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Several class actions have been filed against certain officers and directors of Chinese insurance company China Life Insurance Company Limited (NYSE: LFC) by stockholders who purchased the company's common stock between December 22, 2003, and February 3, 2004. The actions claim that the defendants violated federal securities laws by issuing a series of material misrepresentations to the market over this time period, thereby artificially inflating the price of the company's securities.

Several class actions have been filed against liability insurer American Physicians Capital, Inc. (Nasdaq:ACAP) and certain of its officers and directors by stockholders who purchased the company's common stock between February 13, 2003, and November 6, 2003. The actions claim that the defendants violated federal securities laws by issuing a series of material misrepresentations to the market over this time period, thereby artificially inflating the price of the company's securities.

Toni Swain Orrill, a New Orleans resident whose house was severely damaged in Hurricane Katrina, filed a class action suit against American International Group (AIG) and its subsidiary, Audubon. The suit charges that the company has failed to help its policyholders who are in desperate need of assistance after the hurricane.

A class action, which apparently covers all U.S. residents, has been filed against insurance giant Farmers Insurance Company, Inc. and its parent, Farmers Group, Inc., on behalf of consumers who, since November 5, 1998, purchased either an automotive or a homeowner's insurance policy with Farmers and later was given a rate increase due to Farmers' alleged utilization of credit reports without the consumer's consent or knowledge. The action is brought under the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act and the Arkansas unfair trade practices law and seeks actual damages, statutory and punitive damages and declaratory relief.

If the insurance system doesn't work as it should, dentists and doctors can be hurt as badly as their patients. The parties have reached a tentative $5 million settlement in a class action filed against insurer Aetna, Inc. and its subsidiaries on behalf of dentists who alleged that the Hartford-based insurer interfered with dental procedures to cut costs and forced dentists to comply with excessive paperwork in violation of antitrust laws and the federal Racketeering and Influenced Corrupt Organizations Act. Dentists who wish to take part in the settlement will have to fill out a claims form that is to be made available through the mail and on the settlement site that has been established by Aetna.

The parties have reached a tentative nationwide $5 million settlement in an action filed against major cellular phone services and three insurance companies on behalf of all persons who purchased wireless equipment insurance between January 1, 1986, and February 20, 2004, through a wireless equipment insurance program administered by Asurion Insurance Services, Inc., Lockton Companies, Inc., or Lock\Line, LLC. The action alleged that the insurance programs failed to comply with applicable state insurance statutes and were marketed in a manner that failed to comply with Pennsylvania's consumer protection statutes. Proof of claim forms must be postmarked on or before August 9, 2004, to be considered valid.

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