Update Aug. 31: Hurricane Dorian May Veer Away From Direct Hit on Florida

Hurricane Dorian strengthened as it churned toward Florida, where forecasters are trying to determine if it will stall near the coast or even fail to make landfall in the state at all. The hurricane’s center was about 445 miles (716 …

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Study Needed of Missouri River Flood Options, Corps Official Says

An official with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers said Wednesday a study is needed to consider changes to flood-control measures along the Missouri River south of Sioux City, Iowa. Speaking after a U.S. Senate field hearing in North Sioux …

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Arthur J. Gallagher Acquires California Benefits Broker, Garnett-Powers & Associates

Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. has acquired the University Services business of Mission Viejo, California-based benefits broker and consultant Garnett-Powers & Associates Insurance Services Inc. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed. Established in 1996, Garnett-Powers & Associates’ University Services …

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Uber, Lyft Pledge $60M to Fight Possible California Labor Ballot

Uber Technologies Inc. and Lyft Inc. are putting $60 million behind a potential ballot measure to ensure they don’t have to reclassify their California drivers as employees. The ride-hailing giants and other gig companies that rely on contractors who aren’t …

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U.S. Gulf Coast Refineries Keeping an Eye on Hurricane Dorian

Chevron Corp’s 356,440 barrel-per-day Pascagoula, Mississippi, refinery is closely monitoring the progress of Hurricane Dorian, a company spokesman said on Thursday. Dorian is churning across the Atlantic Ocean toward landfall on the Atlantic coast of Florida over the weekend and …

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Dix Named Human Resources Senior VP at Lockton in Missouri

Kansas City, Missouri-based insurance broker, Lockton, has named Dondi Dix as its new senior vice president – chief people officer. In this newly created, executive-level position, Dix will focus on strengthening Lockton’s human capital strategy to continue attracting and developing …

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Texas Hospital Settles Pregnancy Discrimination Suit for $40K

San Antonio, Texas-based Nix Hospitals System LLC, doing business as Nix Healthcare System, has agreed to pay $40,000 to settle a federal pregnancy discrimination lawsuit. The lawsuit filed by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission alleged that Nix Hospital violated …

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Texas’ $77B 10-Year Transportation Plan Targets Roadway Safety, Traffic Congestion

The Texas Department of Transportation’s (TxDOT’s) 10-year transportation plan that includes more than $77 billion dedicated to improving safety, addressing congestion and connectivity, and preserving roadways for Texas drivers, has been approved by the Texas Transportation Commission, the agency said. …

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Canada Insurer The Co-operators Acquires Quebec Broker, Cadieux Beausejour Dupras

Canadian insurer The Co-operators has purchased the Saint Jérôme, Quebec-headquartered broker, Cadieux Beausejour Dupras Inc. Financial details of the deal were not disclosed. The brokerage’s portfolio includes personal and commercial insurance policies. Any existing insurance coverage will remain in effect …

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Sirius Appoints Business Leaders, Forms Global Management Committee, to Unify Structure

Sirius Group announced enhancements to unify its global operating structure, which includes the promotions of key leaders to head its business segments. These leaders are responsible for supporting long-term business objectives, coordinating global client relationships and exposures and driving key …

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Delaware Judge Says Jury Should Decide Fatal Fire Case

A federal lawsuit over an arson fire that killed three firefighters can proceed against the city of Wilmington and its former mayor and fire chief. The Delaware News Journal reports Judge Mary Pat Thynge dismissed some claims, but recommended that …

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H.W. Kaufman Group Partners with RB Jones Marine, ProSight Specialty Insurance

H.W. Kaufman Group, a global network of companies dedicated to shaping the future of insurance, has expanded its subsidiary RB Jones as it partners with ProSight Specialty Insurance to become the exclusive administrator for its Marine Solutions and Excess Energy …

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SAN Group Hires Lynch as Agency Development Field Specialist

Satellite Agency Network Group Inc. (SAN), an alliance of independent insurance agencies in the Northeastern U.S., has hired Stephanie Lynch as agency development field specialist. In this role, Lynch will be directly responsible for agency development and consulting services of …

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Saxe Doernberger & Vita P.C. Hires Eddy to Northeast Office

Saxe Doernberger & Vita, P.C. (SDV) has hired Associate Janie Reilly Eddy to its SDV Northeast office. Eddy has a background in litigation, handling matters from inception through resolution and advising and guiding clients through viable litigation options. Her experience …

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GE Investors Handed Setback in Investor Lawsuit Over Insurance Liabilities

A federal judge in Manhattan on Thursday partially dismissed a lawsuit by investors in General Electric Co. that accused the company of concealing $24 billion in insurance liabilities and using fraudulent accounting to prop up its power business. Judge Jesse …

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How Insurers Help Design High-End Homes That Mitigate Disaster Risk

Bruce Gendelman wanted a mountainside retreat when he bought 12 acres in Aspen, Colorado. But forest fires that have torched nearby land in recent years left him concerned. So Gendelman, who runs an insurance brokerage, tapped into a program that …

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Japan Quakes to Cost Insurance Industry $2B-$3B Annually: Karen Clark & Co.

For insurers and reinsurers, the 1995 Kobe earthquake produced $3 billion in insured property losses, but a repeat of a more devastating quake that happened 72 years earlier could bring $225 billion in industry losses. And a more typical level …

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World’s Safest Cities: Washington Rises, Hong Kong Falls

There’s a new surprise member of the world’s safest cities club. Washington, D.C. has entered the top 10 in the Safe Cities index for the first time, while Hong Kong is a noticeable no-show after plummeting down the rankings. Tokyo …

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With New, Legal Cannabis Industries, Illinois and Missouri Can Learn from Pioneer States

As Illinois and Missouri undertake the process of licensing businesses in their newly legalized cannabis industries — recreational in Illinois and medical in Missouri — they have the advantage of taking what has worked and shedding what hasn’t in the …

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Automakers Call for Urgency in Advancing U.S. Rules for Self-Driving Vehicles

Waymo, the self-driving car unit of Google parent Alphabet Inc, on Thursday urged the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to “promptly” remove regulatory barriers for cars without steering wheels and brake pedals. Automakers must currently meet nearly 75 auto …

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New Empire Underwriters Standalone Workers Comp Offering Targets Staffing Firms

Empire Underwriters, a national insurance wholesaler, excess and surplus lines facility and program manager has released a standalone workers comp program for staffing companies available nationwide and backed by several “A” rated carriers. With the launch of the new Standalone …

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J.M. Wilson Hires Allison as Sales, Agency Relations Specialist in Florida

J.M. Wilson has hired Chad Allison as sales and agency relations specialist in its Hollywood, Fla., office. Allison will be the primary resource and liaison for independent insurance agents in Florida, by offering product knowledge and assistance, as well as …

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The Liberty Company Insurance Brokers Partners with Moody Insurance Group of Florida

The Liberty Company Insurance Brokers, a privately held agency on the West Coast, has partnered with Moody Insurance Group of Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. This marks Liberty’s first venture outside of California, laying the groundwork for more national growth in the …

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Update: Hurricane Dorian Expected to Be Category 4 Storm When It Hits Florida

Hurricane Dorian is now expected to become a Category 4 storm with winds reaching 130 miles per hour before it makes landfall on Florida’s east coast, in what would be the first major hurricane to hit the area in 15 …

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Wife Files Lawsuit for Using Dead Man’s Body For Training

The wife of a deceased man whose body was used for emergency intubation training has filed a lawsuit against an Oregon city. The Bellingham Herald reported that Jai Ginn filed a federal lawsuit Aug. 1 against the city of Bellingham, …

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Washington Considers Overhaul of Cannabis Regulation 5 Years in

Five years after Washington launched its pioneering legal marijuana market, officials are proposing an overhaul of the state’s industry rules, with plans for boosting minority ownership of pot businesses, paving the way for home deliveries of medical cannabis and letting …

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Former Google Engineer Charged in Uber Autonomous Theft Case

A former Google engineer was charged Tuesday with stealing self-driving car technology from the company shortly before he joined Uber’s efforts to catch up in the high-stakes race to build robotic vehicles. The indictment filed by the U.S. attorney’s office …

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European Insurers Are Having a Rough Time – Here’s Why…

European insurers are having a rough time. Already carrying the burden of low yields eroding their investment income, disappointing earnings as well as some companies’ exposure to Asia are making things even worse. The Stoxx Insurance 600 index is down …

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Millennials Think They’re So Much Better at Multitasking Than Everyone Else. They Are.

Emails, instant messaging, app notifications, RSS feeds, and a plethora of social networks inundate almost every aspect of daily life from work to home or just keeping in touch socially. Some people average more than four information technology (IT) switches …

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Vertafore Taps Antanaitis as Chief Marketing Officer

Insurance technology firm Vertafore has hired marketing executive John Antanaitis as its new chief marketing officer. Antanaitis is a board advisor at EquityDoor, a real estate investing portal, and was previously CMO at ZiipRoom (acquired by Bose Corp.) for a …

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Study of European Flood Trends Finds North-South Climate Variances

European river flooding has grown more intense in northwestern Europe and decreased in the south over the last half century, according to a study by nearly four dozen researchers. The work, which is the first documentation of long-term flood trends …

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New Hampshire Workers’ Comp Rates Decrease for Eighth Year in a Row

New Hampshire employers will pay less for their workers’ compensation insurance next year because of an approved filing that lowers the loss costs insurers use to develop prices. The New Hampshire Insurance Department has approved a rate proposal filed by …

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Frederick Mutual Hires Stenbjorn as Vice President of Information Technology

Frederick Mutual, a Frederick, Md.-based insurance company, has hired Paul Stenbjorn as vice president of Information Technology. Stenbjorn has been a technology management professional for more than 20 years. He has held an array of senior positions including the chief …

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Lawsuit in Vermont PFOA Contamination Case Now Class Action

A lawsuit filed by Vermont residents seeking damages for chemical contamination in groundwater in their Bennington neighborhood can proceed as a class action, a federal judge has ruled. The ruling by U.S. District Judge Geoffrey Crawford means qualified property owners …

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Collapse at Bronx Construction Site Kills One, Injures Five

A construction worker has died and five others were injured in a partial collapse of a building under construction in the Bronx. It happened shortly before noon Tuesday at the four-story construction site at 92 East 208th Street, near Steuben …

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Top 10 Commercial Auto Insurers: Winners and Losers in Fast-Growing Market

The commercial automobile insurance segment is headed for its ninth straight year of underwriting losses when the books close at year-end 2019, analysts at Fitch Ratings predict in a new report. In fact, a decade of underwriting losses may be …

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Waste from Chinese-Owned Nickel Plant Spills into Papua New Guinea Bay

Waste from a nickel plant in Papua New Guinea owned by Metallurgical Corporation of China spilled into the adjacent Basamuk Bay over the weekend, three sources told Reuters on Wednesday. Locals noticed red discharge clouding parts of the bay that …

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More Tesla Solar Panel Claims Emerge; 2 Home Insurers Allege Negligence

One evening last year, David Burek noticed charred wood and a burning smell in his attic, near his young sons’ bedroom. He climbed a ladder and saw a melted connector wire from the solar panels installed on the roof of …

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Porsche Expands Its ‘Flexible Ownership’ Subscription That Includes Insurance

Porsche is expanding its app-based subscription service to four new cities in the U.S. and Canada, deepening its experiment in flexible car ownership even as other automakers back away. The luxury sports-car brand of Volkswagen AG is adding Las Vegas, …

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UK Prime Minister Rolls the Dice on City of London’s Future: Opinion

Not long after Britain voted to leave the European Union, the City of London’s chiefs grudgingly began hammering out plans for the worst: that Britain might eventually abandon the EU’s single market. Now the future is suddenly looking even more …

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New Swedbank CEO, Hired from Folksam, Criticized for Ties to Scandal-Hit Bank

Sweden’s biggest shareholder group has criticized Swedbank AB’s choice of chief executive officer, arguing the board opted for an insider who failed to stop the bank sinking into a Baltic money-laundering scandal when he had the chance. Jens Henriksson will …

