Mississippi Issues Cease and Desist Order to Agency Accused of Misappropriating Premiums

Investigators from the Mississippi Insurance Department have issued a Cease and Desist Order to LaDonna Carlisle Lightsey and the Carlisle Agency, LLC operating in Waynesboro, Miss. Lightsey is a nonresident insurance producer and is also the owner/operator of the Carlisle …

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Takata Confirms Location, Fatality in Crash of Truck Carrying Air Bag Equipment

Air bag maker Takata Corp. has confirmed that a truck carrying its inflators and a volatile chemical exploded in a Texas border town, killing a woman and injuring four others. The truck, operated by a subcontractor, crashed, caught fire and …

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Leak of 33K Gallons of Chlorine at West Virginia Chemical Plant Under Investigation

Officials are investigating the cause of a chlorine leak at a chemical plant near Proctor, West Virginia. The Intelligencer reports that 33,000 gallons of liquid chlorine leaked Saturday from a rail car inside Axiall Corp.’s Natrium chemical plant. Department of …

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Senate Candidate Eldridge, Arkansas Democrats Back Medical Marijuana

Democratic U.S. Senate hopeful Conner Eldridge has endorsed legalizing medical marijuana, a move that comes days after Arkansas Democrats voted to support making the drug available to some patients. But both Eldridge and state Democrats stopped short of endorsing either …

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Brightway Opens Branch Location in Harahan, Louisiana

Brightway Insurance has expanded its network of insurance retail locations to Harahan, La., with the opening of Brightway, The Schmidt Agency. The new agency is owned by Chris Schmidt, who has extensive sales and recruiting experience to Brightway, mostly in …

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Commentary: It is a Catastrophe that No One Listens to the Experts on Florida

“If you don’t read the newspaper, you are uninformed. If you do read the newspaper, you are misinformed.” Although the author is unknown, this comment is often attributed to Mark Twain or Thomas Jefferson. Having spent more than 27 years …

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New York Set to Expand Medical Marijuana Program

New York state will loosen rules on marijuana prescribing, allow home delivery of the drug and take other steps to expand its medical cannabis program, health officials announced on Tuesday. The announcement follows a report issued earlier this month by …

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Prescription Drug Use Up, Out-of-Pocket Spending Down Under Affordable Care Act: RAND

People who gained health coverage following the implementation of the federal Affordable Care Act’s coverage expansion sharply increased their use of prescription drugs, while their out-of-pocket spending for medications dropped significantly, according to a new RAND Corp. study. Researchers studying …

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Judge Finds $28M Uber Payout for Rider Fee Class Action Unfair

Uber Technologies Inc. was dealt another rejection of a legal settlement, this time in a case over claims the company misled riders when it charged them a $1 “safe rides fee” that earned the company almost half a billion dollars. …

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How Kilkenny and Kimmel Have Grown K2 Insurance Services

Pat Kilkenny and Bob Kimmel put the K’s in K2 Insurance Services five years ago. That’s when they began using their combined 60 years of insurance experience to work buying up and developing businesses with the backing of investment firm …

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Officials in Alabama Test 540 Workers at Hyundai Plant for TB

An Alabama public health official says 540 workers are being tested for possible tuberculosis infection at the Hyundai automobile plant outside Montgomery. The tests and evaluations Tuesday came after an employee at the plant was confirmed to have pulmonary tuberculosis. …

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Renters’ Insurance and Millennials: If You Make it Simple, They Will Come

There’s a new website aimed at changing the way millennials deal with buying insurance – but it’s focused on a widely under-served segment of the insurance market – renters’ insurance. Launched by two young insurance agents Tom Austin and Zachary …

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ICW in California Names Guthrie Vice President of Customer Experience

San Diego, Calif.-based ICW Group Insurance Cos. has named Kristin Guthrie vice president of customer experience. At this new position for the company, Guthrie will be reporting directly to Chief Operating Officer David Hoppen. Guthrie was vice president of customer …

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Woodruff-Sawyer Names Meister Assistant Vice President in Southern California

Woodruff-Sawyer & Co. has named John Meister assistant vice president in the firm’s Southern California office. Meister will work at developing and implementing growth opportunities for Woodruff Sawyer and further advancing the office’s employee benefits practice. Meister was a benefits …

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Brightway, Preston Trail Adds Estrada And Wyatt-Crawford in Texas

Brightway, Preston Trail has added Temeji Wyatt-Crawford, senior producer, and Amanda Estrada to the team of agents to help consumers in North Dallas, Texas with their insurance needs. Wyatt-Crawford and Estrada have nearly a decade’s worth of experience. Wyatt-Crawford has …

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Tropical Weather System Approaches Southeast States

Crowds thinned Tuesday on the beaches of North Carolina’s Outer Banks ahead of a tropical weather system that threatened to bring strong winds and heavy rains that could flood low-lying areas. Elsewhere, a powerful hurricane threatened to pass “dangerously close” …

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How Florida Insurers Can Prepare for Claims from a Major Hurricane

After eight hurricanes in two years between 2004 and 2005, we haven’t seen a hurricane in Florida for over 10 years. Has the state learned from those storms? Are the insurance companies ready? What about the independent adjusting companies, do …

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7 Ways to Avoid a Shifty Mechanic

First of all, know that not all mechanics are shady. That said, it’s always a good idea to be discerning when taking your car to a new shop. A good start is to ask around to see if any of your friends can give you a recommendation based on t...

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Amtrak Wins Partial Appeal to Recoup Insurance for Sandy Repairs

Amtrak secured a partial U.S. appellate court win on Wednesday in its efforts to recoup insurance coverage after the railroad service sustained more than $1 billion in losses during Superstorm Sandy in 2012. The 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals …

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Iowa in Middle of Debate Over ‘Shadow Insurance’ Deals

  For cash-strapped life insurance companies, the deal sounds almost too good to be true: A state law allows them to create complex financial instruments to transfer liabilities to new subsidiaries, instantly wiping huge debts off their books. So-called “shadow …

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Elderly Healthcare in APAC Will Cost US$20 Trillion over Next 15 Years: Marsh Report

Elderly healthcare in the Asia Pacific region will cost more than US$20 trillion between 2015 and 2030, according to a report published by Marsh & McLennan Cos. The report titled “Advancing into the Golden Years – Cost of Healthcare for …

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Catlin Updates ‘Active Assailant’ Cover to Include Use of Road Vehicles in Attack

XL Catlin announced it has updated the wording of its “Active Assailant” coverage to include the use of road vehicles in an attack. Stephen Ashwell, XL Catlin’s chief underwriting officer for Crisis Management, said: “The tragic events that took place …

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Sompo Canopius Launches U.S. Ocean Marine Unit; Hires XL Catlin’s Ellis to Head

Sompo Canopius AG is diving into the U.S. ocean marine business.  The global specialty insurer and reinsurer, which is wholly-owned by Sompo Japan Nipponkoa Insurance Inc., calls this a “significant expansion” of its U.S. business that will complement its marine …

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Consortium and Kansas County Announce Drone Emergency Response Deal

The Property Drone Consortium and emergency managers for Marion County, Kan. announced a public-private partnership under which the consortium will provide the county with an unmanned aerial system, sensor and resources. The county plans to deploy the system in the …

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Dubai International Financial Centre Grows 16%, Despite Economic Slowdown

The Dubai International Financial Centre said the number of companies based in the hub grew 16 percent during the first half even as lower oil prices and slowing economic growth forced some banks in the United Arab Emirates to cut …

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Pot Club Petition to Enable Denver Tourists to Partake Insufficient for Ballots

A Denver, Colo. proposal to give marijuana tourists clubs to legally use the drug has failed to make city ballots this fall. But a second proposal to allow some marijuana use at bars and restaurant still awaits word on whether …

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University of Colorado Business School Settles Discrimination Suit for $40k

The University of Colorado has paid a former business school staffer $40,000 to settle a federal gender discrimination complaint. The Daily Camera reported that Robin Miglarese, the former associate director of operations in executive education for the Leeds School of …

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Farmers Insurance in California Names Elliott Head of Human Resources

Los Angeles, Calif.-based Farmers Insurance has named Suzie Elliott head of human resources. With her new appointment, Elliott also becomes part of the group’s senior leadership team. She will report to Deborah Aldredge, chief administrative officer for Farmers Group Inc. …

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Pennsylvania’s Henderson Brothers Hires Grealish as a Consultant

Henderson Brothers Inc., a Pittsburgh, Penn., based insurance broker, has hired Daniel W. Grealish as a consultant in its commercial lines division and an LPL registered representative in its retirement division. In his new role, Grealish will work to develop …

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New Jersey High Court Rules in Favor of CGL Coverage for Subcontractor Faulty Workmanship

New Jersey has joined several other U.S. states in deciding that if a subcontractor’s defective work damages parts of a general contractor’s project, the damages are covered under the general contractor’s standard commercial general liability (CGL) policy. The New Jersey …

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Private Firms Added 177K Jobs in August; Economy Nears Full Employment

Private sector employment increased by 177,000 jobs from July to August, according to the August ADP National Employment Report. Small and medium-sized businesses were responsible for more than 100,000 of the new hires. Professional and business firms accounted for more …

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New Hampshire Encourages Proper Coverage for College Students This Fall

The New Hampshire Insurance Department is advocating that families sending students to college get the right insurance coverage for their children. “We recommend that when college students and their families prepare for the beginning of the school year, they discuss …

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Fire Destroys 19th Century Massachusetts Farmhouse

A central Massachusetts farmhouse dating to 1800 has been destroyed by a fire. The Worcester Telegram & Gazette reports that emergency crews responded to a three-alarm fire early Sunday at a home known as the Goodrich Model House. Firefighters extinguished the …

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Hiscox Sells Hong Kong Division of DirectAsia to Well Link Group Holdings

Hiscox, the specialist insurance group, has completed the sale of the Hong Kong division of its DirectAsia business to Well Link Group Holdings Ltd., having received regulatory approval from the Office of the Commissioner of Insurance (OCI) in Hong Kong. The business will …

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Fosun Plans IPO of Health-Care Assets

Fosun International Ltd., the flagship of the Chinese conglomerate that owns Club Mediterranee SA, signaled the company will announce information related to initial public offerings of its health-care assets before the end of the year. News about the matter and …

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Typhoon Lionrock Makes Landfall in Japan, Bringing Landslides, Floods & Deaths

With strong winds, drenching rain, high surf, and coastal flooding, Typhoon Lionrock made landfall in the Tohoku region of Japan Tuesday evening local time, near the city of Ofunato in Iwate Prefecture, according to an advisory from catastrophe modeling firm …

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Judge Denies Another Trump Bid to Block Fraud Lawsuit Against University

Donald J. Trump and his now-defunct real-estate university lost another legal attempt to block former students from suing as a group in a California case accusing the Republican presidential candidate of fraud. Trump University is accused of cheating students by persuading them …

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Cellcontrol and Ohio Mutual Form Partnership to Tackle Distracted Driving

Cellcontrol and Ohio Mutual Insurance Group have formed a new strategic partnership targeting distracted driving on the nation’s roadways. In response to the unprecedented rise in auto accidents in the U.S., Ohio Mutual is joining forces with Cellcontrol work with …

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Monsanto Whistleblower Gets $22 Million

A former Monsanto Co. executive who tipped the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission to accounting improprieties involving the company’s top-selling Roundup product has been awarded more than $22 million from the agency’s whistleblower program, the executive’s lawyer said on Tuesday. …

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Homes Evacuated, 7 Workers Treated After Chemical Interaction at North Carolina Plant

Authorities in North Carolina say seven workers were treated at a hospital for minor injuries and several nearby homes were evacuated as a precaution after cleaning chemicals interacted at a meat packing plant in the community of Tar Heel south …

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ARH Hospitals in Kentucky, West Virginia, Hit by Computer Virus

Federal authorities are investigating after a computer virus infected all electronic services of the Appalachian Regional Healthcare system in Kentucky and West Virginia. The system is dealing with technical complications, said ARH spokeswoman Melissa Cornett in a statement released Saturday. …

