From a article posted on foxbusiness.com

Crawford Reports Substantial Improvement in 2008 First Quarter Results Net Income Rises 174% on Revenue Growth of 5%

...

"International Operations

First quarter 2008 revenues before reimbursements for the International Operations segment grew to $106.7 million from $83.9 million for the same period in 2007. Compared to the 2007 first quarter, during the current quarter the U.S. dollar was weaker against most major foreign currencies, resulting in a net exchange rate benefit in the current quarter. Excluding the benefit of exchange rate fluctuations, international revenues would have been $97.2 million in the 2008 first quarter, reflecting growth in revenues on a constant dollar basis of 15.8%. International operating expenses increased by $17.7 million in U.S. dollars, a 22.2% increase, and by 11.2% on a constant dollar basis. Operating earnings improved to $9.0 million in the current quarter, more than doubling last year's first quarter operating earnings of $4.0 million. The related operating margin was 8.4% in the 2008 first quarter, improving from the 4.7% operating margin in the 2007 first quarter.

U.S. Property & Casualty

U.S. Property & Casualty revenues before reimbursements were $49.5 million in the first quarter of 2008 compared to $51.0 million in the 2007 first quarter. Revenues generated by the Company's catastrophe adjuster group were $1.9 million in both the 2008 and 2007 first quarters. The prior-year quarter included $375,000 in revenues generated by the Company's subrogation services unit which was sold February 28, 2007. Operating earnings in the U.S. Property and Casualty segment improved to $5.9 million, or 12.0% of revenues, compared to $3.4 million, or 6.6% of revenues in the 2007 first quarter. "

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CHICAGO and SAN DIEGO, April 11, 2008 – CCC Information Services Inc., of Chicago, Ill., and Mitchell International, Inc., of San Diego, Calif., today announced the signing of a definitive agreement under which they will combine in a merger-of-equals transaction valued at $1.4 billion.

CCC and Mitchell are each privately held. The combined enterprise, which will be known as CCC-Mitchell Inc., will be a leading provider of information, workflow management systems and integrated software to insurance companies and collision repair facilities. The company’s data, software and services will support the estimating and processing of claims for auto physical damage and bodily injury. At inception, CCC-Mitchell will have annual sales of approximately $460 million and approximately 2,000 employees

(source: CCC Press Release) Click here to read the complete article

Integration improves speed and efficiency of claims handling

ATLANTA, April 22  /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Philip Porter, senior vice president of Crawford & Company's U.S. Property & Casualty segment has announced that Crawford has integrated CMS2, its proprietary claims management system, with Xactware's industry-leading property estimation solutions.

"Crawford is always striving to improve its processes and service delivery. The integration of CMS2 with Xactware's assignment network and estimation tools demonstrates our strength of working together with key business partners," said Porter. "The end result is an enhanced, consistent, quality-driven work product that will truly benefit our clients."

Claims reported via Xactware's claim assignment network are transmitted electronically into Crawford's CMS2 system for assignment to one of our claims professionals located in our more than 280 U.S. locations. Once assigned to a Crawford claims professional, the assignment is transmitted back to Xactware's claim assignment network for distribution and return. For clients, that means assignment, first contact, and claims resolution faster than ever before.
(source: earthtimes.org, Read more )

"Boston, Mass. & Seattle, Wash. – Liberty Mutual Group (“Liberty Mutual”) and Safeco Corporation (“Safeco”) (NYSE: SAF) today announced that they have entered into a definitive agreement pursuant to which Liberty Mutual will acquire all outstanding shares of common stock of Safeco for $68.25 per share in cash.     

The proposed transaction, which is valued at approximately $6.2 billion, has been approved by the Boards of Directors of both companies.  It is subject to approval by Safeco’s shareholders as well as the customary regulatory approvals and conditions.  The transaction is expected to close by the end of the third quarter of 2008.  The transaction is not subject to financing contingencies.   

Upon completion of the transaction, Liberty Mutual will become the fifth largest property and casualty insurer in the United States.  Currently, Liberty Mutual Group is the sixth largest property and casualty insurer in the United States based on the company’s 2007 direct written premium of $20.2 billion, while Safeco had 2007 direct written premium of $5.9 billion.  " (source: Liberty Mutual press relaease) Click here to view the pdf.

Mariposa Insurance Services is introducing a new service to Insurance Carriers called the Emergency ALE Debit Card Program.  Together with a VISA and MasterCard partnership, a complete Edge to Edge solution has been put in place for ALE debit cards which can be distributed in the field to insureds during a catastrophe.  The entire program will be launched at the upcoming Jacksonville, FL WIND conference and we encourage those of you who are attending to visit Mariposa booth number 57.

Mariposa is offering a $500.00 commission for any Catadjuster member who provides assistance in selling this service.  We have found that most carriers that write HO polices will have the most interest.  However recently we found a commercial carrier that writes 25% HO polices that picked up the service.  You may have access to decision makers who would be interested in this type of service.  If you can steer us in the right direction, give us a good contact name/phone/email and we close the sale, Mariposa will pay you $500.00 for the referral. 

All inquiries about this program should be directed to:

David Swank
Sr. Partner
Mariposa Insurance Services
David@MariposaLtd.com
419-861-2557 ext 105

More details about the Emergency ALE Debit Card Program can be found by visiting

http://www.mariposaltd.com/dasblogce/2008/01/23/MariposaOffersNewServices.aspx


Good luck,

David Swank
Sr. Partner
Mariposa Insurance Services