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U.K. Prime Minister Johnson Forces Brexit Showdown

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s move to suspend parliament and come good on his promise to avoid any more delays to Brexit has set the clock running for his opponents to thwart him. The question is whether they can do …

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Barge Collapse in Tennessee River Leads to Oil Spill

Officials in Chattanooga say a truck and crane went to the bottom of the Tennessee River when the barge they were sitting on collapsed. News outlets report the crane was mounted on the truck that fell into the river when …

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Insurtech Kin Insurance Raises $47M to Launch Florida Homeowners Carrier

Kin Insurance, an insurtech startup focused on home insurance in catastrophe-prone regions, said it has raised $47 million in new venture financing to fuel expansion and a revamped business model. August Capital led the new financing round, which included contributions …

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3 Steps to Keep the Cameras Rolling for Entertainment Clients In Hurricane Season

The magic of the movies has the power to transport theater goers to distant lands, faraway places and, in some cases, entirely different planets. Television shows are no exception, and the power of set design is a contributing factor to …

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Hurricane Dorian Goes Easy on Puerto Rico, Gathers Force and Heads for Florida

After slipping past Puerto Rico, Hurricane Dorian is heading with gathering force toward Florida’s east coast where it may bring 115 mile-per-hour winds and drenching rain when it hits there sometime early next week. Dorian is set to be the …

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Tesla Rolling out Insurance in California

Tesla Inc. said on Wednesday it was launching an insurance service designed to give drivers in California, its biggest market, lower rates because of safety features on its electric vehicles. Chief Executive Elon Musk has been one of the strongest …

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Move Over Flo; Progressive Ads to Star Cleveland Browns QB Baker Mayfield

Insurance carrier Progressive has signed Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield and his new wife, Emily Wilkinson, to its advertising team. “There’s no glorified pro-athlete persona or hard-sell messaging, just highly relatable, everyday and quite funny moments between Baker, Emily … …

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Liberty Specialty Markets Promotes Garside to Head of Bermuda Property

Liberty Specialty Markets (LSM), part of Liberty Mutual Insurance Group, has promoted Nicholas Garside to the role of head of Bermuda Property. Reporting to Steve Horton, president, Liberty Specialty Markets Bermuda, Garside takes up his new role on Sept. 1 …

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Purdue Pharma Floats $10-$12 Billion Opioid Settlement: Reuters

OxyContin maker Purdue Pharma LP and its owners, the Sackler family, are in discussion to settle more than 2,000 opioid lawsuits against the company for $10 billion to $12 billion, two people familiar with the matter said on Tuesday. Purdue …

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Lafond Succeeds Giglio as CEO of Insurity

Insurity, Inc., a provider of cloud-based services and data analytics for the property/casualty insurance industry, has appointed Chris Lafond as its chief executive officer, succeeding Chris Giglio, who has been CEO since 2017 and who will remain on the board …

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Hemp Crops in Hawaii Because of High THC Levels

More than half of hemp crops cultivated in Hawaii in the past year were unusable due to high THC levels, officials said. The crops cultivated for the state’s hemp industry tested above the federal limit for the chemical that causes …

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$900K in Claims Paid to Settle Against Police Chief in New Mexico

The state of New Mexico acknowledged Monday that it paid out $900,000 to three State Police officials who complained of workplace discrimination and retaliation by the state’s former police chief. The payout is the latest revelation about settlements of lawsuits …

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Fire Official Says Oregon Wildfire Risk Map Flawed

A fire official says a wildfire risk map being created by Deschutes County, the home of Bend, Oregon, underestimates fire danger because it doesn’t take into account the danger when homes catch fire in densely built suburbs. The Bulletin reported …

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Japan to Offer Enhanced Trade Insurance to Drive African Investment

Japan will offer enhanced trade insurance to boost private sector investment in Africa, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said on Wednesday as his country competes with rival China for influence in the resource-rich continent. “Let me make a promise,” Abe told …

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DuPont Says It Will No Longer Buy Firefighting Foam With Suspect Chemicals

Industrial materials maker DuPont said on Wednesday it would stop buying and using firefighting foams made with a controversial class of chemicals, which are at the center of multiple environmental lawsuits, by the end of 2021. The chemicals, which have …

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Puerto Rico Braces for Tropical Storm Dorian; Florida, Carolinas Could Be Next

Tropical Storm Dorian is about to sideswipe Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. And if you live on Florida’s east coast, it may be time to start gathering supplies. Chances are increasing that the storm will approach Florida bringing …

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Connecticut Woman Pleads Guilty to Fraud for Embezzling $400K from Employer

A Connecticut woman has pleaded guilty to embezzling more than $400,000 from her employer. Federal prosecutors say 56-year-old Vicki Miller, of Colchester, pleaded guilty to wire fraud Friday in U.S. District Court in Bridgeport. Prosecutors say Miller was a bookkeeper …

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Newark to Speed Replacing of Pipes Blamed for Lead in Water

New Jersey’s biggest city on Monday announced a plan to borrow $120 million to dramatically cut the time it will take to replace pipes causing elevated lead levels in drinking water. City, state and county officials said the plan is …

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Disability Insurance Services Hires Cremens as Regional Brokerage Manager

Disability Insurance Services (DIS), a provider of disability insurance, has hired Scott Cremens as regional brokerage manager (RBM) – the company’s first RBM in Connecticut. Cremens brings 15 years of experience to the team, having previously served in similar roles …

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New Hampshire’s Brownell Insurance Center Joins NAIA

Brownell Insurance Center Inc., of Londonderry and Hampton, N.H., has joined NAIA. NAIA, founded in 2009, aligns itself with historically profitable agencies and key core carriers. In addition to aggregation of agencies’ volumes, NAIA provides full time macro management of …

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Biometrics Lawsuits, Ransomware Variant, Financial Firm Targeting Among Latest Cyber Trends: Chubb

State biometrics laws, a new ransomware threat and the targeting of financial institutions are among the recent trends in cyber risks, according to insurer Chubb in a new report. The insurer cites a recent surge in lawsuits over biometric privacy. …

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Opioid Epidemic Could Threaten Europe Too: Viewpoint

As drugmakers are being held responsible for fueling the U.S. opioid epidemic, it might look at though they have nothing to fear in Europe, where, it’s often assumed, opioid misuse isn’t so rampant. The European Union, though, should take a …

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Tropical Storm Dorian Takes Aim at Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic

Tropical Storm Dorian churned toward Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic on Tuesday and was expected to be close to hurricane strength when it nears the islands on Wednesday. In anticipation of the storm, U.S. President Donald Trump declared a …

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Burger King Franchise in Oklahoma to Pay $30K to Settle Disability Discrimination Suit

The operators of a Lawton, Okla., Burger King restaurant have agreed to pay $30,000 and furnish other relief to settle a disability discrimination lawsuit brought by federal officials. In a lawsuit filed in July 2018, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity …

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Toxic Gas, EPA Silence Raise Concerns for Residents Near Georgia Factories

Residents near two Georgia plants which have emitted toxic gas say they’re furious that the government did not alert the public about a federal report on potential health dangers. Hundreds of people packed two recent town hall meetings in Marietta …

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North Carolina Insurers Request 19.2% Rate Increase for Dwelling Policies

The North Carolina Department of Insurance has received a dwelling insurance rate filing from the North Carolina Rate Bureau requesting a statewide average rate increase of 19.2%, varying by territory. The N.C. Rate Bureau, which is not part of the …

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Auto Safety Test Pits Traditional Car Mirrors v. Rear/Side Cameras

The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration plans to test how drivers could use cameras to replace traditional rearview mirrors in automobiles, a technology already allowed in other countries, the agency said on Tuesday. The planned test by the agency …

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Why J&J Opioid Lawsuit Could Mean Real Culprits Are Let Off the Hook: Viewpoint

In 1977, after an electrical fire destroyed the Beverly Hills Supper Club in Southgate, Kentucky, killing 165 people, a plaintiffs’ lawyer named Stanley Chesley came up with a novel way to recover money for the families of the victims. The …

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Florida Insurer American Integrity Launches Policyholder Home Maintenance App

American Integrity Insurance Co., a Tampa, Fla.-based home insurance carrier, has introduced a new, free home platform app designed to provide tools and information for customers to maintain their home and belongings. American Integrity is providing the Home Platform App …

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Holmes Murphy Adds Hughes to Minnesota Team

Independent insurance brokerage Holmes Murphy has welcomed Nate Hughes as account executive to the company’s growing Minneapolis, Minnesota, property/casualty team. Hughes joins Holmes Murphy through the merger with Cobb Strecker Dunphy & Zimmermann, where he was a market leader focused …

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Southeastern Grocers to Spend $4.2M to Settle Clean Air Act Violations

A supermarket company has agreed to reduce emissions of ozone-depleting gases from refrigeration equipment at more than 500 stores in seven southeastern states, federal authorities said Friday. The Department of Justice and the Environmental Protection Agency reached the agreement with …

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New Texas Law Requires Home Sellers to Reveal More About Flood History, Risks

When Hurricane Harvey’s devastating rains began overwhelming the Houston area, Donna and George Duggan didn’t immediately evacuate their Katy home. After all, the Duggans, both 62, had lived there for the better part of 20 years and the house had …

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Iowa’s GuideOne Teams Up with Strategos International on Armed Intruder Training

West Des Moines, Iowa-based GuideOne Insurance has formed an alliance with Strategos International, a Kansas City-based organization that will bring training and consulting to its customers in all niches – churches, schools, nonprofits, senior living communities and small businesses – …

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West Virginia AG Says Johnson & Johnson, Teva Hid Opioid Risks in New Lawsuit

West Virginia’s top prosecutor filed suits Friday against the major opioid makers Johnson & Johnson and Teva Pharmaceuticals USA for misrepresenting the risks of their painkilling drugs. The separate suits filed in Boone County, West Virginia, by Attorney General Patrick …

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Measles May Have Been Brought to Southern California by Tourist

A New Zealand teenager who visited Disneyland and other Southern California tourist spots last week brought along more than just her luggage. She brought measles. Public health officials in Los Angeles and Orange counties are warning that people may have …

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Colorado Says Lung Disease Case Possibly Linked to Vaping

Colorado health officials say one person has been confirmed with a severe lung disease that appears to be linked to electronic cigarette products. The Denver Post reported that the state Department of Public Health and Environment is investigating a possible …

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Evacuations Lifted in Wildfire Along California-Nevada Border

Authorities say a fast-moving wildfire on rural land along the California-Nevada border burned one home before crews were able to slow its spread. Fire spokesman Adam Mayberry says the blaze about 25 miles north of Reno, Nevada is now more …

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Firefighters Make Progress on Alaska Wildfire

Firefighters are making progress on an Alaska wildfire that has claimed 51 homes. Nearly 450 firefighters working the fire about 70 miles north of Alaska’s largest city brought it to 46 percent containment Monday, up from 10 percent on Friday. …

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Frontline Oil Tanker Expects Q4 Return to Shipping, After June Gulf Attack

An oil tanker that was set ablaze by a blast near the Strait of Hormuz in June will be back in service in the fourth quarter after repairs, vessel owner Frontline said on Tuesday. Images of the product tanker Front …

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Chronic Commercial Auto Insurance Underwriting Losses to Continue in 2019: Fitch

U.S. property/casualty insurers continue to face substantial underwriting losses on commercial automobile insurance and, following a statutory combined ratio of 108% in 2018, the segment is poised for a ninth consecutive year of underwriting losses in 2019, according to Fitch …

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U.K. Government Optimistic that Brexit Talks Can Begin Again

The U.K. government sees an opportunity to restart Brexit negotiations with the European Union after Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s meetings last week with German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Emmanuel Macron. The two leaders appeared to relax their language …

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Morrison Mahoney Hires Gyllenborg to Corporate Transactions Group

Morrison Mahoney has hired Eric J. Gyllenborg as a partner in its Corporate Transactions group in Boston, Mass. Gyllenborg is a corporate lawyer with a particular focus on commercial lending, private securities offerings, venture capital, private equity, finance, employment, medical …

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Ames & Gough Appoints Witherow as an Assistant Vice President in Washington D.C.

