Officials: 108 Fire Deaths in Ohio so Far This Year

The state fire marshal’s office says 108 people have been killed in fires around Ohio so far this year. Last year, the office said Ohio had 115 fire fatalities. Fire Marshal Larry Flowers says it’s important that Ohioans be vigilant …

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Dec. 31 Is Deadline to Claim Louisiana Property Insurance Rebates

Louisiana Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon is reminding property insurance policyholders that the deadline to claim a rebate for the Citizens Assessment charged on their 2011 insurance policies is Dec.31, 2015. Nearly $34 million, or 52 percent, of the refundable assessments …

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Mayor of Florida County Seeks to Reduce Uber’s $3.2M in Fines

The mayor of Miami-Dade County, Florida, wants to waive about half of the fines Uber currently owes the county. The Miami Herald reports Mayor Carlos Gimenez is pressing commissioners to take up his proposal to legalize the ridesharing service. County …

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Tennessee Insurance Commissioner McPeak Elected as NAIC Officer

Tennessee Department of Commerce & Insurance (TDCI) Commissioner Julie Mix McPeak was elected Secretary-Treasurer of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC). She joins the other 2016 NAIC officers elected during the NAIC’s Fall National Meeting in National Harbor, Md. …

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North Carolina Man Charged with Insurance Fraud Over Stolen Boat Claim

North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Wayne Goodwin announced the arrest of William Nathan Spaulding, 38, of Lake Waccamaw; he is charged with one count each of insurance fraud, obtaining property by false pretense and providing false statements on an application for …

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Anadarko’s $160 Million Fine for 2010 Gulf Oil Spill Falls Well Below What U.S. Sought

Anadarko Petroleum Corp. was ordered to pay almost $160 million for its role as part-owner of the doomed Gulf of Mexico well that in 2010 caused the biggest offshore oil spill in U.S. history. The fine was the last big …

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Cross Insurance Executive Vice President Brent Cross Dies at 58

Brent Cross, executive vice president of Cross Insurance, an independent agency headquartered in Bangor, Maine, and with offices throughout New England, died Nov. 26 at Mass General Hospital in Boston after a year-long battle with cancer, the agency said. He …

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Report: Penn State’s Sandusky Settlements Total Nearly $93M

Penn State settled with six more victims or accusers of Jerry Sandusky, according to a new audit that puts the school’s total payout in the child sex abuse scandal at nearly $93 million. The university’s audited financial statements for the …

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XL Catlin Launches Online Data Breach Resource Portal

XL Catlin’s Cyber & Technology insurance business has launched a new online resource – CyberRiskIQ.com, to provide clients with support for cybersecurity readiness and incident response services. CyberRiskIQ.com features a comprehensive portal including: Information on the underwriting and claims cyber/tech …

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Majority of Baltimore’s Riot-Damaged Businesses Have Reopened

Baltimore’s economic development agency says 93 percent of the businesses damaged by rioting, looting and arson in April have reopened. The Baltimore Development Corp. said in a statement on Nov. 24 that just over 400 businesses suffered property damage or …

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Sudden Collapse of Health Co-Op in N.Y. Leaves Doctors Owed Millions

The sudden collapse of the largest nonprofit insurance cooperative created by President Barack Obama’s health care law is causing headaches in New York, especially for medical providers owed millions of dollars for treating the failed plan’s patients. More than 200,000 …

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Hub Northeast Hires Moser as VP & Regional Sales Manager in Penn.

Hub International Northeast, a division of Hub International Limited, has hired Jennifer Moser as vice president and sales manager. In this role, Moser will oversee the development and execution of sales initiatives for Hub Northeast’s Pennsylvania and New Jersey operations. …

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Paul Walker’s Father Sues Porsche for Negligence in Fatal California Crash

Paul Walker’s father has sued Porsche for negligence and wrongful death over the 2013 accident that killed the “Fast & Furious” star. Walker’s father, who is the executor of his son’s estate, filed the lawsuit last week claiming that the …

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5 Charged in $580M Southern California Scheme Involving Workers’ Comp

Five people, including a former hospital executive and two surgeons, are charged with a massive kickback scheme that resulted in billing $580 million to the government and insurance companies, authorities announced. Two already pleaded guilty and the others have agreed …

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Major Fault Near California Reactors Links to Second Crack

The Diablo Canyon nuclear power plant and earthquake faults have been uneasy neighbors for decades. Even before the twin reactors produced a single watt of electricity, the plant had to be retrofitted after a submerged fault was discovered 3 miles …

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Brown & Brown to Acquire Assets of MBA Insurance Agency of Arizona

MBA Insurance Agency of Arizona Inc., and Brown & Brown of Kentucky Inc., a subsidiary of Brown & Brown Inc., have entered into an agreement for the acquisition by Brown & Brown of substantially all of the assets of MBA. The parties …

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Federal Reserve Votes to Retire AIG Bailout Tool

The Federal Reserve Board on Monday approved a proposal to curb its emergency lending powers, a change demanded by Congress after the central bank’s controversial decision to aid AIG, Citigroup and others in 2008. The rule, unanimously approved by the …

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GM Does Not Have to Turn Over Privileged Ignition Switch Documents: Judge

General Motors Co. and its law firm need not turn over privileged documents to drivers hoping to show that the automaker intended to commit a crime or fraud by concealing defective ignition switches in their vehicles, a Manhattan federal judge …

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8 Lloyd’s Syndicates Join to Help Emerging Economies Build Nat Cat Resilience

Eight Lloyd’s syndicates are joining forces to develop new solutions to help developing economies tackle underinsurance and improve their resilience against the economic impact of natural catastrophes. Emerging economies across Latin America, Africa, and Asia currently contribute 40 percent to …

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Brazil to Sue BHP and Vale for $5.24B in Damages Caused by Burst Dam Disaster

Brazil’s federal and state governments plan to sue the owners of the Samarco iron ore miner for 20 billion reais ($5.24 billion) in damages caused by the burst of a tailings dam, Environment Minister Izabella Teixeira told reporters on Friday …

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Delta Lloyd Plans to Raise $1.06 Billion in Rights Offer to Improve Capital Position

Delta Lloyd NV plans to raise as much as 1 billion euros ($1.06 billion) by selling stock in a rights offer as the Dutch insurer seeks to improve its capital to meet new regulatory standards. The sale is fully underwritten by …

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Dutch Insurer NN Eyes Growth Through Acquisitions

NN Group NV, the Dutch insurer and asset manager spun out of ING Groep NV, is ready to expand and will consider acquisitions amid speculation that it could seek to acquire Delta Lloyd NV. Delta Lloyd’s shares soared. “If we …

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Sompo Japan Canopius Re Receives ‘A’ Rating; to Begin Writing Business on Jan. 1

A.M. Best has assigned a financial strength rating of A (Excellent) and an issuer credit rating of “a+” to Sompo Japan Canopius Reinsurance AG, a wholly owned subsidiary of Canopius Group AG. The outlook assigned to both ratings is stable. Zurich-based Sompo …

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ACE Names Hudson as Global Head of Trade Credit Insurance Business

ACE Group announced the appointment of Julian Hudson as head of Trade Credit, ACE Global Markets, effective immediately. In his new role, Hudson will be responsible for the development and profitable growth of ACE’s global trade credit business, the company …

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Zurich Insurance Plans to Exit P&C Business in Middle East After Strategic Review

Zurich Insurance Group Plc said it will stop writing general insurance business in the Middle East at the end of month because of the “limited potential” for profitable growth. The decision to exit general insurance in the region follows a company-wide strategic review. Zurich remains “committed” …

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ACE Announces Claims Leadership Team for Overseas General Insurance Division

ACE Ltd. announced the future claims leadership team it will appoint for the new Chubb Group’s Overseas General Insurance division. The leadership appointments will take effect upon completion of the acquisition of Chubb, which is expected in the first quarter …

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TDI Actuarial Director Receives Top Award from National Insurance Commissioners Group

Texas Department of Insurance reported that Actuarial Director Mike Boerner is this year’s recipient of the Robert Dineen Award, the highest honor for a state regulator bestowed by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC). As chair of an NAIC …

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Wisconsin Contractor Cited 4 Times in 3 Years for Safety Violations

For the fourth time in three years, a Bloomer, Wis., roofing contractor was found ignoring workplace safety laws, federal and state safety officials say. The federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration said Affordable Exteriors was found twice by federal inspectors …

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Nonfatal Worker Injuries Remained Stable in Wisconsin in 2014

Wisconsin’s overall incidence rate of nonfatal occupational injuries and illnesses remained unchanged, at 4.0 cases per 100 equivalent full-time workers in 2014, state workplace safety officials said. The Wisconsin State Laboratory of Hygiene, a part of the University of Wisconsin-Madison, …

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Louisiana Citizens Property Insurance Shedding More Policies

Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon reported that three insurance companies new to Louisiana are participating in the latest round of depopulation of Citizens Property Insurance Corp. Citizens is the state’s property insurer of last resort. Its book of business swelled following …

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Former Texas Agent Pleads Guilty to Fraud, Faces 20 Years in Prison

A 64-year-old former Texas insurance agent has pleaded guilty to wire fraud and money laundering, federal prosecutors say, and faces up to 20 years in prison for what amounted to a Ponzi scheme. U.S. Attorney John M. Bales Eastern District …

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App to Alert Drivers About Emergency Vehicles Being Tested in Michigan

Cory Hohs’ idea was inspired by a close call with a Chicago fire truck on his motorcycle, but his new app, which warns drivers to the presence of emergency vehicle traffic, is being tested first in Grand Rapids, Mich. That’s …

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Donors Paying for Michigan Village’s Police Insurance Policy

A Michigan village that has been the center of disputes over publicly releasing the names of those involved in its police force turned to donors to pay for its more than $20,000 insurance policy this fall. There are roughly 300 …

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Mississippi Gas Station Sued for Violating ‘Larry the Cable Guy’ Trademark

The company that owns trademark and merchandising rights for Larry the Cable Guy says the Giterdone convenience store in Diamondhead, Mississippi, is violating the trademark on the catchphrase Git-R-Done. The store’s response denies the allegations and asks a federal judge …

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Florida Counties Oppose State Fracking Proposal

Dozens of Florida cities and counties oppose a plan to give the state control over the oil and gas exploration process known as fracking. The Tallahassee Democrat reported on Nov. 28 that 20 counties and nearly 40 cities in Florida …

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Prime Risk Partners in Atlanta Hires Schneider as CFO

Prime Risk Partners announced that Robert Schneider has joined the company as executive vice president and chief financial officer. The company, headquartered in Atlanta, is building a national insurance distribution Schneider has held senior financial executive roles, including CFO, at …

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Ex-Allstate Exec Lacher Succeeds Southwell as Kemper President, CEO

Joseph P. Lacher Jr., 46, has joined Kemper Corp. as president, chief executive officer and a member of the Kemper board of directors. At the same time,  Donald G. Southwell, who had previously announced his plans to retire, has relinquished …

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Aging U.S. Nuclear Plants Pushing Limits of Life Expectancy

The U.S. is set to become the first nation to decide whether it’s safe to operate nuclear power plants for 80 years, twice as long as initially allowed. The majority of the nation’s 99 reactors have already received 20-year extensions …

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AIG Reported Considering Sale of Blocks of Business to Narrow Focus

American International Group Inc., the insurer being pressured by activist investor Carl Icahn to boost returns, is considering the sale of blocks of life policies, according to people familiar with the company’s planning. AIG is weighing the exit of some …

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USI Names Peirce Employee Benefits Leader, Producer for Mountain Region

USI Insurance Services has named Robert Peirce employee benefits leader and producer for the Mountain region. Peirce is responsible for driving revenue growth as well as managing a book of prospects and clients for USI in Colorado, Wyoming, North Dakota …

