More than 66 percent of U.S. insurance companies intend to increase staff during the next 12 months, according to a new midyear labor study, the Insurance Journal reported. That rate, up from 65 percent a year ago, is the highest in the history of the U.S. Insurance Labor Outlook Study, which has been conducted by The Jacobson Group and Ward Group since 2009. “The continued focus on increasing staff paired with mass retirements and virtually non-existent industry unemployment will only further interfuse an already challenging recruiting environment,” Gregory Jacobson, co-chief executive officer of Jacobson said in a statement. Technology, claims and underwriter roles are expected to grow more than any other industry position during the next 12 months.