North Bay Business Journal

The political and legal challenges to federal health reform may finally be settled with the reelection of President Obama and the Supreme Court’s upholding of the Affordable Care Act, but, even with that seeming sense of finality, a host of challenges lay ahead for all levels of the industry.

Workers’ compensation insurance rates are continuing to climb upward, as the cost of health care and increasing medical utilization drives up premiums for employers throughout the state, according to brokers in the North Bay.

NORTH BAY — Employers will likely face an increase in their workers compensation premiums in the coming year, as the cost of medical utilization and permanent disability continues to rise, according to brokers.

George Petersen Insurance Agency completed its move from one College Ave. location in Santa Rosa to another, at 175 West College Ave. last week, which was the result of the company absorbing NorthWest Insurance in 2010.

Questions for Robb Daer, Principal, George Petersen Insurance: What do you see as the trends in business insurance for 2012? What trends do you see in employee benefits for 2012, in cost and in design? What issues are clients asking about most often and what are you telling them?

Lori Dickerson Fouché has been named the new president and chief executive officer of Novato-based Fireman’s Fund Insurance Co.

SANTA ROSA — George Petersen Insurance, the North Bay’s second largest property and casualty insurance agency, will soon relocate headquarters from its current 627 College Ave. location to another, larger building at 175 West College Ave.

Ukiah-based Diane Daubeneck Insurance Services announced it has entered into an alliance with Placer Insurance Agency of Roseville, significantly increasing the reach of both agencies in Northern California.

SANTA ROSA — George Petersen Insurance Agency has acquired longtime competitor NorthWest Insurance Agency Inc., bringing together the North Bay’s second- and fifth-largest property and casualty insurance brokerages.

SANTA ROSA — George Petersen Insurance Agency today announced it acquired longtime competitor NorthWest Insurance Agency Inc., bringing together the North Bay’s second- and fifth-largest property and casualty insurance brokerages.

The acquisition, set to begin Sept. 1, includes six NorthWest Insurance operations in Santa Rosa, Napa, Ukiah, Gualala, Fort Bragg and Eureka, according to George Petersen President and Chief Executive Officer Charlie Bussman. Other terms of the acquisition were not disclosed.

Heffernan Insurance Brokers recently unveiled a new wellness offering to Bay Area clients. The program was piloted in the group’s Walnut Creek office and is now available to North Bay customers as a package or as an a la carte option.