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Virginia Approves 3.4% Overall Increase in Workers’ Comp Loss Costs

The Virginia State Corporation Commission (SCC) announced Tuesday the approval of revisions to the premium levels charged for workers’ compensation insurance in Virginia. The revisions will result in an overall average increase of 3.4 percent for voluntary market loss costs …

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Missouri Hotel Closed after Legionnaires’ Bacteria Found

A hotel in northeast Missouri’s Hannibal is temporarily closed after health officials found evidence of the respiratory-related Legionnaires’ disease there. The Hannibal Courier-Post reports the Best Western in the Mississippi River city closed last week after state and federal health …

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Reward Offered for Information on 86 Suspected Arsons in Louisiana

A $4,000 reward is available for information leading to the arrest of the person or persons responsible for setting 86 suspected arsons that occurred between Aug. 30 and Oct. 21 of this year. The Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry, …

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A.M. Best: Outlook Stable for Missouri Valley Mutual Insurance

A.M. Best has revised the outlook to stable from negative and affirmed the financial strength rating of B+ (Good) and the issuer credit rating of “bbb-” of Missouri Valley Mutual Insurance Co. (Missouri Valley) in Burke, S.D. The rating outlook reflects Missouri …

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Hamilton’s Lloyd’s Operations Appoints 2 Senior Underwriters

Hamilton Underwriting Ltd., the managing agency of Lloyd’s Syndicate 3334, and the Lloyd’s operations of Hamilton Insurance Group, announced the appointment of two senior underwriters who will lead the syndicate’s planned product diversification. Stuart Quinlan has been appointed to the …

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Michigan Places Consumers Mutual Insurance in Rehabilitation

The Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services (DIFS) has placed Consumers Mutual Insurance of Michigan (Consumers Mutual) in rehabilitation. Consumers Mutual has been offering health insurance through Michigan’s health insurance marketplace. The company and the DIFS jointly announced in early November that …

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Texas Insurance Group Says to Lock, Take, Hide on Black Friday

The Insurance Council of Texas is warning shoppers about possible vehicle break-ins on the Black Friday shopping holiday. Criminals will be intent on burglarizing vehicles that may have been left unlocked or simply have phones, I pads, gifts, and other …

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Marijuana Processing Draws Seasonal Workers to California

The annual march of migrant marijuana workers throughout California’s pot-rich North Coast is in full swing but, like the pot industry itself, reaction to the workers’ presence is mixed. Some residents say the migrant workers contribute to the economy, but …

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Sure-Fire Ways to Attract Holiday Car Thieves

While you’re out shopping for Christmas presents, attending a party or just celebrating the season, crooks are casing your car. Car thefts and car break-ins rise in the weeks leading up to Christmas. If you want to bring holiday cheer to a crook,...

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Chicken Salad Pulled off Costco Shelves Due to E. Coli

Authorities say chicken salad from Costco has been linked to at least one case of E. coli in Washington state. The Department of Health, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and other western states are investigating E. coli illnesses …

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19 E.coli Infections Linked to Costco in 7 States

At least 19 people in seven states may have been infected by E. coli after eating rotisserie chicken salad sold at Costco Wholesale Corp.’s stores, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said on Tuesday. Five people have been …

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Search For Source of Chipotle E.Coli in Pacific Northwest Faces Big Hurdles

Investigators looking into the E. coli outbreak at Chipotle Mexican Grill Inc. restaurants face “significant challenges” in finding the source of the sickness, a U.S. food safety detective said. E. coli has sickened more than 40 people who ate at …

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Federal Transportation Officials Want Self-driving Cars on Road Sooner

Federal transportation officials are rethinking their position on self-driving cars with an eye toward getting the emerging technology into the public’s hands, according to a spokeswoman for the U.S. Department of Transportation. Just two years ago, the agency struck a …

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Planet Moves Closer to Dangerous Levels of Warming with 2015 Temperatures: UN

The planet is halfway to dangerous levels of global warming, with the average temperature for 2015 set to eclipse last year’s record, the United Nations said. This year’s average temperature will be “approximately” 1 degree Celsius (1.8 degrees Fahrenheit) above the …

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Thanksgiving Safety Tip: Don’t Rinse That Turkey!

The instructions for many Thanksgiving turkey recipes say to “rinse turkey thoroughly.” However, this is a huge food safety problem, according to Christine Bruhn, PhD, CFS, food science professor from University of Califorina-Davis who is an Institute of Food Technologists …

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Penn. Officials Remind Homeowners to Make Safety a Priority This Thanksgiving

Pennsylvania Fire Commissioner Tim Solobay and Insurance Commissioner Teresa Miller are reminding Pennsylvanians to celebrate Thanksgiving safely. According to the U.S. Fire Administration, the average number of home fires on Thanksgiving Day is normally double the average number of fires …

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Highway Death Toll Takes Troubling Turn: Up 8.1% This Year

The death toll on U.S. highways rose 8.1 percent in the first half of 2015 as low fuel prices contributed to a jump in miles driven by Americans, according to new figures from the Transportation Department. The preliminary figures represent …

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Terrorist Activity Boosts Interest in Travel Insurance

There has been a rise in demand for travel insurance due to recent terrorist attacks, according to an online seller of the coverage. Travel insurance comparison site InsureMyTrip said that since the attacks occurred in France on Nov. 13, the …

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Toy Drones Are Serious Risk to Aircraft: Aerospace Firm

Troy drones can be dangerous and costly to the aerospace industry and consumers, according to a new report from a Texas aerospace and defense firm. The study by Aero Kinetics, a Texas-based aerospace and defense company, examined what might happen when …

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2 South African Insurers Bet $375 Million for West & North Africa Expansion

South African insurers Sanlam Ltd. and Santam Ltd. agreed to buy a 30 percent stake in Saham Finances SA of Morocco for $375 million to gain access to insurance markets in West and North Africa. The stake will be purchased from the …

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What do Thanksgiving and Climate Change Have in Common?

You have to be either strange or bored to Google a phrase like “What do climate change and Thanksgiving have in common?” I am a bit of both. And yes, I did. Anyone who reads this column regularly will note …

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Cyber Attacks on Private Sector Pose Growing Corporate Credit Risk: Moody’s

Cyber attacks on the private sector are an increasingly important risk in corporate credit analysis, U.S. ratings agency Moody’s Investors Service said this week. The threat of computer hacking varies from sector to sector and remains hard to measure because …

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CNA Hardy Continues U.K. Regional Expansion, with Opening of 5th Office

CNA Hardy* has further expanded its regional presence with the opening of its fifth U.K. office, in Birmingham, England. This marks the second U.K. office opening in 2015 for the London-based subsidiary of CNA Financial. In addition, the company has …

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Emerging Markets Are Growth Engines for Re/Insurance Industry: Swiss Re Report

The global economy is expected to strengthen moderately next year, which will support insurance premium growth in most regions, according to Swiss Re’s latest publication titled “Global insurance review 2015 and outlook 2016/17.” Demand for non-life insurance is expected to …

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ACE Appoints Future Leadership Team for Chubb Group’s Latin America Region

ACE Ltd. announced the leadership team it intends to appoint for the Latin America region of the new Chubb Group’s Overseas General Insurance division, which includes Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Mexico, Panama, Peru, Puerto Rico, Central America and the …

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Market Responds to Suggestions that NN Group Acquire Delta Lloyd

Delta Lloyd NV, the Dutch insurer under pressure to bolster capital, climbed as much as 6.6 percent after Rabobank pitched the idea of a purchase by NN Group NV. “There is a scenario possible by which NN Group would acquire Delta Lloyd …

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Tennessee Regulator Receives National Insurance Award

Tennessee Department of Commerce & Insurance (TDCI) Deputy Commissioner Chlora Lindley-Myers was awarded the Robert Dineen Award for Outstanding Service and Contribution to the State Regulation of Insurance. Myers received the award at the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) …

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Florida Podiatrist Using Wife’s Life Insurance to Pay for Murder Defense

A Florida podiatrist accused of killing his estranged wife is using part of her life insurance settlement to pay for his defense. The Tallahassee Democrat reports that 48-year-old Dr. Adam Frasch pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder in the death …

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15 Texas Counties Receive Disaster Declarations from October Storms

Fifteen Texas counties have been declared state disaster areas after October storms and flooding left seven people dead. Gov. Greg Abbott’s disaster declaration covers Bastrop, Brazoria, Caldwell, Comal, Galveston, Guadalupe, Hardin, Harris, Hays, Hidalgo, Liberty, Navarro, Travis, Willacy and Wilson …

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Philadelphia Insurance Launches Craft Brewery & Distillery Coverage

Philadelphia Insurance Companies (PHLY) has launched a new product for craft brewery & distilleries that offers a package policy and other product enhancements. There’s been consistent growth in breweries year-over-year since the early 1990s, and according to Brewer’s Association, some 400-500 …

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Mathieu Appointed President of Collinson Insurance Brokers

Collinson Group has appointed Yasmine Mathieu as president of Collinson Insurance Brokers Inc. (CIB). Based in Little Rock, Ark., she is part of Collinson Group’s global broking team with associates in Dallas and London. Mathieu will report to London-based David Evans, managing …

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Kentucky Governor Orders Nursing Homes to Perform National Background Checks

Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear has ordered nursing homes and other health care providers to run national background checks on all new employees or risk losing their license to operate in the state. Beshear signed the emergency regulation on Nov. 20. …

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South Carolina Governor Requests Crop Insurance Payments be Expedited

South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley wants the U.S. Department of Agriculture to speed up crop insurance payments to farmers who lost their harvests because of last month’s historic flooding. Haley asked Secretary Thomas Vilsack in a letter Monday to activate …

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NORCAL Mutual to Acquire FD Insurance in Florida

NORCAL Mutual Insurance Co. and FD Insurance, a medical malpractice provider for physicians and surgeons in Florida, have signed a definitive agreement for NORCAL to acquire FD Insurance. This acquisition expands NORCAL’s national footprint and establishes Jacksonville, Fla., as its Southeast …

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Doctor Sentenced to Prison in New Jersey Lab Referral Scheme

A Long Island, New York, doctor has been sentenced to prison for his role in a bribery scheme involving a New Jersey lab. A federal judge in Newark, New Jersey, sentenced Brett Halper of Glen Head, New York, to 46 …

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3 Earn Award for Combating Auto Insurance Fraud in Massachusetts

Two police officers and a prosecutor who work in the Northwestern District Attorney’s office in Northampton, Massachusetts, have earned a national award for combating auto insurance fraud. Det. Lt. John Cummings, Trooper Corey Mackey, and First Assistant District Attorney Steven …

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Morrow Joins Maryland Insurance Administration as Associate Commissioner

Maryland Insurance Commissioner Al Redmer, Jr. announced Tuesday the appointment of Robert D. Morrow, Jr. as the state’s associate insurance commissioner for Hearings. As associate commissioner, Morrow will serve as the commissioner’s designee for most quasi-judicial hearings, where aggrieved parties …

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Michigan Insurance Broker Sentenced on Racketeering Charge

A Troy, Mich., insurance broker was sentenced last week to 14 months to 20 years in prison on one count of racketeering, the state attorney general’s office announced. Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette said John Flaherty, 70, was also ordered to pay more …

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Colorado Commissioner’s Ban on Price Optimization Hailed by Consumer Groups

An official bulletin issued by Colorado Insurance Commissioner Marguerite Salazar to insurance companies that prohibits insurance companies banning price optimization techniques in rating customers, is being praised by a consumer group. Price optimization is defined at the use of mathematical analysis …

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Manchester Specialty, Allied World to offer Miscellaneous Medical Program

Manchester Specialty Programs, a national specialty underwriting and insurance program management firm for home care, hospice, medical staffing firms, and miscellaneous medical facilities is now offering a miscellaneous medical suite program through Allied World Insurance. This enhanced product, exclusively available …

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Program Brokerage Corporation Hires Cunningham as Assistant VP in N.Y.