Ames & Gough, an insurance broker and risk management consultant specializing in serving design professionals, law firms, associations/nonprofits and other professional service organizations, has appointed Jessie Witherow as an assistant vice president. Based in the Washington, D.C., office, Witherow is …

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Philadelphia Factory Owner Fined More Than $1M in OSHA Retaliation Case

A suburban Philadelphia factory owner found guilty of retaliating against employees who cooperated with federal safety inspectors has been ordered to pay more than $1 million in back wages and punitive damages. The Philadelphia Inquirer reports that a judge ordered …

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Maryland Construction Company Owner Pleads Guilty in $1.7M Fraud Plot

A Maryland construction company owner has pleaded guilty to engaging in a scheme to defraud a customer out of more than $1.7 million. U.S. Attorney Robert Hur’s office said in a news release that 65-year-old Ivan Victor Thrane faces a …

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Serving on One Outside Board Is Enough, BlackRock Warns Directors

BlackRock Inc. is stepping up opposition to U.S. CEOs who sit on more than one corporate board beside their own, arguing that working as a director takes increasingly more time, a report from the world’s largest asset manager showed on …

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Other Opioid Lawsuit Plaintiffs Welcome Oklahoma Ruling Affirming Public Nuisance

While some Johnson & Johnson investors were relieved that the company’s $572 million penalty for fueling Oklahoma’s opioid epidemic wasn’t as high as feared, lawyers for other U.S. states, cities and counties could hardly contain their glee. That’s because the …

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Global Policymakers Must Focus on Strengthening Economic Resilience: Swiss Re

A decade after the last financial crisis, attention is too focused on what central bankers can do to prevent the next one, according to Swiss Reinsurance Co. With liquidity taps open and policy rates stuck in a “black hole” they …

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Aon Forms Global Accident, Health & Life Group in Its Reinsurance Business

Aon plc has created a global Accident, Health & Life practice group in its Reinsurance Solutions business to help insurers take advantage of growth opportunities in this evolving sector. The group will be chaired by Roger Smith, who was previously …

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HDI Global Taps Ogden from Lloyd’s as Director of Distribution, UK/Ireland

HDI Global SE (HDI) has announced the appointment of Stephanie Ogden as Director of Distribution for its UK and Ireland operations. She will assume the role on Sept. 2, 2019. Ogden will be responsible for distribution strategy, broker and client …

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How Small Businesses Are Training for Active Shooters

At a four-hour meeting last month, Michelle Abdow’s staffers got to experience some of the sights, sounds and even smells they could encounter if someone invaded their office and began shooting. Security experts and local law enforcement officers gave Abdow’s …

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Florida-Based FedNat Holding Company Makes Changes to Board of Directors

The Board of Directors of FedNat Holding Company, an insurance holding company, has selected David Michelson and David Patterson as candidates to serve on the board as new, independent directors. As soon as their appointments have satisfied insurance regulatory review, …

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One General Agency Acquires Renewal Rights to Oklahoma City MGA’s Business

One General Agency (OGA) is pleased to announce that it has acquired the renewal rights to the book of business previously owned by Oklahoma City-based Acton Inc. (Acton). Acton President Eric Acton will be joining the OGA staff. One General …

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Tropical Storm Dorian Strengthens as It Heads Toward Barbados

Tropical Storm Dorian is strengthening as it swirls toward the Caribbean island of Barbados, potentially reaching near hurricane strength by Tuesday, while a second system struggles to get organized in the waters off Florida. Dorian, with top winds of 50 …

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China Pacific Insurance Joins Industry Blockchain Initiative, B3i

China Pacific Insurance Group (CPIC) has become the latest investor in B3i, the insurance and reinsurance industry’s blockchain initiative. CPIC’s membership further strengthens B3i’s representation across the global insurance market, said B3i, which now is supported by 18 major insurance …

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Insurer Not Responsible for Workers’ Comp Claim Due to Overdose Death

The New Hampshire Supreme Court has affirmed a decision by the New Hampshire Compensation Appeals Board (CAB) denying an estate’s request that its insurer pay workers’ compensation benefits to the estate as a result of an overdose death. The petitioner, …

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Clergy Members Named in Alaska Sexual Misconduct Review

An independent review has found credible accusations of past sexual misconduct against seven clergy members of an Alaska Catholic diocese, including a former priest who died in a July plane crash and another priest who was placed on administrative leave …

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5 Insurtechs Working to Improve Agency Processes, Efficiency

Independent insurance agents can find sifting through the many insurtech products to pinpoint ones suited to their needs is a daunting assignment. But it’s an assignment they must tackle, according to agency consultant Chris Burand, founder of Chris Burand & …

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Alaska Wildfire Threatening Community Businesses

A wildfire in south-central Alaska has threatened multiple businesses in a nearby community, officials said. At least 51 homes and three businesses have been destroyed in a wildfire burning north of Anchorage. Another 84 outbuildings are reported to have been …

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California Woman Hit by Police Truck to Get $260,000

The Santa Rosa City Council has agreed to pay a settlement to a California woman hit by a police truck. The Press Democrat reported that 29-year-old Laure Friedell filed a lawsuit in March 2018 after her right foot and left …

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Former University Southern California Gynecologist in Sex Assault Case Released On Bail

A former University of Southern California gynecologist charged with sexually abusing patents has posted bail and been released from jail. The Los Angeles Times reports Dr. George Tyndall was freed Friday evening on $160,000 bond. Tyndall was arrested in June …

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Prospect of Brexit Deal Is ‘Touch and Go,’ Acknowledges PM Johnson

U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson acknowledged Sunday that the prospect of a Brexit deal was “touch and go,” as other European Union capitals grasp the problems Britain has with the withdrawal agreement. Speaking on the sidelines of the Group of …

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Newly-Launched CAC Specialty Combines Insurance Brokerage with Investment Banking

Alabama-based specialty insurance broker Cobbs Allen is forming CAC Specialty, a combined specialty insurance brokerage and investment banking platform to offer customized insurance and risk transfer services to large corporates, small and medium sized businesses, private equity, and other alternative …

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Amazon Joins Walmart in Claiming Fire Risk with Tesla Solar Panels

Walmart Inc. isn’t the only corporation that has seen its Tesla Inc. solar panels catch fire. On Friday, Amazon.com Inc. said a June 2018 blaze on the roof of one of its warehouses in Redlands, California, involved a solar panel …

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Health Officials Report First Death They Believe Is Linked to Vaping

An Illinois resident has died after being hospitalized with a severe respiratory illness that health officials believe is linked with vaping, the state’s Department of Public Health said Friday. The death is the first recorded from a mystery illness that …

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P/C Insurers’ First-Half Underwriting Income Drops

The U.S. property/casualty industry’s net underwriting income declined by 9.6% to $4.8 billion in the first half of 2019, compared with $5.3 billion in the same prior-year period, A.M. Best reports. Net earned premiums grew by 3.8% in first-half 2019, …

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Amazon Sued by Publishers Claiming Audible Text Service Violates Copyright

Amazon.com Inc.’s Audible was sued by some of the top U.S. publishers for copyright infringement on Friday, aiming to block a planned rollout of a feature called ‘Audible Captions’ that shows the text on screen as a book is narrated. …

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Off-Duty New York City Police Department Officer Indicted for Insurance Fraud

A New York City Police Department officer has been indicted for insurance fraud, falsifying business records and related charges for allegedly filing a false insurance claim stating his vehicle was stolen when the same car was found burned down at …

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Pennsylvania’s PMA Companies Names Shertenlieb as Vice President of Marketing

PMA Companies has named Tara Shertenlieb as vice president of Marketing. In this role, she is responsible for developing and executing PMA Companies’ marketing strategies and initiatives including branding, communications, advertising and digital marketing. Shertenlieb reports to Derek Hopper, senior …

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Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. Hires DellaCroce to Healthcare Practice in New Jersey

Arthur J. Gallagher & Co., a global leader in insurance brokerage, risk management and consulting services, has hired Anthony DellaCroce to its team in New Jersey as an area vice president for the Healthcare Practice, specializing in healthcare insurance placement. …

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Hong Kong Protests Escalate as Police Fire Weapon, Use Water Cannons

Tensions flared in Hong Kong on a weekend that began with the formation of a peaceful human chain across the city and culminated two days later with police firing a weapon and using water cannons for the first time. In …

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Canada Broker Westland Insurance Buys First West Insurance Services

Canadian broker Westland Insurance Group Ltd. announced the acquisition of First West Insurance Services, a subsidiary of First West Credit Union, effective Sept. 30, 2019. Financial details of the transaction were not released. First West Insurance Services provides personal, auto …

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South Carolina Man Sues Walmart After Gas Can Explosion

A South Carolina man is suing Walmart, saying a gas can that exploded and set him on fire was defective and should never have been sold to him at a Walmart store in Barnwell. In a federal lawsuit filed this …

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Report: Gas Pipeline That Caused Explosion in Kentucky Has History of Deadly Accidents

A natural gas pipeline in Kentucky that exploded this month and killed one person has a history of deadly accidents. The Courier Journal reports six people in Kentucky and nine people in total have died in gas explosions along the …

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South Carolina CBD Stores Face Uncertainty, Raids After AG Opinion on Hemp

Top Hat Tobacco and Cigar owner Todd Smith was on his way out of town July 13 for a rare day off when his phone rang. A friend manning the store for him was on the other end, and told …

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Fire Station in Texas Latest Recovery From Hurricane Ike

Galveston, Texas has a new main fire station as recovery continues since Hurricane Ike swamped parts of the city in 2008. The Galveston County Daily News reports the $9.6 million Fire Station No. 1 was one of the last large …

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Union Pacific Worker In Texas Dies, Pinned Between Tankers

Investigators say a Union Pacific worker has died after being pinned between two railway tanker cars in Southeast Texas. The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office says 39-year-old Travis Andrepont of Louisiana was killed before dawn Tuesday in Beaumont. Officials didn’t immediately …

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Japan’s Tepco to Propose Decommissioning 5 Nuclear Reactors: Media

Tokyo Electric Power will submit to a municipal official on Monday a plan regarding the decommissioning of five reactors at its Kashiwazaki-Kariwa nuclear station, the world’s biggest atomic plant, Jiji Press said. Japan suffered its worst energy crisis since the …

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California Utility Wants Help Paying Wildfire Victims

A troubled California utility company is asking the state Legislature to let it borrow money without paying taxes so it can compensate victims of a devastating wildfire caused by its equipment. Pacific Gas & Electric is facing up to $30 …

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Bogus Claims, Price Gouging, Fake Contractors: How Fraudsters Steal Disaster Aid

As the scale and frequency of major disasters escalate, millions of dollars in federal, state and insurance payments intended for recovery efforts are being stolen by fraudsters taking advantage of chaos and the pipeline of aid flowing into the stricken …

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Motor Vehicle Accident Fatalities Decline

The four-year upward trend in motor vehicle deaths that began in 2015 is ebbing, with the number of fatalities in the first six months of 2019 dropping 3% compared to the same six-month period in 2018. Preliminary estimates from the …

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U.S. Lawmakers Urge Regulators to Treat Cloud Services as Players in Financial System

Two U.S. lawmakers have called on a top financial regulatory panel to consider direct oversight of the cloud services big tech companies provide to banks, saying they have become a critical component of the global financial system. In a letter …

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New Business Up 20% at Insurer AIA on Hong Kong, China Sales

Asia-focussed insurer AIA Group Ltd on Friday posted a 20% rise in new business for the first half of the year, as it sold more insurance products in its main markets of Hong Kong and China. AIA’s new business value, …

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Following Deadly Blast, Russia Launches Floating Nuclear Reactor

Russia’s Rosatom shipped its first floating nuclear-power reactor on Friday, setting the unit off on a barge journey among Arctic ice caps, raising concerns in the wake of a recent military accident that caused a brief spike in radiation. The …

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China Tops List of U.S. Cybersecurity Agency’s Top Risks

A newly created U.S. cybersecurity agency said Thursday that China represents the greatest strategic risk to the U.S., and as a result, the agency’s top operational priority is reducing the risks from Chinese compromises to the global supply chain, including …

