TAMPA, Fla., PRNewswire/ -- Farmers Insurance Group® cooperated with the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office, Florida Department of Financial Services, and National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) in an eight-month investigation involving staged vehicle crashes and insurance fraud in Hillsboro County. ... [full story]

U.S. property/casualty insurers reported $31.1 billion in net income in 2009, a 260.3% increase from the previous year, Oldwick, N.J.-based A.M. Best Co. Inc. said in a special report. Best said the P/C insurers’ results were driven by improved ... [full story]

It may come as little surprise and no comfort to survivors of the weekend tragedy in Mississippi, but recent research confirms that they are living in the most dangerous region in the most dangerous tornado country in the world. "Tornado Alley" ... [full story]

The Atlantic basin is facing a busier-than-usual hurricane season, in part because of record warm water in the ocean, according to the latest hurricane forecast. Colorado State University's forecast, released Wednesday, calls for 15 named tropical storms this year ... [full story]

The American Association of Insurance Services (AAIS) announced today that it expects to conclude testing and begin countrywide filing of a new by-peril rating plan available under its Homeowners Program in July 2010.   AAIS is a national advisory organization ... [full story]

COLUMBUS, Ga., PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Patients at the Aflac Cancer Center and Blood Disorders Service of Children's Healthcare of Atlanta were treated to a visit by an "extra-sweet" version of the Aflac Duck to commemorate the iconic spokesduck's 10th birthday party. ... [full story]

NEW YORK (AP) -- American International Group Inc. CEO Robert Benmosche received $2.7 million in compensation for 2009 as the bailed-out insurer began selling assets to repay government loans, an Associated Press analysis of a securities filing shows. Benmosche, ... [full story]

Apple Inc. has the power to make mobile payments huge, but not quite in the way bankers hope. Several recently unveiled patent applications indicate that the Cupertino, Calif., company has a comprehensive vision for incorporating near-field communication chips — ... [full story]

Rapidly escalating auto injury claim costs might be forcing auto insurers to more closely scrutinize and negotiate hospital bills prior to payment. According to a new study from the Insurance Research Council (IRC), the rising cost of claims can be ... [full story]

Insurance companies are gearing up to recoup from Toyota money they paid for claims in crashes involving sudden acceleration, the subject of major safety recalls by the Japanese automaker. It could also mean money back for some drivers who paid ... [full story]