Program Brokerage Corporation, a wholesale brokerage/managing general agency and a subsidiary of Hub International Northeast, has hired Jeffrey Cunningham as assistant vice president, Environmental Liability Program Division. Based out of the New York City office, Cunningham will serve as the …

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Florida Taxi, DMV Battle over TNC Insurance Issue Takes Interesting Turn

The Florida ridesharing lawsuit filed by two taxi companies and an individual against the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FDHSMV) is getting more contentious by the day. Two motions have been filed by the plaintiffs – Florida …

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Questions Arise as More Mass. Residences List Their Homes on Lodging Sites

Marcus Ohanesian and Katie O’Connor’s apartment in Worcester, Massachusetts, is in a “family-friendly neighborhood central to the middle of Worcester” and a short walk to excellent restaurants and bars. Their living rooms, with hardwood floors and walls painted in pastel …

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NAIC Elects Missouri’s Huff President; Other 2016 Officers

State insurance regulators who are members of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) have elected 2016 officers, including Missouri Insurance Director John Huff as president. Other officers elected are President-Elect: Kentucky Insurance Commissioner Sharon P. Clark; Vice President: Wisconsin …

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Mass. Fire Marshal Offers Tips to Avoid Thanksgiving Blazes

Enjoy the Thanksgiving turkey but be careful while it’s in the oven. That’s the message from Massachusetts fire marshal Stephen Coan, who says more fires break out in homes in Massachusetts on Thanksgiving than on any other day of the …

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Michael Jordan, Supermarket Chain Reach Settlement over Name Use

Spokespeople for Michael Jordan and a supermarket chain say there’s a settlement regarding the alleged misuse of the basketball star’s name. The case involves Jewel-Osco’s use of Jordan’s name in a 2009 Sports Illustrated ad. In August, a jury awarded …

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Mass. AG Healey: Insurer Improperly Charged Thousands of Homeowners

The largest force-placed insurance company in Massachusetts has agreed to provide refunds to homeowners to settle allegations that it improperly charged for force-placed insurance policies, Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey announced. Under the terms of the assurance of discontinuance, filed …

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A.M. Best: Outlook Improved for 2 Kansas Mutual Insurers

A.M. Best has revised the outlook to stable from negative and affirmed the financial strength rating of B++ (Good) and the issuer credit rating of “bbb” of Bremen Farmers Mutual Insurance Co. (Bremen) in Bremen, Kan. The ratings agency also revised …

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Claiming Fictitious Charges, Arkansas Residents Sue Energy Firms

Residents of Faulkner, Conway and Van Buren counties have filed a class action lawsuit against five energy companies claiming they made fictitious deductions and charges against royalty owners. The Log Cabin Democrat reports that the 88 residents represented in the …

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Minnesota Officials Aim to Reduce Tractor Rollovers, Farm Deaths

Minnesota officials are targeting tractor rollovers as a way to improve safety on the farm. Key legislators and representatives of three state agencies met for the first time last week to gather information on how other states — including Wisconsin …

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Nevada Issues Health Guidelines Following Cryotherapy Spa Death

Nevada has created health guidelines for cryotherapy after a Las Vegas spa worker was found dead in a tank that subjects users to subzero temperatures, a treatment that experts say has been growing in popularity but is largely unregulated and …

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Utah Man Sues College Over Same-Sex Marriage Discrimination

A Utah man says the college where he worked discriminated against him because he was in a same-sex marriage, denying the couple benefits and forcing him out of a job. Dustin Kennedy said in a new federal lawsuit that an …

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County in Nevada Reconsidering Uber, Lyft Driver Registry Rule

Clark County, Nev. commissioners plan to reconsider a controversial ordinance requiring companies such as Uber and Lyft to hand over a list of their drivers every month. Commissioner Steve Sisolak requested Wednesday that the new rule be considered at the …

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Judge Allows NFL Player’s Fraud Claims Against BofA to Proceed

National Football League player Dwight Freeney can proceed with his lawsuit alleging that Bank of America Corp. was complicit in a fraud scheme that caused him to lose more than $20 million and forced his Rolling Stone restaurant to close. …

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Uber Drivers’ Class Action Raises Worker Classification, Arbitration, Liability Issues

Fifty seven and a half cents for every mile logged. That’s the latest demand from Uber Technologies Inc. drivers in California suing to be treated like employees. Whether the drivers can pursue pay for mileage on their own vehicles going back …

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State-Backed Terrorism Reinsurance Fund Likely to Aid Paris Firms in Recovery

Parisian businesses struggling after the Nov. 13 attacks are likely to be able to make successful insurance claims, helped by a state-backed fund set up in the wake of the Sept. 11 2001 attacks in New York. The carnage in …

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Activist Investor Icahn Ups Pressure on AIG CEO Hancock

Billionaire investor Carl Icahn said he may seek to shake up leadership at American International Group Inc. after Chief Executive Officer Peter Hancock rebuffed his plan to split the insurer into three companies. Icahn will push for a measure that …

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Allianz Plans to Sell Coal Holdings in Response to Climate Change Concerns: CIO

Allianz SE is turning its back on coal as returns evaporate from energy generation that is harmful to the environment. Europe’s largest insurer plans to exit holdings in mining companies and utilities that derive more than 30 percent of their sales or …

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ACE Appoints Leadership Team for Chubb’s Far East Region

ACE Ltd. announced the leadership team it intends to appoint for the Far East region of the new Chubb Group’s Overseas General Insurance division, which includes Japan. The leadership appointments will take effect upon completion of the acquisition of Chubb, …

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ACE Appoints Leadership Team for Chubb’s Overseas General Insurance Division

ACE Limited announced members of the leadership team it intends to appoint for the European Group of the new Chubb Group’s Overseas General Insurance division, which includes Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Gibraltar, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, …

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Allianz Aims to Increase Premiums by $6.9 Billion Annually

Allianz SE, Europe’s largest insurer, aims to generate an additional 6.5 billion euros ($6.9 billion) in annual premiums as the company focuses on its most profitable businesses. The insurer wants to achieve annual earnings per share growth of 5 percent …

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78 Major Firms Urge Governments to Use Carbon Pricing to Curb Global Warming

Leaders of 78 major companies urged governments on Monday to include the pricing of carbon emissions as part of policies to curb global warming, as world leaders prepare for a summit on climate change in Paris next week. Chief executives of the companies, …

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Weather-Related Disasters Occurred Almost Daily in Past Decade: U.N. Report

Weather related disasters such as floods and heatwaves have occurred almost daily in the past decade, almost twice as often as two decades ago, with Asia being the hardest hit region, a U.N. report said on Monday. While the report …

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Florida City Votes to Allow Medical Marijuana Dispensaries

Gainesville, Fla., has moved a step closer to allowing medical marijuana dispensaries to set up shop in the city. City commissioners on Nov. 5 voted to change the city’s land development code to allow dispensaries in certain areas zoned for …

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Alabama Supreme Court Upholds $15M Verdict in Dram Shop Act Lawsuit

The Alabama Supreme Court has upheld a $15 million verdict over a wreck that killed a 13-year-old boy. Al.com reports the court didn’t issue an opinion explaining its decision when it was issued Nov. 20. The verdict was returned in …

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Worley Claims Services Acquires North Carolina-Based RJMW

Worley Claims Services, an insurance claims servicer in the United States, has acquired RJMW Claims Services, Inc., a provider of daily and catastrophe residential and commercial property claims services based in Charlotte, North Carolina. Financial terms of the transaction were …

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Louisiana Company Cited by OSHA After Trench Collapse Fatality

The federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) cited a Baton Rouge, La., company with violations after a trench collapse killed a worker. The federal agency cited Ted Hebert LLC for one “willful violation” and five serious violations and said …

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Texas Sees Continued Increase in Vehicle Crashes, Fatalities

For the fourth year in a row, the numbers of vehicle crashes in Texas involving both injuries and fatalities have risen, an insurance trade group reported. Both numbers began rising dramatically in 2012, when Texas highway speed limits were raised, …

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Health Insurers in Arkansas Owed More than $7.1M in Rebates for 2014

Arkansas consumers and businesses are owed more than $7.1 million from health insurers because those companies collected too much in premiums last year than what they spent on medical care, according to federal officials. The rebates were triggered by the …

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Liberty Insurance Must Pay Attorney’s Fees in Gulf Oil Spill Case

A federal appeals court has ruled against an insurer in its quest to avoid paying attorneys’ fees in litigation stemming from 2010’s Deepwater Horizon oil spill. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit in New Orleans found hollow …

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Google Compare for Mortgages Launched in California, Other States to Follow

Google has official launched the newest addition to its suite of Google Compare products: mortgages. Google Compare for Mortgages was announced​ earlier this year, and is now being made available in California with more states to follow, the Mountain View, …

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South Dakota Rancher Pleads Guilty to False Cattle Loss Claims

A South Dakota rancher has pleaded guilty in federal court to falsely claiming he lost more than a hundred cattle during the autumn blizzard of 2013 that left ranchers in the state reeling with financial losses. Karl Knutson pleaded guilty …

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Audit Finds Wisconsin Insurance Fund Ends FY2015 $6M in Red

The Wisconsin state fund that insures local governments’ property finished the last fiscal year nearly $6 million in the red, according to a report released on Nov. 20. The review from the Legislative Audit Bureau found the fund’s financial position …

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Audit: Oklahoma Workers’ Comp Commission not Tracking Payments

A state audit of the Oklahoma Workers’ Compensation Commission indicates the agency has not been tracking some mandatory assessments. A sample test of claims paid from two funds showed roughly half had no supporting documentation to determine the calculation used …

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Fifth Largest AIG Shareholder, Icahn, May Propose New AIG Director

Activist investor Carl Icahn said he may propose adding a new director to American International Group’s board, since AIG Chief Executive Peter Hancock was unlikely to “sincerely consider” his suggestion to split the company into three. Icahn disclosed on Monday …

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R.I. Taxi Companies Agree to Delay Uber Case Until After Session

Two Rhode Island taxi companies seeking to stop ride-hailing company Uber from operating in Rhode Island have agreed to delay the case until after the legislative session. Orange Cab of Newport and Airport Taxi of Warwick filed a lawsuit in …

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Seniors Fitted for Safe Driving Through Virginia’s Car Fit Program

William Cohen beeped his car horn, making those nearest jump and then laugh. Getting the all-clear from a nearby Albemarle County, Virginia, police officer, the senior driver took off for the parking lot exit in his black SUV. On Nov. …

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Volunteer Beat at Oregon Women’s Shelter Seeks $675K

A volunteer seeks $675,000 in a lawsuit against the Gospel Rescue Mission of Grants Pass, Ore. alleging it failed to protect her from an enraged man whose wife and daughter were at a women’s shelter. The lawsuit and a police …

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Technology to Could Improve Truckers Safety Tested in Utah

Utah is test-driving new technology that could improve safety and fuel efficiency for big-rig truckers. The Utah Department of Transportation started conducting field tests last week of a vehicle-to-vehicle communication system aimed at the trucking industry. The tests were done …

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JLT Specialty USA Announces Addition of Marine Specialty in NYC

JLT Specialty USA, a U.S. subsidiary of Jardine Lloyd Thompson Group plc. (JLT), a specialty-focused provider of insurance, reinsurance and employee benefits related advice, brokerage and associated services, announced the addition of a marine specialty practice. The marine specialty practice …

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Some Asbestos Left Behind in Montana Town Amid Move to End Cleanup

Federal officials say their final analysis of a Montana community wracked by deadly asbestos contamination shows a costly and much-criticized cleanup is working – even though about 700 properties have yet to be investigated. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has …

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Selective Insurance Announces Officer Appointments in New Jersey

