Florida Woman Has SUV Driven Into Lagoon For Insurance Money

Authorities say a Florida woman had her SUV driven into Grand Lagoon and then pretended the vehicle had been stolen. The News Herald of Panama City reported Saturday that 65-year-old Debra Jenkins was charged with insurance fraud. She was arrested …

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Florida City Settles Wrongful Death Suit at Zombicon Festival for $40K

A Florida city has agreed to pay $40,000 to settle a wrongful death lawsuit for a mass-shooting at a Zombie-themed festival. The News-Press reports that the Fort Myers City Council passed the settlement for 20-year-old Expavious Taylor’s estate without comment …

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Kentucky Emergency Management Building Badly Damaged by Fire

A fire has significantly damaged the emergency dispatch and ambulance services building in a Kentucky county. Elliott County Emergency Management director Jim Skaggs tells news outlets the fire started on Monday sometime between 12 a.m. and 1 a.m. Skaggs says …

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Paragon Insurance Holdings Adds Schmidt as Pest Control Program Underwriter in Florida

Paragon Insurance Holdings, LLC, a national multi-line specialty program manager, has added Justin Schmidt to the Paragon team as Program underwriter. He will be based in Orlando, Fla. According to Ron Ganiats, Paragon managing partner, Schmidt will lead Paragon’s Pest …

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Farmers Files Trade Secrets Suit in California Against Auto Club Michigan, Former Employees

Farmers Insurance has filed a lawsuit in California against a pair of former employees and the Automobile Club of Michigan alleging the theft of trade secrets. The suit alleges violations of the California Trade Secrets Act, unfair competition, breach of …

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What Happens if a Stolen Car is Recovered After You’ve Received an Auto Insurance Payout?

According to the Insurance Information Institute, 236.9 vehicles per 100,000 people were stolen in 2016. Depending on the kind of car you have and where you park it, you might just fall prey to car thieves yourself. If your car is stolen, ther...

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Insured Losses from California Wildfires Now at $3.3 Billion

The largest California insurers have so far reported more than $3.3 billion in insured losses from the October wildfire siege, now considered the most destructive fires in state history. Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones on Tuesday updated insured loss claims data …

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How Artificial Intelligence is Changing the Auto Insurance Industry

As with so many other sectors, artificial intelligence (AI) is tangibly changing the auto insurance industry. The goal is to improve customer service and safety, but also to save insurance providers and policy-holders money. One prediction is...

from EINSURANCE.(com): EInsurance Journal Auto Insurance Articles

AIG Names MetLife’s Townsend as CEO, International General Insurance

American International Group (AIG) announced that Chris Townsend will join the company as chief executive officer, International General Insurance. In this newly created role, Townsend will lead the international operations of AIG’s General Insurance business, with responsibility for executing its …

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Beazley Launches Suite of Financial Lines Products in Spain

Specialist insurer Beazley has unveiled a comprehensive suite of financial lines products in Spain, designed for the needs of a broad range of commercial and financial organizations. Led by Lorena Segovia, Beazley’s Spanish team of underwriters launch a set of …

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Cat Facility CCRIF to Pay Trinidad & Tobago $7M for Severe October Rains

Cayman Islands-based CCRIF SPC (formerly the Caribbean Catastrophe Risk Insurance Facility) announced that Trinidad & Tobago will receive a payout of US$7,007,886 (approximately TT$47.4 million) on an excess rainfall policy following a period of heavy rainfall between Oct. 18 and …

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Spencer, Nash Join MJ Insurance in Indianapolis

MJ Insurance has added Eric Spencer and Dennis Nash to the risk management and employee benefits teams as consultants in the company’s Indianapolis, Indiana, office. In their respective departments, Spencer and Nash will be responsible for proactively driving sales and …

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NetRate Systems Adds Lewis as Director of Client Services

Okemos, Michigan-based insurance industry software provider, NetRate Systems, has hired Jeff Lewis as director of Client Services. Lewis has more than 15 years of industry experience, which includes heading multiple software support groups. He has also served as head of …

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U.S. Supreme Court Declines Louisiana Coastal Wetlands Lawsuit

The U.S. Supreme Court has refused to revive a Louisiana flood protection board’s lawsuit seeking to make oil, gas and pipeline companies pay for decades of damage to coastal wetlands. The court rejected the board’s request for a review of …

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Missouri Educator Who Settled Harassment Suit Alleges Retaliation

A Missouri educator awarded $500,000 over claims that she was sexually harassed by her superintendent is suing again, alleging that school board members poisoned her effort to find a new job. Jodi Heckler was principal of an intermediate school in …

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Texas Posts Adjusted Annual Payroll Requirement for Seasonal Workers

The adjusted annual payroll requirement of an employer for the coverage of seasonal workers under the provisions of the Texas Labor Code, Section 406.162 is $55,922, the Texas Department of Insurance announced. This gross payroll amount will be used in …

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Allstate Sues Former Agent Over EA Agreement in Mass. Federal Court

Allstate is suing one of its former agents in United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts, alleging the agent breached a one-year non-compete clause by misusing Allstate’s confidential information and trade secrets. Defendant Abner Joseph executed an exclusive …

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Text and Crossing a Street in Honolulu Can Bring a Fine

Of all the beautiful scenery to see in Honolulu, officials want to make sure residents and tourists get a good look at the street. Honolulu became the largest city in the U.S. to make it illegal for people to look …

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GM Settles Alleged Defects Concealment Suit with California County

General Motors has agreed to a $13.9 million settlement with Orange County, Calif., after prosecutors accused the auto giant of concealing serious safety defects to avoid costly recalls and part replacements. The lawsuit, filed in 2014, accused GM of deceptive …

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Chris Winans Joins Kimball Hughes PR

Chris Winans has joined Kimball Hughes Public Relations as a consultant. Winans most recently led Hill+Knowlton Strategies’ U.S. financial services communications practice. He has more than 30 years of experience as a journalist, a Wall Street financial analyst, a corporate …

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AIG Renames Tech-Focused Commercial Insurance Unit Blackboard

American International Group’s technology-focused subsidiary formerly known as Hamilton USA has a new name, Blackboard. Hamilton USA was part of Hamilton Insurance Group. AIG announced plans to buy the unit in May when its chief executive officer, Brian Duperreault, left …

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Why States Should Drop Insurance Anti-Rebating Laws: Viewpoint

For the commercial property and casualty, and employee benefits segments of the insurance industry, anti-rebating laws are both nonsense and anti-consumer. Competition is intended to protect competitiveness in the marketplace, not to protect competitors. Producers need to be able to …

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Singapore Looks to Create Thousands of Finance, Insurance Jobs

Singapore wants to bolster its status as a wealth management and foreign-exchange center as part of plans to create more financial-sector jobs and mitigate the effect of rapid changes in technology. In a plan unveiled Monday, the Monetary Authority of …

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Severe Weather Sweeps Through Northeast, 300,000 Without Power

Severe weather pounded the Northeast region with powerful winds and drenching rains early Monday, leaving nearly 300,000 without power. Southern New England appeared to suffer the brunt of the storm damage overnight. Eversource reported more than 155,000 Connecticut customers were …

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QBE North America Hires Keeping as NYC-Based Eastern Regional Executive

QBE North America, an operating division of QBE Group, has hired Matt Keeping as a regional executive in the Eastern region. In this role, Keeping will lead QBE’s go-to-market activities as an integrated specialist insurer in the 20-state region. Based …

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Summerville to Head Swiss Re Casualty, Financial and Professional Services for North America

Swiss Re Corporate Solutions has appointed Jeff Summerville as head of Casualty, Financial & Professional Services North America, effective immediately. Summerville will oversee the North American Casualty business in addition to his current responsibilities as the leader of Financial and …

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Key Metrics of New York Workers’ Comp System Tracked in New WCRI Study

The Workers Compensation Research Institute (WCRI) released a new tool for policymakers and system stakeholders to track the performance of the New York workers’ compensation system. “Originally established to monitor the system following reforms in 2007, the report has evolved …

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AssuredPartners Acquires New Jersey’s Synergy Professional Associates

AssuredPartners Inc. has acquired Synergy Professional Associates of Fairfield, N.J. Synergy is a managing general agent and wholesale insurance intermediary devoted to professional liability and program development. It was founded as a boutique gateway for specialized professional liability programs, and …

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Shareholder Activists Press Drug Firms on Business Risks of Opioid Crisis

U.S. shareholder activists are addressing a soaring death toll from opioid drug abuse, asking companies that make and distribute the painkillers to review the risks their businesses could face from their role in the sector. Leaders of a 30-fund group …

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Cost-Cutting Japanese Factories Struggle to Maintain Safety

A series of safety scandals at Japanese companies have put the country’s lionized factory floor under scrutiny as manufacturers struggle with increased pressure on costs, stricter enforcement of standards and growing competition. With margins squeezed by a stagnant domestic market …

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QBE Invests in, Links With, Machine Learning InsurTech Startup RiskGenius

QBE has signed a multi-year commercial use agreement with RiskGenius, a machine learning company that helps carriers, brokers and regulators analyze policy and endorsement language and aid in product development. The deal comes as the Australian insurer’s venture arm closed …

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Large Warehouse Fire in West Virginia Finally Extinguished After 8 Days

West Virginia emergency officials say a large warehouse fire is fully extinguished more than a week after it broke out. The state Department of Military Affairs and Public Safety says it was informed by Lubeck Fire Chief Mark Stewart that …

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Hay Wagon, Pickup Crash in South Carolina Injures 6

Six people are recovering from injuries treated at hospitals and more needed first aid after a pickup truck hit a vehicle carrying people on a nighttime hay ride in South Carolina. The Island Packet of Hilton Head reported the crash …

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Tennessee Fire Captain Arrested for Setting Own Home on Fire

Tennessee investigators say a captain with Nashville’s fire department was arrested on arson and insurance fraud charges for setting his home on fire on purpose. According to a Tennessee Bureau of Investigation news release, Jeffrey Neely of the Metro-Nashville Fire …

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PointeNorth Insurance Group Acquires Georgia Agencies Benton & Parker, Cord & Wilburn

PointeNorth Insurance Group, an independent insurance agency in the Southeast with local ownership, has acquired Benton & Parker Insurance Services, a commercial truck insurer headquartered in Georgia. The company also acquired Cord & Wilburn Insurance, a Woodstock, Georgia-based insurance firm. …

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California Workers’ Comp Report Shows Prevalence of Opioids in Set-Asides

A new report shows that nearly 70 percent of federally mandated and approved California Workers’ Compensation Medicare Set-Aside settlements for injured workers require funding for decades of opioid use, often at dangerously high levels and in conjunction with other high-risk …

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Ohio County Sues Drugmakers Over Opioid Surge

County officials in Ohio’s Cuyahoga County are suing several large prescription drug companies saying they intentionally misled the public about the dangers of opioids. The lawsuit filed by Cuyahoga County says the drugmakers and distributors sought to increase sales of …

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3 Licensed Producers Accused of Insurance Fraud Scheme in Louisiana

Two women in East Baton Rouge Parish have been served cease and desist orders by the Louisiana Department of Insurance Fraud Division investigators for allegedly fraudulently altering the vital information and beneficiary designation of insurance policies, submitting fraudulent policyholder information, …

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Report: Seatbelt Use Lags Among Louisiana Truck Drivers, Passengers

Louisiana’s pickup truck drivers buckle up less regularly than motorists in cars, SUVs and vans. That’s the finding of a new seatbelt use study from the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission. The group says 87 percent of drivers and front-seat passengers …

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Houston Labor Union to Pay $30K to Settle Federal Race Discrimination Lawsuit

Houston’s Local 100 of the United Labor Unions, a multi-state service workers’ union, has agreed to pay $30,000 in lost wages and damages to settle a race discrimination suit filed by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), the federal …

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Alera Group Names Doucette VP — Human Resources, Organization Development

Deerfield, Illinois-based Alera Group, a national employee benefits, property/casualty, risk management and wealth management firm, has appointed Bill Doucette as vice president of Human Resources and Organization Development. Doucette will focus on uniting the best practices of Alera Group firms …

