Kentucky Doctor Found Guilty of Performing Unnecessary Heart Procedures

A federal jury has convicted a Kentucky doctor accused of performing unnecessary heart procedures on dozens of patients. The U.S. Attorney’s Office said in a statement that jurors returned a guilty verdict Thursday against Dr. Richard E. Paulus on charges …

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North Carolina’s Myrtle Beach Residents Warned of Storm Scammers

Authorities are urging residents in North Myrtle Beach to be wary of scammers who claim to be part of the Federal Emergency Management Agency and offer to help remove debris in the wake of Hurricane Matthew. The North Myrtle Beach …

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Chicago Company to Pay $750K Resolve Federal Discrimination Charges

Contract logistics services provider, Schenker Inc., has agreed to pay $750,000 to resolve several charges of discrimination filed with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) pursuant to Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the agency announced. …

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North Dakota Seeks to Increase Safety of Rail-Transported Crude, Adds Inspectors

North Dakota has added another step to help ensure the safety of crude transported by rail with the addition of two inspectors. The inspectors have so far completed a combined 76 inspections covering more than 1,000 miles of the state’s …

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Beardall, Connell Promoted at POWERS Insurance and Benefits

POWERS Insurance and Benefits in St. Louis, Mo., has promoted Christen Beardall to systems and training manager, and Amy Connell to commercial and personal lines manager. Beardall will manage the company’s entire computer network, including hardware and software, to streamline …

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Study Highlights Workers’ Comp Claim Differences in California’s Central Valley

Workers in California’s Central Valley have a distinctly different workers’ compensation claims experience than those in other regions in terms of notification and treatment lag times, mix of injuries, types of care, types of drugs used, levels of attorney involvement, …

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McCalister Joins All Risks Ltd. in Dallas

The independent wholesale insurance brokerage firm, All Risks Ltd., has added Bryan McCalister as a broker in the firm’s Dallas office. McCalister will focus on casualty brokerage opportunities throughout Texas, specifically the Dallas/Fort Worth area and western Texas, Oklahoma and …

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Arkansas Man Gets to 1-Year Sentence for Insurance Fraud

The Arkansas Insurance Department reported that a North Little Rock man has been sentenced to one year in prison after pleading guilty to insurance fraud. On Oct. 25, Antonio Fowler, 30, pleaded guilty to one count of insurance fraud in …

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None Injured in Fire at Ford Motor Michigan Headquarters

Ford Motor Co. said a fire at its headquarters in Dearborn, Michigan, on Oct. 31 did not injure anyone but caused the 1,500 employees based there to leave the 60-year-old building for the day. A spokesman said Ford will report …

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Midwest World Series Inspires Insurance Industry Charitable Foundation Fundraiser

The Insurance Industry Charitable Foundation’s (IICF) Midwest Division has launched a World Series-related fundraising effort benefitting regional Community Grants Programs. With World Series excitement mounting throughout the Midwest and beyond, and reaching a fever pitch in Chicago and Cleveland, IICF Midwest …

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Missouri Jury Hands Down Another Big Baby Powder Award — $70M

A St. Louis jury has awarded a California woman more than $70 million in her lawsuit alleging that years of using Johnson & Johnson’s baby powder caused her cancer, the latest case raising concerns about the health ramifications of extended …

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Number of Minnesota Fire Deaths Decrease Dramatically from 2015

Fire deaths in Minnesota have decreased this year, down dramatically from 2015. State Fire Marshal Bruce West told Minnesota Public Radio News that there have been 24 deaths from fires so far this year, compared with 49 at this time …

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Investigation Finds 17 Women Reported Assaults by 19 Baylor University Players

An outside investigation of the Baylor University sexual violence scandal found 17 women who had reported sexual or domestic assaults involving 19 Baylor University athletes since 2011, university regents have told The Wall Street Journal. Those included four reports of …

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Louisiana High Court: Law Can Shield Priests from Reporting Abuse Evidence

Louisiana law does not require a priest to notify authorities after hearing evidence of child abuse from a child making a religious confession, the state Supreme Court said on Oct. 28. The ruling came in an ongoing 2009 lawsuit against …

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M.D. Jensvold & Co. Opens Dallas-Area Office

Surplus lines broker and managing general agent, M.D. Jensvold & Co. Inc., has opened a new office in the Dallas area. Judy Walker will continue to be the northwest regional manager as well as the general manager for the Dallas …

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What Latest U.S. Statistics on Nonfatal Workplace Injuries Reveal