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More Than 1K Bee Hives Stolen From Florida Bee Farmers

Southwest Florida bee farmers are having a difficult summer because thieves have been stealing their hives, lots of them, to the tune of $150,000 or more. So far, none of the hundreds of stolen hives have been recovered, law enforcement …

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Ohio Mutual Offering Distracted Driving Prevention Device to Policyholders

Ohio Mutual Insurance Group plans to offer its policyholders distracted driving technology from Cellcontrol to help reduce distracted driving claims. Cellcontrol is a combination hardware device and software. A toll booth like reader, called DriveID, is affixed to the inside …

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Bus Driver in Fatal Louisiana Wreck Previously Cited for Lack of License

Louisiana State Police say a bus driver accused of killing two people in a five-vehicle wreck on Sunday had been ticketed Aug. 5 for driving without a license. Trooper Melissa Matey says 37-year-old Denis Yasmir Amaya Rodriguez of Honduras was …

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Group Asks Arkansas Court Asked to Block Measure on Medical Lawsuit Caps

  A group opposed to a ballot proposal that would place limits on damages in medical lawsuits asked Arkansas’ highest court to block voting on the proposed constitutional amendment in November. Fairness for Arkansans, a group that was formed by …

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Iowa Agency Proposes Fine for Theme Park over Safety Issue

An Iowa agency has proposed fining Adventureland park after an investigation prompted by the June death of a worker at the theme park. Officials have said Steve Booher was fatally injured June 7 when the Raging River ride started unexpectedly …

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Nearly 60K New Orleans Homes Moving Out of High-Risk Flood Zone: CoreLogic

New data analysis released by CoreLogic indicates that in Louisiana’s Orleans Parish, which encompasses the city of New Orleans, nearly 60,000 homes with a reconstruction cost value of more than $12 billion will no longer be located in a designated …

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Dill Joins Higginbotham as Commercial Broker in Houston

Insurance and financial services firm, Higginbotham, has hired commercial property/casualty insurance broker Ryan B. Dill as associate at its Houston practice. Dill joins Higginbotham’s 110 local insurance, risk management and employee benefit professionals after six years in business development with …

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10 Insurance News Reports from 10 Years Ago

In August, 2006…. Blackberries, Palms and Nokias were out there but smartphones were not the ubiquitous device they are today; it would be 10 months before the iPhone would burst on the scene. How else did the world, specifically the …

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Allianz Launches Inland Marine Cargo Insurance Product

Allianz Group’s specialist corporate insurer Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty (AGCS) has launched Transportation Block 2020, a fully integrated and comprehensive inland marine cargo insurance product, complete with risk management services. Specifically, it features new cover for a range of …

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Lubbock Settles Federal Police Hiring Discrimination Lawsuit

A West Texas city has settled a 2015 federal lawsuit that alleged police discriminated against Hispanics and women in hiring entry-level officers. Lubbock agreed to pay affected individuals to settle the Department of Justice lawsuit. The city, in the voluntary …

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Opposing Sides File Briefs in Challenge to Oklahoma’s Work Comp Opt-Out

The constitutionality of Oklahoma’s workers’ compensation alternative, the Oklahoma Option, which was established in the 2013 overhaul of the state’s workers’ comp system, is currently being challenged in an appeal to the state Supreme Court. The Oklahoma Employee Injury Benefit …

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Milwaukee Brewers Sued by Woman Hit by Baseball

A New Jersey woman who was hit by a baseball during batting practice before a Brewers game in 2014 has now sued the team. Dana Morelli, 47, of Glendora, New Jersey, claims in her lawsuit that the Brewers and their …

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2 Dead, 36 Hurt After Bus Hits Fire Truck, Other Vehicles

Louisiana State Police say a Honduran man who had entered the United States illegally was driving a bus carrying flood recovery workers that hit a firetruck on a highway, killing two people and injuring dozens. Trooper Melissa Matey says the …

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O’Donnell Promoted to Senior VP, Risk Practices at Hylant

Toledo, Ohio-based insurance broker, Hylant, promoted Kevin O’Donnell to senior vice president, Risk Practices. O’Donnell will lead the property, marine, global risk, casualty, environmental, executive risk, aviation, property risk control, surety and claims risk practice areas. He will work closely …

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Dakota Access Pipeline Worker Killed in Accident, Official Says

A man working on the four-state Dakota Access oil pipeline was killed in an apparent accident in western North Dakota, a state regulator said. North Dakota Public Service Commissioner Brian Kalk said the man, whose name has not been released, …

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Woman High on Drugs and Driving on Rim and Sparked California Wildfires

Fire officials in southern California say a car driven by a woman high on drugs has sparked several wildfires that so far have burned 450 acres and prompted evacuations. Authorities say Renee Hogan was arrested Sunday. The California Highway Patrol …

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Brexit Vote Prompts Inquiries from Insurers Weighing Opening Offices in Dublin

Ireland says the Brexit vote has led to a jump in inquiries from London firms considering opening offices in Dublin, one of a handful of European cities trying to draw business away from Britain’s financial center. Irish officials say they …

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Restaurant Programs of America Taps Enos as VP of Sales in California

Restaurant Programs of America LLC has named Peter M. Enos vice president of sales in the firm’s Los Angeles office. Enos has for 25 years provided risk management solutions to clients in a variety of specialties including restaurants, hospitality, health …

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Low Interest Rates Pose Unknown Risks for European Insurers: CEO of Gjensidige

Cheap money could have unknown consequences for Europe, according to the chief executive officer of Gjensidige Forsikring ASA, Norway’s largest listed insurer. “It’s a sign of sickness for the economies in Europe when rates are this low,”  Helge Leiro Baastad, …

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Hospital Surgery Rates for Workers’ Compensation Vary Widely

Hospital rates for outpatient surgery paid by workers’ compensation vary significantly across states with states with fixed fee schedules having lower surgery costs for injured workers. Workers compensation costs for injured worker surgery also vary a great deal from Medicare …

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How Public Universities Are Transferring Risks to Private Sector

U.S. public universities are increasingly turning to public-private partnerships to develop student housing and other campus projects, sometimes using the structure to transfer borrowing and liability risks to the private sector. Over the last five years, there has been an …

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Governor Cuomo Reviewing Bill to Establish Fines for New York Airbnb Users

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo must soon decide whether to authorize hefty fines for many people who offer to rent out their New York City apartments on Airbnb. Meanwhile, the online booking service said it’s policing its website to remove …

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UK’s Aviva to Hire JPMorgan’s Singh to Head Global M&A, Source Says

Aviva Plc hired Chetan Singh, a managing director at JPMorgan Chase & Co., to head its mergers and acquisitions globally as the British insurer scouts for deals outside its home market. Singh, who led dealmaking for financial institutions in Southeast …

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Tokio Marine in Talks to Acquire RHB’s Non-Life Insurance Unit: Sources

Tokio Marine Holdings Inc. is in exclusive talks to buy RHB Bank’s general insurance unit in a deal that also includes an agreement to distribute the Japanese insurer’s products through the Malaysian lender, people familiar with the matter told Reuters. RHB, Malaysia’s …

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Asian Regulatory Changes Could Hike Demand for Local Reinsurance: Fitch Ratings

Various regulatory initiatives in Asian markets could lead to greater demand for local reinsurance capacity as direct insurers rethink risk management strategies and appetite, according to a report published by Fitch Ratings. “Asian regulators have implemented – or are in …

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Brazil Mine Disaster Caused by Poor Drainage & Design of Tailings Dam: Report

The deadly collapse of a tailings dam last November at the Samarco mine, owned by Vale SA and BHP Billiton, was caused by drainage and design flaws, a report into Brazil’s worst-ever environmental disaster showed on Monday. The 76-page report …

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4 Cyber Risk Misconceptions Popular with Midsized Firms

Despite frequent reports of hacking, cybercrime, security breaches and related events in all parts of the U.S., many middle market companies continue to underestimate their exposure to these attacks along with their need for focused risk management measures, which may …

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Lawsuit Filed After Railing Collapse Injures 17 at New Jersey Snoop Dogg Concert

A lawyer representing 17 people injured when a railing collapsed at a Snoop Dogg and Wiz Khalifa concert in New Jersey earlier this month is suing the performers and the venue’s owner. The suit filed Wednesday in Philadelphia doesn’t specify …

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P/C Insurers Must Improve Underwriting Amid Competitive Pressures: Fitch

Property/casualty insurers in North America saw their operating income decline by double digits in the first half of 2016, as investment income plunged and catastrophe losses rose. Fitch Ratings looked at 44 insurers and reinsurers that are either publicly traded …

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A.M. Best Downgrades Ratings of Florida-Based American Capital Assurance

A.M. Best has downgraded the financial strength rating to A- (Excellent) from A (Excellent) and the issuer credit rating to “a-” from “a+” for American Capital Assurance Corp (ACAC) of St. Petersburg, Fla. These rating actions follow the recent transaction …

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Tennessee OSHA Head Says Spike in State Worker Deaths ‘Alarming’

The head of the Tennessee Occupational Safety and Health Administration says a spike in on-the-job fatalities last month is “alarming.” TOSHA administrator Steve Hawkins tells WPLN-FM four of the 10 deaths in July were on construction sites. Most of the …

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North Carolina’s Fort Bragg Launches Program to Tackle Aggressive Driving

Officials at Fort Bragg in N.C., say they’re expanding a driver improvement program aimed at cutting down on aggressive and dangerous driving on post. The Fayetteville Observer reports that starting Sept. 1, service members could lose their on-post driving privileges …

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Obama Signs Kentucky Disaster Declaration for July Storm Damage

President Barack Obama has signed a disaster declaration for parts of Kentucky affected by storms in early July. The White House said in a news release Friday that the declaration covers damage from storms, tornadoes, flooding, landslides and mudslides that …

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California Insurance Agent Nabbed for Fraud Scheme Involving 100-plus Policies

Vicki Lee McGinley, 58, a licensed insurance agent in California, was arrested by the Kern County Sheriff’s department on seven counts of identity theft and seven counts of insurance fraud after allegedly misrepresenting policy and premium information to clients resulting …

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State Insurance Commissioners Name New Jersey’s Hartt to Financial Oversight Panel

The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) has appointed Peter L. Hartt, director of New Jersey’s Insurance Division, to a two-year term as the state insurance commissioner representative on the Financial Stability Oversight Council (FSOC). Hartt will represent the interests …

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Lockton Opens New Oregon Operation, Names McClave Producer

Lockton Insurance Brokers has opened a new commercial insurance operation in Portland, Ore. Andrew McClave has been named producer the office. He has been advising clients on risk management and property/casualty insurance issues for a decade, including for the past …

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ADM Settles Ponzi Scheme Suit by Missouri Farmers; Terms not Disclosed

Agribusiness Archer Daniels Midland has settled a lawsuit over claims the company was behind a now-imprisoned grain broker’s scheme that gouged millions from dozens of Missouri farmers. The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports that Thursday’s confidential settlement ended a civil trial …

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Arkansas Judge: Hospital Can’t Be Blamed in Suit Over Woman’s Medical Records

An Arkansas judge has ruled the hospital where a TV anchor died can’t be blamed for the wrongdoing of two former hospital workers who illegally looked at her medical records after she was hospitalized. The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette reports Pulaski County …

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Analysis: Louisiana Will Need Congress to Help After Flooding

Insurance payments and traditional federal aid programs won’t be enough to respond to the catastrophic flooding that ravaged tens of thousands of homes across south Louisiana, wrecking entire subdivisions and devastating entire cities. Louisiana, once again, will be asking Congress …

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Court: Michigan Car Insurance Fund Public but Records Can Be Withheld

A new court decision will keep the public’s eyes from records of an auto insurance fund. The Michigan appeals court says the state Catastrophic Claims Association is a public body, but lawmakers legally carved out an exemption from public records …

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New Illinois Law Makes Insurance Companies Find, Pay Beneficiaries

Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner has signed legislation requiring insurance companies to locate beneficiaries of unclaimed life insurance policies and pay them money they’re owed. The Republican said Friday the state also is launching a website to help Illinois residents find …

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Louisiana Flood Victims Eligible for State Sales Tax Refunds

Louisiana residents in presidential declared disaster areas impacted by the March and August floods can file for a refund of state sales tax they paid on personal property destroyed by the floods, according to State Treasurer John Kennedy. “The state …

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Truck Hauling Takata Air Bag Inflators to Texas Site Explodes; 1 Killed

A truck transporting Takata Corp air bag inflators and propellants that are at the center of a global recall exploded in Texas earlier this month, resulting in one death and four injuries, the embattled auto parts supplier said. The truck …

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Lawyers for Washington Landslide Victims Accuse State of Fraud

Attorneys for victims and family members in the deadly 2014 landslide in Washington state have accused state lawyers of orchestrating a fraud to hide the truth by deleting emails between defense expert witnesses. In a motion filed Tuesday, the attorneys …

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Family of Arizona Instructor Killed by Girl with Uzi Sues Gun Range

The family of an Arizona shooting range instructor who was accidentally killed by a 9-year-old girl with an Uzi has sued the business, alleging it should not have allowed a child to use the high-powered weapon. The wrongful-death lawsuit seeks …

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Court Sides with California-based Grocer Trader Joe’s in Knockoff Suit

A U.S. court has the authority to hear a trademark lawsuit by grocery chain Trader Joe’s against a man who purchased the company’s products and resold them in Canada at “Pirate Joe’s,” a store designed to mimic a real Trader …

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Navigators Appoints New Leadership for Restructured Claims Operations

The Navigators Group Inc. has restructured its leadership team for its global claims organization. Glen Bronstein has been promoted to the newly created role of global chief claims officer. Bronstein joined Navigators to lead the U.S. claims organization in May …

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Earth Gains Coastal Land Areas as Manmade Expansion Outpaces Sea Level Rise

The Earth has gained coastal land equivalent to the size of Jamaica in the past 30 years with man-made construction outpacing erosion caused by rising sea levels, mapping data showed on Thursday. Expansion of ports off China, construction of luxury …

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AIG, Chub, XL Lead in $1 Billion U.S. Cyber Insurance Market: Fitch

About 120 U.S. insurance groups wrote an estimated $1 billion in cyber insurance direct written premiums in 2015, according to Fitch. Fitch aggregated the cybersecurity statutory supplement data for the U.S. property/casualty (P/C) insurance industry and analyzes the cyber insurance …

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Integro Expands Reinsurance Presence in Latin America with HRL Alliance

International broker and risk management firm Integro announced an agreement with HR Latinoamerica Ltda. Corredores de Reaseguros (HRL) to serve as HRL’s exclusive London wholesale reinsurance trading partner. The licensing agreement grants HRL Colombia use of the Integro name and …

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Judge Grants Uber’s Request to Put New York Price Fixing, Arbitration Lawsuit on Hold

A federal judge on Friday granted a request by Uber Technologies Inc. and its chief executive officer to put a passenger’s price-fixing lawsuit against them on hold, while they appeal his refusal to let them arbitrate the dispute. Calling his …

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CNA Hardy Builds Financial Institutions Offering with Goodair & Bazell Appointments

CNA Hardy, a London-based specialist commercial insurance provider for clients within the Lloyd’s and company markets, announced the appointment of Alec Goodair as UK financial institutions (FI) manager and Suzannah Bazell as FI underwriter. Reporting to John Taylor, head of …

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Woman Dies After Falling 35 Feet From Zip Line Ride at a Delaware State Park

Delaware State Police say a woman who died after tumbling from a zip line ride fell from a platform about 35 feet off the ground. Authorities say 59-year-old Tina Werner of Felton was waiting to descend on the zip line …

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Would-Be Drone Pilots Flock to Take First U.S. Licensing Test

Thousands of would-be drone pilots are racing to get licensed under new U.S. regulations that have opened an aerial stampede. More than 3,300 have signed up to take the test on Monday, the first day it’s available, and the U.S. …

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Typhoon Lionrock Projected to Strike Near Tokyo

Typhoon Lionrock is projected to make landfall in Japan in the next day or two and could strike near Tokyo, just a week after another tropical cyclone pummeled the Japanese capital with rain and winds. The large and “very strong” …

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U.S. Proposes Requiring Speed Limit Devices on Trucks, Buses

Trucks and buses in the United States may have to be equipped with devices to limit their speed under a proposed rule issued on Friday by the U.S. Transportation Department which said the move could save both lives and fuel. …

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GM Is Winning Ignition-Switch Defect Trials

General Motors Co.’s victory in a Houston courtroom Thursday makes the carmaker three for three in trials related to an ignition-switch defect, but its legal entanglements may stretch on for years. At least a dozen lawsuits are set for trial …

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USAIG Launches Safety Program for Unmanned Aircraft Systems

United States Aircraft Insurance Group (USAIG) has introduced a safety program called Performance Vector Unmanned, created specifically for policyholders who insure unmanned aircraft systems. The new program aims to keep safety at the forefront, which is especially critical considering that UAS …

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How One Big Bank Is Targeting Millennials by Mobilizing Car Buying, Financing

Millennials, countless surveys will tell you, are not fans of big banks. They are smart, price-sensitive consumers who are far more likely than older customers to switch lenders if they find a better deal. They are also a huge, irresistible demographic …

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Sinkhole 2 Lanes Wide Opens on Miami Turnpike

A sinkhole two lanes wide has opened up on the southbound side of Florida’s Turnpike near Hard Rock Stadium in Miami-Dade. According to the Miami Herald the sinkhole has brought traffic to a standstill on the Turnpike, closing lanes and …

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Country Fresh Vegetables Recalled from Southeast Stores

Fresh-cut vegetables are being recalled from grocery, discount and convenience stores across the Southeast because the food may be contaminated with potentially fatal Listeria bacteria. Conroe, Texas-based Country Fresh Inc. said Friday that the recall involves its vegetable products shipped …

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Bystanders Hold up Collapsing Roller Coaster in Georgia, Save 6 Kids

Fire officials say several bystanders held up a kiddie roller coaster that had begun to collapse in Georgia, allowing six children and one adult to escape. Georgia Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner spokesman Glenn Allen says the group held the …

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Starr Companies Opens Nashville Office, Hires Ponder as Branch Manager

Starr Companies has added Michael Ponder as the branch manager for its newly-opened Nashville office. He will be responsible for strategic growth, financial performance as well as broker and client relationships within Tennessee. Ponder joins Starr with more than 14 …

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Metal Theft Remains an Expensive Problem for Insurance Industry

Metal theft became a growing concern post financial crisis due to rising global demand for scrap metal, and although economic conditions have slowed demand recently, this expensive crime is still causing headaches for the insurance industry. “[Metal theft] is a huge mess …

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Outlooks for Wisconsin Mutual Insurance Revised to Positive: A.M. Best

A.M. Best has revised the outlooks to positive from stable and affirmed the financial strength rating of A- (Excellent) and the issuer credit rating of “a-” of Wisconsin Mutual Insurance Co. (WMIC) in Madison, Wis. The revised outlooks reflect WMIC’s trend of strong …

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Caltrans Settles Lawsuit over Construction Site Death

The California Department of Transportation has settled a wrongful death lawsuit brought by the parents of a 24-year-old woman who was killed by a drunk driver while working on a nighttime paving project. Attorneys for both sides told the Fresno …

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Mobile Homes, not Travel Trailers, Headed to Louisiana after Deadly Flooding

Mobile homes will fill front yards across southern Louisiana again, just like after Hurricane Katrina, as federal authorities bring in temporary housing for thousands of people displaced by catastrophic flooding. These houses, though, will be on blocks and strapped down …

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Sex Toys in Hand, Univ. of Texas Students Rally Against Campus Carry Gun Law

Hundreds of University of Texas students waved sex toys at a campus rally during the first day of classes, protesting a new state law that allows concealed handguns in college classrooms, buildings and dorms. Organizers said the sex toys were …

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At Least 12 Tornadoes Strike Indiana, Ohio

A wave of severe storms produced at least a dozen tornadoes in Indiana and Ohio earlier this week, damaging homes and businesses but causing no serious injuries, authorities said as crews worked to restore power and remove fallen trees. The …

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Illinois, Missouri Handle Problem of Uninsured Drivers Differently

Dan McMullen is an insurance agent in Ferguson, Mo. His Solo Insurance office is on West Florissant Avenue, the epicenter of the trouble two years ago. The building next to his office burned into ruins. There aren’t many millionaires among …

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IIAD’s Land named InVEST Volunteer of the Year

The InVEST Program has named Tammy Land, executive director of the Independent Insurance Agents of Dallas (IIAD) with the Dach Award. The Dach Award honors an insurance industry volunteer who has made tremendous contribution in fostering the growth and development …

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Washington Fines Regence BlueShield, Asuris Northwest Health $750K

Washington Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler has fined Regence BlueShield and Asuris Northwest Health $750,000 for violating insurance regulations related to consumer access. The fine is for violations that occurred between January 2010 and June 2011. Kreidler says that the companies …

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How to Catch a Lie? Try Group Questioning

“Who broke Grandma’s favorite vase?” As you listen to a chorus of “I don’t know” and “Not me,” how will you determine the culprit? Conventional wisdom says, divide and conquer, but what does scientific research show us about questioning a …

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London Financial Groups Losing Faith in Quick Fix to Get EU Access After Brexit

Big financial groups in London are losing faith in a quick fix to get access to the European Union after Britain leaves the bloc and are instead drawing up contingency plans to avoid becoming hostage to Brussels politics. In the …

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Everest Re Completes Crop Insurer Sale to CGB Diversified Services

Everest Re Group Ltd. has finalized the sale of its U.S. crop managing general agent, Heartland Crop Insurance Inc., to CGB Diversified Services, Inc. for $49 million. In conjunction with the sale, Everest has entered into a strategic long term …

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New York’s Crystal & Co. Hires Ackley as Client Consultant

Crystal & Co., a New York based strategic risk and insurance advisor, has hired Jenifer Ackley as a director responsible for addressing clients’ risk management, insurance brokerage and employee benefits consulting needs. Ackley brings more than 15 years of insurance …

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Jain Tells General Re to Get Leaner and Lower Costs

Ajit Jain, one of Warren Buffett’s top managers at Berkshire Hathaway Inc., has a message for the staff that he oversees at Gen Re: It’s time for their business to get much leaner and less bureaucratic. After taking charge of …

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Massachusetts Hospitals Saw a 60% Increase in Medical Errors Last Year

State public health officials say preventable medical errors reported by full-service Massachusetts hospitals jumped 60 percent last year, but attributed the rise in large part to a problem at a single hospital. The Department of Public Health says hospitals disclosed …

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Connecticut Working to Improve Farm Safety After E. Coli Outbreak at Local Farm

With the growth of agritourism and more people visiting local farms, Connecticut officials are joining other states in educating farmers about how to mitigate health risks for their new visitors. Connecticut’s latest push comes after dozens of young children and …

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More Jobs in Economy Means More Bad Drivers on Roads

Who says recessions are all bad? About 5,000 fewer people die every year in auto accidents for each 1 percentage point increase in U.S. unemployment because downturns keep dangerous drivers off the road. “We have documented an instance of a natural economic …

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Questions, Research on Possible Synthetic Turf Link to Athletes’ Cancer Continue

Their son is gone. Luke Beardemphl, a standout Tacoma, Washington soccer player during his years at Stadium High School, died last year at 24, following a seven-year battle with Hodgkin’s lymphoma. But Luke’s parents, Mike and Stephanie Beardemphl, now worry …

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Most Italians Uninsured for Earthquake as Economic Cost of Tremblor Mounts

The magnitude 6.2 earthquake that struck Italy’s Umbria region this week, killing at least 250 people, is estimated to have cost the country anywhere from $1 billion to $11 billion in economy-related losses. The insurance bill will be a lot …