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The Hilb Group Acquires Michigan’s BKC Insurance Agency

The Hilb Group LLC (THG) has acquired BKC Insurance Agency (BKC), based in Cheboygan, Michigan. In addition to Cheboygan, BKC has an additional location in Indian River, Michigan. The agency provides a wide array of property/casualty and employee benefits solutions …

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Legal Troubles, Political Discourse Lead to Insurance Probation for Vermont Town

The insurance provider for the small Vermont town of Victory has placed the town on probation after a series of legal disputes and internal strife among current and former elected officials. The board of the Vermont League of Cities & …

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Irons-Excess Names 3 to Specialty Casualty Posts for U.S., London

Ironshore announced the appointments of three executives to underwrite Specialty Casualty risk in U.S. and London markets. Iron-Excess, the excess underwriting unit of Ironshore Insurance Services formed in September 2017, has named Sonny Powers to lead the Iron-Excess Casualty unit …

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Top Technology Investments of Workers’ Compensation Carriers: Novarica

Workers’ compensation insurers are looking to technology to deliver operating efficiencies, underwriting insights and product development as they navigate a fragmented market with high sensitivity to state regulation, According to technology research and consulting firm Novarica in its latest report, …

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Oregon Cop Says New Phone Law Makes Smartphones Like ‘Hot Lava’

In the three years that Springfield police officer Mike Massey has been a motorcycle traffic enforcement officer, he’s seen it all when it comes to cellphone use and driving. In addition to witnessing drivers talking or texting on their cellphones …

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Workers at Los Alamos Lab in New Mexico Contaminated by Radioactive Material

Workers at the Los Alamos National Laboratory in New Mexico were contaminated after radioactive particles were released into the air inside the lab’s plutonium facility. The Santa Fe New Mexican reports the lab accident last month was the second time …

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California Wildfires: May Take Years for Full Recovery

It will take at least months and likely years to fully recover from devastating wildfires that ripped through Northern California earlier this month, destroying at least 8,900 structures and killing 42 people, Sonoma County officials said . “We don’t control …

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HR Departments Often Ill-Equipped to Handle Sexual Harassment Claims: Viewpoint

In an ideal world, anyone who experiences harassment at work would head directly to the human resource department. That’s where a sensitive, well-trained professional would conduct an “immediate and impartial” investigation followed by “appropriate action to remediate or prevent the …

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Aon to Acquire UK-Based Insurance Broker Henderson

Global insurance broker Aon said it will acquire Henderson Insurance Broking Group, an independent UK-based insurance broker. Terms were not disclosed. Aon anticipates completing the acquisition in December. Henderson Insurance Broking Group is one of the UK’s largest independent brokers, …

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Beazley Taps XL Catlin’s Taboada, Zurich’s Misol as Financial Lines U/Ws, Spain

Specialist insurer Beazley continues to build its international specialty lines team, with the appointments of Estefania Taboada and Ana Misol as financial lines underwriters in Barcelona. Their appointments follow the appointment in May 2017 of Lorena Segovia to the newly …

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UK Faces Bad Deal for Brexit, Gloomy Outlook: S&P, Fitch

Standard and Poor’s and Fitch held their credit ratings for Britain unchanged on Friday [Oct. 27], but both remained gloomy about the outlook due to the likelihood of the country reaching a bad deal in its divorce talks with the …

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New York’s Lawley Hires Overhoff as Loss Control Manager

Lawley, a Buffalo, N.Y.-based, independent insurance broker, has hired loss control veteran Bob Overhoff Jr. as loss control manager. Previously the director of corporate safety at LPCiminelli, Overhoff Jr. will work out of Lawley’s headquarters in Buffalo, N.Y., helping customers …

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Pharmacist in Deadly Meningitis Outbreak Cleared of Murder

A pharmacist at a facility whose tainted drugs sparked a nationwide meningitis outbreak that killed 76 people was cleared Wednesday of murder but was convicted of mail fraud and racketeering. Jurors said prosecutors failed to prove Glenn Chin was responsible …

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Former Maine Fire Chief Admits Starting Blaze That Burned 42 Acres

A former Maine fire chief has pleaded guilty to setting a wildfire that burned 42 acres in 2016. The Journal Tribune reports that 61-year-old Ricky Plummer pleaded guilty Wednesday to starting the fire when he was chief, under an agreement …

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Aon Reports 6% Increase in Q3 Revenues to $2.2B

Aon reported third quarter revenue of $2.3 billion, an increase of 6 percent from the $2.2 billion reported for the same period last year. This increase was driven primarily by a 3 percent increase related to acquisitions, net of divestitures, …

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Basic IT Best Practice Would Have Limited WannaCry Cyber Attack: UK Report

The U.K. government holds North Korea responsible for the global WannaCry ransomware attack that crippled parts of the state-run National Health Service as a damning report highlighted its weak defense against such attacks. While the rogue Asian state has long …

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Insurtech Startup Etherisc Offers Blockchain-Based Flight Delay Insurance

Etherisc, a Zug-Switzerland-based insurance platform startup, has begun offering blockchain-based flight delay insurance, called Flight Delay, which automates the process of getting an insurance payout in case a flight is canceled or delayed. “The frustration of a flight delay or …

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Randall & Quilter Agrees to Novate Management of ProSight’s Syndicate 1110

Randall & Quilter Investment Holdings Ltd. (R&Q) announced it has reached agreement with ProSight Specialty Insurance to novate the management of Syndicate 1110 to R&Q Managing Agency Ltd. (RQMA). Day-to-day claims handling on non-U.S. business will be outsourced to R&Q …

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Lloyd’s Re/Insurance Broker RFIB Launches Singapore Operation

RFIB Group Ltd., the Lloyd’s insurance and reinsurance broker, announced the launch of RFIB (Singapore) Pte Ltd. The new operation will serve as a hub for the continued development of RFIB’s presence across Asia, said London-based RFIB. “Asia represents a …

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Not All Expect Hurricanes to Bring 2018 P/C Insurance Hard Market

The worst hurricane season in modern U.S. history is starting to look like a blip on the charts of insurance stocks, with investors banking on a quick restoration of capital as firms rediscover pricing power. It’s a fantasy, some analysts …

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What CVS-Aetna Deal Could Mean for Pharmacy Benefit Managers

If Aetna Inc. is eventually swallowed by CVS Health Corp., an important part of the health-care business will be changed — perhaps for good. For years, pharmacy benefits were largely carved out from the rest of a medical coverage plan. …

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U.S. Wants Help Removing Regulations Blocking Autonomous Vehicles

The U.S. National Highway Traffic-Safety Administration said Friday it is looking for input on how it can remove regulatory roadblocks to self-driving cars. The auto safety agency said in a report that it wants to find any “unnecessary regulatory barriers” …

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North Carolina Chemical Plant Sued by Law Firm Defending Flint Residents

A law firm fighting lawsuits for Flint, Michigan, residents over lead-tainted drinking water is filing the latest class-action case blaming a North Carolina chemical plant for releasing little-understood compounds into the water supply for hundreds of thousands of people. The …

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South Carolina Officer Fired for Confederate Flag Underwear Photo Awarded $55K

A former South Carolina police officer fired after a photo of him posing in Confederate flag underwear appeared online has settled a wrongful termination lawsuit. North Charleston city attorney Brady Hair tells the Post and Courier of Charleston Friday the …

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Florida Hurricane Fund Irma Payouts Could Exceed $5B

Hurricane Irma’s damaging rampage through Florida may require the state fund that provides backing to private insurers to pay up to $5.1 billion in claims. Anne Bert, chief operating officer for the Florida Hurricane Catastrophe Fund, said Thursday the fund …

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Court Sides with Florida Nursing Homes in Emergency Generator Battle With Gov

Florida Gov. Rick Scott’s push to force nursing homes to add generators in the aftermath of Hurricane Irma could be blocked after a judge ruled there was no pressing danger that justifies the order. Scott called for the rules after …

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Insured Loss Estimates from California Wildfires Now up to $8 Billion

Insured losses from the siege of California wildfires could possibly reach $8 billion, according to new estimates released on Friday by catastrophe modeler RMS. The firm now estimates the insured loss for the wildfires impacting Sonoma, Napa, Solano, Lake and …

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California Workers’ Comp Division Holding Regulations Hearing on Medical Provider Suspension

The California Division of Workers’ Compensation on Friday issued a notice of public hearing on proposed regulations to implement the provider suspension process required under Assembly Bill 1244. AB 1244, which went into effect Jan. 1, introduced new changes to …

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Seeman Holtz Acquires Texas Agency, Confimex Services Insurance

Seeman Holtz Property & Casualty Inc., based in Boca Raton, Florida, has acquired Confimex Services Insurance, headquartered in Tomball, Texas. For eight years, Confimex has provided the Tomball and Waller, Texas, areas, with auto, home, health, commercial and life insurance …

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Louisiana Ramps Up Effort to Prevent Employers from Misclassifying Workers

Several state and federal government entities partnering on a Louisiana task force to target employers who misclassify workers plan increased activity in 2018, according to the Louisiana Workforce Commission (LWC). The LWC’s Unemployment Insurance and Office of Workers’ Compensation divisions …

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Reinsurer Swiss Re Moving Kansas Office to Kansas City, Missouri

Swiss Re, a reinsurance company, says it plans to move its headquarters and 400 jobs from Overland Park, Kansas, to downtown Kansas City. The move is expected in late 2018. President and CEO Eric Smith says the move will bring …

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Michigan Pizza Delivery Man Loses Lawsuit over Icy Fall

Cheese and pepperoni — but hold the lawsuit. That’s the message from the Michigan appeals court, which has reversed a decision and dismissed a lawsuit by a Domino’s Pizza delivery man. Robert Garsoff fractured an ankle in three places and …

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South Dakota Farmers Report 57K Acres Damaged by Dicamba

South Dakota farmers have reported about 57,000 acres of crops damaged by an herbicide called dicamba. Dicamba is an herbicide widely used to kill weeds in soybeans genetically modified to be resistant to the herbicide, the Pierre Capital Journal reported. …

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AIG Expanding Commercial Casualty Policies to Include Cyber Coverage

American International Group Inc. said it would include cyber coverage to its commercial casualty insurance during the first quarter of 2018, a move that would boost rates but make it clearer how customers are covered if they are the victim …

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XL Catlin Taps Allianz’ Broodryk as Cyber Product Leader, APAC Financial Lines

XL Catlin’s insurance operations announced the appointment of Max Broodryk as product leader of Cyber Risk, International Financial Lines for Asia Pacific, based in Sydney. In this role, Broodryk will be responsible for underwriting management and development of the Cyber …

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Oklahoma’s Medical Malpractice ‘Affidavit of Merit’ Law Ruled Unconstitutional

In an unpublished opinion decided Oct. 24, the Oklahoma Supreme Court ruled that a state law aimed at curtailing the filing of medical malpractice lawsuits is unconstitutional. The Court came to that conclusion in reviewing John v. Saint Francis Hospital, …

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Chubb Reports Q3 Loss Due to Catastrophes; CEO Greenberg See Prices Firming

Chubb, like other property/casualty insurers and reinsurers, faced significant catastrophe losses from hurricanes and earthquakes that struck in August and September. The insurer reported a net loss of $70 million for the quarter. The results are a fall from a …

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M3.9 Quake Jolts Southeastern Alaska

A magnitude 3.9 earthquake hit southeastern Alaska early Thursday morning, the U.S. Geological Survey confirmed. The USGS says the earthquake struck at 1:01 a.m. and had an epicenter 47.6 miles southwest of Port Alice, a town of about 805. The …

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Emergency Response to Vegas Shooting Projected at $4M

The costs of emergency police, fire and other services related to the Las Vegas shooting massacre were projected Wednesday at about $4 million and climbing. The disclosure came amid pledges by the federal government to provide $1 million, and from …

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Loss Estimate for October 2016 Italian Quakes Rises to US$244.4M: PERILS

The property insurance market’s losses from the series of earthquakes to hit Central Italy between Oct. 26 and Oct. 30, 2016 has risen to €208 million (US$244.4 million), according to PERILS, the independent Zurich-based organization that provides industry wide catastrophe …

