Wisconsin's Insurance Plan Still Generous Compared to Private Sector and Federal Employees

The standoff in Madison on collective-bargaining rights largely has overshadowed that state employees effectively will be taking a significant pay cut under Gov. Scott Walker's budget-repair bill.

But by any measure, as Walker has noted and most state employees acknowledge, the state will continue to provide rich health-insurance benefits compared with the private sector, where nearly 40% of employers don't offer health benefits at all.

60% Employers Want Health Reform Repeal

For even the most casual observer, it's obvious that the ''Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act'' is one of the more controversial laws ever passed by Congress. But even savvy observers may learn something new about the attitudes and concerns employers expressed about the law in "Health Care Reform 360," a new national study by Market Strategies International, the highly-regarded global market research and consulting firm.

Growing insurance trend allows drivers to pay by mile

A new and growing trend in auto insurance offers reduced premiums to people who drive less. It's known as usage-based auto insurance, where your premiums are lower, because you're not on the road much. If you qualify, depending on where you live, you could lower your premiums by 10% to 15%.

The Individual Mandate Doesn’t Really Matter

In a sweeping ruling this week, Florida Federal District Judge Roger Vinson held that the individual mandate provision of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA), an extension of Commerce Clause authority by Congress that requires all citizens to obtain health insurance by 2014, is not only unconstitutional but also “necessary and essential” to the entire act.

Calliden stays in warranty market

Calliden Group has reversed its decision to exit the Victorian domestic builders’ warranty insurance (BWI) market.

The insurer will now be one of only two insurers in the Victorian BWI market, and will compete with QBE, which is underwritten by the Victorian Managed Insurance Authority.

Japanese life insurer makes move on Tower

Dai-ichi Life Insurance is looking to take complete control of Tower Australia with a $4 a share offer.

The offer represents a 46.5% premium over Tower’s closing share price on December 24 and values the deal at $1.76 billion.

Currently the Japanese life insurer owns 29% of Tower, a stake it bought from Guinness Peat in August 2008.

Newline grows local operations

Newline Australia is transferring the management of its operations to Melbourne with the promotion of Craig Rowsell to Regional Manager. He will also continue as the Underwriting Manager of Liability.

Chief Underwriting Officer Phil Foley says the company – which is owned by Lloyd’s syndicate Newline, Odyssey Re and Canadian financial firm Fairfax – is performing well.