Selective Insurance Group Inc. in Branchville, New Jersey, announced the following appointments by its subsidiary, Selective Insurance Company of America. Jamie Beal to assistant vice president, director of Communications. Beal joined Selective in September 2015. Prior to that, she served …

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Three California Men File Suits After E-Cigarette Batteries Explode

Three California men have filed lawsuits against manufacturers, wholesalers and retailers of electronic cigarettes, claiming the products’ batteries exploded, causing severe injuries. The Los Angeles Daily News reported that the three men, one of whom is a former L.A. Galaxy …

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Missouri Insurance Director Huff Elected NAIC President

Members of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) have elected 2016 officers who will will assume their duties on Jan. 1, 2016. President: Missouri Insurance Director John M. Huff President-Elect: Kentucky Insurance Commissioner Sharon P. Clark Vice President: Wisconsin …

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U.K. MGAs Seek Greater Role in Claims Process: MGAA Matters Survey

Managing general agents are keen to be more involved in the claims process because they view claims as a core competence with an intrinsic link to underwriting, according to the latest MGAA Matters Survey.* The fourth quarterly MGAA Matters Survey, which …

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London Insurance Market Vulnerable to Major Cyber Attack: Xchanging Survey

Only one-third of insurers in the London market believes their firm could withstand a major cyber attack, and almost half felt they were underprepared, according to a survey conducted by Xchanging plc, the U.K. business technology and services provider. Insurers, like many …

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Paris Climate Summit Will Seek New Path to Reduce Carbon Emissions

Next week, in the waning days of what is set to be the hottest year on record, world leaders meet on the outskirts of Paris for a summit that seeks nothing less than to steer the global economy away from …

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ACE Names Future Leadership Team for Overseas General Insurance Operations

ACE Ltd. announced the senior leadership team it intends to appoint for the new Chubb Group’s Overseas General Insurance division. This division comprises two major businesses: one with distribution through retail brokers in five regions of the world – Asia …

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ACE Makes Future Leadership Appointments for APAC Region

ACE Ltd. announced key leaders it intends to appoint for the Asia Pacific region of the new Chubb Group’s Overseas General Insurance division, which includes Australia, China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Korea, Macao, Malaysia, New Zealand, Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand and …

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China’s Fosun Completes Acquisition of Remaining 80% Interest in Ironshore

Ironshore Inc. and Fosun International Ltd. announced that Fosun has completed the acquisition of the remaining 80 percent equity interest in Ironshore. Fosun has received approvals from all relevant regulatory authorities in the United States, the United Kingdom and other …

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Labbe Named Asst. VP, Loss Control, for Amerisure’s Southwest Region

Amerisure Mutual Insurance Co. promoted Rod Labbe to assistant vice president of Loss Control, Southwest Region. He is based in Dallas and reports to Kevin Clary, vice president of Loss Control with Amerisure. Labbe assumes loss control leadership responsibility for …

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Cincinnati Insurance Announces Property/Casualty Leadership Changes

Cincinnati Financial Corp. announced that Stephen M. Spray, senior vice president, will transition to commercial insurance operations at Cincinnati Insurance effective Jan. 1, 2016, establishing the leadership perpetuation plan for the segment. Also on Jan. 1, Sean M. Givler, secretary, will …

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MarketScout Launches Professional Liability Practice, Hires McCormick to Lead

MarketScout, the national electronic insurance exchange and specialty MGA headquartered in Dallas, has formed a national professional liability practice with the addition of insurance industry veteran, Laura McCormick. McCormick joins MarketScout as the senior vice president and national practice leader …

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Brown & Brown Acquires Assets of Florida-Based Bentrust Insurance Group

Brown & Brown of Florida, Inc., a subsidiary of Brown & Brown, Inc., has acquired certain assets of BenTrust, which includes Bentrust Financial, Inc. d/b/a Bentrust Insurance Group; Bentrust AIB, LLC, and Florida MGA, LLC d/b/a Delta Dental MGA, according …

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Florida to Put Fences Around Train Tracks After Fatal Crashes

The Florida Department of Transportation says it is planning to install fences around train tracks to avoid more fatal crashes. The Orlando Sentinel reports about $300,000 will go toward the fencing project that will install 6-foot chain-link fences. Steve Olson, …

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Blankenship Case in Limbo in West Virginia as Jurors Struggle to Reach Verdict

After a third full day of deliberations, a jury recessed Friday without reaching a verdict in the criminal trial of ex-Massey Energy CEO Don Blankenship. Jurors had been trying since Tuesday, Nov. 17, to reach a decision. Blankenship is charged …

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3 Tennessee Agents Face Disciplinary Actions, $680K in Fines by TDCI

The Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance (TDCI) announced disciplinary actions taken against three former Tennessee agents for misappropriation, failure to report administrative actions, and felony convictions involving fraud. The punishments were the result of months of work by TDCI’s …

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South Carolina’s Agricultural Flood Loss Estimate Reaches $587M

South Carolina’s estimated agricultural losses from last month’s floods have doubled and farmers statewide are hurting, officials said. State Agriculture Commissioner Hugh Weathers initially estimated losses at $300 million, multiple news media outlets reported. Officials with his agency, however, told …

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U.S. to Pursue Covered Agreement with EU for Re/Insurers

The U.S. Treasury and U.S. Trade Representative announced plans on Friday to negotiate a covered agreement on insurance with the European Union, a move it said will “level the regulatory playing field for U.S-based insurers and reinsurers.” Insurers and regulators …

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FAA Task Force Recommends Requiring Registration for Most Drones

Owners of all but the smallest toy drones will have to register them with the U.S. government before the end of the year if the Obama administration adopts proposals issued by a task force it appointed. Registration — designed to …

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Markel Names Gayner and Whitt as Co-CEOs; Crowley as President

Markel Corp. reported that, Thomas S. Gayner, 53, president and chief investment officer, and Richard R. Whitt, III, 51, president and co-chief operating officer, will serve as co-chief executive officers of the company starting in the new year. In addition, …

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California Worker Injury Rate Lowest in 13 Years

The California Department of Industrial Relations has posted the state’s 2014 occupational injury and illness data, which offers a look at employer-reported injuries involving days away from work. The data shows that the incidence of occupational injuries remained at its lowest …

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If AIG Is Selling, Greenberg Is Listening, Says Lawyer

Maurice “Hank” Greenberg, who spent four decades at American International Group Inc., would consider investing in the insurer he helped build into the world’s largest before the financial crisis, his lawyer David Boies said. “If they’re selling, I think Hank …

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Court Denies Uber’s Appeal of Class Action Filed by Aspiring Employees

A U.S. appeals court this week denied ride service Uber’s request to immediately appeal an order approving class certification in a lawsuit filed by drivers who wish to be deemed employees. The ruling, from the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of …

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Avera Health Buying Health Insurer, DAKOTACARE

Regional health system Avera Health is buying the DAKOTACARE health insurance company, creating what it says will be the second-largest health insurer in South Dakota. The two Sioux Falls-based companies announced their intent Thursday. They did not immediately disclose the …

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Former Baseball Star Jeter in Legal Feud With Maker of Frigo Underwear

Former New York Yankees baseball star Derek Jeter sued luxury underwear company RevolutionWear as he defends himself against allegations he cost the company $26 million by failing to promote its Frigo brand. The former All-Star shortstop is being sued in …

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Drone Registry Task Force to Report on Saturday

The  Federal Aviation Administration task force working on establishing a new drone registry for operators will be reporting its recommendation on Saturday, Reuters reported. The recommendations had been expected on Friday. Speaking to the task force two weeks ago, FAA …

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RLI Enhances Directors & Officers Liability Policy

RLI Insurance Co.’s RLI Executive Products Group has enhanced its Executive Plus Side A Difference in Conditions (DIC) Directors & Officers Liability policy. The Executive Plus policy protects the personal assets of directors and officers when the corporation cannot or …

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Del. Court of Chancery Vice Chancellor Noble to Retire in February

One of the most important venues for U.S. corporate disputes, Delaware’s Court of Chancery, will lose one of its five judges when Vice Chancellor John Noble retires in February. Noble, 64, informed Delaware Governor Jack Markell in a letter that …

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Former Clerk in Iowa Town Charged with Fraud, Burning City Hall

The former city clerk for the small western Iowa city of Casey has been indicted on federal charges alleging she used city funds for personal use and burned down City Hall the night before state auditors were to arrive to …

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Wild Weather Closes Highways, Causes Crashes in North Dakota

Freezing rain and snow passing through North Dakota accompanied by strong winds shut down highways, put school buses in the ditch and led to a triple-fatal crash. The system that began on Nov. 18 was moving out of the state …

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Arkansas Man Who Had Surgery on Wrong Side of Brain Awarded $2M

The family of an Arkansas man left in an impaired state after an operation on the wrong side of his brain has been awarded $2 million by the state’s claims commission. The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette reports the commission announced that it …

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Clark Insurance Hires Nadeau as Account Executive in Maine

Clark Insurance, an independent insurance agency based in Portland, Maine, has hired David Nadeau as account executive for the agency’s Business Insurance Department. Nadeau most recently worked as account executive at Riley Insurance Agency in Brunswick, Maine, and brings to …

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Northern Oklahoma Rattled by Magnitude 4.7 Quake

A magnitude 4.7 earthquake rattled northern Oklahoma and southern Kansas early on Nov. 19. It was the second quake over 4.0 magnitude to strike the northern part of the state in less than a week. Two smaller quakes struck the …

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Orchid Underwriters to Acquire Platinum Partners in Massachusetts

Orchid Underwriters, a Vero Beach, Florida-based managing general agent providing excess & surplus (E&S) insurance for coastal properties, has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Platinum Partners, a Peabody, Massachusetts-based wholesale brokerage focused on the high net worth personal lines …

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MNsure Selects O’Toole to lead Minnesota Insurance Exchange

MNsure has tapped its interim leader to run the health insurance exchange permanently even though she didn’t apply for the job. The health insurance exchange’s board selected Allison O’Toole to remain at the helm. She was chosen over health care …

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Waitt Retiring as TDI General Counsel; Garcia, Strickland to Lead Legal Division

Sara Waitt, general counsel at the Texas Department of Insurance, is retiring in December after 24 years with the agency. TDI Chief Clerk Norma Garcia has been named at the agency’s new general counsel and Associate Commissioner Stan Strickland becomes …

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Tornadoes, Heavy Rain Cause Damage in 10 Mississippi Counties

At least two tornadoes and heavy rainstorms in Mississippi destroyed a mobile home, partially tore a roof off a house, and left a truck driver injured after he drove into a downed tree, state officials said Wednesday. National Weather Service …

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New Mexico Launches Ad Campaign to Deter Drunken driving

New Mexico drivers will hear a different kind of holiday advertisement on the radio in the coming weeks, as the state launches an ad campaign aimed at curbing drunken driving. Gov. Susana Martinez this week announced the $300,000 ad campaign …

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Nevada State Senator Condemns Clark County Fee for Rideshare Companies

Republican state Senate Majority Leader Michael Roberson is calling for an investigation into whether Clark County’s new fees for Uber and Lyft drivers are legal. Roberson issued a strongly worded statement this week, saying the county commission’s decision earlier that …

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Arizona Lawmaker Wants Another Cut to Insurance Company Taxes

One of the top Republican leaders in the Arizona House wants to accelerate cuts to insurance company taxes that were included in a bill he sponsored. Majority Whip David Livingston of Peoria has filed a bill for the upcoming session …

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Large British Insurers Get Major Exemption from Proposed EU Audit Rules

Britain’s biggest insurers will be exempt from having their most important indicator of financial health externally audited under proposals issued by the Bank of England on Friday. New European Union rules will require British-based insurance firms from January to meet …

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RenaissanceRe Syndicate Mgmt. Names Brennan as CEO, Murphy as Chairman

RenaissanceRe Holdings Ltd. announced that Hugh Brennan, currently finance director at RenaissanceRe Syndicate Management Ltd., will become RSM’s chief executive officer, effective for 2016. Brennan joined RenaissanceRe in Bermuda in 2009, subsequently moving to London and assuming a series of …

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Report Card: State-by-State Grades for Extreme Weather Preparedness

Many states across the country are unprepared to face the risks posed extreme heat, drought, wildfires, inland flooding, coastal flooding and other extreme weather events, according to a new report card. Only a small number of states – Alaska, California, …

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El Niño Helps Create Another Record Year for High Temperatures

El Niño is the Earth’s hot, exhaling breath. At least, that’s one way of thinking about it. The blast of heat from deep within the Pacific Ocean will do more in 2015 than just disrupt weather worldwide. It will push the …

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NFL Defends $1 Billion Concussion Settlement Against Critics in Court

The NFL on Thursday asked a U.S. appeals court to uphold a potential $1 billion plan to settle thousands of concussion lawsuits filed by former players. Critics appealing the settlement complain it protects some retirees at the expense of others. …

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How Long Will Health Insurers Remain Patient with Obamacare?