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CVS Health Reported in Talks to Buy Aetna

Aetna Inc. gained in New York trading after the Wall Street Journal reported that CVS Health Corp. is in talks to buy the insurer for more than $66 billion. Aetna jumped 12 percent to $178.60, closing at a record high, …

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What Trump Declaring Opioid Crisis a Public Health Emergency Means

U.S. President Donald Trump declared the opioid crisis a public health emergency on Thursday, stopping short of a national emergency declaration he promised months ago that would have freed up more federal money. Responding to a growing problem, particularly in …

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Insurtech Zenefits, Co-Founder to Pay $1M for Misleading Investors

Silicon Valley business software startup Zenefits and its co-founder Parker Conrad have been fined nearly $1 million by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission as part of a settlement over charges that they misled investors. Zenefits will pay a $450,000 …

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AIG, Insurer for Disney/ABC, Balks at Paying Part of ‘Pink Slime’ Settlement

American International Group Inc. on Thursday sued Walt Disney Co. to avoid having to reimburse the parent of ABC News for part of a settlement of a meat producer’s defamation lawsuit over a product that critics call “pink slime.” In …

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Toa Re, Barbican Get ‘in Principle’ Approval from Lloyd’s to Form SPA

The Toa Reinsurance Co. and Barbican Insurance Group announced they have received “in principle” approval from the Lloyd’s Franchise Board to establish Toa Re Special Purpose Arrangement (SPA 6132) to be backed exclusively by Toa Re. Subject to formal approval, …

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Man Convicted of Staging Connecticut Crashes in Fraud Scam Gets Prison

Federal prosecutors say a man will spend less than a year in prison for his role in an insurance scam involving staged car crashes in eastern Connecticut. Jonas Joseph was sentenced Wednesday in New Haven federal court to eight months …

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Prime Risk Partners Acquires New York’s Gunn, Steers & Company

Prime Risk Partners Inc. (PRP) has acquired Gunn, Steers & Company (Gunn Steers), a Manhattan-based insurance broker with a specialized practice for financial institutions and asset management companies. Gunn Steers will maintain its name and continue operating at its current …

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Assurance Furthers Expansion Into Washington D.C. with Hiring of Groseclose

Assurance, a Schaumburg, Ill.-headquartered, independent insurance brokerage, has hired Jack Groseclose to serve as an employee benefits advisor. In his new role, Groseclose will be based in Washington D.C., furthering Assurance’s expansion efforts into the D.C. market. He will focus …

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Global Re/Insurers Seek Premium Hikes After Costly 3rd Quarter

Insurers and reinsurers around the globe are looking to raise rates after what looks set to be their most costly quarter on record. Hurricanes Irma and Maria alone caused as much as $135 billion in insured losses, according to modeling …

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K&K Releases New Insurance Program for Air Shows

K&K Insurance Group, Inc., a subsidiary of Aon plc, has launched a new program designed for air shows that provides coverage for military air shows, civilian air shows, fly-ins, static aircraft displays, static/grounded hot air balloon displays and balloon glows …

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Florida Reports More Than $9 Million Recovered for Insurance Consumers in Q3

Assistance provided to Floridians by from Florida’s insurance consumer helpline led to the recovery of nearly $9.3 million in the third quarter of 2017, according to a statement from Florida’s Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis. Recoveries included insurance claim payments …

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Tennessee City To Redact Personal Info From Crash Reports

A Tennessee city will stop releasing traffic accident reports with unredacted personal information following a federal lawsuit questioning the efficacy of an ethical rule requiring attorneys to wait 30 days before contacting someone involved in a serious crash. The Chattanooga …

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Florida’s Hurricane Irma Recovery Tab Tops $650M

The tab for Hurricane Irma keeps rising, and Florida legislators are warning that it could require some tough budget choices for next year. Gov. Rick Scott’s budget director told a Senate panel on Wednesday that the state has spent nearly …

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Experts: Georgia Getting Hit Hard by Opioid Crisis

The nation’s deepening opioid epidemic is hitting Georgia harder than most states, experts say. That’s one of the messages that came out of a recent conference at the University of Georgia. Some of the highest opioid use is in the …

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U.S. Cities Ranked Most Vulnerable to Coastal Floods Due to Climate Change

This week is the anniversary of Superstorm Sandy, which developed in late October and moved over the East Coast starting on Oct. 29, 2012, causing more than $70 billion in damage and killing 280 people. To mark that anniversary, Climate …

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California Commissioner Adopts $1.94 Workers’ Comp Pure Premium

California Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones has adopted an advisory pure premium rate that lowers the benchmark to $1.94 per $100 of payroll for workers’ compensation insurance. The advisory rate is effective Jan. 1, 2018. The rate is 17.1 percent less …

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Study Links Colorado, New Mexico Quakes to Oil and Gas Fluid Injections

A rash of earthquakes in southern Colorado and northern New Mexico between 2008 and 2010 was likely due to fluids pumped deep underground during oil and gas wastewater disposal, according to a study from Colorado University Boulder. The study, which …

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MGA Burns & Wilcox Canada Opens Vancouver Office; Executive Team Named

Burns & Wilcox Canada, a managing general agent in North America, has expanded into British Columbia with the opening of a Vancouver office. The new office is located in Vancouver’s business district at the Oceanic Plaza Centre. The office will …

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U.S. Attorney’s Office for Eastern District of Texas Creates Disaster Fraud Task Force

Acting United States Attorney Brit Featherston has established a Disaster Fraud Task Force in the Eastern District of Texas comprised of local, state, and federal agencies to combat hurricane Harvey related disaster fraud activity, the U.S. Attorney’s Office announced. The …

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Indiana Sees First in a Decade Decline in Medical Payments per Workers’ Comp Claim: WCRI

Medical payments per workers’ compensation claim in Indiana decreased from 2014 to 2015 for the first time in more than a decade, according to a recent study by the Workers Compensation Research Institute (WCRI). The study, CompScope Medical Benchmarks for …

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Amid Claims of Discrimination, African-Americans Warned Against Travel on American Air

The NAACP is warning African-Americans that if they fly on American Airlines they could be subject to discrimination or even unsafe conditions. American’s CEO said on Oct. 25 that he was disappointed by the announcement and that American wants to …

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Alphabet to Test Self-Driving Cars in Snowy Michigan

Alphabet Inc.’s self-driving car unit Waymo is expanding winter testing as it works to address a potential blind spot for autonomous vehicles: snowy and icy conditions. Waymo said that Michigan is the sixth state where the self-driving car project will …

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Marsh & McLennan Total Revenues Up 7% in Q3

Global insurance and risk services firm Marsh & McLennan Companies reported financial results for the third quarter that include $3.3 billion in consolidated revenue, an increase of seven percent over third quarter last year. MMC also reported net income of …

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Louisiana Sheriff Rejected Applicant Because of HIV, Lawsuit Says

A Louisiana man says a sheriff’s office withdrew a job offer after finding out he has HIV, according to a federal lawsuit filed Oct. 24. “It’s the equivalent of not hiring somebody because they had cancer or diabetes. It’s not …

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Willis Towers Watson Adds Wallace as Market Leader in Wisconsin

Global insurance advisor, Willis Towers Watson, has appointed Scott Wallace market leader for Wisconsin for its Corporate Risk and Broking (CRB) segment. Willis Towers Watson has offices in Brookfield and Appleton, Wisconsin. Wallace, an 18-year industry veteran, joined Willis Towers …

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Texas Workers’ Comp Prosecution Unit Reports Fraud Indictments

A Massachusetts company and three individuals have been indicted in Texas for organized crime activity related to workers’ compensation fraud, the Texas Department of Insurance, Division of Workers’ Compensation (DWC) announced. TDI reported that EME International Inc. located in Marblehead, …

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How Employers Can Help Make Workers’ Compensation Work

Nurse care management and a solid return-to-work program are two ways employers can proactively manage workers’ compensation costs. Panelists at the 2017 Risk Management Summit in Las Vegas, Nev., emphasized the role an employer plays in maintaining good communication with …

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San Francisco Airport Experiences Another Air Canada Jet Safety Issue

Another Air Canada safety issue at San Francisco Airport is under investigation. The Federal Aviation Administration said this week it is investigating the second serious safety issue in three months involving an Air Canada passenger jet landing at San Francisco …

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Orgon Woman in $1.8M Suit: Was Misled into Mastectomy, Hysterectomy

A 36-year-old Oregon woman has filed a $1.8 million lawsuit against medical professionals who she says mistakenly suggested she undergo a double mastectomy and a hysterectomy. The Oregonian/OregonLive reported Monday that Elisha Cooke-Moore’s lawsuit says she underwent the life-altering surgeries …

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$65M of Unpaid Taxes by New Mexico Insurance Companies, Audit Shows

A long list of insurance companies failed to pay taxes on insurance premiums of nearly $65 million to the state of New Mexico since 2003, according to an independent audit released Tuesday that could weigh in ongoing legal proceedings against …

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Site of Largest Building Fire in Honolulu’s History Open For Plaintiffs, Defendants

The Marco Polo condominium building in which a July fire killed four has been opened to numerous people who might file lawsuits, potential defendants such as product manufacturers and their insurers, and fire experts from across the nation. As of …

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Equifax, Wells Fargo May Still Face Class Actions Despite Wall Street Arbitration Win

Not every financial firm will be able to reap the benefit of Wall Street’s victory in dismantling the threat of class-action law suits. The U.S. Senate killed a rule late on Tuesday that allowed consumers to band together to sue …

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18 States Lose Request for Emergency Order to Continue Obamacare Subsidies

A U.S. judge on Wednesday refused to block President Donald Trump’s decision to end subsidy payments to health insurers under Obamacare, handing Trump a victory against Democratic attorneys general who have regularly challenged the president’s policies in court. U.S. District …

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U.S. to Expand Testing of Drones

President Donald Trump launched a program on Wednesday to expand testing of drones to include flights over people, nighttime operations and flights out of sight of the operator, the White House said. The pilot program aims to speed up the …

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Hiscox Appoints Veys from UK Insurer LV= as Chief Investment Officer

Specialist global insurer Hiscox has appointed Alex Veys as chief investment officer. Veys will take over the position from David Astor, who is retiring in 2018 after 15 years at Hiscox. Veys has more than 30 years’ experience in financial …

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Saudi Insurers Need More Consolidation, Foreign Input, Says Regulator

Saudi Arabia’s insurance industry needs more consolidation and foreign input to help create solid companies capable of competing in the oil-rich nation’s crowded market, the country’s central bank chief said. “There are some small firms I don’t believe are capable …

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Investigators Seeking Source of Gas Leak After Connecticut Inn Explosion

Fire officials investigating a restaurant explosion that injured five people tried on Monday to pinpoint the source of the propane leak that caused the blast. The explosion happened Saturday afternoon at the Spring Hill Inn in Mansfield, just over a …

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Widow of Worker Killed by Street Sweeper in New York Awarded $41.5M

The widow of a New York City Department of Sanitation worker killed by an out-of-control street sweeper won a $41.5 million negligence lawsuit. The New York Post reports that a Queens jury granted the sum to Bina Frosch on Tuesday …

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New York’s Frenkel & Company Joins Forces with EPIC

Frenkel & Company, a New York, N.Y.-headquartered, full-service independent insurance broker, and EPIC Insurance Brokers & Consultants, a national retail insurance brokerage and employee benefits consulting firm, have joined forces. Frenkel & Company has been delivering strategic guidance and service …

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Munich Re Expects Q3 Claims of $3.2B from Hurricanes Harvey, Irma & Maria

Munich Re expects claims of €2.7 billion ($3.2 billion) from Hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria, which will lead to a third quarter loss of €1.4 billion. The group said it expects a small profit for the full year, as long …

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Holmes Murphy Names Holder Senior Vice President in Colorado

Holmes Murphy has named Jim Holder vice president of employees benefits for the Colorado market. Holder was previously senior vice president for Cigna’s Mountain States Region. He was executive vice president in consulting services for Ascension Insurance Inc. prior to …