Private employers reported approximately 2.9 million nonfatal workplace injuries and illnesses in 2015, or about 48,000 fewer than in 2014, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. That translates into a rate of 3.0 cases per 100 equivalent full-time …

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Immigrant License Applications in New Mexico Slow as Cutoff Approaches

The number of immigrants seeking driver’s licenses in New Mexico has slowed but remains on pace to reach a four-year high as a deadline approaches to comply with federal ID requirements, according to a review by The Associated Press. Data …

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Family Sues California Ambulance Firm over Mangled Leg Instagram Post

A San Francisco Bay Area couple has filed a lawsuit against a California ambulance company and a driver for posting a picture of their adult son’s badly mangled leg onto Instagram. The East Bay Times reported that many hashtags, including …

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Tokio Marine America, Continental Underwriters to Offer Hull, Marine Liability

Tokio Marine America (TMA), a commercial property and casualty insurer to large and middle-market companies and a subsidiary of Tokio Marine Holdings, is expanding its ocean marine offering to include hull and liability insurance. This new coverage will be offered …

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New York’s Lemonade Appoints Latza as Chief Compliance Officer

Lemonade, a newly licensed insurance company for homeowners and renters, appointed William D. Latza as its chief compliance officer and general counsel. Latza joins Lemonade after spending 25 years as partner at Stroock & Stroock & Lavan LLP, where he …

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Trick-or-Treating and Homeowners’ Liability for Injuries: A Guide

Halloween pranks. Google this phrase and more than 5 million results link you to a myriad of ways to “mess with peoples’ minds” on Halloween. Some of the recommended pranks require a higher education to understand; some ideas are, well, …

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Financial Services Firms Likely to Flee Britain If ‘Passport’ Regulations Revoked: ECB’s Lane

There is likely to be a significant flight of financial activity out of Britain if companies are no longer regulated on equivalent terms to those in the European Union after Brexit, European Central Bank council member Philip Lane said on …

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Vermont Residents Encouraged to Take Steps to Prevent Home Fires

The Vermont Division of Fire Safety and the American Red Cross are encouraging residents to take steps to help prevent home fires and save lives as the heating season gets underway. They recommend installing smoke alarms on every level of …

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Travelers Says Property-Related Claims Spike on Halloween

On Halloween, homeowners have more to worry about than running out of candy for trick-or-treaters. The Travelers insurance company says there are 24 percent more property crime-related claims on Halloween than an average day. To prevent theft or vandalism, the …

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New York’s AmTrust Acquires AmeriHealth Casualty Insurance

AmTrust Financial Services Inc., a multinational insurance holding company headquartered in New York City, has entered into an agreement to acquire AmeriHealth Casualty Insurance Company from Independence Health Group Inc. for approximately $90 million in cash. The transaction will be …

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Entrepreneur Shuts Startup After U.S. Questions Safety of Self-Driving Kit

Self-driving cars are getting closer by the day, but they won’t be coming from hacking phenomenon George Hotz. Hotz, the first person to jailbreak an iPhone and a vagabond of the world’s top tech companies, has scrapped his self-driving project …

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Northern Ireland Can’t Block Britain’s Brexit: Court

Northern Ireland’s High Court on Friday rejected an attempt to block Britain’s exit from the European Union, saying that neither the province’s parliament nor its laws could override a decision by the British government. But it said it would defer …

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UK Uber Drivers’ Court Victory Over Pay Could Rejigger Gig Economy

Uber Technologies Inc. lost a lawsuit over pay and vacation time for U.K. drivers at the car-sharing service in a ruling that could change how workers are treated in the country’s burgeoning gig economy. Three London tribunal judges turned to “Hamlet” …

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Auto Insurance Customer Satisfaction Highest When Agents File Claims

Eight of 10 customers who purchased their auto insurance policy through a local agent still call their agent first to report or seek advice regarding a claim and customers whose agents file their claim are happier with their service than …

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Uber Aims High: On-Demand, Unmanned Small Commuter Aircraft in 10 Years

Flying commuters like George Jetson could be whizzing to work through the sky less than 10 years from now, according to ride-services provider Uber, which believes the future of transportation is literally looking up. Uber Technologies Inc. released a white …

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Car Theft, Break-Ins Top List of Most Common Crimes in Kentucky City

Lexington, Ky., officials say property thefts, especially those involving vehicles, are among the most frequently committed crimes in Kentucky’s second-largest city. The Lexington Herald-Leader reports more than 260 vehicles were stolen and nearly 800 vehicle break-ins occurred from July to …

