip Roy Financial Services, is a nationally recognized expert and speaker on life insurance and annuities.
Phillip Roy Financial Services Announces 500th Life Insurance and ...
Phillip Roy Financial Services, the fastest growing annuity and Life insurance marketing firm in Florida, announces the addition of its 500th life insurance and annuity agent. SARASOTA, Fla. (BusinessWire EON) March 21, 2007 -- With agents located everywhere from Florida, Chicago, Las Vegas, Phoenix and California, Phillip Roy Financial Services is one of the nation's largest sellers of annuity products and life insurance. The company's web site, http://www.philliproyfinancial.com has research papers available to the public regarding topics as diverse as reverse mortgages, taxes, long term care, life insurance including term and whole life, annuities and more. The company currently has over 3000 clients. Phil Wasserman, president of Phillip Roy Financial Services, is a nationally recognized expert and speaker on life insurance and annuities.
Lawmakers debate cigarette tax
Indianapolis - Indiana lawmakers have managed to revive a possible cigarette tax a day after the bitter end to a proposed same sex marriage ban. The two issues dominated events at the Statehouse Wednesday. The cost of smoking could create a ring of health insurance for those who need it most. It's part of a compromise to breathe life into medical coverage for the uninsured while raising the cigarette tax between 25 and 40 cents a pack. "I think everyone realizes the importance and the urgency and providing health coverage for the uninsured and the under-insured," said Rep. Charlie Brown (D-Gary). The Senate passed the governor's health plan but had no means to pay for it. The House voted on the cigarette tax, but it failed. Facing a stalemate, a House committee passed a new health plan with an agreement that the Senate would add a cigarette tax to pay for it.
Rhode Island Health Insurance Commissioner Unveils Low-Premium ...
Rhode Island Health Insurance Commissioner Christopher Koller on Tuesday unveiled new low-premium "wellness health benefit plans" that are intended to encourage small businesses to offer health coverage to workers, the Providence Journal reports. The plans, which will be offered by Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island and UnitedHealthcare of New England, will include coverage for physician visits, hospitalization, preventive services and prescription drugs. Under a law passed last year, the insurers must offer the plans to businesses with 50 or fewer employees beginning Oct. 1. The law requires premiums to equal no more than 10% of the average annual wages in the state. Premiums for individual coverage will average $322 per month for Blue Cross plans and $309 per month for UnitedHealthcare plans -- 18% lower than similar plans currently on the market.
Insurance sector revs up building internal control system
At the begging of this year, three people from Risk Management Department of Taiping Life Insurance Co., Ltd. came to Beijing specially for demonstrating a whole set of "internal control scoring and rating system" to the Personal Insurance Regulatory Department of China Insurance Regulatory Commission (CIRC). Taiping Life Insurance developed the system particularly for the purpose of strengthening internal risk control and management, and this could be a reference for supervisors to manage the internal control of life insurance companies. It was just one year since CIRC began to practice Measures on Evaluation of Life Insurance Company Internal Controls (hereinafter referred to as Measures). It seems that the internal risk management and control of insurance companies is their own business.
Buy Health Insurance Online From Established Insurance Brokers
The Freed Insurance Agency is composed of insurance brokers who advertise and operate as independent insurance representatives on their own Website. They do not link you up to other companies. They do not sell your name and data. They represent all the leading insurance carriers so you have a wide range of choices rather than dealing with just one company. The Freed Agency handles your needs and presents all options in detail so that you know exactly what you're getting before you sign on the dotted line. Because it is an independent agency, it is able to provide excellent customer service and follow-up care.Save time, money and aggravation. Individuals, families, and small companies can get the jump on excellent insurance rates and services within their own comfort zones. Unlike many of the online insurance sites that have no large established broker-base and simply sell your information to various insurance brokers, Freed is an insurance brokerage agency that handles your needs individually.
Learn About Life Insurance; Part 3: What are the principal types ...