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Markel Launches Primary Coverage for Biomedical, Life Sciences Companies

Markel Corporation has announced a new insurance product for biomedical and life sciences companies in the U.S. primary insurance segment that provides product liability, professional liability, general liability, clinical trial liability, and related medical professional liability coverage. Target markets include …

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School Renovation, Expansion Cause of Flooding, Nebraskans Say

Residents of a Lincoln, Nebraska, neighborhood have expressed frustration with flooding they blame on a public school’s renovation and expansion. The Lincoln Journal Star reports that Lincoln Public Schools began a major renovation two years ago of a 1950s-era building …

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Mumphrey Joins LWCC in Louisiana as Chief Information Officer

Louisiana workers’ compensation insurer, LWCC, has hired Kappie Mumphrey as its chief information officer (CIO). Mumphrey is an IT leader with over 25 years’ experience in management, including having served as CIO for the LSU AgCenter. She has been instrumental …

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Thousands of Chickens Killed in Iowa Facility Fire

Authorities say firefighters from at least eight departments responded to a blaze that heavily damaged a building at an egg facility on the west side of Charles City in northern Iowa. Firetrucks were dispatched a little before 5 p.m. on …

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Officials Confirm Oklahoma Casino Hit with EF1 Tornado

Emergency managers say an Oklahoma casino had part of its roof torn off by an EF1 tornado during a concert at which the state’s governor was attending. The twister touched down in Cleveland County, one of several counties where National …

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Worker Dies at Previously Cited Southern Indiana Auto Parts Factory

The Clark County coroner and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration are investigating the death of a worker at a southern Indiana auto parts manufacturing plant. The coroner’s office says 44-year-old Melissa Stephens suffered multiple blunt force trauma in an …

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Amid Sexual Harassment Allegations, Besh Steps Down from New Orleans Restaurant Group

New Orleans celebrity chef John Besh stepped down from management of the restaurant group that bears his name after a newspaper reported that 25 women who are current or former employees of the business said they were victims of sexual …

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Seeman Holtz Property & Casualty Acquires Indiana’s Williams & Associates

Boca Raton, Florida-based Seeman Holtz Property & Casualty Inc. has acquired Williams & Associates Insurance, headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana. Led by Scott Davis, Williams & Associates has offices in Indianapolis; West Palm Beach, Florida; St. Louis, Missouri; and El Paso, …

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Government Report Finds Climate Change Costing Taxpayers Billions Each Year

A non-partisan federal watchdog says climate change is already costing U.S. taxpayers billions of dollars each year, with those costs expected to rise as devastating storms, floods, wildfires and droughts become more frequent in the coming decades. A Government Accountability …

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Woodruff-Sawyer Adds Blasher in Southern California

Woodruff-Sawyer has named Andy Blasher an account executive in the firm’s Southern California office. Blasher has more than 20 years of experience on both the brokerage and insurance carrier sides of the business. His coverage expertise is in primary and …

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Starbucks in Legal Battle over California’s Cancer Warning Law

If you happen to buy a cup of coffee in California and it comes with a cancer warning, don’t panic – it’s just the law. No scientific study says consuming java in moderation is bad for your health – and …

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Brit Global Specialty Adds Nationwide’s Mocio to U.S. Cyber Team

Brit Global Specialty has appointed Courtney Mocio as vice president, Cyber & Technology. In this role, Mocio will be responsible for helping to grow Brit’s cyber and technology portfolio in the U.S. Mocio brings a track record of underwriting network …

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Suit Filed in California Against Weinstein Co. for Failing to Control Harvey

The Weinstein Co. faces its first lawsuit accusing the company of failing to control ousted co-founder Harvey Weinstein, in a case brought by an actress who claims he sexually assaulted her. Dominique Huett said the company “knew or should have …

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Yankees Deflect Foul-Ball Case as Court Upholds Century-Old Rule

At least the Yankees won something. As the team prepares to watch the Astros play the Dodgers in the World Series, its ownership can take solace in winning a court challenge to a century-old legal doctrine that prevents fans from …

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One of Hartford’s Biggest Bondholders Doesn’t Foresee a Default

One of Hartford, Connecticut’s biggest bondholders isn’t too worried the distressed capital city will default on its debt. Lyle Fitterer, the head of municipal securities investments for Wells Fargo Asset Management, said in an interview that Hartford has options for …

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UK-Based MGA Nexus Group Buys Trade Credit Broker, Credit Risk Solutions

Independent specialty managing general agent Nexus Group announced it has acquired Credit Risk Solutions Ltd. (CRS). Established in 2003, CRS is an independent specialist trade credit broker operating with headquarters in Halifax and offices in Manchester and Birmingham, England. Details …

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Insurance Customers Slow to Adopt Mobile Claims Apps: J.D. Power

Despite a nationwide advertising blitz for mobile auto insurance apps and widespread use of digital channels to purchase insurance, U.S. auto insurance customers have been slow to adopt digital claims reporting, according to the research firm J.D. Power. Authors of …

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RMS Opens Office in Sydney to Support Client Growth in Australia, New Zealand

RMS, the Newark, Calif.-based global risk modeling and analytics firm, has opened a new office in Sydney, Australia, as part of its drive to support clients’ expansion in the Australian and New Zealand markets. The focus will be to help …

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Maine’s MMG Insurance Hires Tawfall as Vice President of Personal Lines

MMG Insurance, a Presque Isle, Maine-headquartered regional property and casualty insurance company, has hired Eric Tawfall as its new vice president of personal lines. Tawfall will be relocating from Illinois to Northern Maine to oversee responsibilities from MMG’s corporate headquarters …

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Willis Towers Watson Hires Toner as CRB Market Leader for New England

Global insurance advisor Willis Towers Watson has hired Mike Toner as Corporate Risk and Broking (CRB) market leader for New England, which includes offices in Boston and Billerica, Mass; Hartford, Conn.; Burlington, Vt.; and Buffalo, N.Y. In this role, he …

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Senate Joins House in Passing $36.5B Disaster Aid with Flood Insurance Funds

The Senate sent President Donald Trump a $36.5 billion hurricane relief bill Tuesday that gives Puerto Rico access to $4.9 billion in low-interest Treasury loans, amid concerns that recovery efforts from the recent disasters will require significantly more funding. The …

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Congress Kills Obama Ban on Forced Arbitration in Battle Against Class Actions

Banks, credit card issuers and other financial companies will be able to block customers from banding together to sue over disputes, after the U.S. Senate on Tuesday narrowly killed a rule banning the firms from using “forced arbitration” clauses. Republican …

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India’s GIC Re Shares Drop on Market Debut After Raising $1.7B in IPO

State-run General Insurance Corp. of India (GIC Re) slumped as much as 14.5 percent on market debut on Wednesday after raising 111.76 billion rupees ($1.72 billion) in the country’s biggest initial public offering in seven years. Concerns about valuations have …

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EU President Tusk Believes UK Could Reverse Its Plans for Brexit

European Union President Donald Tusk revived the notion that the U.K. will stay in the bloc after all, as British Prime Minister Theresa May struggles with persistent splits in her government. Speaking 16 months to the day since Europeans woke …

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XL Group Q3 Reports Losses in Excess of $1B on Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, Maria

XL Group reported losses exceeding $1 billion for the 2017 third quarter, blaming Hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria for the results. The net loss of $1.04 billion for Q3 amounted to negative-$4.06 per fully diluted share, compared to $70.6 million …

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Investigators Probe Death of Miner at West Virginia Coal Processing Plant

State and federal investigators are trying to determine what killed a 48-year-old miner found Monday at a coal mining operation in Raleigh County. James Ray Adkins of Colcord, West Virginia, was discovered missing at approximately 7:10 a.m. at Marfork Coal …

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Accident on Mississippi Fair Ride Injures 2 Children

An accident on a ride at the South Mississippi State Fair has injured two children. Fair representative Pam Holyfield told WDAM-TV that 7-year-old Jayden Busby was on a ride called “Up, Up and Away” on Friday when the seat came …

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Florida CFO Voices Concerns to FEMA Over Policy Management Vendor Transition

Florida’s Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis is urging the Federal Emergency Management Agency to reconsider an upcoming vendor transition that he says could delay the processing of federal flood claims in Florida. In a letter dated Oct. 18 to FEMA …

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2017 California Workers’ Comp Rating Bureau Geo Study Released

The California Workers’ Compensation Insurance Rating Bureau has released its 2017 Geo Study. The study uses data from diverse datasets to highlight regional differences in California workers’ comp claim characteristics. The study, which controls for regional differences in wages and …

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Founders Professional Adds Kodikian to New San Francisco Office

Founders Professional has named Raffi Kodikian to the role of lawyers professional liability practice leader, marking the brokerage’s first West Coast hire. Kodikian will focus on the placement of lawyer’s professional liability risks for all size law firms and work …

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Lockton Appointed Program Administrator of Swiss Re Lawyers PL Program

Lockton Affinity has been appointed as the exclusive program administrator for Swiss Re Corporate Solutions Lawyers Professional Liability Insurance for firms with one to 19 attorneys in California, Kansas, Missouri and Texas, effective January 1, 2018, Benefits of the Lockton …

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U.S. Senator Calls for Increased USDA Response to North Dakoa Drought

U.S. Sen. Heidi Heitkamp is calling on the U.S. Department of Agriculture to send more workers to western North Dakota, where she says understaffed Farm Service Agency offices are dealing with an overwhelming workload worsened by a summer of crippling …

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Autonomy Getting Closer: Consumers Learning to Trust New Auto Safety Features

Car shoppers are more ready for autonomous vehicles than they may realize, according to a report from car shopping platform Edmunds.com. More than 60 percent of new vehicle models today can be purchased with some level or autonomous features, the …

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Michigan’s Meadowbrook Insurance Changes Name to AmeriTrust Group

Meadowbrook Insurance Group Inc. in Southfield, Michigan, has changed its name to AmeriTrust Group Inc. (AmeriTrust). AmeriTrust begins as an autonomous, vertically integrated risk management organization with strategic business units designed to withstand economic cycles. The company plans to increase …

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Oklahoma’s Tornado King Ordered to Return More than $100K in Embezzlement Scheme

Oklahoma Attorney General Mike Hunter says William Stephens, the owner of Tornado King, a storm shelter manufacturing and installation company, pleaded no contest to six counts of embezzlement and one count of a pattern of criminal offenses. As part of …

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Dugan Joins J.M. Wilson as Sales, Agency Relations Specialist

Managing general agency and surplus lines broker J.M. Wilson has added Jen Dugan as sales and agency relations specialist for its Indiana and Ohio offices. Dugan will be the primary resource and liaison for independent insurance agents by offering product …

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Ryan Specialty Group Acquiring Houston’s Oxford Insurance Services LLC

Chicago-based Ryan Specialty Group LLC has reached a definitive agreement to acquire Oxford Insurance Services LLC (Oxford), a wholesale insurance brokerage headquartered in Houston, Texas. Oxford will become part of R-T Specialty LLC (RT Specialty), the wholesale brokerage unit of …

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Alliant Employee Benefits Adds Williams as VP in Oklahoma City

Alliant Employee Benefits, a division of Alliant Insurance Services, has hired 30-year industry veteran Brad Williams as a vice president in Oklahoma City. Williams will work with medium-to-large-size organizations, providing strategic employee benefits solutions that reduce healthcare spending and improve …

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Iowa’s Millhiser Smith Agency, The Accel Group to Merge

Millhiser Smith Agency, an independent insurance agency in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, specializing in risk management, has entered a definitive merger agreement with The Accel Group, a Cedar Valley, Iowa-based insurance agency with offices in Cedar Falls and Waverly. Effective Jan. …

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Oklahoma Energy Companies Settle Suit over Earthquake Damage

A settlement has been reached between two Oklahoma oil and natural gas companies and a woman injured in a 2011 earthquake. Prague resident Sandra Ladra filed the lawsuit in 2014 against New Dominion LLC, Spess Oil Co. and 25 other …

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Flash-Flood Watch Issued for Parts of Hawaiian Islands

