Web Winners:
The surprise government takeover last week of the giant insurer American International Group Inc. gave us reason to seek updates on the industry and reassurance about the quality of insurance.
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The surprise government takeover last week of the giant insurer American International Group Inc. gave us reason to seek updates on the industry and reassurance about the quality of insurance.
Insurance Journal.
A glance at this insurance-industry news site showed how AIG's problems may be viewed as opportunities by its competitors. "AIG Woes Offer Double Benefit for Insurance Rivals," said a top headline last week. Insurance Journal is an 85-year-old trade magazine aimed at agents and brokers. As such, it's a window on their world.
How to . . .
How do you avoid the insurance hucksters? If your bank failed, how would you file a claim with the FDIC? This site has answers for those questions, and checklists for how to shop for insurance of all kinds, and how to do the paperwork when you actually need to take advantage of your coverage. The eHow site goes way beyond insurance, with advice, for example, on how to improve your dating skills, how to make movies, and how to apply for an Australian visa online.
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Company ratings.
Look up any insurance company by name, or search by state, to find out what marks the company gets from this century-old industry rating service. You'll have to register, but it's free. Company information includes links to stock market prices and to the company's own Web site. News reports on insurers and the industry are available, but you'll have to pay to get much past the headlines.
Information Institute.
Insurance-industry updates and studies, statistics and factoids are available in volume here at the Web site of the Insurance Information Institute. Anyone can get a briefing on annuities, hurricane insurance, disability, and dozens of other matters that might get you looking for a policy. The site's industry blog was carrying items about Hurricane Ike, as well as the wider financial storm on Wall Street.