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Allianz to Buy SulAmérica’s Auto, Other P/C Insurance Operations

Allianz has agreed to acquire automobile and other property/casualty insurance operations from Brazil’s SulAmérica for BRL 3 billion (667 million euros). Allianz said the acquisition will strengthen its competitive position in Brazil, making it one of the top three insurers …

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Captain of Ferry that Ran Aground in Boston Harbor Off Job Pending Drug Test

The captain of a commuter ferry that ran aground in Boston Harbor has been placed on leave pending drug test results. The Boston Globe reported Saturday that the captain was taken off the job pending the test, which is routine …

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Everest Insurance Adds Three Members in Pennsylvania, New York

Everest Insurance has added three members to the Financial Lines Private Company/Not‐For‐Profit group. This group provides management liability insurance for private and not‐for‐profit companies of all sizes and industries. Michelle Bockin has joined Everest Insurance as a director, managing all …

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The Connecticut Interlocal Risk Management Agency Hires Dion, Martin

The Connecticut Interlocal Risk Management Agency (CIRMA) has hired Ellen Dion as chief financial officer (CFO). Dion has property and casualty insurance industry expertise spanning more than 25 years and will oversee budget preparation and administration, financial planning and operations, …

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Alliant Adds Shaffer to Its Mid-Atlantic Team as Senior Vice President

Alliant has added John Shaffer III to its Mid-Atlantic team. The Bethesda, Md.-based property and casualty specialist will serve as senior vice president, designing and delivering a range of insurance and risk management services to clients throughout the region as …

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Broker Not Liable for Late Notice that Cost Illinois Client $1.34M

An Illinois construction company that waited six years to inform its excess insurer that it had been sued cannot expect coverage from that carrier, and it can’t go after the insurance brokerage that sold it the policy either, a federal …

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Bridge Span Near Florida-Georgia Line Collapses, Causes 2 Accidents

Authorities say two motorists have been injured when their cars went airborne over a collapsed bridge span near the Florida-Georgia Line. Officials closed a short stretch of Hutchinson Ferry Road northwest of Tallahassee on Wednesday morning because of the gap …

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Trump Administration Appoints Aviation Safety Advisory Panel

U.S. Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao on Thursday named 22 people to a new panel that will advise the department on aviation safety oversight and certification programs as the Federal Aviation Administration continues to grapple with the fallout from two fatal …

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For Many U.S. Communities, There’s No Easy Path to Safety From Disasters

As the country enters peak season for major natural disasters, new research indicates which states and communities are the riskiest for those needing to evacuate whether from wildfires or hurricanes. StreetLight Data Inc., a company that collects and analyzes data …

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Early Claims and Crash Tests Suggest Risks of Luxury, SUV Electric Vehicles

Electric luxury cars and sport utility vehicles (SUVs) may be 40% more likely to cause accidents than their standard engine counterparts, possibly because drivers are still getting used to their quick acceleration, French insurer AXA said. The numbers, based on …

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Wells Fargo Settles Navajo Nation Claims Over Fake Accounts for $6.5 Million

Wells Fargo & Co. will pay the Navajo Nation $6.5 million to settle a lawsuit over “predatory and unlawful practices” by the bank, the Native American tribe said on Thursday. The Navajo Nation sued Wells Fargo in federal and tribal …

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Authorities Investigate String of Arson Fires in Kentucky Neighborhood

A string of fires in a western Kentucky neighborhood has left authorities wondering if they’re all related. News outlets report four fires in the past week have occurred in the Pleasant Ridge area and three of the fires were caused …

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Miami Contractor Arrested Over $737K in Workers’ Comp Fraud

A Florida contractor was arrested this month for an alleged workers’ compensation fraud scheme totaling nearly $737,000, according to a statement from Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Jimmy Patronis. Norma Lopez Cedillo, president of Nuvo Contractor, Inc., allegedly evaded paying nearly …

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Proposed Settlement in Lawsuit Over St. Louis Rams Merchandise OK’d

A proposed settlement would give St. Louis Rams fans a 25% refund on years of tickets and merchandise they bought before the team announced it was moving to Los Angeles. If approved, the settlement would end a class-action lawsuit that …

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Ransomware Attack Strikes 20 Texas Local Governments

More than 20 local governments in Texas were targeted in a coordinated ransomware attack of unprecedented size. The Texas Department of Information Resources said in a statement that it believes a single source is behind all 22 of the attacks. …

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Guy Carpenter Tapped for California Wildfire Fund Reinsurance and Risk Transfer Program

Guy Carpenter & Company LLC has been named the sole reinsurance intermediary for the newly formed California Wildfire Fund, which is currently being administered by the California Earthquake Authority. Guy Carpenter will provide strategic reinsurance and advisory services to develop …

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Planned Parenthood Arizona Worker Awarded $3M

A former Planned Parenthood Arizona employee who claimed she was wrongfully fired after she reported unsafe medical practices has been awarded $3 million in a civil case. A Maricopa County jury returned the verdict Aug. 16 for Mayra Rodriguez, who …

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Among Bad Driving Behaviors, Speeding Is Strongest Predictor of Crashes

Speeding is the riskiest kind of aggressive driving, according to an analysis of data from on-board telematics devices in vehicles. Researchers at Canada’s University of Waterloo examined data from 28 million trips for possible links between four bad driving behaviours …

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Allstate CEO Calls On U.S. Corporations to Pay Employees More

U.S. businesses must focus on creating higher-paying jobs,Tom Wilson, Allstate chair, president and chief executive officer, writes in today’s New York Times. Wilson calls on America’s corporate leaders to prioritize job creation and make it a regular topic of discussion …

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Liberty Mutual Names Chief Underwriting Officers for Excess Casualty and Public Entities

Liberty Mutual has appointed Jon Tellekamp as chief underwriting officer for National Insurance – Excess Casualty, and Doug Manwaring as chief underwriting officer of National Insurance – Public Entities and Programs. Tellekamp is responsible for the retail admitted excess casualty …

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Airbus A380s to Undergo Safety Checks After Air France Crash Probe Finds Part

Investigators probing an engine explosion on an Air France A380 in 2017 are studying a possible manufacturing flaw in a recently salvaged cracked part in a move likely to trigger urgent checks on dozens of Airbus superjumbos, people familiar with …

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New Jersey Woman Gets Two Years in Compound Drug Fraud Scheme

A New Jersey woman has been sentenced to two years in prison for her role in a widespread fraud scheme involving public employees and compound prescription drugs. Kristie Masucci appeared before a judge in Camden on Tuesday. The 37-year-old Cedar …

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Ryan Specialty Group Reaches Agreement to Acquire Pennsylvania’s Suitelife

Ryan Specialty Group LLC (RSG) has reached a definitive agreement to acquire the assets and operations of The Suitelife, a program manager specializing in boutique hotels, premier and full service hotels, hotel management companies, condo hotels and resorts from Venture …

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China Expands List of Drugs Covered by Basic Medical Insurance

China on Tuesday added 148 drugs to its list of medicines covered by basic medical insurance schemes, part of a push to lower patients’ out-of-pocket costs in one of the world’s largest drug markets, state media reported. AstraZeneca’s Kombiglyze and …

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Water Distribution Continues as Lead Problem Assessed in Newark

Newark’s large-scale bottled water distribution is continuing as officials try to understand the failure of two filters intended to eliminate lead from water. The Environmental Protection Agency, which earlier called for the water distribution, said Friday that researchers are meeting …

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Key Irish Businesses Said Unprepared for Brexit, Face Supply Chain Risk

Some of the Irish businesses most exposed to the risk of Britain crashing out of the European Union in 10 weeks are not very well prepared, Ireland’s government warned on Thursday. The Irish economy is considered the most vulnerable among …

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Alliant Insurance Services Hires Spofford as Vice President in New York

Alliant is continuing to grow its presence in Albany, N.Y., with the addition of Vice President Chris Spofford. The property and casualty specialist will leverage his regional expertise and technical background to deliver a range of insurance and risk management …

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With Economy Slowing, Tariffs Hitting, China’s Rust Belt Looks to Belt and Road Initiative

From Thailand to Kenya, trains run on tracks from steel mills in China’s northeast, a rust-belt region that is trying to capitalize on a multibillion-dollar national initiative to build ports, railways and other projects abroad. Announced in 2012, the Belt …

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Chubb Launches CoverPlus Liability Insurance for Middle Market Manufacturers

Chubb has introduced CoverPlus – a new platform offering expanded liability-driven products tailored to the evolving risks faced by middle market manufacturers from new technologies and processes. CoverPlus offers a custom-tailored suite of coordinated insurance products and offers flexible and …

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Matiyow Joins Personal Insurance Federation of Florida as VP of Legislative, Regulatory Affairs

The Personal Insurance Federation of Florida (PIFF) has appointed Scott Matiyow as the organization’s new vice president of Legislative and Regulatory Affairs. Matiyow will serve as a lead lobbyist on property and casualty insurance issues and will develop political strategy …

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Storm Damage Leaves Thousands Without Power in Alabama

Strong storms that knocked down trees and limbs left thousands without power in north Alabama. Decatur Utilities says service was restored by early Tuesday to most of the 8,600 homes and businesses that were left in the dark after storms …

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Unsafe Arsenic Levels Found at Beckham Soccer Stadium Site in Miami

An environmental report poses a new problem for the proposed site of David Beckham’s Major League Soccer stadium in Miami: Tests show the soil is far more toxic than expected. According to the Miami Herald, the analysis found arsenic contamination …

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Kaufman Institute Opens Its Personalized Insurance Learning Hub to Industry

Adult learners want a personalized educational journey — one in which they are able to choose what they want to learn, as well as when and how they want to learn it. That’s the premise behind the Kaufman Institute, a …

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Major J&J Opioid Ruling Expected Monday Out of Oklahoma

An Oklahoma judge will rule on Monday on whether Johnson & Johnson should be held liable in a lawsuit by the state’s attorney general who argues the drugmaker should be forced to pay $17 billion for fueling the opioid epidemic. …

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Crying Robots Aside, Insurance Industry Shouldn’t Fear Artificial Intelligence: Viewpoint

In a viral State Farm commercial, Oscar Nunez, playing the role of a friendly, helpful insurance agent, disparages any insurance company that utilizes artificial intelligence in support of customer service activities. “Nothing compares to an actual human being helping out …

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Risk Strategies Acquires National Insurance Consulting Group, Expands Southeast Reach

Risk Strategies, a privately held, national insurance brokerage and risk management firm, has expanded its presence in the Southeast United States with the acquisition of National Insurance Consulting Group, LLC (NICG), an employee benefits and human capital consulting firm. Terms …

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May Tornadoes Losses Among Highest Insured Losses in Ohio History

Insured losses from Memorial Day tornadoes that ravaged parts of Ohio will be among the largest in the state’s history. The Columbus Dispatch reports Ohio Insurance Institute data puts the total insured losses from the storms between $465 million and …

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India Court Grants Facebook Some Relief in Key Privacy Case

India’s top court handed out a reprieve to Facebook Inc. in its battle to preserve the encryption feature of its Whatsapp messaging service which prevents it from sharing details of users or messages with the authorities. The court stopped short …

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Flooding Left 1.3M Acres Unplanted in Arkansas This Year

This spring’s heavy rainfall and flooding left 1.3 million acres of land unplanted in Arkansas. The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette reports Lawrence County farmers saw nearly 74,000 idled acres. Jerry Morgan is one of the county’s farmers who says his farm had …

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Hamilton to Double in Size with Completed Acquisition of Pembroke Managing Agency

Hamilton Insurance Group said it has completed its acquisition of Liberty Mutual’s Pembroke Managing Agency at Lloyd’s and its Ironshore Europe DAC business. The acquisition, first announced in mid-March, will double the premium volume and size of Hamilton, a Bermuda-based …

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Pacific Northwest Earthquake-Warning System Gets Funding Boost

The U.S. Geological Survey is greatly increasing funding for the region’s seismic network, putting it on track to send public alerts of impending earthquake shaking within the next two years. The Seattle Times reports the federal agency gave $10.4 million …

