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Alaska Division of Insurance Seeking New Director Alaska Division of Insurance has launched a search for a new director now that Linda Hall, who ran the division for nine years, is retiring this spring. “I will continue working through the legislative session, will assist with the transition, … February 22, 2012 11:26 PM Poms Names Rossetti Vice President of Employee Benefits in New Mexico Los Angeles, Calif.-based Poms & Associates Insurance Brokers Inc. has named John Rossetti vice president of the employee benefits group in the firm’s Albuquerque, N.M. office. Rossetti was previously an account executive at Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Mexico, … February 22, 2012 11:02 PM R.I.-based Affiliated Insurance Managers Appoints Marketing Manager Warwick, R.I.-based agency Affiliated Insurance Managers is expanding its commercial insurance division and appointed industry veteran Heidi Forte to the new position of commercial insurance marketing manager. With over 25 years of experience in the commercial insurance industry, Forte will … February 22, 2012 9:04 PM Pennsylvania Christian College Sues Over Birth Control Regs A Christian college in western Pennsylvania has sued the federal government saying regulations that require employers to offer birth control coverage that includes drugs that abort fertilized embryos are “directly at odds with the religious message it wishes to convey,” … February 22, 2012 8:10 PM AIA’s Snyder Describes Korea Trade Pact as ‘Excellent Model’ The long-awaited implementation of the Free Trade Pact between the Republic of Korea, or South Korea, and the U.S. (KORUS) is scheduled to go into effect on March 15. The date will see the conclusion of negotiations that began in 2006, … February 22, 2012 7:12 PM The Hartford Hires Chartis U.S. Underwriting Chief Tucker Hartford Financial Services Group announced three senior management appointments, including Tom Tucker as chief underwriting officer of commercial markets and head of specialty casualty. He will start his post at The Hartford on February 27. He will report to Doug … February 22, 2012 6:57 PM EU Seeks Legal Opinion on Global Copyright Pact The European Union’s executive said on Wednesday it would refer a disputed global agreement to tackle online piracy to the bloc’s highest court to check whether it complies with EU fundamental rights. The Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement, which also aims to … February 22, 2012 6:46 PM Anti-Piracy Group SOS SaveOurSeafarers Welcomes UK Gov’t. Support SOS SaveOurSeafarers has issued the following statement following a conference in London on Somali piracy, organized by the UK’s Foreign & Commonwealth Office, held at the London headquarters of the International Maritime Organization (IMO). Giles Heimann, Chairman of the Group … February 22, 2012 6:16 PM Belgian Gov’t. Names Former FERMA President Dequae to Dexia Board The Government of Belgium has appointed Marie Gemma Dequae, currently a scientific advisor to the Federation of European Risk Management Associations (FERMA) and a past president of the federation, as an independent director of Dexia Bank Belgium and its subsidiary … February 22, 2012 6:03 PM Best Assigns ‘A-’ Ratings to Assurances Mutuelles de France A.M. Best Europe – Rating Services Limited has assigned a financial strength rating of ‘A-’ (Excellent) and issuer credit rating of “a-” to Assurances Mutuelles de France (AM), both with stable outlooks. AM is a mutual reinsurer member of Covéa, … February 22, 2012 6:00 PM

Insurance Journal » West News

Alaska Division of Insurance Seeking New Director Alaska Division of Insurance has launched a search for a new director now that Linda Hall, who ran the division for nine years, is retiring this spring. “I will continue working through the legislative session, will assist with the transition, … February 22, 2012 11:26 PM Poms Names Rossetti Vice President of Employee Benefits in New Mexico Los Angeles, Calif.-based Poms & Associates Insurance Brokers Inc. has named John Rossetti vice president of the employee benefits group in the firm’s Albuquerque, N.M. office. Rossetti was previously an account executive at Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Mexico, … February 22, 2012 11:02 PM Iowa Judge Orders California Porn Site to Pay $4M In Piracy Case A judge has ordered the operators of a popular pornographic website to pay $4 million for copyright infringement to an Iowa-based adult film company – a ruling that should serve as a deterrent to others who pirate content online, a … February 22, 2012 5:08 PM Grade 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 22, 2012 5:00 PM Cellphone Driving Ban Nets 27 Violators in Helena Police in Helena say they have issued 27 citations in a little over a month following a cellphone ban making it illegal to use hand-held electronic devices while driving or bicycling within city limits. Lt. Steve Hagen told the Independent … February 22, 2012 4:55 PM Wells Will Determine Groundwater Contamination in Southern California Thirty wells are being installed in Burbank and Glendale in an effort to determine the extent of groundwater contamination. Small amounts of cancer-causing chromium 6 left behind by the San Fernando Valley aircraft industry have been detected in local water … February 22, 2012 4:53 PM California Legislator Introduces Smartphone Proof of Insurance Bill A California legislator has introduced a bill to require auto insurers to issue proof of coverage verification to the mobile electronic devices of insured if they request it. Assembly Bill 1708, authored by Assemblyman Mike Gatto, D-Silver Lake, would enable … February 21, 2012 9:17 PM California Earthquake Authority Kicks off Second Marketing Program for Agents The business of selling earthquake insurance to homeowners may have just gotten a bit easier. The California Earthquake Authority has launched its annual “Marketing Value Program,” in which the quasi-private earthquake insurer encourages agents to sign up to receive at … February 21, 2012 7:59 PM Oregon Jury Awards $25M In Smoker’s Death An Oregon jury has awarded $25 million in punitive damages in the death of a Salem smoker whose family sued tobacco company Philip Morris USA over its low-tar cigarettes. The award is the second time a jury has considered punitive damages … February 21, 2012 5:09 PM Court Upholds Lawsuit Against Northern California Hooters A state appeals court has upheld a class-action lawsuit filed by servers at several San Francisco Bay area Hooters restaurants in Northern California. The 1st District Court of Appeal denied a request by the restaurants’ owners that the case be … February 21, 2012 5:04 PM