The fate of Barack Obama’s signature health- care law may depend on how long Anthem Inc. and Aetna Inc. are willing to wait before starting to make money off it. The two insurers are on the hot seat now that …

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XL Buys Stake in High-Net Worth Insurer PURE

XL Group Plc, the Dublin-based insurer run by Chief Executive Officer Mike McGavick, acquired a stake in Privilege Underwriters Reciprocal Exchange, which takes on risks for wealthy clients and received funding from KKR & Co. this year. XL holds an …

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Validus Announces Senior Executive Appointments at Talbot Underwriting

Validus Holdings announced a series of senior management appointments at Talbot Underwriting Ltd., its wholly owned subsidiary. Rupert Atkin will retire as chief executive officer of Talbot on Feb. 29, 2016. Peter Bilsby, currently managing director of Talbot, will succeed …

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Brazil Mining Disaster to Lead to Stricter Insurance Standards, Oversight

Brazil’s worst mining accident will lead to stricter insurance standards under a revised version of an industry bill first introduced to Congress two years ago. The cost of damage to communities, loss of life and environmental consequences from the Nov. 5 dam failure …

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ACE Names Keogh as Executive Vice Chairman & Chief Operating Officer

ACE Ltd. announced that John Keogh, vice chairman and chief operating officer, has been appointed executive vice chairman of the company. Keogh will continue to serve as chief operating officer with responsibility for all property & casualty insurance operations of …

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Florida’s Citizens Expanding Clearinghouse to Condo Unit Policies

Starting in December, Citizens will expand its Property Insurance Clearinghouse to condominium unit owners, many of whom will now have immediate access to multiple private alternatives, the company said in its November newsletter. Beginning December 14, new applications for condominium …

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Florida Man Gets 10 Years for West Virginia Pill Trafficking

A Florida man has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for prescription pill trafficking and money laundering. Forty-six-year-old Lester W. Taylor of Daytona Beach, Fla., also was ordered in federal court in Charleston to pay a $10,000 fine. Prosecutors …

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South Carolina Lakefront Property Owners Without a Lake After Floods

South Carolina homeowners living around lakes where dams failed in the historic flooding face uncertainty about when their properties will be waterfront again. The State newspaper reported that rebuilding dams will cost six figures, and state regulators must approve the …

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Maryland Issues Bulletin on Commercial Policy Cancellation Notices

Property/casualty insurers writing commercial policies in Maryland are no longer required to file for approval the cancellation or nonrewal notices they send out to insureds, according to a bulletin from the Maryland Insurance Administration. “With certain exceptions, Maryland law requires …

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R.I. Insurance Superintendent Torti to Leave Post, Join Fairfax Financial

Rhode Island Superintendent of Banking and Insurance Joseph Torti III will leave his post at the end of the year and join Fairfax Financial as vice president of Regulatory Affairs. Torti was appointed associate director and superintendent of Insurance for …

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Texas Agent CE Requirements Changed with Passage of SB876

Senate Bill 876, passed during the 2015 Texas legislative session, reduced the required credit hours for continuing education (CE) for agent and adjuster license renewals to 24 hours for each two-year renewal period and removed the requirement that half of the …

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Norfolk & Dedham Hires Thompson as Finance & Investment Director in Mass.

The Norfolk & Dedham Group, a regional property/casualty insurer based in Dedham, Massachusetts, hired Michael Thompson as director, Finance and Investment. Thompson is responsible for providing overall strategic direction for the finance operation of the company, and will play a …

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Texas Surplus Lines Group Honors Members with Awards, Scholarships

The Texas Surplus Lines Association has presented its “Joe Howse President’s Award” to both Susan Gropp, Arcana Insurance Services, chairperson, 2014 & 2015 Conference Committee and PAC Committee, and Amicia Hine, McClelland & Hine Inc., chairperson, Legislative Committee for their …

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Penn. Judges Recommend $50M Fine Against Rideshare Firm Uber

Judges for the Pennsylvania agency that regulates buses and taxis recommended on Tuesday a record $50 million fine against ride-sharing company Uber for operating in the state without approval. Two administrative law judges issued the decision, subject to approval by …

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ACE’s Souza Named Farm, Agribusiness Manager at AAIS

Robin Souza, a veteran agricultural insurance, is the new product manager for farm and agribusiness programs for the American Association of Insurance Services (AAIS). Souza comes to AAIS from ACE Agribusiness. She previously served in agricultural insurance underwriting, loss control …

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State Auto Companies Name LaRocco, Kunk as Board Chairs

State Auto Financial Corp. has named President and CEO Michael E. LaRocco chairman of STFC to succeed current Chairman Robert P. Restrepo Jr. upon his retirement from the STFC board at the end of the year. STFC’s parent, State Automobile …

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Texas Insurance Trade Group Awards Scholarships to 17 Students

Seventeen students at three Texas universities were recently awarded a total of $34,000 in academic scholarships from the Insurance Council of Texas (ICT) Education Foundation. The students attend St. Mary’s University in San Antonio, Baylor University in Waco and the University …

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Iowa Hospital, Minnesota Insurer Form Insurance Company

Des Moines, Iowa-based hospital and medical clinic company UnityPoint Health is getting into the health insurance business. The company said it has partnered with Bloomington, Minn., health care provider and insurer HealthPartners to create a health insurance company to be …

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Bettendorf, Iowa, Seeks Funds for Buyout of Homes in Flood Zones

Bettendorf, Iowa, officials are seeking federal funding that would allow the city to buy and demolish homes in flood zones. The Quad-City Times reports Bettendorf City Planner John Soenksen presented the plan to apply for Hazard Mitigation Grant Program funds …

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Alliant Hires McCaffrey as Managing Director of Northeast Employee Benefits

Alliant Insurance Services, a specialty insurance brokerage based in Newport Beach, California, hired Daniel McCaffrey as managing director, Employee Benefits – Northeast. McCaffrey will oversee revenue growth and manage the strategic direction of Alliant’s Northeast employee benefits practice. He is …

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Cyber, Property Risks Not Easily Separated: Security Expert

The property/casualty insurance industry must change its approach to cyber security and update its coverage approach to help minimize risks, according to a network security expert. “I don’t think we can easily separate cyber risk and property/casualty risk anymore,” FireEye …

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Douglas Named VP of BerkleyNet in Atlanta

BerkleyNet, a W. R. Berkley Company, has appointed Brian Douglas as vice president, Marketing & Business Development. Douglas has more than 15 years of experience in the insurance industry. A graduate of Valdosta State University, he holds a Master’s degree …

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Paul Hanson Acquires Majority Interest in Universal Insurance in Arizona

Paul Hanson Partners has acquired a majority interest in Universal Insurance Facilities Ltd., a Phoenix, Ariz.-based provider of specialty insurance programs. The new corporation will be branded as Universal Insurance Programs. The deal closed on Nov. 1, and terms were …

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IICF Touts Insurance Industry Volunteer Week Success

More than 8,575 insurance industry volunteers from 76 cities in 30 states provided more than 25,000 hours of service to community nonprofits during the Insurance Industry Charitable Foundation’s (IICF) Week of Giving, according to IICF. Held this year from October …

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Student Sues Pacific University in Oregon for $3M Following Rape

A 20-year-old Pacific University student who says another student raped her has filed a $3 million lawsuit against the Oregon university. The Oregonian reported that the lawsuit says the rape occurred after both students attended a 2013 party for athletes …

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County in Nevada Approves $25 Fee for Rideshare Drivers

The Clark County Commission in Nevada has approved a $25-a-year county-level licensing fee for drivers with ridesharing companies such as Uber and Lyft. County spokesman Erik Pappa said commissioners voted Tuesday to approve the fee, which will also apply to …

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California School Security Officer Arrested for Workers’ Comp Fraud

Valentino H. Douglas, 45, of Rialto, Calif., was arrested and booked into the West Valley Detention Center on multiple counts of felony insurance fraud after receiving more than $112,000 in workers’ compensation benefits for an alleged work injury that actually …

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Heffernan Executive Named California Trucking Association Chair

Tanner Fornesi, assistant vice president at Heffernan Insurance Brokers, has been named vice chairman for the Sacramento chapter of the California Trucking Association. Fornesi’s new duties will include attending monthly steering and planning committee meetings to make budgeting decisions for …

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Insurance Industry Not Alone in Missing the Mark with Millennials

Could it be that the property/casualty insurance industry has company in not feeling the love of millennials? Yes, it could. The Hartford has released new research that shows key industries driving the U.S. economy, including retail, construction and manufacturing, are …

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PartnerRe’s Shareholders Approve Acquisition by EXOR

PartnerRe Ltd. announced Thursday that its shareholders voted to approve the proposed acquisition of the company by EXOR at a special general meeting of shareholders held at the company’s offices in Bermuda. The acquisition of PartnerRe Ltd. by EXOR was …

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Travelers Appoints Casella as Senior VP, International Insurance

The Travelers Companies Inc. announced that Michael Casella has joined the company as senior vice president, International Insurance. Casella will be responsible for furthering efforts to leverage the expertise from the company’s lines of business – personal, business, bond and …

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Tower Watson Sweetens Willis Merger Offer by Doubling Special Dividend to $10

Willis Group Holdings Plc, the third-largest insurance broker, agreed to better terms for Towers Watson & Co. shareholders in a proposed merger after the consulting firm’s investors said that a June agreement was inadequate. The one-time cash dividend will be $10 …

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Zurich Makes Changes to U.K. General Insurance Executive Team

Zurich Insurance has announced  several changes to the executive line up of its U.K. General Insurance business. The appointments are:   Karl Helgesen was named U.K. chief claims officer, effective December 2015, as Tony Emms leaves the business UKGI Chief Operations Officer …

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Activist Investor Icahn on High-Yield Bonds, AIG, Interest Rates

Billionaire activist investor Carl Icahn said he is betting against high-yield bonds, as he sees a bubble among companies that have overborrowed recently, and expects the dollar to keep rallying into next year. Icahn, speaking at the Reuters Global Investment …

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Buffett’s Favored Banker, Trott, Plans European Expansion with London Office

Warren Buffett’s favored banker, Byron Trott, is planning to expand his investment and financial advisory firm BDT Capital Partners in Europe with a London office to attract billionaire clients, sources familiar with the matter told Reuters. Chicago-based BDT, founded in …

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A.M. Best Revises Outlook to Positive for Aspen and Its Subsidiaries

A.M. Best has revised the outlook for the issuer credit ratings (ICR) to positive from stable and affirmed the financial strength rating (FSR) of “A” (Excellent) and the ICRs of “a” of Aspen Insurance UK Ltd., Aspen Bermuda Ltd., Aspen American Insurance Co. (based …