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Former L.A. Times Columnist Awarded Nearly $15.5M for Age Discrimination

A jury has awarded nearly $15.5 million to a former sports columnist for The Los Angeles Times who said he was forced out of his job because of age and health discrimination. The award is more than twice the $7.1 …

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Lawsuit Accuses Oregon Group of Falsely Adverting Dairy Products

A class-action lawsuit claims that an Oregon creamery association falsely advertises the source of its milk, a report said. The lawsuit was filed by the Animal Legal Defense Fund against the Tillamook County Creamery Association in western Oregon, The Statesman …

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Deadlock Continues as EU Rebuffs Johnson Bid to Reopen Brexit Deal

The European Union poured cold water on Boris Johnson’s attempt to renegotiate the Brexit deal, saying the so-called backstop to prevent a hard Irish border — which the British prime minister wants scrapped — was a vital part of the …

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Drug Maker Endo Skirts Trial, Settles Its Opioid Claims for $11 Million

Endo International Plc agreed to an $11 million settlement to avoid going to trial in the first federal court cases targeting opioid makers and distributors over the public-health crisis caused by the painkillers. Endo said Tuesday it will pay $10 …

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The Politics Behind the Push for a Federal Marijuana Business Banking Law

Senator Jeff Merkley once shadowed a cannabis grower and dispenser as he tried to pay his state taxes. He stuffed a backpack with $70,000 in $20 bills and drove 50 miles — unguarded — with the bulging bag in the …

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Survivor of 2015 On-Air Shooting Sues Virginia TV Station

The only survivor of a 2015 attack where a disgruntled former employee shot and killed two Virginia journalists is suing the television station whose on-camera interview she was appearing in. The Roanoke Times reports Vicki Gardner is suing WDBJ for …

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Bail Set at $200K for NYC Subway Scare Defendant

Bail has been set at $200,000 for a homeless man from West Virginia who was charged with placing two devices that looked like pressure cookers in a New York City subway station. The bail was set Sunday when Larry Kenton …

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Chesapeake Employers’ Insurance Company Appoints Madden to Board of Directors

Martin G. Madden, a former senior advisor to Maryland Governor Larry Hogan from 2015 to 2017, was appointed to the board of directors of Chesapeake Employers’ Insurance Company, effective June 1, 2019. Madden will serve a five-year term on the …

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Panel Readies Report on FAA Certification Process for Boeing 737

An expert panel reviewing how the Boeing Co. 737 Max was certified is expected to cite a breakdown in communication following revelations that aviation regulators didn’t understand key design elements until the first of two deadly crashes of the plane. …

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Penn. Insurance Department Announces Restitution for Consumers in Annuity Scam

Pennsylvania Insurance Commissioner Jessica Altman said her department has gotten more than $117,000 in restitution for 25 Pennsylvania consumers victimized in a major annuity scam. “I am pleased we were able to recover this money for Pennsylvanians, many of them …

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JenCap to Buy Program Administrator Aran Insurance Services

JenCap Holdings, a consolidator of specialty insurance businesses backed by The Carlyle Group, has agreed to acquire privately-held Aran Insurance Services Group, a specialty program administrator with offices in Arizona, Colorado, Massachusetts and New York. The acquisition of Aran is …

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After Solar System Fires, Walmart Sues Tesla for ‘Widespread Negligence’

Walmart Inc. on Tuesday sued Tesla Inc., accusing it of “widespread negligence” that led to repeated fires of its solar systems and asking a court to force Tesla to remove solar panels from more than 240 of its U.S. stores. …

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South Carolina Joins Growing List of States to Sue Opioid Distributors

The South Carolina Attorney General’s office has filed a lawsuit against major opioid distribution companies, claiming the businesses are partially responsible for the opioid crisis. News outlets report Attorney General Alan Wilson filed the lawsuit last week against Cardinal, McKesson …

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Georgia-Based Colonial Pipeline Sues Contractor Over Alabama Spill

Georgia-based Colonial Pipeline Co. has sued an Alabama contractor over a spill that threatened gasoline supplies along the East Coast three years ago. The pipeline operator contends faulty work by the Birmingham-based Ceco Pipeline Services caused a crack that spilled …

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Liberty Specialty Markets Adds Goodliffe in Chicago as Sr. Underwriting Officer

Liberty Specialty Markets (LSM), part of Liberty Mutual Insurance, has appointed James Goodliffe to the role of senior underwriting officer within its Financial Risk Solutions (FRS) Multi-Buyer Trade Credit practice. He is based in Chicago. Goodliffe will be responsible for …

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Iowa’s Hy-Vee Grocery Warns of Security Problem With Credit Card Readers

An Iowa-based grocery store chain is warning customers about what it says is a security incident involving payment card systems. Hy-Vee said in a news release that it launched an investigation after it detected unauthorized activity on some of its …

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Texas A&M Forest Service Activates Airtanker Base to Help Combat Wildfires

In response to rising wildfire activity across the state, the Texas A&M Forest Service is opening the Austin Airtanker Base at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport. Significant fire activity has increased recently, particularly in northwest Texas, Central Texas and the Cross Timbers …

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California Workers’ Comp Bureau Submits Lower 2020 Pure Premium Rate Filing

The Workers’ Compensation Insurance Rating Bureau of California on Tuesday submitted its Jan. 1, 2020, pure premium rate filing to the California Department of Insurance, proposing advisory pure premium rates that are an average of 5.4% less than the current …

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German Firm Quits Safety Inspection Business Following Brazilian Dam Collapse

Germany’s TÜV SÜD has pulled out of conducting safety assessments of dams after the collapse of a Brazilian dam it had vetted killed almost 250 people in January, the industrial inspection firm’s chief executive told Reuters. The collapse of the …

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Cigna Eyes Sale of Group Life, Disability Business to Concentrate on Health: Reuters

U.S. health insurer Cigna Corp is exploring a sale of its group benefits insurance business, which could be valued at as much as $6 billion, four people familiar with the matter said on Tuesday. The unit for sale offers disability …

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PG&E Will Face Jury Over Billions in Damages From Massive California Wildfire

Victims of the second-most destructive fire in California history will get a chance to try and persuade a jury that PG&E Corp. should pay them as much as $18 billion in damages. U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Dennis Montali on Friday lifted …

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CopperPoint in Arizona Names Fuchs Senior Vice President of Data Management

Phoenix, Ariz.-based CopperPoint Insurance Cos. has named Barb Fuchs senior vice president of data management. Fuchs will serve as the business lead for CopperPoint’s enterprise data warehouse program. She was most recently vice president of information management and analytics at …

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3 Steps to Building an Agency Growth Machine

How much did your agency grow last year? How about in the past five years? If your answer is anything less than 10%, then this article is for you. In it, I want to share with you three keys to …

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Trial Begins Over Insurance for ‘Suspicious’ Boat Sinking Off New England Coast

A civil trial that began on Tuesday will determine whether insurance companies must cover an $85,000 claim from a Vermont man for his boat, which sank nearly three years ago off the New England coast. Insurers are refusing to pay …

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Connecticut Crumbling Foundations Superintendent to Step Aside

The veteran insurance consultant who has overseen the rollout of an assistance program for Connecticut homeowners with crumbling foundations says he’s stepping aside. Michael Maglaras, superintendent of the Connecticut Foundation Solutions Indemnity Company, a captive insurance company created by the …

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Florida’s BKS-Partners Appoints Thompson to Managing Advisor

Baldwin Krystyn Sherman Partners (BKS-Partners), an insurance brokerage and risk management firm headquartered in Tampa, Fla., has appointed Rich Thompson to managing advisor. Thompson joined BKS-Partners in 2015 as an Employee Benefits advisor. He is focused on partnering with clients …

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Industry Flexes Political Muscle in States to Criminalize Aggressive Pipeline Protests

After protesters disrupted construction of an oil pipeline in North Dakota by chaining themselves to construction equipment and pitching tents along the route, oil and chemical companies found a way to keep it from happening again. They made it a …

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Alabama Woman Sentenced for Embezzling More Than $600K from Fire Departments

A federal judge has sentenced an Opelika, Alabama, woman to prison for embezzling more than $600,000 from volunteer fire departments in Alabama. U.S. Attorney Jay E. Town said Wednesday that a judge sentenced 63-year-old Andrea Payne to 42 months for …

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The Hilb Group Acquires Tennessee’s Mackie Financial Group

The Hilb Group LLC (THG) has acquired Tennessee-based Mackie Financial Group LLC (MFG). The transaction became effective August 1, 2019. MFG is a full-service agency primarily providing insurance for employee benefits, Medicare Supplemental/Advantage, individual life and annuities. As part of …

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The MEMIC Group Appoints Wilson as Senior Production Underwriter in Georgia

Workers’ compensation specialist The MEMIC Group has appointed Kim Wilson to the role of senior production underwriter to support continued growth in the Georgia market. Wilson has more than 15 years of experience in the insurance industry working for carriers …

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Blank Rome Hires Michael to Insurance Recovery Group in Washington D.C.

Blank Rome LLP has announced that Partner Helen K. Michael has joined the firm’s Insurance Recovery group based in its Washington, D.C., office. Michael joins from Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton LLP, where she served as former co-chair of the firm’s …

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Liberty Mutual Surety Taps Schrift to Develop Subcontractor Default Insurance Offering

Liberty Mutual Surety has appointed Douglas Schrift and charged him with developing the company’s Subcontractor Default Insurance (SDI) offering. SDI is a two-party catastrophic insurance coverage that protects general contractors from losses due to a subcontractor’s failure to perform during …

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Companies Continue March Towards Robots; Orders Up 7.2% in First Half of Year

In the first half of 2019, the North American robotics market is up 7.2%. From January to June, North American companies ordered 16,488 robots, valued at $869 million. For all of 2018, orders totaled 28,478, which was 16 percent more …

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Number of Wildfires Down in Louisiana Over 10-Year Period

The number of wildfires in Louisiana has dropped significantly over the past decade, agriculture and forestry officials say. According to records, Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry (LDAF) firefighters battled and suppressed 1,638 wildfires in 2008. In 2018, LDAF firefighters …

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2019 Planting Season Is Ohio’s Worst Weather Weather-Wise, USDA Says

U.S. Department of Agriculture numbers show Ohio farmers have been hit with the state’s worst weather-prevented planting season on record. The Columbus Dispatch reports the data released this week shows Ohio had the highest rate nationally of acreage on which …

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West Bend Mutual Insurance Promotes Dunn, Ertmer, Jacques, Schwalen and Tighe

West Bend Mutual Insurance Co. in West Bend, Wisconsin, has promoted five company executives. Heather Dunn is now senior vice president, as well as chief financial officer, a position she’s held since 2017. Dunn joined West Bend in 2008 as …

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Michigan Manufacturing Facility Fined $32.5K After Worker’s Death

A suburban Detroit manufacturing facility has been fined after the death of an employee who fell into vat of sulfuric acid. The Detroit News reports the $32,500 fine was issued by the Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration, which completed …

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Lawsuit Accuses E-Cigarettes Makers of Targeting Kids, Deceiving Consumers

E-cigarette maker Juul Labs Inc. and Philip Morris USA Inc. were sued for illegally marketing nicotine-delivery devices to minors and deceiving consumers about the risks of vaping. The lawsuit was filed on behalf of a 19-year-old, Christian Foss, who says …

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Putin Vows Russian Nuclear Accident That Killed 5 Scientists Poses No Further Risk

President Vladimir Putin said there’s no risk from the explosion at a Russian military facility that caused a radiation spike and killed at least five people. “There’s no threat there and no increase in the background” radiation following the blast, …

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Citing Wealth Gap, Business Roundtable CEOs Say Social Responsibility Matters

Corporate America is responsible for providing economic benefits to all, not just its investors, the Business Roundtable group said on Monday. The group’s “statement of corporate purpose” was signed by the heads of more than 180 U.S. companies, including the …

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Blank Rome Adds Calkins, Rylaarsdam and Edri in California