The National Weather Service has issued a flash-flood watch effective for Oahu, Maui County and the Big Island as a cold front and air conditions bring the threat of heavy showers, Hawaii News Now reported . The weather service’s office …

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Idaho Governor Urges End to Sexual Harassment Amid Lawsuits

Gov. C.L. “Butch” Otter and First Lady Lori Otter are working to bring awareness to stop sexual assault and harassment and are encouraging Idahoans to also step up in their efforts. The governor’s tweeted statement highlighted the popular “me too” …

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Difficulty of Messaging After Tragedy Shows up in Vegas Rebranding

As volunteers streamed in to donate blood, doctors tended to the wounded and investigators scoured the scene of the deadliest mass shooting in modern U.S. history, Las Vegas tourism officials moved quickly to protect their valuable franchise in a city …

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Searing Heat Brings Fire Warnings to Southern California

The risk of wildfires will spike as triple-digit temperatures blanket parts of Southern California early this week. The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection says red flag warnings are in effect through Wednesday from Santa Barbara to San Diego …

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Bipartisan Bill Would Give Small Businesses a Tax Credit for Employee Training

A bipartisan group of congressmen has filed legislation to encourage employers to invest more in training and educating their employees. The legislation would create a tax credit for 25 percent of the first $5,000, or up o $1,250, that an …

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Aon Benfield Names Siccardi as EMEA & UK Head of Client Services

Aon Benfield, the reinsurance intermediary and capital adviser of Aon plc, has appointed Leonora Siccardi as EMEA & UK Head of Client Services. Based in London and reporting to Maggie Westdale, CFO of Aon Benfield, Richard Posgate, co-CEO of EMEA …

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Citi’s Head of Insurance Investments Named COO of Ping An Fintech Fund: Sources

Citigroup’s Asia head of insurance investment banking Donald Lacey is leaving the bank to become the chief operating officer of Ping An Insurance Group Co of China’s Global Voyager Fund, sources familiar with the situation said. Lacey, who joined Citi …

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Former Connecticut Regulator Leonardi Joins AIG in Public Policy Post

American International Group reported that Thomas Leonardi will join the company as executive vice president, Government Affairs, Public Policy and Communications, effective Nov. 1. Leonardi previously served as the Commissioner of Insurance at the Connecticut Insurance Department, and as an …

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Insurtech Firm, Insurdata, Raises More Than $1M in Seed Financing

Insurdata, an insurtech firm that provides re/insurance underwriters with property-specific data to support their pricing, underwriting and portfolio management decisions, announced it has raised over $1 million in seed financing from investors including Menlo Ventures, Anthemis Group, and Plug and …

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Company to Require Helmets for Ski Resort Employees after Maine Worker Death

A company that operates nine ski resorts in the U.S. and Canada will require workers to wear safety helmets when working on the mountains. The new policy follows the death in March of Alexander Witt, who wasn’t wearing a helmet …

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Fire Officials Estimate $1M in Damage from Maryland Apartment Building Fire

A fire at a large apartment building in suburban Maryland has displaced as many as 1,500 people. Fire officials said damage to the building was estimated at $1 million. The Washington Post reported that the Saturday morning blaze in Bethesda …

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Hoverboard Suspected in Pennsylvania Fire that Damaged Six Townhomes

Officials suspect a hoverboard may be to blame for a fire that damaged six townhomes in Pennsylvania. Firefighters found one home engulfed in flames when they arrived on the scene on Royal Drive in Manchester, Penn., Monday morning. The flames …

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The Case of the $25,000 Toy Model Car

Miniature models of automobiles began to pop up shortly after the first cars were introduced in the early 20th century. They were originally developed, not as toys for children or as models for hobbyists, but as promotional tools and design …

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British Financial Regulator Investigates Equifax Hacking of Customer Data in UK

Britain’s markets watchdog said it has opened an investigation into the hacking of U.S. credit reporting agency Equifax, which affected nearly 700,000 UK citizens. “The Financial Conduct Authority announces today that it is investigating the circumstances surrounding a cyber security …

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Senate Expected to Pass $36.5M Disaster Aid Bill Including Flood Insurance Funds

The Senate is pushing ahead on a $36.5 billion hurricane relief package that would give Puerto Rico a much-needed infusion of cash. The measure also would replenish rapidly dwindling emergency disaster accounts and provide $16 billion to permit the financially …

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Canada Concerned About Cyber Attacks Targeting Critical Infrastructure: Source

The Canadian government is “really worried” about cyber attacks that have targeted critical infrastructure and has helped companies improve their defenses without disclosing hacks to the public, a senior intelligence official said on Monday. The comment by Scott Jones, an …

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Judge Orders Georgia Vidalia Onion Farmer to Pay $1.4M in Overtime Suit

One of the largest producers of Georgia’s famous Vidalia onions must pay $1.4 million in damages and unpaid overtime owed to hundreds of workers, a federal judge ruled. A U.S. District Court judge found that Bland Farms Production and Packing …

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2 Missing After Barge Fire Off Texas Coast

The U.S. Coast Guard searched for two missing crew members on Saturday from a crude oil-bearing barge that caught fire off the Texas coast. Coast Guard spokeswoman Jennae Steinmiller says that emergency responders are also working to contain the spread …

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3 Arrested For Stealing $13K in Equipment From West Virginia Coal Company

Authorities have arrested three people after a burglary at a southern West Virginia coal company. Wyoming County Sheriff’s Chief Deputy Jimmy White tells The Register-Herald the department heard two masked people were going toward Brooks Run Coal Company Oct. 4 …

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CNA Appoints Wilson Senior VP, Underwriting Services

Chicago-based insurer CNA has named Katie Wilson as senior vice president, underwriting services, within the company’s Commercial unit. In this role, Wilson is responsible for driving the overall strategic direction and general management of Underwriting Services. Wilson reports to Julie …

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Mahaffey Promoted to Transportation Underwriter in J.M. Wilson’s Ohio Office

Managing general agency and surplus lines broker J.M. Wilson has promoted Seth Mahaffey to transportation underwriter in its Westerville, Ohio, office. Mahaffey is responsible for quoting new and renewal accounts for a wide variety of commercial transportation risks, as well …

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H.W. Kaufman Group Opens New Burns & Wilcox Office in Grand Rapids, Michigan

H.W. Kaufman Group has opened a new office for wholesale insurance broker and underwriting manager, Burns & Wilcox, in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The opening of the new location follows the acquisition of Grand Rapids-based Chlystek & White Insurance Services in …

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Clanton Joins Lockton in Nebraska

Kansas City-based global insurance broker Lockton has added Brian Clanton to its Nebraska operation. Bringing more than 20 years of industry expertise, Clanton will work with businesses to develop solid insurance, risk management and employee benefits programs. Prior to joining …

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Governor Evacuated from Beach Boys Concert as Oklahoma Hit with Severe Storms, Tornadoes

Emergency managers and the National Weather Service are surveying damage from storms that spawned as many as four tornadoes in southwest Oklahoma. Meteorologist John Pike says officials were in Tillman, Comanche, McClain and Seminole counties early Sunday, where the tornadoes …

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Food Poisoning at Louisiana Fundraiser Blamed on 1 Death, More than 100 Sickened

Louisiana health officials say a second bacterium apparently contributed to the mass food poisoning that may have killed one person and apparently sickened more than 100 people who ate at a fundraiser. Assistant State Health Officer Dr. Parham Jaberi says …

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Another Big Johnson Talc Cancer Verdict Reversed; Judge Cites Trial Errors, Jury Misconduct

A California judge on Friday threw out a $417 million verdict against Johnson & Johnson in a lawsuit by a woman who claimed she developed ovarian cancer after using its talc-based products like Johnson’s Baby Powder for feminine hygiene. The …

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Judge Wants Evidence in Las Vegas Massacre Secured for Lawsuit

The Las Vegas resort from which a gunman unleashed the deadliest mass shooting in modern U.S. history has been ordered to preserve photos, surveillance video and gambling records of the shooter and notes by investigators. A Clark County District Court …

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Costs to Repair California’s Damaged Oroville Dam to Top $500M

California officials say repair costs at the nation’s tallest dam will be nearly double the original estimate of $275 million. Department of Water Resources spokeswoman Erin Mellon said last week the contract with Kiewit Corp. at 770-foot Oroville Dam will …

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California’s Wine Industry Taking Stock of Losses After Wildfires

Although still burning, the largest fires that have devastated California wine country are mostly contained, and winemakers, winery owners, and growers began taking stock this week of what they have—and haven’t—lost. The numbers are numbing: at least 42 dead, nearly …

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U.S. Warns of Hacker Attacks on Energy, Aviation, Manufacturing Industries

The U.S government issued a rare public warning that sophisticated hackers are targeting energy and industrial firms, the latest sign that cyber attacks present an increasing threat to the power industry and other public infrastructure. The Department of Homeland Security …

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Once-Stable P/C Insurance Lines Face Headwinds: Guy Carpenter

While the U.S. property/casualty insurance industry is well capitalized and market sentiment is mostly positive, it still faces economic and market-based headwinds that will challenge its profitable growth going forward. In the 2017 edition of the annual report, Plotting a …

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Virginia Police Say Car Fire Caused by Improvised Explosive Device

Police in Virginia are investigating after an explosive device was detonated in Williamsburg. News outlets report the device was found Thursday night in a parking lot. Firefighters and police were called to the scene near Merchants Square at about 5 …

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Massive Fire Ravages Neighborhood in Maine, Destroys Six Buildings

A large fire has ravaged a neighborhood in Maine, with officials saying it destroyed six buildings and sent at least four people to the hospital. Witnesses told the state Fire Marshal’s Office they smelled smoke long before they saw flames …

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AXIS Names Swiss Re’s Arora as Reinsurance CEO

AXIS Capital Holdings Ltd. announced that Steve Arora has been named chief executive officer of AXIS Re. Arora joins the company from Swiss Re where he spent 18 years in a variety of senior positions, most recently as head of …

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Trump Nominee for Mine Safety Post Is Retired Coal Executive

The retired coal company executive from West Virginia chosen by Republican President Trump to oversee U.S. mining safety says his first priority is preventing people from getting hurt and that he replaced the managers of a mine plagued by safety …

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AIR Worldwide Introduces Inland Flood Model for Japan

Catastrophe modeling firm AIR Worldwide has introduced a new inland flood model for Japan along with enhancements to its Japan typhoon model. These models are part of Version 5.1 of AIR’s catastrophe modeling software platform, Touchstone. The AIR Inland Flood …

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UK Must Secure Brexit Transition Deal or Risk Losing Jobs: Business Leaders

The British government must act urgently to secure a Brexit transition deal or risk losing jobs and investment in the country, business leaders representing millions of workers are due to warn. In a draft letter due to be sent to …

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New Hampshire’s Optisure Risk Partners Promotes Arnold

Optisure Risk Partners, a Manchester, N.H.-based insurance broker, has promoted Christopher Arnold to vice president of its Sutton James Aviation division. In this role, Arnold will continue to work with Sutton James President Jon Doolittle in overseeing carrier relations, business …

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Marsh Taps Saunders from UK National Crime Agency as Cyber Risk Consultant

Marsh announced the appointment of Dr. Jamie Saunders as a strategic adviser on cyber risk management within its UK specialist cyber security and risk team, part of the firm’s Client Advisory Services division. Saunders will be based in London. One …

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The Hartford to Buy Aetna Group Life, Disability Business for $1.45 Billion

The Hartford has agreed to acquire Aetna’s U.S. group life and disability business for cash consideration of $1.45 billion. This acquisition enhances The Hartford’s group benefits distribution capabilities and accelerates the company’s technology strategy, according to the announcement. “The transaction …

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Opioid Abuse Has Leveled Off But Isn’t Declining: ASA Analysis

While the upswing in opioid abuse has leveled off, the level does not appear to be declining and remains disturbingly high, according to an analysis of national data presented at the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) annual meeting. More than …

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Dutch Insurer Aegon Eyes Acquisitions Such as Smaller Competitor ASR