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Aon Benfield Names Nevard Chief Commercial Officer, Global ReSpecialty Unit

Aon Benfield has appointed Russell Nevard as chief commercial officer of its Global ReSpecialty reinsurance division.  He will join the business in April 2016. Based in London, Nevard will report to Robert Bisset, chief executive officer of Aon Benfield’s Global …

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Everest Insurance, AEGIS to Offer Coverage to Energy Industry

Everest Re Group, Ltd. has formed a strategic alliance between its U.S. primary specialty insurer, Everest National Insurance Co., and Associated Electric & Gas Insurance Services (AEGIS). This new partnership will provide primary admitted coverages to AEGIS members, and non-member …

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Analysis: North Carolina Studying Drug Formularies in Workers’ Comp Claims

During the 2015 legislative session, the North Carolina General Assembly authorized and funded a study regarding prescription drug formularies in workers’ compensation claims brought by state employees. While this statute does not create a formulary, it certainly shows that the …

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Northern West Virginia Forms Group to ID Health Care Fraud

State and federal authorities have created a multi-jurisdictional working group to identify and deal with health care fraud in northern West Virginia. U.S. Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld II and representatives of the FBI, the IRS and the state Medicaid Fraud …

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Report: Texas Failing in Assessing, Preparing for Climate Threats

Texas is failing in assessing and preparing for environmental threats posed by climate change, according to a new report. A recently released study by Climate Central and ICF International, States At Risk: America’s Preparedness Report Card, found that Texas is …

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Battle Over Legalizing Marijuana Taking Shape in New Jersey

New Jersey’s Democratic-controlled Legislature took a step toward a showdown with Gov. Chris Christie over legalized marijuana on Monday. A state Senate panel convened a hearing on legalizing the drug, and a leading Democratic lawmaker says it’s time to bring …

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Tornadoes in North Texas Damage Homes, Businesses

Multiple tornadoes hit North Texas late on Nov. 16 and early on Nov. 17, causing property damage. The National Weather Service says at least five tornadoes touched down in the Pampa, Texas, area Monday night. Forecasters in Fort Worth says …

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GEICO 1st Auto Insurer in N.Y. to Offer Digital ID Cards for Policyholders

New York Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo announced that GEICO has become the first insurer in New York State to complete the certification process through the Department of Motor Vehicles to allow customers to begin using electronic ID cards on their …

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St. Louis-Area Taxi Drivers Sue Uber

St. Louis-area taxi drivers suing Uber allege they’ve seen up to a 40 percent dip in business since the ride service began operating in violation of local regulations. The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports that drivers Robert Glynn of Laclede Cab, …

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XL Catlin Expands Yacht Insurance Risk Appetite

XL Catlin, the official insurance partner of the America’s Cup, has expanded its appetite to insure yachts of all sizes. According to Richard DeSimone, chief underwriting officer of Marine in XL Catlin’s Americas region, the bringing together of the Catlin …

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Ohio Working with Active Military, Veterans on Insurance Careers

  Ohio Lieutenant Governor and Insurance Director Mary Taylor is urging Ohioans who are members of the military — both actively serving and veterans — to consider a career in insurance. The state is offering free resources to match military …

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Telematics Changing Drivers’ Behavior: Insurance Research

Telematics devices offered by auto insurers appear to working to change the behavior of drivers. More than half (56 percent) of the 1,135 drivers participating in an Insurance Research Council (IRC) public opinion survey said they have made changes in …

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Deadline Nears for Louisiana Drivers to Pay Lapsed Insurance Fines

Another round of 700,000 collection letters have gone out to Louisiana drivers, notifying them they have 30 days to pay fines for lapsed insurance coverage before their cases get turned over to a state collection agency. In an update on …

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N.J. Gov. Opposes Driver’s Licenses for Undocumented Immigrants

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie said Monday he would veto a bill that that would establish a New Jersey driver’s license for residents who cannot prove they are in the United States legally, dashing the hopes of hundreds of people …

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Fabors Elected President of Texas Surplus Lines Association

The Texas Surplus Lines Association Inc. elected new officers and directors at its 60th annual meeting held Nov. 9 in Austin. The new officers are: President Shawn Fabors, managing director, AmWINS Program Underwriters Inc., Dallas Vice President Teri Brinson, executive …

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Indiana Workers’ Comp Claim Payments Rose Quickly Through 2013

Medical payments per workers’ compensation claim in Indiana were higher and rising faster than in most states examined in a recent study by the Workers Compensation Research Institute (WCRI). The report, CompScope Medical Benchmarks for Indiana, 16th Edition, covers the …

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UT Dallas Recruits Industry Execs for Risk, Insurance Advisory Group

Debra Richardson, director of a new University of Texas at Dallas concentration in risk management and insurance (RMI), plans to have students in that area equipped to fill some of 400,000 industry vacancies anticipated by 2020. And to ensure that …

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Starr Companies Appoints Sanders as Southeast Regional Vice President

Starr Companies has appointed Lisa J. Sanders as regional vice president for the Southeast Region. Sanders will be located in Starr’s Atlanta office, where she will be responsible for the field leadership in the Southeast. Sanders has been in the …

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Excess Line Association of New York Hires Davis as Financial Director

The Excess Line Association of New York (ELANY) has hired James Davis as financial director. Davis will be responsible for the financial review and analysis of all eligible listed excess line insurers to verify their financial strength. He’s based in …

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Regulators Ding California Nuke Plant Operator over Seismic Check

Federal regulators have hit the owner of California’s last operating nuclear power plant with a low-level violation for bungling an earthquake-related safety evaluation when it was swapping out important equipment. The Nuclear Regulatory Commission said Monday that Pacific Gas and …

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Registration of California Tour Bus That Crashed Questioned

California regulators are investigating whether a double-decker tour bus that crashed and injured 20 in San Francisco was properly registered with state authorities. The California Public Utilities Commission said this week that the bus involved in the weekend accident appears …

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Washington Utility Whistleblower Files Retaliation Claim

A Snohomish County Public Utility District employee who alerted the Washington utility board to no-bid contracts given to a former employee says he has been harassed and suffered retaliation since reporting the practices. The utility board launched an independent ethics …

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Beazley Offers ‘Weather Guard’ in Australia for Weather-Related Revenue Losses

Specialist insurer Beazley launched in Australia “Weather Guard,” an insurance policy to protect Australian businesses from weather-related revenue shortfalls. Weather Guard covers weather-related perils that have historically not been offered cover, Beazley said in a statement. “This means it can …

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Towers Watson & Willis Delay Vote on $8.7B Deal, Amid Shareholder Opposition

Towers Watson & Co adjourned a shareholder meeting on Wednesday after it failed to muster enough support for its $18 billion merger with insurance broker Willis Group Holdings, according to two people familiar with the matter. Towers Watson now plans …

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Mine Disasters Show Real Cost of Using Cheap Solutions for Waste Storage

As miners globally review the way they store waste in the wake of another horrific dam spill, the solution may be as simple as it is dramatic: spend a lot more. Images of sludge spewing into towns and rivers could …

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If AIG Won’t Split, Then It Should Sell Pieces: Investor Paulson

John Paulson, the billionaire whose proposal to split American International Group Inc. into three companies was rebuffed by Chief Executive Officer Peter Hancock, would also support an alternative plan for the insurer to sell units, according to people familiar with …

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Tianjin Port Explosions to Cost Industry at Least $2 Billion: Insurer Filings

Insurer Talanx AG’s $122 million loss from port explosions at Tianjin, one of China’s worst industrial disasters, takes the net hit incurred by insurers across Europe, the U.S., Bermuda and Asia to at least $2 billion, according to filings by 27 …

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Federal Reserve Pressured to Narrow Emergency Bailout Powers

The Federal Reserve is on the verge of relinquishing the tools it used to rescue American International Group Inc. and Bear Stearns Cos. That probably won’t appease lawmakers who’ve said they’re still concerned the central bank might abuse its powers …

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Testing Firm Wins FTC Data Privacy Case But Closes Business

An administrative judge has dismissed the Federal Trade Commission’s data security case against cancer testing company LabMD, marking the first defeat for an agency that has successfully brought such cases against dozens of companies. In a ruling posted late on …

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Willis Launches Electronic Accounting Platform for Faster Premium, Claim Payments

Willis Group Holdings has launched Willis Accounting, a new global electronic accounting platform designed to speed up cash flow and settle claims more quickly with carriers and clients. Following a successful pilot, Willis Accounting replaces traditional paper and email delivery …

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Islamic State’s Business Model Must Be Disrupted: Bloomberg Editorial

What it means for a European nation and member of NATO to declare war against a stateless band of terrorists is an interesting and important question, made urgent by Islamic State’s brutal attack on Paris last Friday. As Europe and …

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A.M. Best Downgrades Georgia-Based Century Casualty Co.

A.M. Best has downgraded the financial strength rating (FSR) to B (Fair) from B+ (Good) and the issuer credit rating (ICR) to “bb+” from “bbb-” of Century Casualty Co. based in Alpharetta, Ga. The outlook for the FSR has been …

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Gov. Haley Establishes South Carolina Flood Relief Fund

South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley called on people across the nation Monday to contribute to the One SC relief fund to rebuild homes following last month’s historic flooding, saying it can do what the government can’t. “While the debris has …

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Flood Warnings in Effect for Rising South Carolina Coastal Rivers

Forecasters are warning of rising river levels near the South Carolina coast. The National Weather Service said a flood warning is still in effect for the Santee River near Jamestown in Berkeley County. At 6 p.m. Sunday the river was …

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New Hampshire Lawmakers Expected to Create Drug-Focused Task Force

New Hampshire state lawmakers are expected to create a task force aimed at tackling New Hampshire’s substance abuse crisis when they return to Concord, New Hampshire, on Wednesday for a special session. If all goes according to plan, the task …

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RLI Launches Reps & Warranties Liability Policy

RLI Insurance Co.’s Executive Products Group has created a new Representations and Warranties Liability Insurance policy. RLI’s new Representations and Warranties Liability policy offers protection to buyers and sellers involved in corporate mergers and acquisitions from financial losses due to …

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WCRI: New Jersey’s Med Payments Per Workers’ Comp Claim Stable

Medical payments per workers’ compensation claim in New Jersey were stable from 2010 to 2013, in contrast to rapid growth in the 2008 to 2010 period, according to a recent study by the Workers Compensation Research Institute (WCRI). The report, …

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Florida Couple Awarded $14.5M in Geico Uninsured Motorist Lawsuit

A former chiropractor and his wife have won a $14.5 million jury verdict in a lawsuit filed over a 2004 car crash that involved a motorist with no insurance. Attorney Crane Johnstone says a Miami-Dade jury sided with David and …

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BKS-Partners Adds Former Thompson to Insurance Team in Florida

Florida-Based Baldwin Krystyn Sherman Partners (BKS-Partners), an independent insurance brokerage firm, has appointed former Tampa Bay Rays Outfielder, Rich Thompson, as Commercial Risk and Employee Benefits advisor. Prior to joining BKS, Rich served as an audit senior associate with KPMG. …

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Wisconsin Assembly Set to Pass Self-Insurance Oversight Bill

The Legislature’s budget-writing committee would have to approve any contract moving Wisconsin public workers into a self-insurance model under a bill up for approval in the state Assembly. The measure being debated on Nov. 16 comes as Gov. Scott Walker’s …

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Delaware OKs 7.2% Increase in Work Comp Voluntary Market Loss Costs

Delaware Insurance Commissioner Karen Weldin Stewart today announced the approval the Delaware Compensation Rating Bureau (DCRB)’s workers’ compensation amended rate filing, resulting in an overall average increase of 7.09 percent in residual market rates and 7.20 percent in voluntary market …

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Settlement OK’d in Class-Action Suit Against Tulsa Appraisal Firm