Blank Rome LLP has added Mary Craig Calkins, a partner, Daniel H. Rylaarsdam, of counsel, and Sarah L. Edri as an associate along with additional professional staff to the firm’s insurance recovery group. Calkins, Rylaarsdam and Edri are based in …

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Fort Lauderdale Paid for Neglect After Leaving Water System Vulnerable

Eight years after shrinking its staff, Fort Lauderdale still doesn’t have the workers it needs to be sure a water line failure doesn’t leave the city dry the way it did last month. A contractor’s mistake July 18 ruptured a …

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Leaked Document Warned of Fuel, Food, Medicine Shortages If No-Deal Brexit

Britain will face shortages of fuel, food and medicine if it leaves the European Union without a transition deal, according to leaked official documents reported by the Sunday Times whose interpretation was immediately contested by ministers. Setting out a vision …

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Purdue-Linked Entities Get Subpoenas from New York State

New York state sent out dozens of subpoenas to entities linked to Purdue Pharma LP and its billionaire owners, the Sackler family, seeking documents that may show the movement of millions of dollars in profit from sales of the highly …

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Hub International Hires New Jersey’s Allain, Acquires His Book of Business

Hub International Limited, a global insurance brokerage, has hired disability insurance specialist Brian Allain and acquired his book of business. Based in Paramus, N.J., Allain provides group and executive disability product solutions to healthcare professionals. Further strengthening Hub’s Healthcare specialty …

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PES Up Against the Clock to Sell Philadelphia Refinery in Cash Crunch

Finding a buyer for Philadelphia Energy Solutions’ oil refinery has grown urgent as the bankrupt company’s funds dwindle and no signs emerge that it is winning a fight for insurance payouts after a June blaze at the plant, according to …

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Marsh’s Beresheim Joins Lockton to Lead Financial Services Specialty Practice

Insurance broker Lockton announced the addition of Devin Beresheim as executive vice president for Lockton Specialty Practices. Beresheim replaces Brian Kawamoto who retired last year. Beresheim will lead Lockton Financial Services and will build growth plans across Lockton’s specialty practices. …

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U.S. Investigating Lung Diseases Linked to e-Cigarettes

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is investigating a “cluster” of lung illnesses that it believes may be linked to e-cigarette use after such cases were reported in 14 states. The CDC said there was no evidence that …

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Russia’s Yandex Accelerates Driverless Car Testing

Yandex, a Russian equivalent to Google, said it is considering expanding its fleet of self-driving cars to up to 1,000 within the next two years in order to speed up tests on the fledgling technology. Yandex hopes to start testing …

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Novo Nordisk to Fight Danish Shareholder Lawsuit Seeking $1.75 Billion

Danish insulin-maker Novo Nordisk said it would fight a lawsuit filed in a Danish court on Friday which alleges the company made misleading statements about its insulin business in the United States, the company said in a statement. “Novo Nordisk …

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Tokio Marine Joins Singapore Insurtech Program

Japanese property/casualty insurer Tokio Marine Holdings announced a partnership with Plug and Play’s Insurtech program in Singapore. With this new partnership in Singapore, Tokio Marine will now have access to Plug and Play’s network and the opportunity to work with …

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Airbnb Settles Racial Discrimination Suit Brought by Oregon Women

Airbnb has settled a lawsuit brought by several Oregon women who said the site allowed vacation rental owners to discriminate against customers based on race. The Oregonian/OregonLive reports African American plaintiffs Pat Harrington, Carlotta Franklin and Ebony Price alleged that …

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American Airlines Seeking Money from Unions for Flight Cancellations

Dallas-based American Airlines wants two labor unions to pay damages and the company’s attorney fees, saying they ignored a judge’s order to quickly end a work slowdown by mechanics. American hasn’t put a dollar figure on its request but says …

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Phoenix Fire Engine Crash Brings $25M Wrongful Death Claim

The mother of a woman killed in a crash involving a Phoenix Fire Department truck has filed a $25 million wrongful death claim against the city. The claim alleges negligence by the firefighters operating the truck and their supervisors. Killed …

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Edison International to Face Trial Over Woolsey Wildfire Claim in April

The first trial to determine if Edison International’s Southern California utility is liable for damages from the Woolsey wildfire that tore through Malibu last year will begin on April 27, a judge said. California Superior Court Judge William Highberger set …

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Flooded Mississippi River Still a Threat as Hurricane Season Heats Up

The river that drains much of the flood-soaked United States is still running far higher than normal, menacing New Orleans in multiple ways just as the hurricane season intensifies. For months now, a massive volume of water has been pushing …

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Texas Auto Burglary/Theft Prevention Fee Rises

The Texas Department of Insurance says recently passed legislation raises the fee insurers must pay to the state organization that works to prevent automobile burglaries and thefts. A new law also changes Automobile Burglary and Theft Prevention Authority (ABTPA) to …

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Report: Re/Insurers Are Reconsidering Risk Appetite for California Wildfires

S&P Global Ratings says 2020 reinsurance pricing in the aftermath of California wildfires will likely rise as re/insurers are finding 2017-2018 losses from wildfires in that state to be higher than expected. The California wildfires of 2017-2018, with insured losses …

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Ohio’s Root Insurance Names Rosenthal CFO, Norelli Capital Markets Leader

Columbus, Ohio-based Root Insurance has appointed Daniel Rosenthal as the company’s new chief financial officer, effective Nov. 11, 2019. Additionally, Root said Lauren Norelli has joined the company as managing director of Capital Markets and Corporate Development. Current CFO Cindy …

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States Brace for Long-Term Flood Fight as Damages Mount

After devastating flooding this year, Iowa put $15 million into a special fund to help local governments recover and guard against future floods. Missouri allotted more money to fight rising waters, including $2 million to help buy a moveable floodwall …

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Illinois Insurance Agents Group Launches New Pre-Licensing Program

The Illinois Insurance Pre-Licensing Program, an education training program operated by the Independent Insurance Agents of Illinois (IIA of IL), is now available for Illinois professionals looking to enter the insurance industry and for agencies and companies looking to add …

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Trump Administration Moves Ahead with Revised Truckers’ Hours Rules

The Trump administration took a key step Wednesday toward relaxing federal rules that govern the length of time truck drivers can spend behind the wheel, a move long sought by the trucking industry but opposed by safety advocates who warn …

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One of 86 Victims Of California’s Deadliest Wildfire Identified

One of 86 people who were killed in the deadliest wildfire in California history has been identified. The Butte County Sheriff’s office said on Friday it positively identified the remains of 68-year-old Judith Sipher of Paradise. That brings the total …

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Insurance Driving Up Total Cost of Risk for Businesses

Businesses and organizations paid nearly two percent more in 2018 than they did in 2017 to cover the total cost of risk. Reversing the trend of falling average TCOR per $1,000 of revenue seen from 2013 to 2017, average TCOR …

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Native American Tribe Says Showtime’s ‘Billions’ TV Show Defamed Reputation

In the hit Showtime series “Billions,” it seems, everybody’s somebody. Ruthless hedge fund titan Bobby Axelrod evokes Steven A. Cohen, the billionaire founder of SAC Capital Advisors. U.S. Attorney Chuck Rhoades is a Preet Bharara type. And then there’s the …

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Hundreds of North Carolina Transportation Workers to be Laid Off

North Carolina’s Transportation Department says it’ll lay off hundreds of workers to help cover the ballooning cost of storm damage repairs and legal expenses. News outlets report that layoffs will include contractual and temporary laborers such as those who patch …

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Brightway Insurance to Open Four Stores in Florida, South Carolina, Colorado

Brightway Insurance will open four new stores in Florida, South Carolina and Colorado on Monday, August 19. Alex McGregor opened Brightway, The McGregor Agency in Deerfield Beach, Fla., Lisa Jewell opened Brightway, The Lisa Jewell Agency in St. Petersburg, Fla., …

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Two Florida Independent Insurance Agencies Join Renaissance Alliance Insurance Services

Renaissance Alliance Insurance Services, a membership alliance for independent insurance agencies, has announced that two Miami, Fla.-based independent insurance agencies have recently joined the Alliance. Gil & Associates Insurance Consultants Inc., a family-owned and operated independent agency established in 2004, …

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Deaths of Soccer Star Sala and Pilot Linked to Carbon Monoxide Leak in Plane

Argentine soccer player Emiliano Sala and his pilot were exposed to dangerous levels of carbon monoxide before their small plane crashed in the English Channel, killing them both, British accident investigators said Wednesday. A single-engine Piper Malibu aircraft carrying Sala …

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Olive Branch Residents Still Recovering Two Months After Flood

Frances Ivonne Brensdal woke up June 7 to find her Olive Branch home flooded after a night of record rainfall, which left her family and others displaced. She didn’t even know it was raining. “My neighbor called me at 2:30 …

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Prosecutors Allege Capital One Suspect Hacked 30 Other Companies

The Seattle woman accused of hacking into Capital One Financial Corp.’s cloud and stealing personal information on more than 100 million Americans also broke into servers of more than 30 other companies, the U.S. said in a request to keep …

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Brown & Brown of Massachusetts Acquires Assets of Yozell

Brown & Brown of Massachusetts LLC has acquired substantially all of the assets of Yozell. Founded in 1960 by Peter Yozell, Yozell Associates strives to provide its customers with value in group employee and executive benefits products and services. Following …

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Hub International Limited Acquires Assets of Insurance Center of New England

Hub International Limited (Hub), a global insurance brokerage, has acquired the assets of Insurance Center of New England Inc. (ICNE). Terms of the transaction were not disclosed. With locations in Agawam and Gardner, Mass., ICNE is a locally owned, independent …

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42% of $44 Billion Global Catastrophe Losses in First Half Were Insured: Swiss Re

Natural catastrophes and man-made disasters in the first half of 2019 were responsible for USD $44 billion of economic losses globally, according to Swiss Re Institute’s preliminary sigma estimates. This figure is well below USD $109 billion, the average first-half …

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Woodruff Sawyer Adds New England Practice Leader Coady to Board of Directors

Woodruff Sawyer, a U.S. insurance brokerage, has announced that Sean Coady, senior vice president and New England practice leader, has joined the Board of Directors. Prior to joining Woodruff Sawyer, Coady was a co-founder of Capstone Insurance, an independent insurance …

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Walmart CEO Calls for Congress to Debate Assault Weapons Ban

In the wake of a mass shooting at a Walmart Inc. store, Chief Executive Officer Doug McMillon called for an assault weapons ban to be debated by Congress and said he’s encouraged by growing support for gun-control measures like background …

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Insured Losses in China from Typhoon Lekima Will Exceed CNY 6 Billion: AIR

Catastrophe risk modeling firm AIR Worldwide estimates insured losses in China from Typhoon Lekima will exceed CNY 6 billion. Lekima made landfall in Taizhou, Zhejiang, China, at 2 a.m. on August 10 local time, with JMA-estimated 1-minute sustained wind speeds …

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Facebook Warned Its Employees, Not Users, About 2018 Breach, Lawsuit Says

Facebook users suing the world’s largest social media network over a 2018 data breach say it failed to warn them about risks tied to its single sign-on tool, even though it protected its employees, a court filing on Thursday showed. …

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Outside Inspectors Find Tree Hazards That PG&E Contractors Overlooked

PG&E Corp.’s court-appointed compliance monitor concluded the utility isn’t trimming trees that pose wildfire threats in high-risk areas of California and didn’t train its contractors properly. The monitor, Mark Filip, on Wednesday wrote to U.S. District Judge William Alsup, saying …

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Family of Teen Who Died Trapped in Car Sues Cincinnati Over 911 Response

The family of a 16-year-old student who died trapped in a vehicle after a failed response to his two heartrending 911 calls has sued the city of Cincinnati, Ohio. The wrongful death lawsuit filed in Hamilton County charges the city, …

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Service American Indemnity Hires Clymer as New Sr. VP, Program Business

Service American Indemnity Co., an Austin, Texas-based national provider of program services, has added Jacob Clymer as senior vice president of Program Business, responsible for leading the growth of the company’s emerging program business. He will also serve as a …

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Risk Strategies Appoints Black to Lead National Professional Liability Practice

