While the catastrophe bond market as a whole was able to withstand the volatility of 2008, the market experienced steep declines in terms of both dollar issuance and number of transactions, according to a Guy Carpenter & Co. L.L.C. report ... [full story]

State Farm has rejected a pitch by Florida’s chief financial officer, Alex Sink, to let their captive agents find coverage for customers with rival carriers, since they plan on leaving the state’s property market. Currently, 826 State Farm Florida Insurance ... [full story]

WASHINGTON -- The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety said Wednesday it will require automakers to dramatically increase the strength of vehicle roofs to receive its top safety pick ratings. The Virginia-based IIHS conducts dozens of crash tests annually and prods automakers ... [full story]

Traffic deaths fell sharply across the nation last year, dropping in at least 42 states and the District of Columbia as Americans battered by high gasoline prices and the sour economy cut driving by a record amount. Twenty-five states and ... [full story]