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Drought in Southeast States Wreaking Havoc on Crops, Increasing Fire Risk

Six months into a deepening drought, the weather is killing crops, threatening cattle and sinking lakes to their lowest levels in years across much of the South. The very worst conditions – what forecasters call “exceptional drought” – are in …

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Family Sues Amazon Over Hoverboard that Burned $1M Nashville Home

A family is suing Amazon for selling a hoverboard blamed for starting a fire that burned their $1 million home in Nashville. The Tennessean reports that the Fox family’s lawsuit says Amazon had information about the dangers of the product …

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Hanover Accuses Memphis Recording Studio of Insurance Fraud After Arson Fire

An insurance company that paid more than $2.8 million in claims after an arson fire damaged an historic Memphis music recording studio has now accused a rock music label company of fraud and wants its money back. The Commercial Appeal …

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Drought Committee Address Dryness in Western Carolinas as Floods Subside

As the last river finally falls below major flood stage near the coast, a rapidly worsening drought is killing crops and causing hard-to-fight wildfires in rugged terrain in western North Carolina and South Carolina. The dry side of the unusual …

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Search is on for Arsonist Responsible for Series of Fires in Georgia

Authorities believe an arsonist was responsible for a series of fires in Floyd County that damaged two homes and forced dozens of others to be evacuated. News outlets report that at least four brush fires stretched along U.S. Route 27 …

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South Dakota Court : Hospitals Don’t Have to Turn Over Doctor Performance Documents

South Dakota’s Supreme Court says hospitals don’t have to turn over documents related to doctor performance even when there’s evidence they committed fraud against patients. The high court in a Wednesday opinion reversed a lower court ruling that plaintiffs suing …

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Court Disqualifies 1 of 2 Medical Marijuana Proposals on Arkansas Ballot

Arkansas Supreme Court has disqualified a medical marijuana proposal from the November ballot less than two weeks before the election and with thousands of votes already cast, but voters will still be able to consider a competing plan. In a …

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Recent Kansas Tornadoes Caused $500K in Damage, Official Says

An official says two tornadoes that recently touched down in eastern Saline County caused an estimated $500,000 in damage. The Salina Journal reports that Emergency Management director Hannah Stambaugh told county commissioners about the costs during their regular meeting on …

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Oklahoma’s ONEOK Hit with $732K Federal Fine after Facility Fire

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration has announced fines totaling $732,000 against Tulsa-based ONEOK following a fire at a ONEOK facility in Bushton, Kansas. The PHMSA says 15 safety violations of pipeline safety regulations were …

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Missouri Courthouse Asbestos Case Settles for $80M

An $80 million settlement has been reached in a class-action lawsuit over removal of asbestos during renovation of the Jackson County Courthouse in Kansas City. The Kansas City Star reports $25 million will go toward attorney’s fees and the cost …

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BenefitMall Adds Slawter in Dallas

Dallas-based BenefitMall, which provides employee benefits, human resources and payroll products and services, has appointed Todd Slawter as senior vice president of its benefit sales team. Slawter will be working out of BenefitMall’s headquarters and will be responsible for all insurance sales and …

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BrickStreet Mutual, Motorists Mutual Pursue Joint Venture

BrickStreet Mutual Insurance  and Motorists Mutual Insurance Co. announced they have  begun to formalize an affiliation agreement between the two companies. If approved and closed as anticipated in July 2017, the affiliation will include more than 1,600 employees, 10 offices …

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Judge in Washington Finds Railway Could Be Liable if Spills Proven

A federal judge in Seattle has found that BNSF Railway could be held liable in a lawsuit claiming that coal spilled from trains pollutes waterways if environmental groups can show at trial that such discharges actually occurred. Ruling in the …

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New Jersey Transit Hiring Consultant to Address Safety Concerns

New Jersey Transit is hiring a former Metro-North president to help it meet federal rail safety requirements. The agency will pay Peter Cannito $350 per hour to review Federal Railroad Administration violations uncovered in an audit and help with a …

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The Hartford Reports 15% Higher Q3 Profit; Strong Commercial Lines Performance

The Hartford reported net income of $438 million in third quarter 2016, an increase of 15 percent from third quarter 2015. Core earnings came in at $413 million in third quarter 2016, an increase of 13 percent from third quarter …

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Western Growers Hires Luis to Help Expand in California’s Central Valley