A settlement has been reached in a class-action lawsuit on behalf of former residents of the old mining town of Picher, Okla., against a Tulsa-based appraisal firm involved with the federal buyout of property in the area. The Joplin Globe …

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Louisiana Hosts Saudi Arabia, Philippines Insurance Regulators

The Louisiana Department of Insurance is hosting insurance regulators from Saudi Arabia and the Philippines as part of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) International Fellows Program. First established in 2004, the program aims to advance working relations with …

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Risk Strategies Adds Harder as VP in Chicago Office

National insurance broker and risk management firm, Risk Strategies Co., has added Alan G. Harder in its Chicago office as vice president. Harder joins a week after Risk Strategies acquired Chicago-based M.G. Welbel & Associates. Harder brings an extensive background in …

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Trucker in Fatal Oklahoma Crash Had History of Synthetic Drug Use

The truck that killed four members of a college women’s softball team in Oklahoma last year was driven by a Texas man with a history of using synthetic marijuana, U.S. safety investigators found. Russell Staley needed help for his dependency …

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Study: Mass. Independent Agents Have Over $1B Financial Impact on Economy

Eight years after the introduction of managed competition for private passenger auto insurance and the influx of direct writers and direct response companies into Massachusetts to compete with independent agencies, a new study commissioned by the Massachusetts Association of Insurance …

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Minnesota Bars Use of Price Optimization in Insurance Rates

Minnesota Commerce Commissioner Mike Rothman has ordered insurers doing business in Minnesota to stop the practice of price optimization in setting rates for auto and homeowners insurance. Rothman said the anti-consumer practice violates state law because it unfairly discriminates by …

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AIG Eases Bylaws on Nominating Directors

American International Group Inc. said it has amended its bylaws to allow some shareholders to nominate directors in the proxy statement for its annual meetings. Under the by-law amendments, a shareholder or group of up to 20 shareholders who own …

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California DMV’s Pedestrian Pace on Self-Driving Car Rules Makes Google Antsy

Hustling to bring cars that drive themselves to a road near you, Google finds itself somewhere that has frustrated many before: Waiting on the California Department of Motor Vehicles. The tech titan wants the freedom to give the public access …

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Wanted by U.S.: Monitor for Takata Air Bag Recall

U.S. auto safety regulators this week invited outside companies and individuals to apply for the job of independent monitor for the massive recall of Takata Corp air bag inflators. In a Web posting, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration set …

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Report: Workers’ Comp Reform Saving California’s System $770M Annually

The Workers’ Compensation Insurance Rating Bureau released this year’s evaluation of California’s workers’ comp reform law. The WCIRB Cost Monitoring Report — 2015 Retrospective Evaluation is part of a multi-year cost monitoring plan developed by the WCIRB following the signing …

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Top Cyber Threats for 2016 and Next Five Years

Businesses and organizations should expect cyber criminals to attack through wearable devices, employees’ home systems, cloud services and automobiles within the next year, according cyber experts at Intel’s McAfee Labs. By 2020, individuals could be receiving payment for sharing their …

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AXA’s Property Unit to Develop Tallest London City Skyscraper

AXA Investment Managers – Real Assets, the property unit of Europe’s largest insurer, won approval from the City of London borough to develop an office tower at 22 Bishopsgate near the skyscrapers nicknamed The Cheesegrater and The Gherkin. The 62-story building …

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The Price of Price Optimization in Insurance

The use of price optimization in insurance pricing is drawing increased attention and could be the next big industry battle. Or it could not be. Consumer groups and a growing contingent of states are labeling the practice as unfairly discriminatory …

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U.S. Clarifies Policy on Prosecutions of Executives for Fraud

The U.S. Justice Department renewed its push to charge executives in corporate fraud cases, encouraging companies to come to them early even if they can’t yet identify individual wrongdoers. Deputy Attorney General Sally Quillian Yates clarified the department’s new policy …

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ACE Appoints Matthews as Claims Client Relationship Manager for UK & Ireland

ACE appointed Judy Matthews as claims client relationship manager for the U.K. and Ireland, as it continues to invest in its client-facing claims management team for ACE’s global accounts division. Matthews will work closely with ACE’s business leaders and claims …

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U.K.’s Chancellor of Exchequer to Double Budget to Fight Cyber Terrorism

Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne will double funding for Britain’s cyber defenses as Europe braces itself for further attacks from Islamist extremists. The U.K. will spend 1.9 billion pounds ($2.9 billion) countering Islamic State’s use of the internet for …

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El Niño Expected to Become One of Strongest on Record: U.N.’s Weather Agency

The El Niño weather pattern, a phenomenon associated with extreme droughts, storms and floods, is expected to strengthen before the end of the year and become one of the strongest on record, the U.N. weather agency said on Monday. The World Meteorological …

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Global Acts of Terrorism Cost $52.9 Billion in 2014 – Highest Price Since 9/11

In the wake of Friday’s massacre in Paris, a new report says the world is paying the highest price for terrorism since the 2001 attack on New York’s Twin Towers. In 2014, acts of terror cost the world $52.9 billion — roughly the size of Bulgaria’s …

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Storm Barney to Raise Flood Risk & Damaging Winds Across U.K.

Barney, the second storm to be named by the U.K. Met Office this season, was expected to bring additional rain and damaging winds to the United Kingdom, according to a report issued by AccuWeather. “Barney will be a fast-moving storm, …

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Family of Naked Man Shot by Atlanta Cop Sues for Wrongful Death

The family of an unarmed naked man fatally shot by an Atlanta-area police officer has filed a federal wrongful death lawsuit. The lawsuit against the DeKalb County Police Department, Officer Robert Olsen, the county and its board of commissioners was …

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Defense Rests in West Virginia Mine Blast Trial, Blankenship Stays Mum

Former Massey Energy Chief Donald Blankenship won’t take the witness stand to explain what happened when a company mine exploded in 2010 killing 29 workers, choosing instead to leave his fate in the hands of jurors at his criminal trial …

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El Nin᷈o Talk Growing Louder Amid Southern California Storms

A whopper of a winter appears to be brewing for the Western U.S. and more conversations are turning to preparations for what could be one of the strongest El Nin᷈os on record. Strong rains throughout much of California and snow …

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4 New York Business Owners Charged in Workers’ Comp Fraud Sweep

The New York inspector general’s office announced the arrests of four New York state business owners on fraud and theft charges as part of an ongoing series of investigations into employers and employees who defraud the state workers’ compensation system. …

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Endurance Partners with W. Brown Associates for U.S. Aviation Risks

Endurance Specialty Holdings Ltd., a Bermuda-based specialty provider of property and casualty insurance and reinsurance, has entered into an exclusive joint underwriting agreement with W. Brown Associates to provide general liability and property coverages for a wide range of general …

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Vermonters Encouraged to Check for Unclaimed Funds

The Vermont Treasurer’s office says it has about $71 million in unclaimed financial property and is encouraging Vermonters to see if any of it is theirs. The property includes misplaced savings or investments, insurance policies, abandoned security deposits and uncashed …

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New Jersey’s Overall Workers’ Comp Rates to Remain Unchanged in 2016

New Jersey’s Compensation Rating and Inspection Bureau said the state’s commissioner of Banking and Insurance has approved a filing providing for no change in the overall level of workers’ compensation and employers liability rates and rating values currently in effect. …

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Ex-New York Senate Leader Skelos, Son Face Federal Corruption Trial

For the second time in a month, one of New York State’s biggest political figures is going on trial in a case brought by a federal prosecutor crusading against corrupt elected officials. Jury selection begins Monday in Manhattan federal court …

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Washington Jury Finds Auditors Liable for $10M in Madoff losses

A Seattle, Wash. jury has found of Ernst & Young liable for half of more than $20 million lost by a Washington investment company in the wake of Bernie Madoff’s multi-decade investment scam. FutureSelect Portfolio Management attorney Steven Thomas said …

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Confie Acquires California Insurance Specialists

Confie has acquired California Insurance Specialists, Confie announced on Monday. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. Wayne Pratt, who joined CIS in 1976, and Randy Parker, who joined in 1993, will continue as president and senior vice president of the …

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Allianz Names Mackowiak Team Leader in Colorado

Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty has named Mandy Mackowiak as a team leader for the mountain states territory. Mackowiak will be based in the Denver, Colo. field office. She will be responsible for leading an underwriting team to grow the …

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Philippe Marie-Jeanne Appointed Chief Data Officer of AXA Group

AXA has appointed Philippe Marie-Jeanne as chief data officer (CDO) of the AXA Group, in addition to his role as head of the Data Innovation Lab. He will report to Véronique Weill, member of the AXA Group Management Committee, AXA Group …

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Ryan Specialty Acquires UK’s Hunter George & Partners, M&A Specialist MGA

Ryan Specialty Group (RSG), the Chicago-based global specialty insurance services business, has reached an agreement to acquire Hunter George & Partners Ltd., the London-based specialist managing general agent (MGA) focused on insurance solutions for mergers and acquisitions. Hunter George founders …

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Allianz Specialty Names Christie to Head Global Broker Partnerships

Allianz Group’s specialist corporate insurer Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty (AGCS) has named Rani Christie as head of global partnerships, effective Jan. 1, 2016. In this position, Christie will be responsible for global broker partnerships and general oversight of major …

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UK’s Xchanging Receives Takeover Offer from Software Maker Ebix for $684M

Insurance software maker Ebix Inc said it made a takeover approach for Xchanging Plc, valuing the outsourcing company at about 450 million pounds ($684 million). Ebix said it sent a letter to Xchanging outlining a potential cash offer for the …

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Robusto to Leave Chubb to Head CNA Financial in 2016, Succeeding Motamed

Long-time Chubb Insurance executive Dino E. Robusto will become chairman and chief executive officer of CNA Financial Corp. in December 2016. Robusto, who is  executive vice president of Chubb and president of commercial and specialty lines, will succeed Thomas F. …

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Jury Finds Ernst & Young Liable for Faulty Madoff Audits

Ernst & Young LLP was found liable by a jury for its failure to vet financial audits backed by con man Bernie Madoff’s accountant in the first trial of an auditor over losses tied to the biggest Ponzi scheme in …

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Berkshire Hathaway Lowers Investment in Goldman Sachs

Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway Inc. reduced its investment in Goldman Sachs Group Inc. by 13 percent during the third quarter. The billionaire investor’s Omaha, Nebraska-based firm said it owned almost 11 million shares at the end of September, the company …

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Consumer Groups, Unions Form Coalition to Oppose Health Insurer Mergers

Two U.S. consumer groups announced the formation of a coalition with New York labor unions last week to press antitrust regulators to oppose big insurance mergers that would cut the number of nationwide for-profit health insurers from five to three. …

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Allianz Forms ‘Digital Transformation’ Unit; Various Senior Execs Appointed

To foster the digitalization of Allianz Group, a new unit called “Digital Transformation” will be established at Allianz SE, the company announced. Solmaz Altın (41), currently CEO of Allianz Turkey, will be appointed chief digital officer to head this unit …

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History Shows Economies Are Resilient After Terrorist Attacks

The French economy has history on its side. From the attacks of September 11 to those on Spain in March 2004 and London in July 2005, industrial economies have proven more resilient to terrorism than first feared, according to those …

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Brazil Mine Disaster Could Devastate Ecosystem for Many Years

The collapse of two dams at a Brazilian mine has cut off drinking water for quarter of a million people and saturated waterways downstream with dense orange sediment that could wreck the ecosystem for years to come. Nine people were …

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South Carolina Officer Charged with Murder Sues Association Over Legal Benefits

A former South Carolina police officer charged with murder in the death of an unarmed black motorist is suing a police association, saying the group failed to provide the legal representation he paid for under an insurance plan. Attorneys for …

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Florida Supreme Court Cancels Medical Marijuana Amendment Hearing