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‘Xuber for MGAs’ Platform Delivered for Castel Underwriting

Xuber, the insurance software business of Xchanging, a unit of CSC, announced the delivery of its “Xuber for MGAs” platform for London-based Castel Underwriting Agencies Ltd. Xuber for MGAs is a flexible digital platform that enables Castel to provide and …

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Fear of Missing Out (FOMO) Leads Motorists to Check Social Media While Driving

Social media and FOMO (fear of missing out) could be putting road-users at risk, as motorists admit to checking social networking sites and reading messages on their phones while driving, according to UK insurer Aviva. A poll of 1,565 drivers* …

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Anbang’s Hong Kong IPO Should Lift Veil on Chinese Group’s Low Profile Backers

For investors and bankers wanting to know more about who’s behind Anbang Insurance Group, China’s second-largest life insurer, plans for a Hong Kong IPO next year should provide some answers. Anbang’s relentless pursuit of overseas deals, rapid financing and opaque shareholding …

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Allied World Bermuda Appoints Chow as Senior VP, Professional Lines

Allied World Assurance Company Holdings announced that Dale Chow has been appointed to senior vice president, Professional Lines, for Allied World Bermuda. In this role, Chow will be responsible for the strategic direction, management, marketing and underwriting of Allied World …

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Italy Quakes Could Lead to Limited Insured Losses: RMS & AIR Worldwide

Damage from the earthquake that struck central Italy on Aug. 24 and the subsequent aftershocks that followed is still being assessed. But RMS asserts that insurance losses will be limited because of property values and the lack of coverage. “A …

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Florida Woman Caught Faking Injury in Attempt to Collect Workers’ Comp Payments

The Department of Financial Services’ Division of Investigative and Forensic Services (DIFS) announced the arrest of a Fort Lauderdale following her attempt to fraudulently collect workers’ compensation payments following an alleged on-the-job injury. Sheyla Veronica White claimed that a sprinkler …

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New IronPro Enhancement Covers Costs of Reissuing Compromised Credit Cards

IronPro, the financial and professional lines unit of Ironshore Inc., has introduced a compromised plastic card re-issuance expense coverage enhancement to its Enterprise PrivaProtector as a financial services sector product. According to the American Bankers Association, small community banks, defined …

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8 West Virginia Counties Remain Under State of Emergency From June Floods

Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin is maintaining a state of emergency for eight West Virginia counties devastated by floods in June. On Monday, Tomblin announced the extension until Sept. 21 for eight of the 12 counties that have been under a …

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CNA Unveils New D&O Liability Side A-DIC Insurance Policy

CNA has launched a new directors & officers (D&O) Lead Side A Difference in Conditions (DIC) policy. CNA developed this policy in response to the growing mergers and acquisition (M&A) trend within the insurance marketplace, as questions and concerns may …

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2 Mississippi Communities Declared Ineligible for Federal Flood Aid

As thousands of south Louisiana flood victims apply for disaster assistance, residents of two Mississippi communities have been told they are not eligible for assistance. Mississippi Emergency Management Agency spokes tells The Natchez Democrat the damage in Crosby and Centreville …

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Students Displaced by Flood in Georgia Residence

A flood at a University of West Georgia residence hall has forced students to relocate to a local hotel. The Newnan Times-Herald reports that the on-campus residence hall was flooded Aug. 19 following a sprinkler system malfunction. Twenty-eight students were …

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AIR Worldwide: 20 Parishes, More than 60K Homes Impacted by Louisiana Flooding

Initial estimates from Louisiana’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness indicate that more than 60,000 homes have been damaged in the 20 parishes impacted in the extensive precipitation-induced flooding in southern Louisiana over the previous two weeks, according to …

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Hub International West Region Adds Salazar as Chief Compliance Officer

Hub International Limited (HUB) has hired Liliana Salazar in its Hub West Region as chief compliance officer. She is based in Los Angeles. Salazar will be a part of HUB’s national compliance team, responsible for identifying and implementing national solutions, …

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Allstate Offers Home-Sharing Insurance Endorsement in Michigan

Allstate is now offering a home-sharing endorsement in Michigan for homeowner insurance customers who rent out their homes on a temporary basis. With participation in the home-sharing economy expected to quadruple over the next few years, Allstate said it is …

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California Lawmakers Vote for Extension of Climate Change Law

California lawmakers voted to extend the state’s landmark climate change law — the most aggressive in the nation — by another 10 years, resisting fierce opposition from oil companies and other business interests to keep the program alive at least …

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28 Buses Damaged in School District Garage Fire in Washington

Authorities say a large fire has damaged at least 28 buses belonging to the Puyallup School District in Washington on Aug. 24 Puyallup police tweeted that sounds of explosions were coming from the fire and that roads in the area …

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Missouri Group Wants Tougher Penalties for Vehicle/Pedestrian Accidents

An organization that advocates for walkers and bicyclists in the St. Louis region is pushing for stiffer penalties for drivers who strike pedestrians. Trailnet wants more to be done to make sober drivers more accountable, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported. …

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A.M. Best Revises Outlook to Positive for Texas-Based State National Group

A.M. Best revised the issuer credit rating (ICR) outlook to positive from stable, and affirmed the financial strength rating (FSR) of A (Excellent) and the ICRs of “a” of State National Insurance Co. Inc. and its subsidiaries, National Specialty Insurance Co. …

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Honolulu Paid $9.7M to Settle Police Lawsuits, Report Shows

Honolulu taxpayers are reportedly responsible for paying nearly $10 million to settle dozens of misconduct allegations against police officers and the police department since 2005. City documents obtained by The Honolulu Star-Advertiser for a story published Aug. 22 show the …

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Former Oklahoma Insurance Agents Charged with Exploiting World War II Veteran

Oklahoma officials have charged two former insurance agents with exploitation of an elderly person for fraudulently taking over an 89-year-old man’s financial affairs. The Oklahoma Insurance Department says the two former insurance agents from Oswasso — Sterling Messer, 78, and …

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Court: Out-of-State License Plates Alone Don’t Justify Kansas Search

Law enforcement officials in Kansas cannot stop and search motorists just for having out-of-state license plates from states that have legalized marijuana, a federal appeals court has ruled. The 10th Circuit Court of Appeals reinstated a lawsuit filed by a …

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Missouri Insurance Department Expects Lower Workers’ Comp Insurance Rates

Missouri insurance regulators say employers in that state should see lower workers’ compensation insurance rates for the third straight year in 2017. The Missouri Department of Insurance says the National Council on Compensation Insurance (NCCI) has proposed an overall decrease of …

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M.J. Kelly Co.-Texas Adds Fonseca as Marketing Representative

Wholesale broker and managing general agent, M. J. Kelly Company-Texas, has added Vicky Fonseca as marketing representative in Fort Worth. The company also announced the retirement of Robert Grace. Fonseca is an insurance industry veteran who will assist producers in …

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Jamsa Joins Generali Global Assistance Digital Protection Services

Generali Global Assistance has named Julie Jamsa as vice president, Service Delivery, for the company’s Identity and Digital Protection Services Global unit. GGA recently launched Iris OnWatch, an identity protection platform that provides prevention, monitoring, alerts and resolution. Jamsa will …

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As Economy Improves, More Employees Look Elsewhere

As the economy continues to improve, so do the chances of employees looking for new job opportunities in 2016. A new survey from global recruiter and retirement advisor Aon Hewitt finds 52 percent of employees are open to leaving their …

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Marsh & McLennan Launches Asia Pacific Risk Center in Singapore

Marsh & McLennan Cos. and the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB) announced the launch of the Asia Pacific Risk Center (APRC) in Singapore, which aims to analyze key risks facing industries and governments in Asia, ultimately helping the region’s decision …

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New Jersey Supreme Court Rules Paralyzed Waterpark Visitor Can Proceed with Gross Negligence Suit

A New Jersey waterpark visitor who was partially paralyzed in a 2010 accident while on a ride that simulates surfing can proceed with a lawsuit, the state Supreme Court ruled this week. Roy Steinberg and his wife claim employees at …

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Starr Companies Expands with Nashville, Pittsburgh Offices, Leaders

Starr Companies, a New York based global insurance and financial services organization, is continuing to expand its field operations throughout the U.S. with the addition of new offices and leadership. Most recently, the firm announced the opening of two branch locations …

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AAA Cautions: Not All Automatic Braking Systems Are Alike

While most American believe that automatic braking systems are designed to work without human intervention, not all work that way. The hi-tech braking systems vary in design and performance, according to the automobile club AAA. While some braking systems slow …

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Norwegian Insurer Eyes First Sale of Industry’s Riskiest Bonds

Gjensidige Forsikring ASA is on track to become the first insurer to issue a new type of bond that will become the industry’s riskiest debt. The Norwegian company may sell as much as 1 billion kroner ($120 million) of so-called …

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New Day Underwriting Managers of New Jersey Hires Giquinto to Real Estate Group

New Day Underwriting Managers LLC, a Hamilton, N.J., based specialty intermediary of environmental and construction related professional liability insurance, has hired Cara Giquinto as a senior account manager in its real estate group. In this role, Giquinto will work with …

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New Jersey Catholic School Settles Sexual Abuse Allegations for $1.9M

A Catholic school in New Jersey has settled allegations of child sexual abuse for $1.9 million. The agreement between Bergen Catholic High School in Oradell and 21 former students who said they were sexually abused by staff at the all …

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World’s Longest Aircraft, Airlander 10, Crash-Lands After Test Flight in England

The world’s longest aircraft, the Airlander 10 airship, has crash-landed after a test flight in Bedfordshire, central England, its British manufacturer Hybrid Air Vehicles said on Wednesday. The airship, which is bigger than the size of six double-decker buses, sustained …

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Rhode Island Fire Marshal’s Office Offering $5K Reward for Information on July Arson Fires

East Providence, R.I., police and the Rhode Island State Fire Marshal’s Office are offering a $5,000 reward for information that leads to the conviction of whoever was responsible for two arson fires last month. Det. Lt. Raymond Blinn said both of …

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New Arizona Pot Dispensary Licenses Draw Hundreds of Applicants

Arizona officials say they received hundreds of applications for roughly 30 new licenses for medical marijuana dispensaries. The Department of Health Services says it has processed 750 applications and that it anticipates awarding 31 dispensary licenses after reviewing those applications that are …

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Las Vegas Scaffolding Collapse Kills Construction Worker

Officials say a Las Vegas construction worker has died after a scaffolding collapse. Las Vegas Fire & Rescue says the scaffolding collapsed at a Tivoli Village construction site on Monday afternoon. One man fell with the scaffolding and was pronounced …

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How Monsanto’s Climate Unit Is Changing Risk Profile of Farmers

It caught my eye when Monsanto Co. subsidiary Climate Corp. announced last week it was creating the “Industry’s First In-Field Sensor Network” and “the first Centralized Platform” digital agricultural technology development. The company said that its new sensor network will …

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First Driverless ‘Robo-Taxi’ Hits Singapore’s Streets in Limited Public Trial

The first driverless taxi began work on Thursday in a limited public trial on the streets of Singapore. Developer nuTonomy invited a select group of people to download their app and ride for free in its “robo-taxi” in a western …

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New Zealand Claims World’s First Pizza Delivery by Drone

New Zealand led the world when it gave women the vote and introduced inflation targeting. Now it’s claiming another world-first: pizza delivery by drone. Domino’s Pizza Enterprises Ltd. has joined forces with U.S.-based self-proclaimed “flying robot” operator Flirtey for the …

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XL Catlin Names Chow as Senior U/W, Political Risk & Trade Credit, Asia Pacific

XL Catlin’s insurance operations announced the appointment of Bonnie Chow as senior underwriter, Political Risk and Trade Credit insurance for Asia Pacific. She will be based in Sydney. Chow has over 20 years’ experience in the insurance and banking industries, …

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Hylant Names Timmel as VP for Cyber, Technology Risk Practice