Western Growers Insurance Services Inc. has named Matt Luis as a sales executive to help expand property/casualty insurance services in California’s Central Valley region. Luis’ experience will be leveraged to develop and execute insurance initiatives for agribusinesses and food clients. …

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The Hartford Names Bergbauer Head of Middle Market International

The Hartford has appointed Alfred Bergbauer as vice president and head of multinational underwriting. Bergbauer will oversee The Hartford’s International Choice portfolio of insurance products for U.S. organizations with global operations and risks that includes a partnership with AXA Corporate …

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Missouri-Based Wallace & Associates Adds Brown as Property/Casualty Producer

Wallace & Associates Insurance Agency, based in Jackson, Mo., recently hired Ron Brown as its property/casualty producer. In this position, Brown will handle automobile and home insurance for new and existing accounts, as well as specialize in property management. Founded …

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Arson Suspected in Several Recent Connecticut Fires

Police and fire investigators say a string of fires in Norwich, Conn., recently appear to be arson and are looking for the person or people responsible. The latest blaze occurred Monday night at the former YMCA building on Main Street. …

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IBM Sees Advantage in Client Owning Watson-Generated Knowledge

IBM Chief Executive Officer Ginni Rometty sees proprietary data combined with artificial intelligence technology as the competitive advantage for companies going forward. When International Business Machines Corp. works with clients, it trains a unique version of its artificial intelligence technology, …

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Judge Approves $265M Settlement in 2015 Pennsylvania Amtrak Derailment

A U.S. federal judge on Thursday approved a $265 million settlement over an Amtrak passenger train crash in Philadelphia in 2015 that killed eight people and injured about 200 others, court records showed. The settlement ordered by U.S. District Court …

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Cancer-Causing Metal Near Wells Tied to Volcanic Soil More Than Coal Ash: Study

A cancer-causing heavy metal found in water wells near coal ash pits and other industrial sites is much more widespread and naturally occurring than previously thought, university researchers said Wednesday. The presence of hexavalent chromium is more related to volcanic …

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Bonding Requirement Added for Maryland Structured Settlement Companies

A new bonding requirement for structured settlement companies in Maryland took effect on October 1. The bonding requirement was introduced with the passing of Maryland Senate Bill 734 which specifies a number of new conditions for structured settlement transfers in …

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Actuaries Have Disappointing News for Americans Including Millennials

Death awaits all of us, but how patiently? To unlock the mystery of when we’re going to die, start with an actuary. Members of this 200-year-old profession who study risk and uncertainty pore over the data of death to estimate length of …

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Swiss Re Covers China’s Economic Hub, Guangdong, for Nat Cats up to $350M

Swiss Re has entered into an agreement as sole reinsurer to protect seven prefectures of Guangdong province, China, in partnership with local insurers, led by the People’s Insurance Company of China (PICC) in 2016. The pilot program offers insurance cover …

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West Antarctica’s Ice Loss Shows Signs of Becoming ‘Unstoppable’

If you want to see the future of New York, Tokyo, or Mumbai, look no further than West Antarctica, where a warmer sea is turning ice into water that may be headed to your doorstep. The bottom of the world …

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AIR Worldwide Comments on Central Italy’s Earthquakes

The two powerful earthquakes that hit central Italy on Oct. 26 are considered aftershocks of the deadly Aug. 24, M6.2 earthquake that occurred near Teramo, which about 50 miles south-southeast of the latest temblors, according to Boston-based catastrophe modeling firm …

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RenaissanceRe Promotes Fraser and James in Finance Team

Bermuda-based RenaissanceRe Holdings Ltd. has announced several key leadership changes in its Finance function, effective Dec. 31, 2016. James (“Jamie”) C. Fraser has been named SVP, chief accounting officer, responsible for oversight of forecasting, planning and analysis; controls, financial reporting …

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BHSI Launches Civil Liability Cover for Australia/NZ Financial Institutions

Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance Co. (BHSI) announced it has launched Professional First Financial Institutions Civil Liability Insurance in Australia and New Zealand. “Many forces have shifted the risk landscape for financial institutions, from the lessons learned from the complex litigation …

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Tennessee-Based Nursing Home Chain Settles Medicare Overbilling Case for $145M

An eastern Tennessee-based skilled nursing home chain has reached a $145 million settlement that federal officials called the largest ever of its kind. The U.S. Department of Justice said in a news release Monday that Life Care Centers of America …

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Florida-Based Fortegra Taps Rattner as EVP, Chief Underwriter