There are two major types of life insurance—term and whole life. Whole life is sometimes called permanent life insurance, and it encompasses several subcategories, including traditional whole life, universal life, variable life and variable universal life. In 2003, about 6.4 million individual life insurance policies bought were term and about 7.1 million were whole life.Life insurance products for groups are different from life insurance sold to individuals. The information below focuses on life insurance sold to individuals.TermTerm Insurance is the simplest form of life insurance. It pays only if death occurs during the term of the policy, which is usually from one to 30 years. Most term policies have no other benefit provisions.There are two basic types of term life insurance policies—level term and decreasing term.Level term means that the death benefit stays the same throughout the duration of the policy.
Making a Difference: McLain dedicates life to children and animals
WEST FRANKFORT - Gail McLain strives to make a difference - one child and one animal at a time.Involved with The Night's Shield wing of the Roan Center, a shelter for women and children who are victims of domestic violence, McLain said her goal is to break the cycle of violence and abuse.“I am only one of many people who are involved in this effort," McLain said. “We will be working diligently to ensure the safety of those who enter our doors. We want to change the lives of children, even if it is only one child at a time. .
Tips for selling your life insurance policy
EAR SAVVY SENIOR: I have a life insurance policy that I've been thinking about dropping - because I don't really need it any longer - but my neighbor was telling me I could sell it to a life settlement company for a nice profit. What can you tell me about life settlements? -Interested In Selling DEAR INTERESTED: If you think you no longer need your life insurance policy, or are having a difficult time keeping up with the premium payments - a life settlement is a nice option to consider. Here's what you should know. A life settlement is the sale of an existing life insurance policy (term, whole life, universal and others) to a third-party company for cash. Life settlements are typically best suited for people over age 65 with some health problems and who own a policy with a face value of $200,000 or more.
Go with straight term over universal life insurance
Dear Bruce: I read your column every week, and I am impressed by your knowledge. That is why I would like to get your feedback on universal life insurance. I met with representatives from a financial institution, and they were pitching this type of insurance policy for $600 a month. The $500,000 policy has investment options, I can withdraw money without getting taxed until my death and my family gets the insurance money plus whatever value on the investments (tax-free). I am 46 years old is this a good investment for me? Or should I get a term-life policy for $500,000 with premiums of $50 a month, and invest the $550 ($600 minus $50) in my 401(k) or annuities? I was thinking of refinancing my current fixed-loan mortgage to an interest-only loan and withdrawing some cash to buy another house.
This Week's Business Calendar
Kentucky Consumer Advocate Network (KYCAN) 11th Annual Consumer Conference. Executive Inn, 978 Phillips Lane, Begins at 8 a.m. Monday and ends at 1 p.m. Tuesday. Information and fellowship for recovering mental health consumers and their families. Keynote addresses: Dr. Clifford Kuhn, a psychiatrist with the University of Louisville medical faculty; and Dr. Daniel Fisher, a psychiatrist with The National Empowerment Center in Lawrence, Mass. Nursing and social work continuing education units offered based on their presentations. Also, 20 workshops on topics related to recovery and re-entering mainstream society. Breakfast buffets available both days. Cost: $30 per day, includes luncheon and awards dinner on Monday. Registration: 245-5281. Expressers Toastmasters meeting. 500 W. Jefferson St., noon.
Future inmate found working at loan office
A woman who recently pleaded guilty to bank fraud has been working for a Myrtle Beach mortgage broker, illustrating the difficulty experts say they have in regulating the state's home loan industry. Oragail "Gail" Crowder pleaded guilty in federal court in July to bank fraud related to an automobile dealership she and her husband, Ronald, operated in Florence. The Crowders are free on bond and Gail Crowder has been working for Approved Mortgage Lending at 1601 Oak St., Myrtle Beach. Crowder's business card states that she is a mortgage originator, although she does not have a state license to do that job. Crowder said on Tuesday that the business card "must be a mistake" and that she is an administrative assistant at the mortgage brokerage.
Former insurance claims adjuster sentenced in fraud scheme
HARTFORD, Conn. -- A former insurance adjuster for The Hartford will spend more than two years in prison for collecting more than $100,000 by processing fake claims, authorities said Friday.
Douglas Wayne Stewart, 45, formerly of Windsor Locks, was sentenced Friday in Hartford Superior Court to six years in prison, suspended after two years and six months. He must serve the rest if he violates terms of his five-year probation after being released.