Ohio-based insurance brokerage firm, Hylant, named Spencer Timmel to the newly created position of vice president, Cyber & Technology Risk Practice leader. Spencer speaks regularly on network security and privacy liability topics. He has shared his insights with the United …

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Fitbit Did Not Steal Jawbone’s Trade Secrets, Trade Judge Rules

Fitbit Inc. did not steal rival Jawbone’s trade secrets, a U.S. International Trade Commission judge ruled on Tuesday, dashing Jawbone’s hopes of securing an import ban against Fitbit’s wearable fitness tracking devices. The judge, Dee Lord, said that there had …

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Uber Opposes Employee Status But Offers Its Freelance Drivers Retirement App

They may not have a 401(k) plan, but drivers working through Uber Technologies Inc.’s platform will soon be able to open a retirement account right in the app. And in traditional Silicon Valley style, the ride-hailing company is partnering with another startup to do it. …

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Opioid Overdoses in Florida County Jump 75% in 2016

Firefighters in Palm Beach County, Fla., have been responding to an average of five opioid-related overdoses every day this year. The Palm Beach Post reports that county firefighters are handling 75 percent more opioid-related overdoses than they did during the …

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North Carolina Town to Expand Traffic Cameras After Collecting $1.3M in Fines

One of the few North Carolina cities using red-light cameras plans to expand their use after local schools collected $1.3 million in 13 months from thousands of ticketed drivers. The Fayetteville Observer reported that city officials plan to install the …

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Brown & Brown Florida Office Denies EEOC Allegations of Pregnancy Discrimination

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has filed sued against national insurance brokerage firm Brown & Brown, based in Daytona Beach, Fla., over allegations it violated the Civil Rights Act by rescinding a job offer to a pregnant woman. …

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Missouri Non-Renews Insurance License of Northern Illinois Agency Owner, Again

The Missouri Department of Insurance has once again refused to renew the non-resident producer license of the owner of an Illinois managing general agency that has been able to continue operations despite having his license revoked or non-renewed previously in both …

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West Virginia Begins Demolition of Flood-Ravaged Homes

The West Virginia Army National Guard over the weekend began tearing down homes ruined by floods in June. Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin wants those communities to rebuild with a long-term focus on diversifying their economies. Maj. Gen. James Hoyer told …

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$352.8M in Damage from July Hailstorm in Colorado

The July 28 hailstorm that hit Colorado Springs was the sixth-most damaging event in Colorado history. The Gazette reported that according to an insurance industry trade group the storm earned $352.8 million in claims for damage to homes and vehicles. …

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Washington Governor Declares Emergency in 20 Counties in Wake of Wildfires

Gov. Jay Inslee has declared a state of emergency for 20 Eastern Washington counties in response to multiple wildfires that threaten homes and natural resources. Inslee issued the declaration Tuesday after touring fires in the Spokane region. Inslee noted that …

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3 California Entitles Get FEMA Preparedness Awards

Three California entities were named by the Federal Emergency Management Agency as winners for its annual preparedness awards. The winners of the 2016 FEMA Individual and Community Preparedness Awards were announced today. The awards are to recognize outstanding efforts of …

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Allied World’s U.S. Cyber Team Adds Glasgow from Travelers

Allied World U.S. has appointed Jason Glasgow as vice president and practice lead for Technology, Privacy & Network Security Professional Liability. In this role, Glasgow will be responsible for the strategy, management and underwriting of Allied World’s U.S. cyber platform. …

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Endurance Global Risk Solutions Adds Workers’ Comp Product

Endurance Specialty Holdings Ltd., a Bermuda-based specialty provider of property and casualty insurance and reinsurance, has launched a new workers’ compensation insurance product for its Global Risk Solutions clients. Global Risk Solutions, a new business line launched earlier this year …

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Southern Kansas Flood Damage Estimated at $1M

Southern Kansas flooding victims are cleaning up the mess torrential rains left behind. The Wichita Eagle reports that Mulvane city administrator Kent Hixson says 44 homes and five businesses inside the city limits saw some sort of flooding damage from …

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3 Charged with Workers’ Comp, Insurance Fraud in Oklahoma

Three individuals in Oklahoma have been charged by the state’s attorney general with insurance fraud related to workers’ compensation, auto insurance and certificates of insurance. The office of Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt reported that Robert Brandon Page, 40, of Muskogee, …

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Thieves Steal Wheels from 48 New Vehicles at East Texas Car Dealer

Police are trying to determine who stole the wheels from 48 new vehicles at an East Texas car dealership. Tyler police estimate thieves made off with about $250,000 worth of tires and wheels, leaving the vehicles up on blocks. Police …

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20-Foot Drone Being Tested in North Dakota for Post-Disaster Use

A 20-foot-long drone that was brought to North Dakota to test precision agriculture methods is now part of a trial run to see if can help crews restore power to areas hit by natural disasters. The Israeli-manufactured Elbit Systems Hermes …

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Many New Orleans Residents to See Lower Flood Insurance Rates

The Federal Emergency Management Agency is holding a workshop to help New Orleans residents understand the new Flood Insurance Rate Maps, which will lower flood insurance premiums for many homeowners. NOLA.com/The Times-Picayune reports that FEMA will hold the workshop on …

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Wrong Key Fails to Derail Texas GM Ignition Suit

General Motors LLC failed to derail a Texas family’s claim for damages over a car crash blamed on a faulty ignition-switch after jurors were shown the wrong car key last week. GM claimed Zachary Stevens’ family intentionally faked evidence in …

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Weather Service: Flash Floods Pushed Cars off California Desert Highway

The National Weather Service says vehicles were washed off a Southern California desert highway as a band of thunderstorms led to powerful flash flooding. The weather service says the flooding was reported Monday evening on State Route 95 near Interstate …

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California School District Police Chief Sues over Alleged Retaliation

The police chief of a California school district has sued his employers, claiming he faced a hostile work environment after blowing the whistle on alleged misuse of a criminal database by district employees. KBAK-TV reported that Kern High School District …

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California Commissioner Approves Rate Reductions on State Farm Commercial Policies

California Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones has approved rate reductions for several State Farm commercial policies that he said will bring millions of dollars in premium savings for tens of thousands of small businesses, farm owners, apartment owners, and condo associations …

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Massachusetts-Based Landy Insurance Lands Certified Bookkeepers Group Account

ICBUSA, a Scottsdale, Ariz., based member of the Institute of Certified Bookkeepers (ICB), a London-headquartered professional membership organization for bookkeepers, and the Landy Insurance Agency of Needham, Mass., have formed a strategic partnership. Through the partnership, ICBUSA members will be offered …

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MetLife U.S. Retail Spinoff Likely Over IPO: RBC Analysts

MetLife Inc. may favor a spinoff of its Brighthouse Financial U.S. business rather than pursue an initial public offering of the unit, RBC Capital Markets analysts led by Eric Berg said after chatting with the company’s chief financial officer. “A …

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Italy Earthquake Unlikely to Trigger 200M Euro Cat Bond Cover: Investors

A powerful earthquake in Italy on Wednesday is not likely to force a 200 million euro ($225.56 million) bond issued to cover such risk into default as the bond has low exposure to the affected region, investors said. The earthquake …

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Low Prices Ultimately Could Bite London Market Insurers: A.M. Best & PwC Reports

The business outlook for the London insurance market is a familiar one across other global markets: underwriting profits are under pressure as ongoing soft market prices begin to take a toll. In separate reports on the London market, both A.M. …

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Lockton Hires Mercer’s Bailey for Washington D.C. Office

Lockton Companies, a Kansas City, Mo., based insurance brokerage, has hired George Bailey as a senior vice president in its Washington, D.C. office. He brings nearly 25 years of experience in the employee benefit and risk management space to his …

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Besnia, Formerly with Chubb, Joins Great American Insurance

Great American Insurance Group has hired Kerry Besnia as divisional vice president within its Property and Casualty Group. In his new role, Besnia will be focused on developing new distribution sources while utilizing his underwriting background to uncover business opportunities. …

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Traffic Fatalities Continue to Rise; Up 9% in First Half of Year

Preliminary estimates from the National Safety Council indicate motor vehicle deaths were 9 percent higher through the first six months of 2016 than in 2015, and 18 percent higher than two years ago at the six month mark. An estimated …

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New Vermont Bill Tightens Regulation for Consumer Litigation Funding Companies

A new Vermont bill introduces changes to the legal requirements for consumer litigation funding companies in the state. These companies will now need to get licensed and post a surety bond in order to operate legally. Vermont House Bill 84, …

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Safety Inspections of Thrill Rides Vary by State

In some parts of the U.S., the thrill rides that hurl kids upside down, whirl them around or send them shooting down slides are checked out by state inspectors before customers climb on. But in other places, they are not …

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U.K. Lawmakers Call for Ban on Plastic Microbeads, Citing Dangers to Food Chain

U.K. lawmakers called for a ban on plastic microbeads used in products such as shaving gel, exfoliating scrubs and toothpaste, saying they are harming marine life and entering the food chain. In a report published Wednesday, the House of Commons …

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6.2 Magnitude Earthquake Hits Central Italy, Killing at Least 12 People

Small towns in central Italy were damaged with people trapped under rubble after the area was rocked early Wednesday by a 6.2 magnitude earthquake. At least 12 people were killed, according to Sky TG24. The quake struck at 3:36 a.m., …

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Report: Thousands of South Carolina Flood Victims Still Need Help

Thousands of people in South Carolina still need home repairs, while the state has submitted a plan for using almost $100 million in federal housing aid almost a year after historic rains inundated the state. The state is now also …

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Cause of 27-Car Pileup in Georgia Under Investigation

Georgia officials are investigating the cause of an accident on Interstate 75 in Bartow County that involved nearly 30 vehicles and sent several people to the hospital with minor injuries. The Georgia Department of Transportation tells news agencies that 27 …

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Lesbian Sues New Jersey Catholic School Claiming Discrimination Over Firing

A woman is suing a Roman Catholic school in New Jersey, alleging the school violated the state’s discrimination law when she was fired because she’s married to a woman. But Christopher Westrick, an attorney for Paramus Catholic High School, its …

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Venture Capital, Traditional Insurer Interest in Insurtech Remains High

Even though venture capital investments in venture capital-backed financial technology (fintech) companies fell more than 50 percent globally during the second quarter of 2016, interest in insurance technology startups (insurtech) continues to pick up steam, a new report reveals. According …

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EPIC adds Williford to National Energy Construction Practice in Alabama

EPIC Insurance Brokers and Consultants, a retail property, casualty insurance brokerage and employee benefits consultant, has added risk management and insurance professional Jim Williford to the firm’s National Energy Construction Practice as a Business Development manager. Williford will be based in EPIC’s Birmingham, …

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WSJ: AIG May Sell Shares in Lloyd’s Unit Ascot to Canadian Pension Board

American International Group Inc. is in early talks to sell its minority stake in the Lloyd’s of London syndicate manager Ascot Underwriting Holdings Ltd. to Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPPIB), the Wall Street Journal reported on Tuesday. If the …

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Stoneburner to Retire; Spray to Lead Commercial Lines at Cincinnati Insurance

Cincinnati Financial Corp. announced that Charles P. (Bud) Stoneburner II, senior vice president – commercial lines for its lead subsidiary, Cincinnati Insurance Co., will retire within the next six months. Upon his retirement, Stephen M. Spray, senior vice president, head the …

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Expert Gives Agents C- on Understanding of Cyber Insurance

Eduard Goodman, chief privacy officer of Scottsdale, Ariz.-based IDT911, an identity theft protection firm, isn’t too high on the industry’s knowledge of cyber insurance, cybercrime and data theft. Goodman assigned a grade of C- when asked to assess the average …

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McKenna Named CFO at The Plexus Groupe

The Plexus Groupe LLC, a national insurance brokerage and risk management consulting firm based in Deer Park, Ill., has hired Matthew McKenna as chief financial officer. McKenna was most recently the CFO at Chicago-based OmniVere LLC, a large integrated discovery …

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Zika Case Found in Florida County Hundreds of Miles From Miami

