U.S. Transportation Secretary Mary E. Peters in December 2008 said the number of people killed in traffic crashes was expected to reach a new record low in 2008. Early projections showed an almost 10 percent drop in highway traffic deaths ... [full story]

  WASHINGTON—The unemployment rate among U.S. insurance industry companies—which includes both insurers and intermediaries—stood at 3.5% in January, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. During 2008, 580,000 people were laid off in the broader financial services sector, increasing the ... [full story]

(Bloomberg) -- More than half of insurers worldwide may be downgraded by Fitch Ratings this year on declines in the value of their investments backing policies. “Many insurers are feeling significant pressures from the financial crisis,” the ratings firm said ... [full story]