Inside these posts: Insurance

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Shareholders OK Aon, Hewitt deal

The $4.9 billion sale of human resources specialist Hewitt Associates to Aon was approved by the shareholders of both companies Monday.

The buyout is still subject to regulatory approval. Get the full story »

Unitrin second-quarter results miss estimates

From The Wall Street Journal | Unitrin Inc. reported second-quarter results that missed analysts’ estimates as the financial-services company — which provides property and casualty insurance, life insurance and automobile financing — was hurt by unfavorable catastrophe and non-catastrophe weather.

Arthur J. Gallagher picks up rest of Aussie firm

Arthur J. Gallagher & Co., the Itasca-based insurance brokerage, said it acquired the 60 percent equity interest in Australia’s Specialised Broking Associates Pty Ltd. it didn’t already own.

Terms weren’t disclosed. Get the full story »

21st Century cuts auto rates in Illinois

21st Century Centennial Insurance Co. has cut its car insurance rates for new customers in Illinois by an average of 9.5 percent. New customers can expect to save nearly $150 a year, the company said in a statement. Get the full story »

Malpractice insurer holds line on rates again

For the fourth consecutive year, the state’s largest insurer of medical liability for doctors said it will not increase the base premium rates on policies.

ISMIE Mutual Insurance Co. credited its decision to a stable “lawsuit environment nurtured by Illinois’ 2005 medical litigation reform law, but cautioned that resulting market improvements could be at serious future jeopardy.” Get the full story »

Aon agrees to buy Hewitt Associates

Aon Center

Aon headquaters in Chicago. (AP)

By Bruce Japsen and Becky Yerak | After talking for a “reasonably long period of time,” Aon Corp. is taking over Hewitt Associates for $4.9 billion in cash and stock to expand its offerings to global employers navigating the complexities of health care reform and employee benefits.

The announcement Monday has pushed stock in the stock in the Chicago-based insurance brokerage and consulting firm  down 7 percent in in late-afternoon trading. Get the full story »

Unitrin buys Kemper name

Unitrin Inc. has bought the Kemper name from Lumbermens Mutual Casualty Co.  Terms were not disclosed.

Since 2002, Chicago-based Unitrin, an insurance holding company, has owned the personal lines property and casualty insurance business of Lumbermens. It operated the personal lines with the Kemper name under a licensing agreement.  Get the full story »

Survey: People talking, texting less while driving

Texting-Driving-Web.jpgA motorist drives while speaking on a cell phone in Boston on March 2, 2010. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)

By Sandra M. Jones | U.S. drivers say they are talking and texting less while driving then
they did a year ago as they become more aware of the risks, according to
a new survey.

Four out of 10 drivers who admit to texting behind the wheel say they do
it less often than they did last year, according to the annual “Driving
While Distracted” survey from Nationwide Insurance.

The survey found that 20 percent of drivers with cell phones say they
text while driving. Among drivers under age 35, that number jumps to 47
percent.

Get the full story »