From staff and wire reports
The Joplin Globe
—
A Southwest Missouri insurance company that nearly went under because of claims stemming from the Joplin tornado is now in better financial health, according to the Missouri Department of Insurance.
A judge recently approved a request to release Barton County Mutual Insurance Co. from department control.
Barton Mutual had premiums of $32 million in 2011 but reported claims of $48 million related to the Joplin tornado.
The insurance company has about 29,000 policyholders.
According to the state regulatory agency, Barton Mutual is the largest employer in Liberal.