Fortegra, a specialty insurer based in Jacksonville, Fla., and a subsidiary of Tiptree Financial Inc., has appointed Mark Rattner as executive vice president, chief underwriter, and head of product management. In this capacity, Mark will be responsible for expanding the …

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California Commissioner Wants Workers’ Comp Insurers to Reduce Rates

California Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones issued a formal finding today that costs to insurers in the workers’ compensation system are declining and he’s asking workers’ comp insurers to pass those cost savings on to employers in the form of lower …

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Jury in California Awards $18M Cosmetic Talc Cancer Verdict

A Los Angeles, Calif. jury has returned a $18.07 million verdict against talc supplier Whittaker Clark & Daniels for its role in causing California political figure Philip Depoian’s mesothelioma. The jury verdict is the largest award on record for a …

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California Worker Injuries, Illnesses Remain Stable

There aren’t more workers getting hurt, but there aren’t less either, the latest available data shows. The Department of Industrial Relations has posted California’s 2015 occupational injury and illness summary data on employer-reported injuries, which is based on estimates provided …

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Oil Spill Shuts Down Pipeline in Cushing, Oklahoma

A Seaway Crude Pipeline Co. pipeline that spilled oil at a storage hub in Oklahoma remained closed on Oct. 25, according to a spokesman for Houston-based Enterprise Products Partners, a 50 percent owner of Seaway. “As of right now we …

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Topeka, Kansas, Investigating High Number of Arson Fires

Authorities from several agencies are investigating a higher-than-expected number of arson fires in Topeka. The Topeka Capital-Journal reports that 57 blazes have been intentionally set this year. That’s about 21 more than a city of Topeka’s size would expect. Topeka …

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Louisiana’s Pointe Coupee Parish Designated Agricultural Disaster Area

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has designated Pointe Coupee Parish as a primary natural disaster area due to damages and losses caused by severe storms and flooding that occurred in August. Farmers and ranchers in Avoyelles, Concordia, Iberville, St. Landry, …

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Michigan Golf Course Verdict Puts Insurers in the Rough

Did the weight of winter ice ruin the putting greens at three suburban Detroit golf clubs? That tricky issue was posed to jurors in federal court, who ruled in favor of the clubs last week in a dispute with insurance …

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Public Sector Workplace Injuries, Illnesses Decline in Oklahoma

Oklahoma public sector employers have reduced the rate of employee injury and illness to 3.8 per 100 workers, down from 4.0 in 2014, the Oklahoma Department of Labor reported. With the recent reduction, Oklahoma has seen a 47 percent decline in …

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Baldwin Named 2016 Distinguished Partner by Michigan Professional Insurance Agents

Cathy Baldwin, director of Marketing and Communication at wholesale insurance broker J.M. Wilson, has been named 2016 Distinguished Partner of the Year by the Michigan Association of Professional Insurance Agents (MI PIA). Every year, MI PIA awards an individual who …

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Los Angeles Hospital to Pay $450K in Patient Dumping Settlement

A hospital will pay $450,000 to settle a lawsuit contending it dumped a homeless woman with schizophrenia on Skid Row in Los Angeles. City Attorney Mike Feuer announced the settlement this week, more than a year after his office sued …

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Idaho College Agrees to Settle VP’s $650K Lawsuit

The College of Southern Idaho has agreed to pay a former vice president $650,000 to settle a discrimination lawsuit. The Times-News reported in a story on Tuesday that the settlement with Edit Szanto was made through the college’s insurer, the …

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Lifeguards Knew of Danger at New Jersey Beach Years Before Man Drowned

Lifeguards said they knew of potentially deadly conditions at their beach for at least six years before a man drowned when the sand gave way beneath him. Sandra Smith, of Horsham, Penn., is suing North Wildwood over the 2012 incident …

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Willis Towers Watson Makes More Senior Management Changes

Willis Towers Watson has announced additional leadership changes one day after confirming that Dominic Casserley, president and deputy CEO of Willis Towers Watson, will be leaving the firm at the end of the year. Today’s announcement said that Tim Wright, …

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New York Man Previously Acquitted of Murder Found Guilty of Insurance Fraud

A Hudson Valley dentist acquitted earlier this year of fatally poisoning his ex-lover’s husband has been convicted of fraud and theft. The Daily Freeman of Kingston reports an Ulster County Court jury on Tuesday found 49-year-old Gilberto Nunez, of Poughkeepsie, New …

