While the financial losses from Toyota Motor Corp.’s recent recalls aren’t yet clear, experts say the company must work hard to protect a vital asset—its reputation.

President Barack Obama’s comments on financial services regulatory reform during his State of the Union address may do little to push the issue forward, some insurance industry observers say.

WASHINGTON—As congressional interest in passing comprehensive health care reform wanes in favor of measures to boost the economy and reduce the unemployment rate, one beneficiary could be legislation to temporarily ease pension plan funding rules.

HOUSTON—Insurers for directors and officers accused by federal authorities of operating a billion Ponzi scheme must pay defense costs for the criminal defendants, a federal judge has ruled.

WASHINGTON—Employers would no longer be permitted to require separate deductibles for mental health and medical treatment under new proposed parity rules issued last week by the departments of Health and Human Services, Labor and the Treasury.