Aegon NV, the Dutch insurer that generates most of its business from the U.S., is scouting for acquisitions and has looked at companies including smaller rival ASR Nederland NV amid consolidation in the domestic market, according to people familiar with …

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Insurers Weigh Premium Hikes for UK’s Tall Buildings After Grenfell Tower Fire

Insurers are considering raising premiums for tall buildings in Britain with flammable cladding panels and no sprinklers or even excluding related risks following the Grenfell fire in London earlier this year. Inquiries into the tragedy, which killed up to 80 …

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CoreLogic: Hurricane Nate Property Damage Could Top $1B

Hurricane Nate preliminary loss estimates are estimated to be between $650 million and $1.35 billion, according to CoreLogic. The loss estimates were calculated based on data analysis, total insured and uninsured loss for both residential and commercial properties, including damage …

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Pratt Named Chief Agency Officer at North Carolina-Based SUNUP Insurance Services

Larry Pratt has joined SUNUP Insurance Services, headquartered in North Carolina, as the chief agency officer. Pratt will be responsible for leading agency operations for the company. He comes to SUNUP with experience in agency distribution, including extensive experience in …

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Admitted Carriers, CanaBOP Coming to California’s Cannabis Industry

At least one admitted insurance carrier his filed a product to provide coverage to California’s legal cannabis industry and several more carriers have stated their intent to file products, according to state Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones. It also appears as …

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Swiss Re Adds Management Liability Coverage for Non-Profits, Private Companies

Swiss Re Corporate Solutions has expanded its Executive Risk product offering with the launch of SwissGuard, a multi-coverage, management liability policy designed for non-profit and private companies. SwissGuard insures against directors and officers liability, employment practices liability and fiduciary liability …

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Brown & Brown Acquires Louisiana Employee Benefits Firm

Brown & Brown of Louisiana LLC, a subsidiary of Florida-based Brown & Brown Inc., has acquired substantially all of the assets of Lapeyre, Staples & Robichaux, the companies announced. Lapeyre, Staples and Robichaux, based in Houma, Louisiana, specializes in employee …

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Texas Windstorm Insurance Association Request to Raise Liability Limits Disapproved

Texas Insurance Commissioner Kent Sullivan has declined to approve a request by the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association to raise the maximum limits of liability on windstorm and hail policies. TWIA in August filed a request to increase the limits for …

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Arkansas Officials: Highway Funding May Have to Wait Until 2019

Arkansas highway officials have left open the possibility they’ll take a road funding proposal to lawmakers in 2019 rather than pursue a ballot measure next year. The move comes a day after Gov. Asa Hutchinson said he would oppose any …

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Farmers in Upper Midwest Report Damage from Dicamba Herbicide

Hundreds of farmers in the Upper Midwest are reporting damage from the controversial herbicide dicamba, and state officials are considering restrictions for the 2018 growing season that might surpass even new federal rules. The state agriculture departments in North Dakota, …

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Iowa’s Grassley in ‘Violent Opposition’ to Withdrawal of Rule Protecting Animal Farmers

The Trump administration’s decision to kill a rule designed to protect the rights of farmers who raise chickens, cows and hogs for the United States’ largest meat processors has infuriated farmer advocates, including a Republican senator from Iowa who said …

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North Dakota’s Godfread ‘Excited’ About Technological Innovations in Insurance

North Dakota’s insurance commissioner is bullish on the technological innovations that are occurring within the insurance industry and wants his state to be in the forefront of experimenting with and testing new insurance products and developments. Though in terms of …

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Zurich’s Mulligan to Lead Aon Benfield’s U.S. Cyber Practice Group

Reinsurance intermediary Aon Benfield has appointed Catherine Mulligan as managing director and U.S. Cyber Practice Group leader. Mulligan brings underwriting, policy form and product knowledge to Aon’s cyber capabilities for insurers and will be responsible for driving the team’s growth …

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Investors Remain Committed to ILS Market Despite Q3 Catastrophes: WTW

ILS investors are responding to the recent spate of natural disasters by making their payments to ceding companies, while continuing to raise more money and preparing to make new investments, according to Willis Towers Watson Securities. None of the third …

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Pennsylvania Fire Company Closes Following Sexual Abuse Lawsuit

Authorities say a Pennsylvania volunteer fire company that was sued over sexual abuse by a firefighter and its alleged cover-up by fire officials has closed its fire station. Lancaster Emergency Management Agency director Randy Gockley tells LNP the West Willow …

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Massachusetts’ Morrison Mahoney Elects Six New Partners

Morrison Mahoney LLP, a Boston, Mass.-headquartered law firm, has announced the election of six new partners. The partners represent a range of practice areas including appeals, insurance coverage, construction litigation, professional liability defense, medical malpractice, fraud, transportation and employment law …

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How Middle Managers Coerce Employees into Deceiving Upper Management

Several recent corporate and governmental scandals — Wells Fargo and the Veterans Administration to name two — unfortunately have revolved around middle managers and employees who have attempted to meet lofty performance goals that superiors impose by engaging in deceptive …

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EPIC Adds New Brokerage Team in Pittsburgh

EPIC Insurance Brokers and Consultants, a retail property and casualty insurance brokerage and employee benefits consultant, has opened operations in Pittsburgh, Penn., with the hiring of Sean Andreas, Al Dragotto, Kurt Karstens, Pete Kostorick, Sally Krauss, Zach Mendelson, Phil Wakim, …

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Pennsylvania’s Kueny Insurance Merges with KMRD Partners

Kueny Insurance, a Warrington, Penn.-based insurance company, has merged with KMRD Partners, a boutique risk management and human capital solutions firm also based in Warrington. The merger brings three new team members to KMRD with experience in small to mid-size …

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Insurance Agency M&A Continues at Fast Pace: OPTIS Partners

The number of insurance agency mergers and acquisitions over the first nine months of the year rose from 350 in 2016 to 457 this year, OPTIS Partners’ new quarterly report reveals. There were 132 deals announced during the third quarter, …

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RSA Canada Taps Cohen from Aviva Canada as SVP, Chief Underwriting Officer

Toronto-based RSA Canada has appointed Steve Cohen to the newly created role of senior vice president and chief underwriting officer. The SVP and chief underwriting officer role was created to build upon the progress the company has made “in advancing …

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Neon Launches Marine Joint Venture in Italy

Neon announced the launch of an underwriting operation in Italy with Cambiaso Risso, a leading Italian marine broker who will have a minority shareholding in the venture. Based in Genoa, Neon Italy will initially target hull and cargo business placed …

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ICW Group in California Names Guy Carpenter’s Novak Chief Operating and Strategic Execution Officer

San Diego, Calif.-based ICW Group Insurance Cos. has named John Novak chief operating and strategic execution officer. Novak will succeed David Hoppen, who accepted the position of president of VerTerra Insurance Co. (a member company of ICW Group). Novak has …

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California Workers’ Comp Institute Recaps Year in Legislation

The California Workers’ Compensation Institute this week released a report on a list of bills that will affect the workers’ comp system. The bills were recently signed into law at the end of the Legislative session by Gov. Jerry Brown. …

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In ‘Energy City’ USA, Hurricane Harvey’s Fury Lingers

It took five weeks for the largest U.S. oil refinery to get back to normal after Hurricane Harvey. It’s taking Port Arthur, Texas, a lot longer. Nearly two months after Harvey inundated Port Arthur, a crucial hub of the global …

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Rockport Mayor Says Much of Town Won’t Be Rebuilt Following Harvey

The mayor of the Gulf Coast community of Rockport says Hurricane Harvey destroyed about a third of the town and that 30 to 35 percent of it will probably never be rebuilt. Mayor Charles “C.J.” Wax said during a panel …

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Renewed Push for Underground Water Storage Projects Sparked by Hurricane Harvey

For state Rep. Lyle Larson, Hurricane Harvey was not only a tragedy but also a wasted opportunity. The San Antonio Republican, who chairs the House Natural Resources Committee, estimates that the amount of rain the storm dropped on the state …

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Fire at Large California Oil Refinery Doused

A fire that erupted at the West Coast’s largest oil refinery threatened storage tanks and sent huge flames into the sky and black smoke across neighborhoods before crews quickly smothered it. Dozens of firefighters responded late Tuesday to the 1,000-acre …

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New Rules for Oil-Gas Lines Proposed Following Colorado Blast

Colorado energy regulators are proposing tighter rules for shutting down oil and gas pipelines after a fatal explosion blamed on natural gas leaking from a line that was thought to be out of service but was still connected to a …

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California’s Chief Utility Regulator Says We May Never Know if PG&E Caused Fires

California’s chief utility regulator said the state may never determine whether PG&E Corp.’s electrical equipment played a role in igniting the deadly blazes near San Francisco earlier this month. The wildfires, which have killed at least 42 people and destroyed …

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Woodruff-Sawyer in California Names Berry Leader of Private Equity and Venture Capital Group

Woodruff-Sawyer & Co. has named Dan Berry leader of the firm’s private equity and venture capital group. Berry is a senior vice president and partner in Woodruff-Sawyer. He joined the firm in 2011 and has specialized in the risk management …

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Travelers Insurance Reports Solid Q3 Results Despite $700M Cat Losses

The Travelers Companies today reported net income of $293 million and for the quarter ended September 30, 2017, compared to $716 million in the prior year quarter. The decrease in net income was primarily due to significantly higher catastrophe losses, …

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Ironshore’s Singapore Branch Hikes Capacity to $50M for Political Risk Lines

Ironshore Insurance Ltd., Singapore Branch, announced an increase in capacity for political risk business lines within its Political Risk & Trade Credit unit. Available capacity now stands at US$50 million, an increase from $15 million, effective immediately. In addition, Ironshore …

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5 Risk Management Associations to Develop Mutual Recognition of Certifications

Five of the world’s largest risk management associations have agreed to work together towards a recognition of their respective risk management designations/certification programs. The organizations, ALARYS (Latin America), FERMA (Europe), IRMSA (South Africa), PARIMA (Asia) and RIMS (North America), signed …

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Maine Man Suing Over Workplace Accident That Claimed Two Fingers

A Machiasport, Maine, man is suing a salmon farm over a workplace injury in which he lost two fingers. Jesse Redman sued True North Salmon US Inc. and Cooke Aquaculture USA Inc. last week in U.S. District Court in Bangor, …

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Delaware Announces Workers’ Compensation Rate Decrease

Delaware Insurance Commissioner Trinidad Navarro has announced that there will be a decrease in workers’ compensation insurance rates, effective December 1, 2017. “This insurance rate decrease has a direct impact on Delaware’s employers, enabling them to lower their costs and …

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New York’s Michael Adam Insurance Agency Joins SAN Group Inc.