Florida officials on Tuesday announced the first case of Zika acquired by local mosquitoes in Pinellas County, located some 265 miles (425 km) from Miami, where the first locally transmitted U.S. cases were reported. Florida Governor Rick Scott also said …

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NIF Group Launches Program for Luxury Homebuilders in 3 Western States

NIF Group, Inc., a program administrator and specialty brokerage firm, has created a program for luxury homebuilders and remodelers. NIF Insurance Services of California, a division of NIF Group, is in partnership with an A.M. Best rated ‘A’, carrier writing …

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Beazley Doubles Environmental Risk Capacity to $50M with Lloyd’s Consortium

Beazley, the London-based provider of specialist environmental liability insurance, has doubled its capacity for operational and fixed site environmental risks to $50 million. Covering the environmental liabilities of large multi-national companies, the increased limits are backed by the Beazley Elements …

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Officials: No Long-Term Impact on Florida Tourism Expected Despite Zika Spread

The discovery of Zika-carrying mosquitoes in South Florida certainly isn’t ideal for tourism, but local officials and business leaders are confident the long-term impact on the tourism industry will be minor. Transmission of the virus via mosquito has been confirmed …

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Number of Iowa Drivers Penalized for Passing Stopped School Buses Declines

Fewer drivers are receiving the tough penalties Iowa lawmakers approved in 2012 for illegally passing school buses when they are stopped. The Des Moines Register reports that the number of people charged with violating the school bus law has declined, …

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1347 Property Insurance Holdings Inc., which offers specialty property/casualty insurance through its subsidiary, Maison Insurance Co. (Maison), said it expects to incur losses from claims related to damage from the recent storms that produced record-breaking floods in Louisiana. Maison has …

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Health Official: Zika Virus Could Spread Across U.S. Gulf States

One of the top U.S. public health officials on Aug. 21 warned that the mosquito-borne Zika virus could extend its reach across the U.S. Gulf Coast after officials last week confirmed it as active in the popular tourist destination of …

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As Claims Mount, FEMA Extends Flood Insurance Renewal Period Some in Louisiana

Due to the damage and displacement caused by recent flooding, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has extended to 120 days the grace period to renew flood insurance policies in certain Louisiana parishes. The federal agency said more than 25,000 …

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Conyers Appointed Assistant VP, Distribution at CNA

Property/casualty insurance company, CNA, has appointed Shay Conyers to assistant vice president of distribution. Based in Chicago, he reports to Rocco Orlando, senior vice president, sales and distribution He has 16 years of industry experience and joined CNA in 2012 …

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Midlife Back Pain Traced to Heavy Physical Work Habits in Youth

Young adults with jobs that involve heavy lifting and forceful movements might be at higher risk for back pain later in life, a study from Finland suggests. “When you’re young, you do things your own way, you muscle your way …

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Willis Re Taps Aon’s McDowell to Lead Bermuda Unit; Harden as APAC President

Willis Re announced the appointment of Chris McDowell as CEO of Willis Re Bermuda. Effective Jan. 1, 2017, he will succeed Michael Harden, CEO of Willis Re Bermuda since 2014, who is returning to the Asia Pacific region as president …

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Family of Idaho Beating Death Victim Sues Woman’s Treatment Center

The family of an Idaho woman who was beaten to death in October has filed a lawsuit against the treatment center where the killing occurred. Linda Westmoreland’s daughters, Amanda Ingram and Stormy Dye, filed the lawsuit against Port of Hope, …

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Oregon Officials Believe Arson Behind 14 Or More Wildfires

State authorities and forest officials say at least 14 wildfires that have erupted across central Oregon over the last three weeks are believed to have been intentionally started. Officials did not release details on which fires were started by arsonists, …

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Bill Adding Ridesharing Restrictions in Honolulu Becomes Law

Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell is allowing a bill placing stricter regulations on ridesharing companies such as Uber and Lyft to become law. Caldwell returned the bill to the City Council and cited logistical concerns in allowing it to become law …

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Hawaii Resort And Crocs Sued over Child’s Escalator Injuries

A couple is suing footwear maker Crocs and a Hawaii resort after their 2-year-old son’s foot got caught in an escalator while the family visited Hawaii for an oral surgeon convention. The lawsuit says the Crocs shoes were “negligently and improperly …

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AIG Names Leggett-Flynn as Chief Communications Officer

American International Group, Inc. (AIG) has appointed Cindy Leggett-Flynn as senior vice president, chief communications officer. In this position, Leggett-Flynn will be responsible for AIG’s communications strategy in support of its vision, mission, and values.  She will oversee corporate brand …

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China’s Anbang Insurance Readies for 2017 IPO: Sources

Anbang Insurance Group Co., the Chinese owner of New York’s Waldorf Astoria hotel, has asked banks to pitch for role on a planned Hong Kong initial public offering next year, according to people with knowledge of the matter. The Beijing-based …

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Caribbean Cat Facility, CCRIF, Pays Belize for Excess Rain From Hurricane Earl

CCRIF SPC (formerly the Caribbean Catastrophe Risk Insurance Facility) made a pay-out of US$261,073 to the government of Belize as a result of heavy rains from Hurricane Earl on Aug. 4-5. Rainfall from the hurricane caused widespread flood damage to homes and …

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Connecticut Man Awarded $10K in Police Brutality Suit

A Connecticut man has been awarded $10,000 in damages after a federal judge ruled that he had been beaten by a police officer after a drug fueled car chase. Donato Rinaldi, of Watertown, Conn., filed the suit in 2014 against …

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Girl Bitten by Camel at Virginia Safari Park Gets $155K Settlement

A 10 year old girl who was bitten by a camel at a safari park in Virginia will get a $155,000 settlement. Citing court documents, local media outlets report that Madison Holland’s family has reached a settlement with the Virginia …

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Wells Fargo Insurance Hires Marsh’s Hahn in New Jersey

Wells Fargo Insurance, a subsidiary of San Francisco, Calif., headquartered Wells Fargo & Company, has hired Mary-Beth Hahn as head of its national risk management practice. In her new role, Hahn will be based in Summit, N.J., and will report …

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Citigroup, AT&T Agree: No Thanks to Further Litigation

Citigroup Inc. and AT&T Inc. have ended their litigation over the latter’s use of the phrase “AT&T thanks” on a customer loyalty program, which the bank said was too similar to its trademarked “thankyou.” In a joint court filing, the …

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Court Denies U.S. Bid to Rehear Bank of America ‘Hustle’ Mortgage Program

A U.S. appeals court refused on Monday to reconsider its decision to overturn a $1.27 billion penalty against Bank of America Corp. and a jury verdict finding it liable for mortgage fraud leading up to the 2008 financial crisis. The …

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Soft Prices May Bring Losses for Reinsurers when Typical Cat Levels Return: Execs

It won’t take another Hurricane Katrina for reinsurers to face losses from covering the cost of storms and earthquakes. Competitors such as hedge funds have eroded prices so much that a typical year of claims could move the industry into …

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Nominate Your Agency as Best Place to Work: Submit Now!

Do you work in a great independent agency? Do you think it’s the best place to work? If so, don’t miss this opportunity to nominate your agency to be named as one of Insurance Journal’s Best Agencies to Work in …

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$6M Settlement Reached for West Virginia Coal Mine Cleanup

A $6 million settlement has been reached in federal court that will restore damage from West Virginia mountaintop removal mines. The Sierra Club, Ohio Valley Environmental Coalition and West Virginia Highlands Conservancy announced the settlement with the Virginia Conservation Legacy …

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FEMA Claims Mississippi Misused $30M in Funds to Retrofit Homes After Katrina

The Federal Emergency Management Agency says it won’t repay Mississippi for nearly $30 million spent to retrofit homes after Hurricane Katrina unless the state can prove the money was well spent. The state failed to provide documentation for the program, …

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Many Railroads Slow to Adopt Safety Technology Even After Deadline Extension

Many commuter and freight railroads have made little progress installing safety technology designed to prevent deadly collisions and derailments despite a mandate from Congress, according to a government report released. The technology, called positive train control or PTC, uses digital …

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Tennessee Deputy Commissioner West Elected to National Association of State Fire Marshals

The National Association of State Fire Marshals (NASFM) elected Tennessee Department of Commerce & Insurance (TDCI) Deputy Commissioner Gary West as secretary-treasurer during its annual membership meeting in Albuquerque, July 19-21. West, who oversees TDCI’s Fire Prevention Division (which includes …

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Texas Doctors Raise Concerns About Children and Guns

Dr. David Wesson points to a spot below his belly button. That’s where the .22-caliber bullet pierced the abdomen of the first pediatric gunshot victim he ever treated. The Houston Chronicle reports the boy was 1 month old. He was …

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North Carolina Agent Accused of Submitting Fraudulent Auto Policies to Allstate

A North Carolina insurance agent has been arrested and accused of creating false auto policies, according to a statement from North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Wayne Goodwin. Eddie Ray Butler, 29, formerly of Greensboro was charged with 11 counts of Identity …

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Protecting Vehicles from Cyberattacks Focus of U. of Arkansas Project

In 2015, two researchers remotely hacked a Jeep Cherokee being driven by a reporter who documented how the researchers controlled everything from the car’s radio and media console to its brakes and steering. For Dr. Shucheng Yu, an associate professor …

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OneBeacon Healthcare Names Craig as President; Promotes Wardell, Toomey

Brenda Craig has been appointed president of OneBeacon Healthcare Group. In this role, Craig is accountable for professional liability business targeting hospitals, physicians and physician groups, medical facilities, senior living organizations and managed care organizations. She will report to Executive …

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AAIS Releases New Drone Coverage Forms, Rules Filings Ahead of FAA Regulations

The American Association of Insurance Services (AAIS), a non-for-profit national insurance advisory organization, announced new filings of Unmanned Aircraft Liability Coverage forms and rules in their Agricultural General Liability Program (AgGL), in response to consumer demand for coverage for unmanned …

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Analysis: Flooding Intensifies Louisiana’s Financial Woes

“How’s your house?” That’s the new greeting for many across south Louisiana as a 20-parish area digs out of catastrophic flooding and its aftermath. The logical next question often remains unspoken: “How do you pay to fix this?” That’s the …

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Ohio-Based Hylant Names Miller Executive Risk Practice Leader

Insurance brokerage Hylant, headquartered in Toledo, Ohio, has promoted Doug Miller to vice president, Executive Risk Practice leader. He assumes the Executive Risk Practice group leadership from Jim Lash, who was recently named president of the Cincinnati office. Miller brings …

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County in Nebraska Seeks Insurance Coverage in Wrong Conviction Case

Nebraska’s Gage County has hired a legal firm to examine insurance coverage in a recent ruling involving six people who were wrongly convicted of the 1985 rape and homicide of a Beatrice woman. Gage County Board of Supervisors Chairman Myron …

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Tornado Causes Property Damage in Michigan but No Injuries or Deaths

A storm that appeared to spawn at least one tornado slammed parts of western Michigan on Saturday, causing extensive damage but no injuries or loss of life, authorities said. State Police spokesman Dale Hinz said damage from the storm stretched …

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Networked in California Names Mallette Personal Lines Director

Grass Valley, Calif.-based Networked Insurance Agents has named Deanna Mallette director of personal Lines. Mallette will continue to report to Scott Smith, vice president. Mallette joined Networked in 1993, working her way up to manager of personal lines. She left …

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Former Delaware Administrative Officer’s Defamation Suit To Move Forward

A judge says New Castle County, Delaware’s former chief administrative officer can proceed with a defamation suit over his firing last year by County Executive Tom Gordon. While dismissing David Grimaldi’s claims that his firing violated his First Amendment rights …

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Deceased Patient’s Family Sues U of Vermont Medical Center for Malpractice

The family of a New York man who died in the University of Vermont Medical Center’s emergency room in February has filed a lawsuit against the hospital claiming malpractice. The Burlington Free Press reported the suit, filed last month in …

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Washington RV Salesman Charged on $81K Workers’ Comp Scam