Risk Strategies, a privately held, national insurance brokerage and risk management firm, named Darren Black to oversee its national professional liability practice group. He is based in Kansas City, Missouri. Black joins Risk Strategies after having led the professional services …

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Insurance Broker, Assurant, Relocates Illinois Headquarters

Citing a 15-year organic growth trajectory and commitment to an engaging and collaborative employee culture, the national insurance brokerage, Assurance, announced it has moved its headquarters down the street to a new 75,000 square foot space at 20 North Martingale …

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Texas Still Tops for Hail Claims

Texas ranked as the state with most annual hail claims — by a wide margin — over the past three years according to the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB). In a recent media announcement, the NICB, said ta review of …

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ATTOM Data Solutions in California Puts Notaras of XL Innovate on Board

Irvine, Calif.-based ATTOM Data Solutions has named Martha Notaras to its board of directors. Notaras is a partner at venture capital fund, XL Innovate, investing in insurtech and fintech. She serves on the boards of four of XL Innovate’s portfolio …

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Alaska Credit Union Ending Marijuana Business Pilot Program

An Alaska credit union plans to discontinue a pilot program to provide checking and savings accounts to marijuana-related businesses, an official said. Credit Union 1 will end the program Aug. 30 because critical insurance coverage will no longer be available, …

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AIG Names Munich Re’s Olsen as General Insurance Unit’s Chief Actuary

American International Group announced that Richard Olsen will join the company as chief actuary, General Insurance, effective immediately. Olsen will lead the General Insurance global actuarial organization, with responsibility for aligning property/casualty pricing, portfolio and reserving practices with the objective …

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OSHA Fines Contractors in Death of Delaware Port Worker

Federal safety regulators have cited two contractors following the death of a worker at Delaware’s port of Wilmington earlier this year. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration says Enerfab Process Solutions & Fabricated Products Inc., along with Industrial Services Group …

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Tennessee Park Where Toddler Drowned Adds Safety Features, Will Reopen

Tennessee officials have implemented more safety measures and will reopen a state park where flash flooding swept away and killed a Kentucky toddler, officials said Tuesday. The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation said in a statement that Cummins Falls …

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Bill to Pool Small Businesses for Insurance Gets Final Approval in North Carolina

A way for North Carolina small businesses and sole proprietorships to join together and obtain more affordable individual health insurance is heading to Governor Roy Cooper’s desk after the measure received final legislative approval. The Senate voted 32-9 on Tuesday …

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Brown & Brown of Florida Acquires CKP

Brown & Brown of Florida Inc. has acquired substantially all of the assets of CKP. CKP provides brokerage services for customers throughout the U.S. operating in agricultural industry. In addition, CKP provides property and casualty insurance products and services to …

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Georgia’s INSUREtrust Hires Account Manager Ethan Frymark

Atlanta, Ga.-based INSUREtrust has hired Account Manager Ethan Frymark. As a recent graduate of the University of Georgia Terry School of Business Risk Management and Insurance program, Frymark will put his knowledge to use and further the goals of INSUREtrust …

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Specialty Program Group Acquires Assets of New York’s The Mechanic Group

Specialty Program Group LLC (SPG), an operator of specialty insurance brokerages and underwriting facilities, has acquired the assets of The Mechanic Group Inc. (TMG), a Pearl River, N.Y.-based specialty insurance program manager. Terms of the acquisition were not disclosed. Established …

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British PM Johnson Targeted by Opposition Campaigns to Block No-Deal Brexit

Opposition parties launched rival campaigns to topple Prime Minister Boris Johnson and stop him taking Britain out of the European Union without a deal, illustrating fractures in the anti-Brexit movement that make neither scheme likely to succeed. Johnson has promised …

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Pasich Expands New York Footprint with Hiring of Halprin as a Partner

Boutique insurance recovery and entertainment firm Pasich LLP has expanded its national platform and New York footprint with the addition of Peter A. Halprin as a partner. Before joining Pasich LLP, Halprin was a shareholder in Anderson Kill P.C.’s New …

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Tropical Storm Krosa’s Rains and Winds Lash Japan, Disrupting Transportation, Factories, Power

Severe tropical storm Krosa lashed western and southern Japan with torrential rain and wind, causing Japan Airlines Co. and All Nippon Airways to cancel hundreds of domestic and international flights, and some train lines to halt services. Some factories in …

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3rd Circuit: Policy to Limit Extended Transportation Expenses May be Bad Faith

Kyle and Marie Stechert say they rushed to buy another car after their vehicle was “totaled” in an accident because their insurance carrier refused to keep paying for their rental vehicle. The new car was twice as expensive as the …

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FAA May Not Require Simulator Training for Boeing 737 Max Pilots

U.S. aviation regulators are increasingly convinced they don’t need to mandate new simulator training for pilots of Boeing Co.’s 737 Max before returning the grounded jet to service, according to people familiar with the discussions. Pilots would be required instead …

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Focusing on Insurance, Mutual of Omaha Selling Bank to CIT

CIT Group is buying Mutual of Omaha Bank for $1 billion to expand its commercial banking operations. The deal would mean the end to Nebraska-based Mutual of Omaha’s foray into the banking sector, initiated in 2007. CEO James Blackledge said …

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Bicycle Thefts Rise to 5-Year High in Minneapolis

Minneapolis, Minnesota, police say bicycle theft in the city is at a five-year high. Police department data obtained by the Star Tribune shows almost 4,300 bikes reported stolen since 2017. The rash of thefts frustrates cyclists and police, who don’t …

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FEMA Awards $2.7M to Orange County, Texas, for Flood Damage Project

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has awarded more than $2.7 million to Orange County through the Texas Division of Emergency Management to fund a project to acquire and demolish 20 structures impacted by flooding from Hurricane Harvey that may …

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Alliant Acquires InvisionBenefit in Illinois

Alliant Insurance Services has acquired Northern Illinois-based InvisionBenefit. As part of the company’s Employee Benefits Group, InvisionBenefit will expand Alliant’s Midwest benefits presence while bringing a broad array of benefits, consulting and advisory services under the Alliant banner. Founded in …

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California Cannabis Market on Track to Hit $3.1B, Report Shows

After briefly faltering a year ago, California’s massive cannabis industry seems to be regaining steam. Cannabis sales in the Golden State are expected to reach nearly $3.1 billion this year, a report released today shows. The report, California: Lessons from …

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Machines Taking Over Jobs at Giant Copper Mine in Chile

Machines are taking over a giant Chilean copper mine, replacing about a third of the workforce as owner Codelco struggles to keep its title as the world’s largest producer of the metal. Codelco officially inaugurated underground operations at its century-old …

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Fidelity Wins Court Battle with IRS Over Coal Tax Credits

Fidelity Investments on Wednesday won its court battle with the U.S. Internal Revenue Service over tax credits for the production of chemically treated coal. U.S. Tax Court Judge David Gustafson ruled at a court hearing that a partnership led by …

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Emergency Crews From Denmark Helping Greenland with Wildfires

As scientists warn that Greenland is melting at a record pace, the island is relying on emergency services from outside its borders to help it extinguish a wildfire. Denmark will send 38 firefighters to Greenland to help put out a …

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Arch Insurance Says Policy Doesn’t Cover University of Southern California’s $215M Sex Abuse Settlement

Arch Specialty Insurance Co. is arguing in a recently filed a lawsuit that it shouldn’t have to cover the University of Southern California’s $215 million settlement in a case in which the school’s gynecologist was accused of sexual assault because …

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Marijuana Access Reduces Opioid-Related Deaths: Research

Marijuana access leads to reductions in opioid-related deaths, according to new research using data from 1999 through 2017. Investigators found that legalization and access to recreational marijuana cause a significant decline in opioid mortality with particularly pronounced benefits in states …

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Alera Group Acquires Benefit Commerce Group in Arizona

Alera Group has acquired Benefit Commerce Group in Scottsdale, Ariz. All Benefit Commerce Group employees will continue operating out of the firm’s existing locations under the name Benefit Commerce Group, an Alera Group Company, LLC. Terms of the deal were …

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Real Hurricane ‘Season Within a Season’ About to Begin

Don’t be lulled by a quiet June and July, the real Atlantic hurricane season is about to kick off. The hurricane season generally runs from June 1 to the end of November. But the next six weeks — “the season …

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Missing Drive Has Health Patient Info of Nevada’s Largest Healthcare Provider

The largest health care provider in northern Nevada says some of its patients’ private information was stored on a thumb drive that’s been missing since June 30. Renown Health said in a letter sent to patients last week the incident …

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Northern California Wildfire Victims Can File Claims With PG&E

People affected by wildfires in Northern California in 2017 and 2018 can soon file claims for housing assistance and other immediate needs with Pacific Gas & Electric Co. They can file their claims online through the website for the utility’s …

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Jury Awards $13M to Former Patients of California Psychiatric Facility

A jury has awarded more than $13 million to three women, finding they were harmed and did not consent to sexual contact by an employee of a California psychiatric facility. The Ventura County Star reports the jury found Monday that …

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Insurance Technologies Corporation Acquires Ohio’s Smart Harbor

Insurance Technologies Corporation (ITC), a provider of websites, marketing, comparative rating and management software and services, has acquired Columbus, Ohio-based Smart Harbor, which provides digital technology products and services to insurance agents. Smart Harbor is owned by The Shipyard, a …

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Liberty Global Names Singh to Head M&A Transactions Insurance Tax Team in London

Liberty Global Transaction Solutions (GTS) has named Jugdeep Singh as head of Tax, based in London. Singh will manage the Liberty GTS international tax liability insurance team for tax risks related to merger and acquisition transactions, restructurings and other bespoke …

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Lawsuit: Negligence Caused Legionnaires’ Outbreak at Atlanta Hotel

A lawsuit filed Monday alleges “negligence in the operation and maintenance of the water systems” caused a Legionnaires’ disease outbreak at a downtown Atlanta hotel that killed one person and potentially sickened dozens. State and county health officials are investigating …

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Delaware Officials to Update Public on Aftermath of Gas Leak

Delaware environmental officials are updating residents about actions taken by a chemical plant owner since a gas leak last year temporarily closed the Delaware Memorial Bridge on one of the busiest travel days of the year. Department of Natural Resources …

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Pennsylvania Makes Changes to Reduce Chances of Workers’ Comp Rate Filing Errors

Pennsylvania Insurance Commissioner Jessica Altman and Labor & Industry Secretary Jerry Oleksiak announced agreements with two insurers and the Pennsylvania Compensation Rating Bureau (PCRB) to protect Pennsylvania businesses and lessen the chances of errors in the filing of loss costs, …

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Prudential to Complete Split of Insurance, Asset Fund by Year’s End

Britain’s biggest insurer Prudential will complete a planned break-up of the company by the end of the year, with its UK-focused fund and insurance business set to list as M&G Plc. The Asia and U.S.-focused rump of the company will …

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Concord Specialty Risk Hires Peress as Vice President in New York

Concord Specialty Risk has hired Ilan D. Peress as vice president and Reps & Warranty Insurance underwriter, where he will take on a leading role in Concord’s Reps & Warranty Insurance practice. Peress will be based in New York, N.Y. …

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Cook Maran Hires Patterson as a Client Advisor in New Jersey

Cook Maran, a Prime Risk partner, headquartered in Melville, N.Y., recently hired Eric Patterson as a client advisor. He will operate out of the Cook Maran location in Fair Lawn, N.J. Patterson was previously a Professional Employer Consultant at TriNet …

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Fidelity Battles IRS Over Tax Credits for Coal Investment Involving A.J. Gallagher

Fidelity Investments’ courtroom battle with the IRS over disallowed tax credits drew to a close on Tuesday when lawyers clashed over whether the mutual fund giant was a bonafide partner in the production of chemically treated coal. U.S. Tax Court …

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Many Reinsurers Take Increased Catastrophe Risks as Rates Harden: S&P

Some global reinsurers have chosen to stop retrenching from catastrophe risks, deciding instead to take advantage of higher premium rates and increase their exposure, according to S&P Global Ratings. Although risk discipline is likely to prevail, global reinsurers’ greater exposure …

