Progressive's direct-sold insurance continues to grow faster than its agency business.
Markel's margins have been lagging the industry but a pricing increase could improve the situation.
The airline industry is notorious for adding too much capacity in good times, leading to aggressive pricing in order to maintain load factors. Competitive dynamics lead to an industry where profitability has been elusive over the long term.Labor agreements with the unions are up for renewal in 2011
Arch Capital may have navigated the recent weather-related catastrophes better than its peers but the risk from reinsuring this business eventually will catch up to them.Specialty insurance may be one of the best segments of the property-casualty business, but Arch Capital has not performed well
The company insures a higher proportion of risky mortgages than competitors, including mortgages for borrowers with poor credit and second mortgages. The extra premium Radian charges may not offset higher expected losses.Customers and regulators are concerned about Radian's financial vulnerability,
Nearly all of Loews' holdings are publicly traded companies. Potential investors could choose to invest in these companies separately if they desire. An investment in the individual equity issues would give them more discretion than investing in Loews.CNA, Loews' largest subsidiary by revenue, has
Foreclosures lag mortgage delinquencies; MGIC is just now beginning to experience the brunt of the housing crisis.If mortgage lenders opt for modification over foreclosure, a re-default will be even more costly to MGIC.MGIC has one of the largest market shares--consistently 20%-25in the very
Personal auto insurance is essentially a commodity product, and customers often shop exclusively on price.Mercury's expansion into new markets has not gone as planned. The company hasn't been able to maintain the same profitability it enjoys in California in new states such as New Jersey and
White Mountains may be a brilliant acquisitor of businesses, but its operational expertise is suspect. Though the combined ratio was under 100% last year, that was only the second time in the last eight years.White Mountains Re will incur periodic catastrophe losses from winter storms, hurricanes,
CNA has a long track record of poor underwriting with a combined ratio consistently more than 105%. The company has shown little to no ability to actually achieving a ratio in line with the industry average.CNA has been dependent on the returns of its investment portfolio to alleviate poor