Despite a second consecutive year of “historic catastrophic claims,” the Amica Mutual Insurance Co. saw its bottom line increase 14.6 percent year over year in 2012. more

(Updated, 3:30 p.m.) MetLife Inc., the largest U.S. life insurer, is shifting workers to North Carolina as CEO Steven Kandarian seeks to reduce costs. more

I once asked a potential client how much he paid for the last book he purchased. His response was $25. I then asked him if he read it. His answer was yes. I then asked if he read his cargo policy and he said no. I pointed out that he paid $25,000 for this policy, which contained less than 5 percent of the words in the novel, so why hadn’t he read it? His reply was “it was too difficult to understand.” more

Amica Mutual Insurance Co. has ranked highest in customer satisfaction on the J.D. Power and Associates 2013 Property Claims Satisfaction Study, the insurer announced Wednesday, adding that this is the second consecutive year that Amica has ranked highest in the study. more

Starkweather & Shepley Insurance Brokerage Inc., Rhode Island’s largest independent insurance agency, has acquired Braintree, Mass.-based Crosbie-Macdonald MD Insurance Services, Starkweather & Shepley announced Friday. more

UnitedHealthcare Employer & Individual of New England has been named the new title sponsor for the UnitedHealthcare Newport Marathon, taking over for Lincoln-based Amica Mutual Insurance Co., which held the title sponsorship position since 2009. more

BOSTON – Mass. Division of Insurance Commissioner Joseph G. Murphy issued an order this month rejecting the Massachusetts Property Insurance Underwriters Association proposed rate filings for home insurance policies across the state through the FAIR Plan. more

Narragansett Bay Insurance Co. has named Todd Hart - right - its new CEO, replacing company founder Nick Steffey - left - who will continue on as executive chairman. more

Starkweather & Shepley Insurance Brokerage Inc. has acquired the Bristol, Conn.-based Fradette/Carlson Insurance Agency and expanded its coverage area into Connecticut, the firm announced Monday. more

Property and casualty insurance agency Lynch, Beretta and Bucci was acquired by Briarcliff Manor, N.Y.-based USI Insurance Services, USI announced Wednesday. more