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Major Tax Hike Not on Kaine's Agenda
RICHMOND, April 5 -- With the fight over transportation money now behind him, Virginia Gov. Timothy M. Kaine said Thursday that he will not seek a major statewide tax increase during the remainder of his term. Kaine (D) said in an interview that he plans to try to increase health-care access, improve public education and launch several environmental initiatives during his last 2 1/2 years as governor. .
After helping others, missionary needs help
Brett McMichael, 40, has spent his entire life helping others. Now McMichael needs help. The 1984 Gateway Regional High School graduate, who has been a Presbyterian Church missionary for 23 years, the last 11 in Croatia, has polycystic kidney disease and needs a transplant. "All Brett's done his whole life is give," says Rev. John Shedwick, pastor of First Presbyterian Church in Woodbury Heights. "The Bible says it's more blessed to give than to receive, but sometimes we have to be good recipients, too." Brett, who grew up in the Woodbury Heights church, is single and has no family. "Brett was adopted and has no knowledge of any family, which makes it hard to find a suitable donor," Shedwick says. "He hopes someone will come forward. I'd be glad to donate my kidney, but I'm 56.
INSURANCE: Senate kills dog insurance bill
SPRINGFIELD -- Legislation that would ban Illinois insurance companies from canceling dog owners' policies or charging more based on the breed of the dog was killed in the Senate Insurance Committee. The committee's action earlier this month has left some dog owners frustrated, wondering where they can purchase homeowners insurance. Some insurance carriers will not issue homeowner's policies to people who own pit bulls, Rottweilers or some other breeds because of concern over dog-bite claims. But pet owners and animal welfare groups are pushing to end this practice. Insurance company lobbyists have fought the proposal. Sen. Don Harmon, D-Oak Park, said he has many constituents upset about losing coverage even though their pets have never harmed anyone. In fact, many canine owners believe coverage should be based on an individual dog's history and not the reputation of the breed.
Medical professionals concerned with governor's proposed Medicaid ...
Gov. Ed Rendell's proposed $59.1 billion budget for 2007-2008 makes significant changes to Medicaid health care provider reimbursement. And local health care providers are concerned. More than 1.8 million Pennsylvanians receive Medicaid. Members of the House Committee on Appropriations and its Subcommittee on Health and Human Services are holding hearings throughout the state to hear from providers who will be affected if the changes pass the General Assembly. Subcommittee chairwoman, state Rep. Kathy Manderino, as well as state Rep. Dave Reed, of Indiana County, and state Rep. Tim Mahoney, of Fayette County, were in Fayette County Tuesday to take testimony. .
Bishop Eddie Long and Pastor Noel Jones Confirmed for Clear ...
Uplift! Chicago will bring together the nations leading inspirational icons, motivational powerhouses, and popular performers. Bishop Eddie Long and Pastor Noel Jones are among the nation's foremost spiritual leaders. Bishop Long's New Birth Missionary Baptist Church in Georgia has a membership of over 30,000. In 2006 Bishop Long, officiated the home going ceremony for Mrs. Coretta Scott King. Pastor Noel Jones is the brother of singer Grace Jones, and author of several books, including, The Battle for the Mind: How You Can Think the Thoughts of God. His congregation includes former gang members alongside many in show business. Uplift! Chicago will also feature relevant seminars, panel discussions, a youth summit, and a literary caf with notable authors; a corporate and small vendor's business marketplace, together with specialty pavilions such as financial empowerment, and nutrition & wellness.
A brighter future for Bulgaria's insurance
Now that Bulgaria is a European Union member, a large number of foreign companies have announced they are planning to establish branches in the country, some to ensure corporate partners coming into the market, others to compete for the growing domestic sector, in which life insurance is growing particularly strongly. At the beginning of the year, there were 31 insurance companies in Bulgaria. Three were life insurance companies, 20 non-life and eight composite insurers. Bulgarias life insurance market came to a total of $129.6 million last year, an increase of more than 25 per cent on the previous year. However, the figure fell below the 200 million leva ($137 million) target some had predicted. The life insurance sector has traditionally come behind motor vehicle and home insurance as a priority in Bulgaria, industry insiders told OBG.
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