BestWeek: As New Congress Moves in, a Tougher NAIC Cat Plan May See the Light.

OLDWICK, N.J. -- In 2007, insurance regulators expect a much friendlier atmosphere on Capitol Hill as Democrats take control of Congress. And because this may be a Congress that will be more open to an all-perils policy and a federal backstop for natural catastrophe risk, Florida Insurance Commissioner Kevin McCarty wants those proposals back in the National Association of Insurance Commissioners' "National Catastrophe Risk: Creating a Comprehensive National Plan."

But some regulators, legislators and industry representatives said they will continue to oppose inclusion of these ideas into the NAIC plan, according to an exclusive article in the Dec. 25 BestWeek.

Also in BestWeek, Best's Global Insurance Composite Index finished the week of Dec. 21, 2006, up 13.46% from a year ago. The composite index reflects the performance of 185 insurance stocks. The week's top performers were UnitedHealth Group Inc.; Beazley Group PLC; KMG America Corp.; Sierra Health Services Inc.; and Odyssey Re Holdings Corp. The bottom five were Specialty Underwriters' Alliance Inc.; National Interstate Corp.; Industrial Alliance Insurance & Financial Services; Penn Treaty American Corp.; and American Equity Investment Life Holding Co.

BestWeek is published by A.M. Best Co. for insurance professionals.

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