The Backup files; A look back at the week in business.
Byline: Lisa Eckelbecker COLUMN: THE BACKUP FILES Clash of the (insurance) Titans Massachusetts automobile insurers are maneuvering against state Attorney General Martha Coakley, and it's a scrum the likes of which we have not seen since Hannah Montana concert tickets went on sale....

Hanover bares plan for drivers; Insurer first of 19 to unveil coverage.
Byline: Bob Kievra WORCESTER - The Hanover Insurance Group Inc. yesterday kicked off a transformational week for the state's 19 automobile insurers, unveiling a rate plan that would cut rates for good drivers and boost premiums for bad or inexperienced drivers. Hanover, the ninth-largest auto...

Briefs.
COLUMN: Briefs Rates are upheld BOSTON - The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court has upheld steep rate increases by the state's home insurer of last resort, turning aside a challenge by the attorney general. The ruling is a setback for homeowners in coastal areas including Cape...

The Backup files; A look back at the week in business.
Byline: Lisa Eckelbecker COLUMN: THE BACKUP FILES Hot or not? Oh, Massachusetts, we hate to break it to you, but when it comes to job creation you are definitely not hot. In fact, in a ranking of states by job creation over the...

Managed competition good news for auto insurance buyers.
Byline: Robert P. Spellane COLUMN: AS I SEE IT In July, Massachusetts Insurance Commissioner Nonnie S. Burnes issued a precedent-setting decision to permit managed competition for auto insurance rates starting in April 2008. This will be the first time in 30 years that competitive rating...

IC wants insurance interest rates revised.
Regulators want insurers, especially life companies, to revise their interest rates assumptions in light of the declining or "reduced" market rates this year until 2008. The review of life policies should determine the impact of lower rates on these life terms. "We're requiring all life companies to...

Auto insurer goes back to its roots; Worcester-based Premier adopts name of founder, Travelers Corp.
Byline: Bob Kievra WORCESTER - The Premier Insurance Co. of Massachusetts returned to its roots yesterday, announcing it would change its brand name to Travelers of Massachusetts. The move comes 14 years after Travelers Corp. established Premier as a separate entity for its Massachusetts automobile...

Commerce accepts plan; Auto insurer says it will support new framework.
Byline: Bob Kievra The state's largest automobile insurer said yesterday it was ready to compete in the "brave new world" of managed competition even as regulators and consumer advocates cautioned the new framework unveiled Monday may raise automobile insurance rates for some consumers and still not entice...

A prudent plan; Stay the course on Burnes auto insurance reform.
COLUMN: In our opinion With Massachusetts' new insurance commissioner leading the way, the state appears to be on the verge of moving to a more consumer-friendly, market-driven auto insurance system - the approach that long has prevailed in every other state. While the proposal to introduce "managed...

Auto law changes attract insurer; Peerless left 20 years ago.
Byline: Bob Kievra The following correction was published Nov. 17, 2007: Ohio-based Progressive Group of Insurance Cos. does not write private passenger auto insurance in Massachusetts but has offered commercial auto insurance here since January. A description of the company's state operations was incorrect in...