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China’s Anbang Insurance Selling $2.4 Billion in Japan Properties

China’s troubled Anbang Insurance Group has put its $2.4 billion property portfolio in Japan up for sale and previous owner Blackstone Group is bidding, two people familiar with the company’s plans said. The insurer is offering its entire portfolio of …

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With Smarter, Joined-Up Pricing, There’s No Such Thing as Bad Risk

It’s a well-trodden truth in our industry that not all risks are created equal, and for insurers, that some risks are riskier than others. However, new technologies mean new avenues of innovation for insurers to explore, providing opportunities to drastically …

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Priority One Compliance in Texas Approved for Trucking Insurance Continuing Ed

Priority One Compliance Services LLC, based in Diana, Texas, announced it has been approved as a training provider for transportation insurance-related continuing education in several U.S. states. Priority One Compliance Services LLC is a Department of Transportation trucking compliance firm …

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2 Injured When Ride Derails at Benton County Fair in Arkansas

An accident involving a ride that derailed on the last night of the Benton County Fair and injured at least two has prompted a state investigation. The Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette reports that the ride shut down Saturday after a cart …

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Former Chicago Officer Awarded $2M in Retaliation Case

A former Chicago police officer has been awarded nearly $2 million in her lawsuit alleging that the city retaliated against her for reporting a co-worker’s misconduct. A Cook County jury awarded Laura Kubiak more than $1.4 million in damages for …

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Ohio Department of Insurance Adds 3 to Senior Team

Director Jillian Froment has added Jennifer Demory, Mark Hamlin and Jessica Schuster to the senior team at the Ohio Department of Insurance. All three bring significant experience to key positions at the department. Mark Hamlin, policy advisor for emerging products, …

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Recalled Apple MacBook Laptops Banned from Flights Due to Batteries

U.S. airline safety regulators banned select MacBook Pro laptops on flights after Apple Inc. recently said that some units had batteries that posed a fire risk. In a statement, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration said it was “aware of the …

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Nissan Settles Suit Over South Carolina Teen Crash Death for $1.5M

Nissan Motor Co. has agreed to pay $1.5 million to settle a lawsuit filed by the estate of an 18-year-old who died in the crash of a vehicle that lacked a rollover sensor. The State reports Nissan Motor Co. and …

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Commentary: As Flood Threat Grows, Florida Must Mandate Flood Risk Disclosure

The climate is changing, and it has become abundantly clear that Florida is going to be badly damaged in the decades ahead. With the state experiencing increasingly devastating effects of severe tropical weather and frequent flooding in some neighborhoods, there …

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Disaster Declaration Granted to West Virginia for June Floods

President Donald Trump has granted a disaster declaration request for flooding in portions of West Virginia in late June. Gov. Jim Justice says in a news release five counties can receive federal assistance for public recovery efforts. The storms on …

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Setting Controlled Fires Underused in US West Despite Goals

The practice of setting controlled blazes to lessen the impact of wildfires is not used in the American West as frequently as officials would like. A study this year in the journal Fire found prescribed fires on federal lands in …

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Rideshare Driver Suspected of Raping Passenger Near San Francisco

Police have arrested a Lyft driver on suspicion of raping a female passenger in the San Francisco Bay Area. San Bruno police say the 25-year-old victim told investigators she scheduled the ride early Saturday while intoxicated at a bar in …

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Court in California Rules NCAA Athletes Are Not Employees

A former linebacker for the University of Southern California wasn’t an employee of the National Collegiate Athletic Association or the PAC-12 Conference and isn’t owed payment for his work on the football field, a federal appeals court panel ruled Monday. …

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Genworth to Sell 57% Stake in Canada Mortgage Unit to Brookfield for $1.81B

Genworth Financial Inc agreed on Tuesday to sell its 57% stake in its Canadian mortgage insurance unit for about C$2.4 billion ($1.81 billion), as the U.S. insurer looks to close its long-delayed sale to China Oceanwide Holdings Group Co Ltd. …

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More Ride-Hailing Requirements Become Law in North Carolina

North Carolina has a new law focused on ride-hailing companies like Uber and Lyft that supporters contend will improve safety for both passengers and drivers. Governor Roy Cooper said Friday that he’s signed a bill that cleared the General Assembly …

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Rhode Island Worker Sues City Over Alleged Whistleblower Retaliation

A Providence, Rhode Island, city employee who says she was compelled to resign from her previous position after years of reporting coworkers’ fraudulent credit card spending is suing the city. The Providence Journal reports that Charlene Oliver previously worked as …

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State Clergy Abuse Hotline in Pennsylvania Fielded 1,900 Calls in First Year

Investigators are working their way through accusations from 1,862 calls made to a clergy abuse hotline in the 12 months since a landmark grand jury report exposed decades of child abuse within Pennsylvania’s Roman Catholic dioceses, the state attorney general …

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James Levine’s Lawsuit Against Met Opera Has Been Settled

Conductor James Levine’s breach of contract and defamation lawsuit against the Metropolitan Opera has been settled. A lawyer for Levine and the company made the announcement last Tuesday but did not disclose terms of the agreement. The 76-year Levine was …

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New York to Let Schools Put Cameras on School Bus Stop Arms

Schools in New York state can now install cameras on the stop arms of school buses to catch motorists who put students at risk under legislation signed into law last Tuesday by Governor Andrew Cuomo. Drivers caught on camera passing …

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South African Retailer Steinhoff to Sell Assets After $7B Accounting Fraud

Scandal-hit South African retailer Steinhoff said on Tuesday its only hope for survival is to sell off assets to become a retail-focused investment holding firm, as it fights to contain the fallout of a $7 billion accounting fraud. The company …

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‘Panic and Chaos’ Exists in Hong Kong as Protests Continue, Says Leader

A state of “panic and chaos” exists in Hong Kong, the city’s embattled leader said on Tuesday, defying calls to quit as the stock market tumbled, airlines flagged further flight disruptions and anti-government protesters filled the airport. Unrest has roiled …

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Canada’s Desjardins Reports Costs of $53M Related to Data Breach

Canadian lender Desjardins Group said on Monday it spent C$70 million ($53 million) in the second quarter related to a data privacy breach earlier this year that exposed personal information of 2.9 million members. The company offered the affected accounts …

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Private Equity Firm JC Flowers Kept Stake in Japan’s Shinsei Bank Too Long: Opinion

Japan’s banking sector has become a dead zone for private equity. Yet even then, the latest attempt by J. Christopher Flowers to sell Shinsei Bank Ltd. seems like a zombie franchise that has run a few episodes too long. Flowers …

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BHSI Enhances Executive First D&O Liability Insurance in Asia

Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance (BHSI) announced that it has enhanced its Asia Executive FirstDirectors & Officers (D&O) Liability Insurance to include a provision that reinstates policy limits exhausted by the entity or by individual insureds. “Corporate regulatory investigations have become …

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Ohio Jury Awards $50M to Man Who Alleged Police Locked Him in Closet

A jury in Cleveland, Ohio, has awarded $50 million to a man who alleged police beat him while he was handcuffed and locked him in a storage closet for four days with no toilet and nothing to eat or drink …

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Texas’ Tricolor Launches Auto Insurance Option for Low Income Consumers

Tricolor, a Dallas-based used vehicle retailer focusing on the sale and financing of vehicles to the Hispanic consumer, is now offering affordable auto insurance option for low-income and credit invisible customers through its affiliate company, Tricolor Insurance. After testing the …

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Allianz Appoints Mitchell as Regional Head, Multinational for the Americas

Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty SE (AGCS) has named Ben Mitchell to the newly created role of regional head of Multinational Americas. He is based in Chicago. Mitchell has served as head of the Global Clients Unit, Americas, since July …

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Paychex Now Offering Cyber Liability Insurance to Payroll Clients

Payroll management firm Paychex is now making cyber liability insurance available to its clients through Paychex Insurance Agency and AXIS Insurance Co. The policy helps business owners mitigate the potential financial impact of data breaches, hackers, ransomware, and online banking …

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Car Makers Befriend Hackers to Learn About Cyber Vulnerabilities

At a conference where hackers can try their hand at picking locks and discover cyber vulnerabilities in a makeshift hospital, they can also endeavor to break into the control units of cars and take over driving functions. Those efforts at …

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New FAA Chief Asked to Review Agency’s Handling of Boeing Crashes

U.S. Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao said on Monday she has asked the new head of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to assess the agency’s performance in the wake of two fatal crashes of Boeing Co.’s 737 MAX planes since October. …

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North Carolina Criminal Investigations Reserve Unit Formed to Fight Insurance Fraud

North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey has organized a Criminal Investigations Reserve Unit to combat the extensive number of insurance fraud cases in the state., four veteran law enforcement personnel, were sworn-in Thursday as inductees at a ceremony in Raleigh …

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FEMA Awards $1.1M Mitigation Grant to Flood Zoned Homes on Georgia Coast

Twelve homes on the coast of Georgia will receive a federal grant of about $1.1 million to help alleviate the cost of elevating their homes. News outlets report Tybee Island Mayor Jason Buelterman and Rep. Buddy Carter announced August 5 …

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AM Best Revises Outlooks to Stable for Georgia Farm Bureau Group Members

AM Besthas revised the outlooks to stable from negative and affirmed the Financial Strength Rating of B+ (Good) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Ratings of “bbb-” of Georgia Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Co. and Georgia Farm Bureau Casualty Insurance Co., …

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Idaho Tribe Sues Mining Company Over Pollution

The Nez Perce Tribe has filed a lawsuit to force a Canadian company to clean up an idle central Idaho mining area – which the company says it plans to do if it gets approval from U.S. officials to restart …

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Lloyd’s, London Market Insurers Surpass Q2 Electronic Placing Targets

More than half of in-scope market risks were placed electronically in the London and Lloyd’s markets during the second quarter, surpassing targets placed on the Platform Placing Ltd. (PPL) and other recognized electronic placement systems. The target for this quarter …

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Mnuchin, Lampert Want Sears D&O Policy to Pay Their Legal Fees

Almost four months ago, the bankrupt estate of Sears Holdings Corp. sued Eddie Lampert and U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin over allegedly wrongful transfers of $2 billion in company assets. Now lawyers representing the two men have asked the federal …

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Insurer MBIA Sues Banks Over ‘Financial Tragedy’ of Defaulted Puerto Rico Bonds

Bond insurance company MBIA Inc. sued several financial institutions on Thursday over their role in underwriting billions of dollars of Puerto Rico bonds that eventually went into default. The lawsuit filed in superior court in San Juan claimed the banks …

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Property Loss Estimate for Australia’s Townsville Floods Rises to A$1.22B: PERILS

The property insurance market loss from the Australia’s Townsville floods, which affected northern Queensland, Australia, between Jan. 26 and Feb. 10, 2019, has risen to A$1.22 billion (US$827.1 million), according to PERILS, the independent Zurich-based organization that provides catastrophe insurance …

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Markel Corporation Hires Lecci as Senior Director of Professional Liability in New York

Markel Corporation has named John Lecci as senior director of Professional Liability. He will be heading up the New York-based US Professional Errors & Omissions team. Lecci was most recently employed by Axis, where he was responsible for underwriting management …

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Delaware Woman Indicted for $16K of Fraudulent Insurance Claims

A Wilmington, Del., woman was indicted by the New Castle County Grand Jury for insurance fraud and other felony charges. Theresa T. Milton was indicted on seven felony counts of insurance fraud, one felony count of theft by false pretense …

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AM Best Assigns Ratings to Reamstown, Affirms Ratings of Goodville

AM Best has assigned a financial strength rating (FSR) of A (excellent) and the long-term issuer credit rating (long-term ICR) of “a+” to Reamstown Mutual Insurance Company. The outlook assigned to these credit ratings is stable. Concurrently, AM Best has …

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EU Fights Spread of African Swine Fever with 10 Countries Now Affected

The European Union faces an urgent challenge in tackling an outbreak of African swine fever which threatens Bulgaria’s pig breeding industry, a Commission spokeswoman said on Thursday. Ten EU nations are currently affected by African swine fever, with particularly bad …

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