The Florida Supreme Court has canceled a Dec. 8 hearing it had scheduled to consider a measure to legalize medical marijuana. The court announced the decision on Friday. The move comes a few days after Attorney General Pam Bondi said …

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100-Year-Old South Carolina Man Dies After Driving Car into Tree

Authorities say a 100-year-old man has been killed after the car he was driving on a private road at a gated South Carolina island resort ran into a tree. S.C. Highway Patrol Lance Cpl. Hannah Wimberly said the wreck happened …

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Newest Brightway Agency Opens in Florida

The newest Brightway Insurance Agency, The Patrick James Agency, has opened in Miami Lakes, Fla., by agency owner, Patrick James. Brightway is a national property/casualty insurance retailer selling through a network of franchised independent agencies throughout the country. James has …

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Illinois Department of Insurance Reports ‘Inadvertent Data Release’

The Illinois Department of Insurance (DOI) reported that it mistakenly allowed the Social Security numbers of some health care providers to be posted publicly. The DOI  said it learned on Nov. 9 of an inadvertent data disclosure involving health care …

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$7.1M Settlement in Louisiana Red-Light Camera Suit OK’d

A $7.1 million settlement of a class-action lawsuit involving the controversial red-light camera system used in Louisiana’s Jefferson Parish from 2007 until 2010 has been approved. The Advocate reports checks will go out in January to 147,000 people who were …

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Feds: Indiana Workplace Safety Agency Understaffed, Too Slow

A federal review of Indiana’s workplace safety agency faulted it for having too few inspectors, slow responses to complaints and missing potentially deadly hazards. The U.S. Department of Labor’s annual evaluation of the Indiana Occupational Safety and Health Administration found …

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Louisiana Parish Drops Wetlands Suits Against Oil, Gas Companies

A coastal Louisiana parish has voted to drop its lawsuits against oil and gas companies over damages officials had said the oil industry caused to wetlands by digging numerous canals. The Plaquemines Parish council voted to dismiss 21 suits it …

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Central Texas to Get Souped-Up Flooding Forecast System

Come May 2016, turbocharged forecasts capable of faster updates as conditions change will be used to predict flooding on Central Texas rivers, an innovation expected to give emergency managers more lead time to prepare for problems downstream. “What if you …

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Louisiana Citizens Property Insurance to Shed More Policies in 2016

Louisiana’s property insurer of last resort expects to shift about 10,000 policies to private insurance companies for 2016, a move that will reduce premiums by roughly $20 million. Interim Chief Executive Officer Vijay Ramachandran told The Advocate seven private companies …

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State Auto Names Centers Sr. VP, General Counsel

State Auto Financial Corp. has appointed Melissa A. Centers as senior vice president, secretary and general counsel. She succeeds Jay Yano, who passed away in September. Her in-house legal practice focuses on information technology, employment, corporate governance and other transactional …

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Illinois Budget Mess Leaves Families’ Flood Buyouts in Limbo

After the Mississippi River flooded four years ago, more than 100 Illinois families agreed — some reluctantly — to sell their homes to the government for demolition so they could move to higher ground. With the paperwork finally coming together …

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The Competitive Advantage: Agency Prices

Agency prices are likely at all-time highs, albeit only a handful of very specific buyers are paying such high prices. They are setting the mark making acquisitions unaffordable for many regular agencies that do not have Wall Street money or …

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Fraternity Files $25M Defamation Suit Against Rolling Stone

The fraternity that was the focus of a debunked Rolling Stone article about a gang rape filed a $25 million lawsuit against the magazine Monday, saying the piece made the frat and its members “the object of an avalanche of …

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XL Catlin Expands Equipment Breakdown Insurance Team

XL Catlin’s North America Property business has expanded its North America underwriting team responsible for its monoline equipment breakdown insurance. XL Catlin’s Equipment Breakdown team’s new underwriting recruits include: Amanda Hernandez in San Francisco – Hernandez has more than a …

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N.Y. Congressman Urges Investigation of State’s Handling of Health Republic

U.S. Rep. Chris Gibson (R-N.Y., 19th district) formally requested New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli investigate the state Department of Financial Service’s oversight of the failed Health Republic insurance co-op. State and federal regulators decided to close Health Republic, …

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Everest Re Adds Inland Marine Unit to U.S. Specialty Platform

Everest Re Group, Ltd., has expanded its U.S. specialty insurance platform, Everest National Insurance Co., with the introduction of a new dedicated Inland Marine underwriting team. Everest National is pursuing a broad and comprehensive strategy in the implementation of its …

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Arkansas Sets Workers’ Comp Benefits for 2016

The Arkansas Workers’ Compensation Commission has determined that the maximum weekly workers’ comp rates for 2016 for covered accidents will be $646 for total disability (TD) and $485 for permanent partial disability (PPD). For injury or death on and after …

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Florida AG Won’t Fight Medical Marijuana Measure

Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi, who loudly opposed a medical marijuana measure that appeared on the 2014 ballot, is staying on the sidelines this time around. Bondi said she is still opposes the effort to legalize medical marijuana, but the …

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Hub Northeast Hires Nguyen as New Business Development Associate

Hub International Northeast, a division of Hub International Limited, has hired Katie N. Nguyen as new business development associate focusing on sales initiatives for employee benefits, health insurance, disability, and life insurance. Nguyen will be based out of the firm’s …

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Jury in Washington Awards $21.5M to Man Hurt by Cruise Ship Door

A federal jury in Seattle, Wash. awarded $21.5 million in damages to an Illinois man who was injured by an automatic sliding-glass door on a cruise ship in 2011. The verdict included $16.5 million in punitive damages. James Hausman’s attorneys …

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N.H. GOP Leaders Say Substance Abuse Proposals Need More Work

New Hampshire’s Republican lawmakers said they would rather create a legislative task force during a special session planned for next week to study some of Gov. Maggie Hassan’s proposals to combat the state’s substance abuse crisis instead of having lawmakers …

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Official Files $123K Claim Following Arizona University Mascot Pounce

A suburban Phoenix official filed a claim against Arizona State University, saying the school mascot seriously injured his back when the costumed character playfully leaped on him at a football game two months after surgery. But Tempe City Councilman David …

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University of Oregon Sued by 2 Ex-Counseling Center Workers

Two former University of Oregon counseling center employees say they were shunned, criticized and threatened with dismissal at the UO after they blew the whistle on superiors who had seized a student’s therapy records, a civil lawsuit filed this week …

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Oklahoma Grass Fires Burn Houses, Barns

Authorities say a large grass fire in northeastern Oklahoma that burned two houses and several barns has been mostly contained. Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management spokeswoman Keli Cain tells The Oklahoman a large fire in Nowata County merged with one …

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California Hearing Officer Caught Cashing Dead Client’s Settlement

A California workers’ compensation hearing officer was arrested for allegedly trying to steal a settlement check from his client. Department of Insurance detectives arrested Ramon Humerto Otero, 37, of Adelanto, and Efrain Heredia Ojeda, 43, of Corona, on multiple felony …

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Cooper Gay Swett & Crawford to Sell North American Business

Cooper Gay Swett & Crawford (CGSC), the U.K.-based global wholesale, underwriting management and reinsurance broking group, announced today that, following a strategic review of its group businesses, the company will pursue a sale of its North American business unit (CGSC …

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Hudson Insurance Group Appoints Honken as Sr. VP, Commercial Auto

Hudson Insurance Group (Hudson) has appointed Ronald Honken to a newly created position as senior vice president of all commercial auto business. He will be based in Hudson’s Indianapolis office. Honken will direct the underwriting for the company’s auto-related business and …

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More Firms Could Feel Heat from New York AG’s Climate Change Disclosure Win

The New York state attorney general’s office, which told Peabody Energy this week to give investors more details about how its sales would suffer from measures to curb global warming, is now mulling whether the tactic it used with the …

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HSB Engineering Insurance Launches Cyber Insurance Cover for U.K. SMEs

HSB Engineering Insurance has launched a new cyber insurance product aimed directly at small to medium-sized businesses in the U.K. In response to the growing demand for insurance solutions to cover cyber risks, HSB’s Cyber Insurance product provides computer, data …

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Claims Deadline for Sunken Cargo Ship El Faro Set

A federal judge has set a deadline for damage claims filed by relatives of crewmembers who were lost aboard a cargo ship that sank last month in Hurricane Joaquin. U.S. District Court Judge Harvey Schlesinger set Dec. 21 as the …

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Brazil Slaps Initial Fine of $66 Million Against Mine for Burst Dam Disaster

Brazil’s president slapped preliminary fines of 250 million reais ($66.2 million) against a mine in the country’s southeast where two dams burst, killing nine people and coating a two-state area with mud and mine waste. The fines, announced after President …

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Integro Acquires Ellis Clowes, UK-Based Motorsports Specialty Broker

Integro Ltd., the New York-based insurance broker and risk management firm, has become “the world’s leading motorsports insurance broker,” with the acquisition of Lloyd’s broker Ellis Clowes. Financial considerations of the transaction have not been disclosed. London and New York-based …

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International General Insurance Co. Appoints Mauduit as Head of PI

International General Insurance Holdings (IGIH)* has appointed Chris Mauduit as head of professional indemnity (PI) at its London business IGI UK. Mauduit has 35 years’ experience and joins from Catlin where he worked since 2003, setting up the company’s PI and …

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Tokio Solution Appoints Lane and Harigai as Co-CEOs

Bermuda-based Tokio Solution Management Ltd.* has appointed Susan Lane and Tsuyoshi (Harry) Harigai as co-CEOs, effective Jan.1, 2016. Lane and Harigai will assume the leadership of Tokio Solution from current CEO, Kathleen Faries, who will become head of the Bermuda …

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UK’s Xchanging Receives Takeover Bid from Computer Sciences Corp. for $640M

Outsourcing company Xchanging Plc , which has already accepted a takeover offer from Capita Plc, has received a proposal from U.S.-based Computer Sciences Corp. that values the company at about 421 million pounds ($640 million). Shares in Xchanging – which …

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South Carolina Puts Dam Owners on Notice for Big Bills

South Carolina’s environmental agency is warning dozens of property owners they could face substantial bills for not submitting plans as ordered for repairing dams damaged or destroyed in last month’s historic flooding. Violation notices began going out Nov. 6 to …

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Irwin Siegel Agency Hires Huft as Executive Underwriter in Georgia

Irwin Siegel Agency, a program administrator based in Rock Hill, N.Y., has hired Christal Huft as executive underwriter. She is based in Kennesaw, Ga. Huft has served the insurance industry in various capacities for nearly 20 years. While she began …

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Florida Issues Final Order for NCCI to Decrease Workers’ Comp Rates by 4.7%

The Florida Office of Insurance Regulation (OIR) has approved an overall decrease of 4.7 percent in workers’ compensation insurance rates in Florida. Following the disapproval of its original rate filing request, the National Council on Compensation Insurance (NCCI) submitted additional …

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Brinck Insurance Group Hires Burns for Aviation, P/C Expertise

Brinck Insurance Group in Springfield, Mo., has hired Roni Burns as the company’s newest agent. Burns, who is a private pilot, will specialize in aviation insurance as well as property and casualty insurance. Prior to joining Brinck Insurance Group, Burns served …

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Professional Casualty Association Enters Michigan Medical PL Market

Medical professional liability insurer, Professional Casualty Association (PCA), has been approved for operations by the Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services as a licensed and admitted carrier, effective Nov. 2, the company announced. The company’s products will be offered …

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Insurance Women of Texas Members Earn National Alliance Scholarships

The National Alliance recently awarded six scholarships to members of the Federation of Insurance Women of Texas, Inc. (FIWT) at their 71st Annual Convention held in Corpus Christi, Texas. The CIC and CISR scholarships were awarded at a special recognition …

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