Satellite Agency Network Group Inc. (SAN) announced that Michael Adam Insurance Agency of Dansville, N.Y., has joined the alliance. By joining SAN Group, Michael Adam Insurance Agency will have access to additional markets and competitive insurance products in the industry. …

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How Nondisclosure Agreements Protect Bosses Like Weinstein

A first-year associate at a Manhattan law firm brought her complaint of sexual harassment to the managing partner. Her male boss, she said, had told her to take off her clothing. After months during which she continued to work for …

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Willis Towers Watson Appoints Tosti as Head of Italy

Willis Towers Watson has named Gianmarco Tosti as the new country leader of Italy. He starts his new role on Jan. 1, 2018, and will be based in Milan. Tosti will also take up the role of head of Corporate …

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BHSI Introduces Motor Truck Cargo Legal Liability Insurance in Canada

Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance (BHSI) announced it has expanded its inland marine product line in Canada with the launch of its Motor Truck Cargo Legal Liability policy, a new product that protects against the legal liability exposure commercial truckers face …

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Zurich Estimates Claims of US$700M from Hurricanes Harvey, Irma & Maria

Zurich Insurance Group estimates that Hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria will aggregate claims in the third quarter of approximately US$700 million net of reinsurance and before tax. After tax, the losses are expected to be around US$620 million, the company …

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AIG UK Sells Its 1st Sharia-Compliant M&A Policy in London

AIG UK said on Thursday it had underwritten its first sharia-compliant warranty and indemnity policy out of London’s M&A insurance market, as the city looks to Islamic finance to help bring new business. Development of Islamic finance is accelerating in …

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Former Patriots Players Speaking at Risk Conference Air Feelings on Kneeling

Watching NFL players kneel during the National Anthem didn’t sit well with a pair of former New England Patriots players, who aired their feelings about players protesting during the opening of football games during a risk management conference on Wednesday. …

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New York Marine & General Insured Las Vegas Festival Targeted by Shooter

A Live National Entertainment Inc. Las Vegas country musical festival that was targeted Oct. 1 in the largest mass shooting in modern U.S. history was insured by New York Marine & General Insurance Co., according to a permit document filed …

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Year After Texas Balloon Crash, NTSB Wants Medical Certification Exemption Tossed

The National Transportation Safety Board has called on the Federal Aviation Administration to remove its medical certification exemption for commercial balloon operators, saying it contributed to a July 30, 2016, balloon crash in Texas that killed 15 passengers and the …

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Arkansas Governor Opposed to Tapping General Revenue for Road Improvements

Arkansas’ governor says he’ll “vigorously oppose” any highway funding ballot initiative that calls for tapping into general revenue for road needs. Gov. Asa Hutchinson told reporters he opposes any attempt to divert tax revenue from new and used car sales, …

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Records Show Unprecedented Increase in Firearm Thefts in Kansas City

Police records show there has been an unprecedented spike in gun thefts in Kansas City, Missouri. The number of annual firearms thefts sharply increased between 2015 and 2016, according to police data obtained by the Kansas City Star. Police received …

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Alerts System for Tech-Connected Cars Planned for Ohio Turnpike

Officials are planning a new system of travel alert information for part of the Ohio Turnpike near Cleveland with an eye toward a day when autonomous vehicles might regularly cruise the roadway. The Turnpike Commission will use roadside sensors and …

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Ex-Mayor of Tulsa, Oklahoma: Insurer’s $4M Payout for Lost Ring not Enough

The former mayor of Tulsa, Oklahoma, is suing an insurance company and broker because she says the $4 million she received for a lost blue diamond ring isn’t enough. The Tulsa World reports that Kathy Taylor’s federal lawsuit filed in …

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Mass. SJC Reverses Lower Court’s Decision in Legal Malpractice Suit

The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court has reversed a Superior Court decision in favor of a law firm in a legal malpractice suit. The plaintiff, Kiribati Seafood Company LLC, brought the legal malpractice claim against its former law firm, Dechert LLP, …

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EPA Appears to Ease Nuke Radiation Safeguards for First Responders

In the event of a dirty bomb or a nuclear meltdown, emergency responders can safely tolerate radiation levels equivalent to thousands of chest X-rays, the Environmental Protection Agency said in new guidelines that ease off on established safety levels. The …

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Progressive’s Flo Turned Into Chatbot

Convinced that Americans are dying to speak with its human TV spokes-icon Flo, Progressive Insurance is bringing a Flo Chatbot experience to Facebook Messenger. This tool, enhanced by artificial intelligence and quoting technology, is now available for all Messenger users …

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Is Hyperloop Transportation Technology Feasible or Insurable?

Hyperloop Transportation Technologies wants to build a tube-based inter and intra-city transportation system to transport passengers and cargo at high speeds. As part of its efforts to gain support, it sought to assure people that its technology is feasible. The …

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Hub International Acquires Assets of Maine’s Graffam Insurance Group

Hub International Limited (Hub), a global insurance brokerage, has acquired the assets of Graffam Insurance Group LLC (Graffam). Terms of the acquisition were not disclosed. Based in Cumberland Center, Maine, Graffam specializes in employee benefits and services businesses in Maine …

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Compensation for London’s Grenfell Fire Victims May Be Capped at $5M: Reuters

The bill for compensating families of those who died in the Grenfell Tower fire in London may be as low as 4 million pounds ($5 million), according to several lawyers and a Reuters analysis of how damages laws apply in …

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Ascot Group Taps Ironshore’s Roberts as CFO, Promotes Dimsey to Group COO

Ascot Group Ltd. (AGL), a Bermuda-based holding company, announced the appointment of Joe Roberts as group chief financial officer, and the promotion of Rob Dimsey to group chief operating officer. Roberts has 30 years’ experience and has worked in the …

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Ironshore Hong Kong Offers Legal Event Expense Cover in Hong Kong Market

Ironshore Hong Kong has introduced a specialty professional lines product that offers protection for after-the-event legal expenses following commercial litigation. Ironshore’s After-the-Event Legal Expenses product provides insurance against adverse costs awards, Ironshore explained. The coverage, which is standardized within the …

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China Delivery Firm ZTO Joins Consortium to Set Up Logistics Insurer – to Fill Coverage Gap

ZTO Express (Cayman) Inc., a Shanghai, China-based express delivery company, announced it has joined a seven-member consortium of its peers to set up a logistics insurer. ZTO said the insurer is being launched to fill the gaps that are not …

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AXIS Capital Completes Purchase of Novae; Executive Team Announced

AXIS Capital Holdings Ltd. it has finalized its acquisition of Novae Group plc, which creates a $2 billion insurer in London and a top ten re/insurer at Lloyd’s, with 2016 global gross written premiums of $6 billion. The $611.5 million …

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The Hilb Group Acquires Delaware’s CNC Insurance Associates Inc.

The Hilb Group LLC (THG), a property and casualty insurance and employee benefits broker, has acquired CNC Insurance Associates Inc. (CNC). The transaction became effective October 1, 2017. CNC is THG’s 38th acquisition since it was founded in 2009. Founded …

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New York Finalizes Regulations to Crack Down on Title Insurance Industry

The New York Department of Financial Services (DFS) has finalized two new regulations to protect New Yorkers and crack down on unscrupulous practices in the title insurance industry. These regulations, which are the culmination of efforts by DFS to reform …

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Alliant in California Names Morana Senior Vice President in Pharmacy Practice

Newport Beach, Calif.-based Alliant Insurance Services has named Sal Moranato a senior vice president and pharmacy practice lead in its pharmacy consulting practice. Morana has nearly 25 years of pharmacy practice and industry experience. Morana was a consultant in the …

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Cyber Security Specialists Warn Wi-Fi Vulnerable to Hacker Attacks

Cyber security watchdogs and researchers are issuing warnings over risks associated with a widely used system for securing Wi-Fi communications after the discovery of a flaw that could allow hackers to read information thought to be encrypted, or infect websites …

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Argo and Aspen Issue Loss Estimates for Q3 Natural Catastrophes

Argo Group International Holdings Ltd. and Aspen Insurance Holdings Ltd. have issued their third quarter catastrophe loss estimates, primarily related to Hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria as well as the earthquakes in Mexico City. Argo, the Bermuda-based specialty insurance and …

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MJ Insurance Names Miller Chief Information Officer

Indianapolis, Indiana-based MJ Insurance has named Chad Miller as chief information officer. He will serve the firm’s offices in Indiana and Arizona. Technology is at the core of MJ’s employee and client experience strategies. MJ is committed to further expanding …

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Joplin School District Still Haggling with FEMA over Cost of Tornado Repairs

More than six years after a deadly tornado tore through Joplin, Missouri, the heavily damaged local school district has rebuilt. Exactly how much of those costs the district will have to shoulder remains up in the air. The district is …

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Residents Begin Filing Claims for West Virginia Chemical Spill

Residents and businesses in nine West Virginia counties left without tap water during a 2014 chemical spill can start filing claims. According to a website set up to handle claims, forms were being accepted both online and by mail starting …

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K&K Launches General Liability Program for Yoga Instructors

K&K Insurance Group, Inc. has launched a new program designed to provide general liability insurance for yoga instructors. The Yoga Instructor Program is designed specifically for individuals working on an independent contractor basis, directly supervising an individual or a group …

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Common Reasons FEMA Denies Disaster Funds

Local governments and nonprofits trying to recover from major disasters have sometimes learned the hard way that money spent on protective measures, cleanup and rebuilding is not always reimbursed by the U.S. government. The Associated Press analyzed more than 900 …

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Small Quake Rattles Northeast Arkansas

Geologists say an earthquake of magnitude 3.6 rattled northeastern Arkansas. A report from the U.S. Geological Survey said the quake had a depth of about 10 miles and was centered just southeast of Manila in Mississippi County. The local sheriff’s …

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Freelance Workforce Keeps Growing, Increasingly by Choice

Freelancing is growing. The freelance workforce grew from 53 million in 2014 to 55 million in 2016 and currently represents 35 percent of the U.S. workforce. This freelance workforce earned an estimated $1 trillion this past year, representing a significant …

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Specter of Corporate Exodus Leaves Connecticut Budget in Crisis

Thirty years ago, so many companies flocked to Connecticut that Stamford, a waterfront enclave of about 100,000 residents, became the third-largest center of corporate headquarters in the U.S., behind only New York City and Chicago. Now businesses are lining up …

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Windham Group Receives 1st Case in Mass. Alternate Opioid Treatment Pathway

Windham Group, a workers’ compensation case management company, has received the first case in Massachusetts’ Alternate Opioid Treatment Pathway (OATP) program. The state’s Department of Industrial Accidents (DIA) recently launched a two-year pilot program that assigns a care coordinator to …

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Tornado in Oregon Damages Small Planes

Authorities say that it was a tornado that touched down south of Portland, Ore. last week overturning small airplanes, downing power lines and damaging several glass greenhouses. National Weather Service meteorologists say the tornado touched down at the Aurora State …

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Citing ‘Social Good,’ Insurer Lemonade Adds Restrictions to Firearms Coverage

Online home and rental insurer Lemonade has said it is limiting its coverage for gun owners as part of its commitment to “make insurance into a social good.” Citing the recent Las Vegas mass shooting, Lemonade CEO Daniel Schreiber blogged: …

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All Wildfire Damage to California Wineries May Not be Covered by Insurance

Wineries damaged by wildfires tearing through Northern California are starting insurance claims, and at least some of the smaller vintners are likely to find limits in their policies mean payouts fall short of rebuilding costs. Gaps in coverage and a …

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U.S. Homeowners’ Premiums Grow Despite Insurers’ Decreasing Return on Equity: Aon Benfield

When this year’s results are tallied, direct U.S. homeowners’ insurance premiums will have continued to grow, despite a decreasing return on equity for insurers. According to Aon Benfield’s annual Homeowners’ ROE Outlook report, homeowners’ premiums increased from $89 billion in …

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Universal Insurance Holdings Expands to New York with Launch of Universal Direct

Universal Insurance Holdings Inc. has announced that its wholly-owned subsidiary, Universal Property & Casualty Insurance Company (UPCIC), has written its first homeowners policy in New York. The company also announced the official launch of Universal Direct, the direct-to-consumer online platform …

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Three Injured After Train Strikes Car in Pennsylvania

Three people have been injured after a train hit a car at a Pennsylvania railroad crossing. Railroad officials say the crash happened around 4:15 p.m. Sunday in Aspinwall, a suburban area north of Pittsburgh. A spokesman for Norfolk Southern says …

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Berkley Regional Specialty to Rebrand as Berkley Aspire

Excess and surplus lines insurer Berkley Regional Specialty is changing its name to Berkley Aspire effective January 1, 2018. Berkley Aspire writes general liability, property, umbrella and inland marine, and has plans to introduce new coverage lines in 2018. “Our …

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More Clients Want Cyber Cover with BI, Supply Chain Protection: Beazley, Munich Re

Beazley and Munich Re, through their Vector partnership, have reported strong demand for “holistic cover” to protect against cyber attacks and resulting business interruption and supply chain risks. Vector was established in 2015 to offer tailor-made expertise and capacity for …

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Marsh Appoints Fahrig as CEO of Continental Europe Region

Marsh announced the appointment of Siegmund Fahrig as CEO of its Continental Europe region, effective immediately. Fahrig succeeds Flavio Piccolomini, who was recently appointed CEO of Marsh’s International Division. Prior to his appointment, Fahrig served as CEO of Marsh’s operations …

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Carriers, Reinsurers Under Review as A.M. Best Changes Credit Rating Methodology