A Tacoma, Wash.-area man faces a felony theft charge after he was caught working while receiving more than $81,000 in workers’ compensation disability payments. Bobby R. Johnson, 47, was charged with first-degree theft. The Washington Attorney General’s Office filed the …

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Man Pleads Guilty to Stealing $1.4M from Pennsylvania Employer

A man federal prosecutors say was victimized in an overseas, online romance scam has pleaded guilty to wire fraud for stealing more than $1.4 million from two Pittsburgh, Penn., area companies whose funds he controlled, according to officials. Jeffery Plimpton, 59, …

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Lockton Hires Russell for Philadelphia Team

Lockton, a privately held insurance broker headquartered in Kansas City, Mo., has added Robert Russell to its employee benefit team as a vice president and unit manager in its Philadelphia, Penn., office. In his new role, Russell will manage Lockton’s …

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California Saw $600M in Workers’ Comp Liens Filed by Convicted Providers

The California Department of Industrial Relations announced that $600 million in liens were filed against injured employees’ claims for workers’ compensation benefits by convicted or criminally indicted parties from 2011 through 2015. California’s workers’ comp law allows certain claims for …

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RMS Releases Suite of Europe Inland Flood Risk Data to Open U/W Opportunities

RMS, the Newark, Calif.-based catastrophe risk management firm, has released a suite of Europe inland flood hazard data products. Describing the release as “the highest resolution view of the risk available on the market,” RMS said the data products include …

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Massachusetts Tax on Ridesharing to Go to Taxis, Infrastructure

Massachusetts is preparing to levy a 5-cent fee per trip on ride-hailing apps such as Uber and Lyft and spend the money on the traditional taxi industry, a subsidy that appears to be the first of its kind in the …

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66% of Insurers Plan Increased Hiring Over Next Year: Study

More than 66 percent of insurance companies intend to increase staff during the next 12 months, according to a new midyear labor study. That rate is the highest in the history of the study, The U.S. Insurance Labor Outlook Study, …

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Typhoon Mindulle Batters Tokyo, Bringing Risk of Floods and Landslides

Tokyo was pummeled by rain and winds as Mindulle became the first typhoon to make landfall near the metropolitan region in 11 years on Monday, bringing the risk of floods and landslides. The typhoon’s center was estimated to have passed …

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Lloyd’s Insurer ArgoGlobal Grabs O’Gorman from CNA to Lead Marine Team

ArgoGlobal, the Lloyd’s insurer and member of Argo Group, announced the appointment of Steve O’Gorman as head of Marine, effective Aug. 22. He reports to Bruno Ritchie, director of underwriting and active underwriter. The former head of Marine, Philip Thorpe-Apps, …

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Reinsurers’ Strong Enterprise Risk Management Is Key to Success – and Survival: S&P

The reinsurance sector’s focus on strong enterprise risk management (ERM) frameworks is helping them weather the many headwinds hitting both the asset and liability sides of their balance sheets, according to a report issued by S&P Global Ratings. These headwinds …

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Study: Bike Helmets Lower Risk of Brain Injuries, Death

Despite some criticism of bike helmets for not being protective enough, they do cut the risk of severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) by half when riders suffer a head injury, a U.S. study suggests. Riders with helmets were also less …

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Tennessee’s Hudgens Tapped to Head Southern Workers’ Comp Group

The administrator of Tennessee’s Bureau of Workers’ Compensation has been named president of the Southern Association of Workers’ Compensation Administrators. Abbie Hudgens has been administrator of the state agency since 2011. She was appointed to continue by Gov. Bill Haslam …

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Nearly $200k Granted to Flood-Damaged Businesses in West Virginia

The state has given a round of almost $200,000 in grants to 23 Greenbrier County small businesses damaged by floods. Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin announced the grants Thursday at Cook’s Country Kitchen in White Sulphur Springs and D&D Hardware in …

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Former Students Sue Kentucky Catholic School Over Sexual, Racial Harassment

Three former students of a Catholic high school in Lexington, Ky., have sued the school, accusing administrators of failing to discipline those allegedly responsible for acts of sexual harassment and racial discrimination. Washington-based attorney Amos Jones filed three lawsuits on …

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Battle Against Forced Arbitration in Financial Contracts Could Take Years

A U.S. agency’s plans to ban forced arbitration clauses from financial contracts faces a tough road, with early reaction pointing to a years-long battle that could take a Supreme Court test to settle. Thousands of angry consumers and business representatives …

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Failure of Uber Settlement Opens Door for Wage Claims

The rejection of a $100 million settlement with drivers comes with plenty of silver linings for Uber Technologies Inc. The gray cloud for the ride-hailing company is that a dozen or so lawsuits that would have been silenced may now roll …

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Former Travelers CEO Fishman Dies

Jay Fishman, executive chairman and former CEO of The Travelers Companies, has died. The company he transformed into a major industry player and led for years disclosed the news on Aug. 19. “We are greatly saddened by the loss of …

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RMS: Flood Insurance Uptake Low in Areas Hit Hardest by Louisiana Flooding

Calling the recent flooding event in Louisiana one of the most significant natural disasters in the United States, catastrophe modelling firm RMS said flood insurance participation is low in the parishes most affected by floods. Flooding since Aug. 11 has been particularly …

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Hanover Launches Pay-As-You-Go Workers’ Comp Coverage

The Hanover Insurance Group, Inc. has launched arkets, a pay-as-you-go option for workers’ compensation policies that allows insureds to pay their premiums in real-time, based on payroll. The new payment option offers businesses the choice of paying their premiums as part …

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Texas Lawyer Accused of Fraud in BP Oil Spill Case Acquitted in Mississippi

A prominent Texas lawyer was acquitted on Thursday of charges he made up thousands of fake clients to sue BP Plc for damages that the oil company caused in the 2010 Gulf of Mexico spill, court records show. Mikal Watts …

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Wal-Mart to Pay $90K to Settle Disability Lawsuit

Wal-Mart Stores Inc. will pay a former, long-term employee at a Wal-Mart location in Illinois, $90,000 to settle a disability discrimination lawsuit filed by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). EEOC’s lawsuit charged Wal-Mart with violating federal discrimination law when …

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Stringer Joins All Risks’ South Central Region in New Orleans

Independent wholesale insurance brokerage firm All Risks Ltd., has added Sam Stringer as a broker in its New Orleans, La., branch office.  In this role, Sam will be an integral part of this fast-growing office. As a casualty broker, Stringer …

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Amtrak to Pay $112K to Settle Seattle Disability Discrimination Lawsuit

The Washington, D.C.-based National Passenger Railroad Corp., better known as Amtrak, will pay $112,000 and provide other relief to settle a federal disability discrimination lawsuit filed by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) on behalf of a Seattle-based Amtrak …

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Source: Locally Transmitted Zika Virus Found in Miami Beach

Florida health officials have found evidence of local Zika virus transmission in Miami Beach, one of the world’s most popular tourist destinations, opening a new front in the fight against the mosquito-borne virus, according to a source familiar with the …

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Texas Man in Tesla Autopilot Crash Won’t Sue, But Car Insurer May

A Texas man said the Autopilot mode on his Tesla Model S sent him off the road and into a guardrail, bloodying his nose and shaking his confidence in the technology. He doesn’t plan to sue the electric-car maker, but his …

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Gets U.S. Court Approves Clean-Up Deals, Executive Bonuses for Peabody

Bankrupt coal company Peabody Energy has won U.S. court approval for agreements with three states to partially cover $1.14 billion in potential environmental liabilities and for a bonus plan for its six top executives. Under the agreements, Wyoming can receive …

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86,500 People Affected by Louisiana Floods Seek Federal Aid

Some 86,500 people have filed for federal aid after deadly flooding hit Louisiana in the past several days and damaged some 40,000 homes, Gov. John Bel Edwards told a news conference on Aug. 18. He said the death toll from …

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Louisiana Issues Post-Flooding Emergency Insurance Rule

Louisiana Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon has issued an emergency rule allowing greater protection and flexibility for insurance policyholders impacted by recent flooding. The emergency rules gives flood-affected policyholders more time to pay insurance premiums. Executive Order 2016-58, issued by Gov. …

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Nebraska Doctor Opens Membership-Based, Insurance-Free Practice

Dr. Todd Johnson of Lincoln is a modern-day pioneer, starting the first membership-based, insurance-free medical practice in Nebraska. Access Family Medicine opened in mid-July and provides what is called direct primary care, the Lincoln Journal Star reported. His patients pay …

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Crop Insurance Fraud Leads to 2 Years in Prison for Missouri Farmer

A southeast Missouri farmer has been ordered to spend two years in prison for crop insurance fraud of more than $200,000. The Southeast Missourian reports that 48-year-old Bobby David Lowrey, of Parma, was sentenced for making false statements about crop-insurance …

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Hawaii Officials Warn of Raw Food Risk After Hepatitis A Outbreak

Hawaii authorities are urging diners to be aware of the risks of eating raw and undercooked food after they traced a hepatitis A outbreak to frozen scallops served raw at a sushi restaurant chain. State Department of Health Sanitation Branch …

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American Family Insurance Signs Singer-Songwriter Legend as Brand Ambassador

American Family Insurance said it has signed John Legend – multi-award winning singer and songwriter – as the company’s newest brand ambassador. The company has partnered with other celebrity ambassadors whose experiences and values it believes not only motivate current …

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CNA to Merge Central Zone Field Operation Into Others as Vezzosi Retires

CNA plans to eliminate its Central zone branch network as a standalone zone and realign it into the property/casualty insurer’s other remaining U.S. market territories, according to Carrier Management. The Chicago-based insurer explained in a statement issued to Carrier Management …

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Zurich Insurance (Hong Kong) Appoints Chiu as Head of Global Corporate Division

Zurich Insurance (Hong Kong) has appointed Philip Chiu as the head of its Global Corporate Division, in a move from his previous position as Zurich’s head of Financial Lines in Asia. He will directly report to Keith Thomas, CEO Global Corporate APAC, …

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Brown, Holmes & Milliken of Maine Hires Freeman

Brown, Holmes & Milliken Agency, an independent insurance agency based in Ellsworth, Maine, has hired Larry Freeman to join its sales staff. In his new role, Freeman will service commercial accounts along with selling home, auto and life policies. He is a 35 …

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Massachusetts Restaurant Owner Sentenced to Four Years for Insurance Fraud

A Leominster, Mass., man who set fire to his own restaurant to collect the insurance money has been sentenced to four years in prison. Jeffrey Cordio, who owned the West End Diner, was also sentenced in federal court to three …

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Pennsylvania Councilman to Resign Amid Insurance Fraud Charges Following 2014 Crash

A city councilman is resigning following charges he filed a false accident report and repeatedly changed his explanation for what happened. Lebanon, Penn., councilman Tony Matula, 59, faces charges including insurance fraud, false reports to law enforcement and hit and …

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Formal Brexit Talks Likely to Be Triggered in April 2017: UK Officials

Prime Minister Theresa May’s team is still leaning toward the first part of 2017 as the best moment to trigger the start of formal talks over the U.K.’s withdrawal from the European Union, according to two British officials. While reports …

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Judge Nixes $100M Driver Settlement But Uber May Win in End

Uber Technologies Inc. may come out ahead by failing to win court approval of a $100 million settlement with drivers. A San Francisco federal judge rejected the agreement on Thursday, a turn of events that would typically encourage the ride-hailing …

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Suit Alleges Valeant Ran Secret Prescription Refill Scam

Valeant Pharmaceuticals International Inc. refilled patients’ prescriptions without their permission and steered them to more expensive drugs in order to boost sales and profits, according to a lawsuit that sheds new light on the drug company’s secret operations. T. Rowe …

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‘Kissing Up’ to the Boss Has Unintended Consequences

Kissing up to your boss doesn’t just impact your relationship with your supervisor, it can influence your co-workers, as well. In a new study in The Journal of Applied Psychology, University of Florida researcher Trevor Foulk and David Long from …

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Uber Moves Into Self-Driving Truck Lane with Otto Acquisition

