Industry News

​At the request of the New York State Department of Financial Services (DFS,) Big I New York met by video with DFS representatives this morning to discuss the ongoing problems with the state's personal insurance market. Big I New York Chair of the Board David Bodenstein, President and CEO Lisa Lounsbury, and AVP of Research and Information Tim Dodge met with the DFS representatives for a little more than a half hour.DFS asked for the meeting to continue discussions that began on July 25. The meeting was productive. Further conversations between Big I New York and DFS on how they can work together to improve…

Preferred Mutual Insurance Company's (“Preferred Mutual") current Financial Strength Rating (FSR) has been reaffirmed by AM Best as 'A' (Excellent) with a 'Stable' outlook. The Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating (ICR) has been reaffirmed as 'A+' (Excellent), and the outlook for the ICR remains 'Stable.' Preferred Mutual has held the 'A' rating for 22 consecutive years. The Ratings reflect our company's balance sheet strength, which AM Best continues to assess as 'strongest' as well as our 'adequate' operating performance which is supported by solid underwriting results and consistent investment earnings derived from multiple years of stable pure loss ratio trends. Preferred Mutual continues to maintain a…

​Adirondack Insurance Exchange reported today that its financial condition has continued to deteriorate. The carrier is advising its agents to begin replacing its policies with other insurance carriers immediately. As we reported on May 29 and June 18, Adirondack's financial strength rating from rating firm Demotech was withdrawn on May 28. That same day, the carrier emailed its agents reporting a surplus shortage and a deterioration in their capital due to rising loss costs and inadequate rates. Should the carrier reach the point of insolvency, a lengthy legal process must ensue before claim payments will become jeopardized. These are some of the questions we answered…