Insurance rating agency A.M. Best announced the publication of the updated Best’s Credit Rating Methodology (BCRM) on Friday, and also announced the names of several insurance and reinsurance groups that the rating agency has put under review. Allstate and American …

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Kobe Steel Assesses Extent of Costly, Habitual Data Product Tampering Scandal

When cheating becomes habitual, the consequences could be costly. Embattled Kobe Steel Ltd said on Tuesday the U.S. Justice Department is asking the steelmaker to provide documents related to its data falsification scandal. That came after a source with knowledge …

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May 2018 Deadline for EU’s Cyber Rules, GDPR, Spurs Corporate Action: Marsh

The upcoming implementation of the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), which takes effect in May 2018, has elevated cyber risk to the top of the corporate agenda for organizations doing business in Europe according to a survey conducted …

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Markel International Launches Fintech Insurance for Asian Market

Markel International, the specialist insurer, has unveiled a fintech policy offering comprehensive protection for businesses in the financial technology sector in Asia, having successfully launched it in the UK early last year. Simon Moi, senior underwriter and head of professional …

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Vegas Risk Management Summit Tackled Commercial Auto, Workers’ Comp And More

One reason behind continuously dismal commercial auto insurance losses is a spate of “nuclear cases” that are plaguing the industry with multi-million lawsuits. The amount of money and resources being put into the legal battlefield over commercial auto lawsuits is …

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Insurance Journal, Insurance Careers Movement Partner on ‘Cool’ Job Contest for Under-40 Pros

Insurance Journal today launched a contest in conjunction with Insurance Careers Movement on what young insurance professionals believe is the coolest part of their job. It’s a bit tricky, however, because participants must give their answer in a photo or …

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Safety a Priority for Oklahoma Wind Turbine Maintenance Workers

For Kalon Moore and Jackson Rollins, it’s a sight they never tire of. Just about every day on the job, the two look out at the Oklahoma landscape in every direction for miles, several hundred feet atop a wind turbine. …

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After Harvey Suspension, OSHA Resumes Regular Enforcement in Texas, Louisiana

After suspending most enforcement actions in Texas and Louisiana following Hurricane Harvey, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) on Oct. 10 resumed normal enforcement throughout Texas and Louisiana. Following Hurricane Harvey, OSHA provided compliance assistance …

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Natural Gas Well Leak Forced Evacuations in Oklahoma

Some residents of Velma have returned to their homes after a leak in a natural gas well forced them to evacuate. Velma Fire Chief Jay Dumas said Saturday that a buildup of pressure caused the Stephens County well head to …

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Indiana Contractor Fined $24K After Worker Dies in Fall

A contractor was fined $24,500 for safety violations after a worker died from a fall at a Richmond, Ind., factory. The Richmond Palladium-Item reports 23-year-old Jacob Bugg died June 27 after falling about 40 feet at a Purina animal food …

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Detroit Free Press Hit with Pay Discrimination Lawsuit

Four female photo journalists have filed a pay discrimination lawsuit in federal court against the Detroit Free Press. Former and current staff members allege in the complaint that the newspaper underpaid them because they’re women. The lawsuit follows a study …

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Bill to Lower Michigan Auto Insurance Premiums on Shaky Ground

Legislation to reduce Michigan’s high auto insurance premiums by letting drivers opt out of mandatory unlimited medical coverage is in peril, with majority Republicans lacking enough support to pass it on their own and many Democrats pushing an alternative plan. …

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Louisiana Oil Platform Explodes; Search Continues for Missing Worker

The search continued for a worker missing from an oil production platform in Louisiana’s Lake Pontchartrain that exploded and caught fire late Sunday, sending six others to hospital with injuries, the U.S. Coast Guard said. Coast Guard rescue crews and …

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California Wildfires Threaten Significant Losses for P/C Insurers, Moody’s Says

Moody’s released a report on Monday assessing the impact of the wildfires in California on property/casualty insurers. “Based on history and the number of structures damaged, insured losses will run into the billions of dollars, a credit negative,” the report …

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AmWINS Acquiring 15 Insurance Programs from Willis Towers Watson

Specialty broker AmWINS Group reports it has agreed to acquire 15 insurance programs from broker Willis Towers Watson. Among the programs being acquired by AmWINS are MountainGuard, which provides underwriting, claims and loss control services to the majority of ski …

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California Wildfire Probes Hammer PG&E’s Value

PG&E Corp. at the end of last week capped its worst week in nine years on speculation that downed power lines may have played a role in deadly wildfires raging across California. And the rout is far from over. After …

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Supreme Court to Rule on Email Privacy and Government’s Access to Servers

The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday agreed to resolve a major privacy dispute between the Justice Department and Microsoft Corp. over whether prosecutors should get access to emails stored on company servers overseas. The justices will hear the Trump administration’s …

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Hiscox Re Offers Private Label Flood Insurance Endorsement for U.S. Insurers

Bermuda-based reinsurer Hiscox Re, along with insurance linked securities investors (ILS), has launched a flood insurance product for personal lines insurers to sell in the U.S. The turnkey flood insurance product, named FloodXtra, is designed to take advantage of the …

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New Jersey Teen Badly Burned After Touching High Voltage Train Lines

A 17-year-old New Jersey teenager is in the hospital with extensive burns after he was shocked by high voltage lines on a train trestle. Lance Vargas’ grandmother says the teen is currently in the hospital with broken bones and burns …

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Acquiring Insurers Underperformed in 2016: Willis Towers Watson

Research from Willis Towers Watson published earlier this month revealed that insurers doing acquisitions in 2016 underperformed in comparison to peers that stayed away from M&A. WTW used a performance measure based on share price changes for the comparison. Noting …

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Freeborn & Peters Hires Keely to New York Office

Freeborn & Peters LLP has hired Sean Thomas Keely to the firm’s New York office as a partner in the Litigation Practice Group and a member of the Insurance and Reinsurance Industry Team. The addition of Keely continues the expansion …

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Driverless Car Bill Under Consideration in New Hampshire

A bill under consideration for the next legislative session would allow car manufacturers to test automated vehicles on New Hampshire roads by January 2019. The Concord Monitor reports under the proposal, anyone with a self-driving vehicle, a $10 million insurance …

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S&P No Longer Expects Global Re Rate Drops at Jan. 1

A trio of third-quarter hurricanes and continued catastrophe losses impacting insurers and reinsurers will have a greater impact on reinsurers—and may potentially fuel reinsurance rate hikes at the Jan. 1, 2018 renewal date, S&P Global Ratings said Friday, Oct. 13. …

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Q3 Catastrophe Losses Will Bring Rate Hikes by London Market Insurers: Fitch

Catastrophe losses from the recent U.S. hurricanes and Mexican earthquakes will lead to price rises on London market insurers’ loss-affected lines and could also affect wider market pricing trends, according to Fitch Ratings in a new report. The total industry …

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Kobe Steel Scandal Hits Global Supply Chains as Financial, Legal Fallout Grows

Just over a week out from revelations of a cheating scandal that plunged Kobe Steel Ltd. in crisis and ensnared hundreds of firms, the embattled steelmaker’s shares skidded to five-year lows on Monday as investors worried about the financial and …

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California Workers’ Comp Division Suspends 3 Medical Providers for Fraud

The California Division of Workers’ Compensation has suspended three more medical providers from participating in the state’s workers’ comp system, bringing the total number of providers suspended this year to 49. The suspensions were made possible by the passage last …

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Worldwide Facilities in California Names Kelly COO

Los Angeles, Calif.-based Worldwide Facilities has named Cameron Kelly its chief operating officer. Kelly will be responsible for managing the company’s production offices, compliance, and acquisition integration. He will continue to serve as a member of the executive management teams. …

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Lloyd’s Broker AFL Creates Property Practice, Led by Crouch from Lockton

Lloyd’s broker AFL Insurance Brokers Ltd (AFL) announced the appointment of Neil Crouch to lead its new wholesale property practice. Previously head of broking at Lockton, Crouch will pioneer the company’s expansion in the property market, initially focusing on North …

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California Commissioner Asks Insurers to Expedite Claims to Aid Wildfire Victims

California Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones over the weekend issued a notice to insurers asking them to agree to expedited claims handling procedures for wildfire damage claims to help fire victims more quickly. Several insurers immediately agreed to the Jones’ request …

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Fitch Ratings: Texas Flood Plan Would Lower Risk to Houston Region Utilities

The development of a state-wide flood plan by the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) would reduce operational risk to both water and sewer utilities, according to Fitch Ratings. If developed, the plan would be the first in Texas history. A …

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Roundstone, Hub International Partner on Medical Captive Programs

Roundstone Management Ltd. (Roundstone) in Lakewood, Ohio, and Chicago-based insurance brokerage Hub International Limited (Hub) have formed a strategic partnership for self-funded medical captive programs. Roundstone develops, underwrites and services alternative risk products, including captives and specialty insurance programs. According …

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Butler Named Chief of Staff at Louisiana Insurance Department

Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon has appointed Mary Elizabeth “Liz” Butler as chief of staff of the Louisiana Department of Insurance (LDI). Butler will oversee the agency budget, personnel and day-to-day operations of the agency. The appointment took effect earlier this …

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Cincinnati Financial Corp. Says Q3 Cat Losses Could Rise to $114M

Cincinnati Financial Corp. has announced that The Cincinnati Insurance Companies’ property casualty group expects its third-quarter results to include pretax catastrophe losses of approximately $102 million to $114 million. The company said the impact on the third-quarter 2017 combined ratio …

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Feds Shut Down Iowa Trucking Company Tied to Trafficking Deaths

Federal safety regulators have shut down a troubled Iowa trucking company that owned the semitrailer involved in a human trafficking case in which 10 immigrants died in Texas. Pyle Transportation was placed under an “out-of-service order” by the Federal Motor …

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More Re/Insurers Issue Their Q3 Natural Catastrophe Loss Estimates

The third quarter natural catastrophe loss estimates continue to rise, as more insurers and reinsurers weigh in with their loss totals from Hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria, and the Mexico earthquakes. The latest companies to provide estimates include: AXIS Capital …

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How Insurers, Employers Can Help Close Income Gap in U.S.: Zurich Insurance Research

Public/private partnerships between governments, companies and insurers can help ease income gaps that burden millions of Americans, according to new research from Zurich Insurance Group and the University of Oxford. Financial education is one key to securing personal financial security, …

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Los Angeles to Settle Suit over Man Injured in Crosswalk Accident for $15M

Los Angeles will pay $15 million to settle a lawsuit by a man who was struck by a car in a Hollywood crosswalk and left with permanent brain damage. The Los Angeles Times reported that the City Council voted this …

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Insurtech Root Expands into Utah

Root Insurance has expanded its services to drivers in Utah. Root, which is now operating in Illinois, Oklahoma, Indiana, Ohio and Arizona, asserts that drivers can save up to 52 percent by using Root’s data-driven approach, which bases rates primarily …

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Alabama Settles Lawsuit Over Gulf State Park Hotel

Alabama has settled a lawsuit that challenged the use of BP oil spill funds to build a beachside hotel and conference center. In the settlement finalized on Thursday, Alabama agreed to commit long-standing funding for beach access, dune restoration programs, …

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Connecticut Teachers’ Union, Towns Sue State to Stop Education Cuts

Connecticut’s largest teachers’ union and three municipalities are seeking a court order to stop Gov. Dannel P. Malloy from cutting $557 million from the majority of school districts, saying the reductions will be devastating to public education. In a lawsuit …

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Argo Names The Hartford’s Higley to Head U.S. Property, Inland Marine

Specialty insurer Argo Group International Holdings has appointed David Higley as head of U.S. property and inland marine. Higley will report to Ron Vindivich, president, E&S, Colony Specialty, and will lead the group’s newly formed U.S. property unit, made up …

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Jury Misconduct, Judge’s Mistake to Blame for $417M Talc Verdict, Argues J&J

Johnson & Johnson says a $417 million verdict in a talc powder cancer case should be thrown out because three jurors were excluded by fellow panelists from the decision-making process. The three were wrongly left out of deliberations on the …

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