Ride service Uber Technologies Inc. said on Thursday it has acquired the self-driving trucks startup Otto, and it also announced that Volvo Car Group has agreed to a $300 million alliance to develop self-driving cars. Anthony Levandowski, one of Otto’s …

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Some Sage Customers Open to Data Breaches Because of Their Own Lax Security

Sage Group, already hit by an insider data breach this week, then found itself racing to shut down security lapses by more than 20 customers after a U.S. researcher uncovered stores of their corporate data exposed online. The British financial …

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Towergate Forms £30M, 5-Year Partnership with Yacht Specialist N&G (Zurich Unit)

Towergate and Navigators & General (N&G), a part of the Zurich Group, have signed a strategic partnership under which N&G will provide capacity and expertise for Towergate Marine products. Towergate Marine provides insurance for around 25,000 pleasure crafts including super …

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American Integrity Insurance Launches Umbrella Coverage for Florida Homeowners

Tampa-based American Integrity Insurance Co., a Florida property insurance company, has launched a new umbrella policy for Florida consumers and property insurance policyholders. The new coverage offers up to $5 million in protection. Umbrella coverage is designed to help protect …

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Alabama Volunteer Firefighter Charged With Arson

A central Alabama firefighter is charged with setting a fire in an Elmore County community that’s been plagued by a string of suspicious blazes. WSFA-TV reports that 28-year-old Chad Ellis of Deatsville was arrested Tuesday by the State Fire Marshal’s …

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New Jersey Manufacturer Faces $56K in Fines for 10 Workplace Safety Violations

National Manufacturing Co. Inc. of Chatham, N.J., was cited in July by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) for 10 workplace safety violations, amounting to $56,000 in fines. “National Manufacturing Co. put workers in harm’s …

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Massachusetts-Based PMC Insurance Hires Keenan

PMC Insurance Group, a Bedford, Mass., based workers’ compensation specialty wholesaler and program manager, has hired Ed Keenan as vice president of business development. In his new role, Keenan will be responsible for managing underwriting, production and distribution in PMC’s greater metro …

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South Carolina ‘Irish Traveler’ Community Indicted on Insurance Fraud Charges

A federal grand jury has indicted 22 people from a so-called Irish traveler community in western South Carolina for racketeering, alleging various violations ranging from food-stamp and tax fraud to money laundering and insurance fraud. Acting South Carolina U.S. Attorney …

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Illinois Contractor, in Default of $268K in Fines, Cited Again for Safety Hazards

Illinois contractor Robert Barringer III’s long history of putting his workers in danger of debilitating or fatal falls at his company’s job sites continues, this time at a residential home under construction in Glen Carbon, according to federal safety officials. …

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Louisiana Reminds Insurers of Flooded Vehicle Requirements

The Louisiana Department of Insurance has issued a reminder to insurance companies regarding the Certificate of Destruction title requirements for flooded vehicles. The department issued the bulletin following the federal declaration of disaster due to the massive flooding in Southeast …

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Monstrous Southern California Wildfire Displaces More than 80,000

It tore through canyons and flew over ridges in every direction with astonishing speed, sending flames 80 feet skyward and forcing tens of thousands to flee their homes. The Southern California wildfire that began as a small midmorning patch of …

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Tyson Foods Fined $236K for Serious Safety Violations at Texas Plant

Arkansas-based Tyson Foods Inc. is facing more than $236,000 in penalties after an investigation by federal safety inspectors found the nation’s largest meat and poultry processor endangered workers by exposing them to amputation hazards, high levels of carbon dioxide and …

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Aspen U.S. Insurance Opens Office in Dallas

Aspen U.S. Insurance, part of the insurance segment of Aspen Insurance Holdings Limited has opened an office in Dallas, Texas. The new Dallas office will serve as a hub to offer products and services to regional customers and brokers. Initially …

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Former Oklahoma Insurance Agent Sentenced to Federal Prison

A former Oklahoma insurance agent has been sentenced to 27 months in federal prison for fraud, the Oklahoma Insurance Department announced. Gary Edward Hibbing, 53, was sentenced after pleading guilty to two counts of wire fraud and two counts of …

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Workers’ Comp Rate Reduction Proposed in Iowa

The Iowa Insurance Division reports that a proposed workers’ compensation rate filing would lower rates by 4.7 percent next year. The National Council on Compensation Insurance Inc. has made a rate filing that proposes an overall decrease in voluntary and …

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Safety Officials: Higher Speeds Causing More Traffic Fatalities in Illinois

Safety and insurance industry experts say Illinois traffic fatalities are expected to pass 1,000 this year for the first time since 2008 because of higher speeds, more miles driven and an increase in the number of younger drivers on the …

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Americans Put Too Much Faith in Homeowners Insurance

Too few Americans take steps to prepare for disasters and too many assume their home insurance policies will bail them out if one strikes. As disaster season peaks, a new national consumer survey commissioned by Trusted Choice and the Independent …

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July Continued Earth’s Record-Setting Hot Streak

As more than 100,000 Americans flee destructive wildfires in California and floods in Louisiana, earth sends yet another reminder that the worst is yet to come: a new record for planet-wide heat. Last month wasn’t just the hottest July on record for the …

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Could This New Drug Ease America’s Opioid Crisis?

So far, the fight against America’s opioid crisis has focused on treating addiction and curbing abuse. In February, President Barack Obama asked Congress for $1.1 billion to fund health care for addicts, and last month Congress allocated $181 million in grants for state programs. …

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Boston Insurance Brokerage’s Lynch Heads Opening of D.C. Office

Boston Insurance Brokerage Inc. (BIB), a provider of commercial insurance, tapped Brian Lynch, vice president of high value personal lines, to head the opening of its office in Washington D.C. Lynch initially joined the firm in February 2014 as a …

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Guidewire to Acquire Massachusetts Software Firm FirstBest

Guidewire Software Inc., a property and casualty insurance software provider headquartered in Calif., has entered into an agreement to acquire FirstBest Systems Inc., a Bedford, Mass. based provider of underwriting management systems for property and casualty insurers. FirstBest’s product lines …

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Natural Catastrophes Drive Global Insured Losses to $31B in H1: Swiss Re’s Sigma

Global insured losses from natural catastrophes and man-made disasters during the first half of 2016 reached US$31 billion, or 44 percent of total economic losses of US$71 billion, according to a report issued by Swiss Re’s sigma. The economic loss total …

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New Jersey’s Holman Insurance Services Acquires Risk Partners

Holman Insurance Services LLC, a subsidiary of Maple Shade, N.J., based Holman Automotive Group Inc., has acquired Risk Partners Inc., a Medford, N.J., based commercial insurance brokerage and managing general underwriter. Following the acquisition, Risk Partners will continue to operate under …

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New York’s Columbia University Faces $100M Lawsuit for Mismanaging Retirement Plan

Columbia University was accused on Tuesday of mismanaging its retirement plan in a federal civil lawsuit that alleges $100 million in damages. The suit is the latest to target a major university’s retirement plan management and to bring under scrutiny …

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Sompo Canopius Names Catlin’s Newman as CEO of APAC & MENA

Sompo Canopius has appointed Mark Newman as chief executive officer Sompo Canopius Asia Pacific, Middle East and North Africa. He is based in the Singapore office, reporting to Mike Duffy, chief underwriting officer. Newman has 30 years in insurance and …

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China’s Ping An Eyes Overseas Acquisitions, Including Post-Brexit UK

Ping An Insurance Group Co. of China Ltd, the country’s second-largest insurer, is aiming for a possible fivefold increase in overseas investments and has not been put off Britain by its vote to leave the European Union, its group chief …

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Tropical Storm Fiona, 6th Storm of 2016, Forms in Central Tropical Atlantic

Tropical Storm Fiona, which formed more than 900 miles west of the Cape Verde Islands, is forecast to track across the open Atlantic for at least the next five days, the U.S. National Hurricane Center said. Fiona, the sixth storm …

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Allianz & AXA Bid for Rights to Sell Products via StanChart Outlets in Asia: Sources

Allianz SE, Europe’s biggest insurer, and France’s AXA SA were among first-round bidders for the rights to distribute general insurance products through Standard Chartered Plc outlets in Asia, according to people with knowledge of the matter. A unit of MS&AD …

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Kentucky Man Awarded $21M for ‘Unnecessary’ Heart Procedures by Hospital

A jury has determined that a hospital in London, Kentucky, and its parent company should pay $21.2 million to a Corbin man who received unnecessary heart procedures. The Lexington Herald-Leader reports that the jury ruled August 10 St. Joseph Health …

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South Carolina Approves Updated RMS North Atlantic Hurricane Models

Versions of global catastrophe risk management firm RMS’ North Atlantic Hurricane Models have been approved by South Carolina’s Department of Insurance for the purpose of residential rate filings. Approval for the hurricane model versions 15.0 and 15.0.1 was provided on July …

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Debt Collectors Cleared to Avoid Liability by Buying Out Claims

Can a debt collector accused of crossing the line avoid liability by buying a consumer’s legal claim out from under her? A federal judge in Las Vegas said yes. The case deserves attention because if the U.S. Court of Appeals …

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Uber to Reunite with Alabama College Towns

The ridesharing service Uber plans to return to two Alabama cities this week as students return to college campuses. Local media report that city officials in Auburn and Tuscaloosa have approved ordinances in recent weeks that satisfy the company. Uber …

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Florida Insurers UPC Insurance, American Coastal Insurance Enter Merger Agreement

United Insurance Holdings Corp. (UPC Insurance), a property and casualty insurance holding company, has entered into a merger agreement with RDX Holding, LLC, the parent of American Coastal Insurance Co. (ACIC or American Coastal), to combine the companies in an …

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U.S. Regulator Vows Changes to Mine Cleanup Program

A leading U.S. coal regulator announced plans on Tuesday to toughen what it called “out-of-date” rules for guaranteeing mine cleanups. The Office of Surface Mining and Reclamation Enforcement said it would start working with U.S. state regulators to modify rules …

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Integro Taps Atlanta-Based Sandfrey to Lead Environmental Practice

International broker and risk management firm Integro Insurance Brokers has hired Tony Sandfrey to lead the firm’s Environmental practice. He will be based in Atlanta.   Sandfrey, who began his career as an environmental consultant specializing in remediation systems, brings …

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OSHA Launches Expedited Whistleblower Review Pilot in Western Region

The U.S. Department of Labor is launching a pilot process in its Western region called the “Expedited Case Processing Pilot,” which enables a complainant covered by certain statutes to ask the Occupational Safety and Health Administration to cease its investigation …

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LP Insurance in Nevada Names Perchetti, Vice President and Shareholder

Reno, Nev.-based LP Insurance Services Inc. has named Tina Perchetti vice president and shareholder. Perchetti provides clients in northeastern Nevada with commercial insurance products and risk management services. She worked in financial services before insurance. LP Insurance is a risk …

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Endurance Global Risk Solutions Launches Environmental Liability Products

Endurance Specialty Holdings Ltd. has launched a new series of environmental liability insurance products, offering both primary and excess coverage for single sites or property portfolios. Endurance’s new products include a site environmental impairment liability product, which provides eight different …

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Officials Say Texas’ Closed Formulary Is Lowering Workers’ Comp Costs

A recent analysis by researchers at the Texas Department of Insurance shows that the Texas pharmacy closed formulary is lowering costs and reducing the use of opioids in the workers’ compensation system, the department announced. “Other states are interested in …

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Oklahoma Geological Survey Studying Injection Well/Earthquake Connection

The Oklahoma Geological Survey is studying the relationship between seismic activity and wastewater injection wells with a survey in the Arbuckle formation. Sensors will be placed into several injection wells in the Arbuckle group to take various measurements. The Enid …

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As People Survey Louisiana Flood Damage, Death Toll Rises

As waters receded in parts of Louisiana’s capital city of Baton Rouge, some residents returned to their flood-damaged homes on Aug. 16 for the first time and found a soggy mess. David Key used a small boat to get to …

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