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Ironshore Int’l Offers Documents, Services in Mandarin for M&A Unit

Ironshore International said it is now offering insurance documents and services in Mandarin for its Mergers & Acquisitions unit, a move that will help it better market to Chinese companies. The service involves a package of Mandarin-language marketing materials and …

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Hiscox Leads New $1B Fine Art Consortium, in Collaboration with Ascot

Hiscox announced it has formed a new US$1 billion fine art consortium, the result of a collaboration with Ascot Underwriting. The $1 billion capacity consortium has been constructed specifically to streamline the process of placing large fine art risks within …

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Pennsylvania Insurance Commissioner Warns Flood Victims About Repair Scams

Pennsylvania Insurance Commissioner Teresa Miller is urging homeowners whose properties suffered damage in the recent flooding that hit several North Central Pennsylvania counties to be cautious of scams when seeking repairs. She has also offered advice for homeowners to properly file claims with their …

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Coastal Wetlands Found to Reduce Hurricane Property Damage by 10%-30%

Coastal wetlands provide important natural protection during hurricanes. How much? Natural habitats reduced property damage by about $625 million in the Northeast during Hurricane Sandy in 2012, a new study supported by Lloyd’s of London and conducted by scientists has …

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Hub International Hires Aikins to New Jersey Office

Hub International Limited (Hub), a Chicago, Ill., headquartered insurance brokerage and consultancy firm, has appointed Mary Aikins, RN, BA, CCM, as vice president and practice leader of health and performance for the organization’s East region. In this role, Aikins will …

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JLT Re Taps Willis Re’s Punch as MD, APAC, for Regional Clients & Retrocession

JLT Re, the London-based reinsurance broker and consultant, has appointed Stephen Punch as managing director, Asia Pacific, for Regional Clients and Retrocession. Punch is expected to join JLT Re in early 2017 after he has completed his contractual obligations with …

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What to Expect in Commercial Insurance Pricing in 2017

The marketplace for commercial insurance will continue to favor insurance buyers in 2017, particularly those with strategic risk management and risk transfer strategies, according to Willis Towers Watson’s 2017 Marketplace Realities report. The report points to strong marketplace capacity as …

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Autumn Clock Change Raises Evening Accident Risk by 30%: UK Telematics Study

The risk of U.K. drivers having an accident in the month following the clocks changing at the end of October* increases by 10 percent, according to Insure The Box, the telematics car insurance provider. And if they are driving between …

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XL Group to Realign P/C Operations with Senior Leadership Team Appointed

Bermuda-based XL Group Ltd. announced senior role changes in connection with a planned realignment of its property & casualty operating model, all of which will be effective Jan. 1, 2017. Paul Brand, currently chief underwriting officer, Insurance, will lead a …

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Homeowners Insurance Claims, Loss Costs Declining, LexisNexis Report Finds

A study of home insurance trends reveals good news for home insurance carriers: homeowner claims continue to decrease and loss costs are flat or on the decline. The 2016 LexisNexis Home Trends Report notes that while the U.S. has already …

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UK’s Regulator Reviews Mission as It Redefines Itself Under New CEO

The U.K. Financial Conduct Authority opened a review of its regulatory “mission” as the agency looks to redefine itself under a new chief executive officer following a turbulent year. The regulator said Wednesday that it’s looking to create a “guiding …

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Berkshire Hathaway GUARD Adds Miscellaneous Professional Liability Coverage

Berkshire Hathaway GUARD Insurance Companies has launched a miscellaneous professional liability policy in New Jersey with expansion into a half dozen more states by the end of 2016. The company’s new product is a separate line targeting more than 50 …

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FEMA Extends Filing Deadline for Florida NFIP Claims from Hurricane Hermine

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has extended the deadline for National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) policyholders to file claims from Hurricane Hermine. “After productive discussions between Insurance Commissioner David Altmaier and representatives of the NFIP on ways to assist Floridians …

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Clean-Up Deal Reached for Florida Sinkhole that Contaminated Water

Florida officials have reached a deal with the company responsible for a large sinkhole that resulted in millions of gallons of contaminated water pouring into a drinking water aquifer. The Florida Department of Environmental Protection issued the consent order to …

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Upcoming Mississippi Tornado Season Looks to be ‘Unpredictable’

Mississippians are preparing for the tornado season to begin in November. The Clarion-Ledger reports forecasters are looking at shifts in weather conditions – such as El Nino and La Nina – as indicators that this year’s outlook could be quite …

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Painting Stolen Off the Wall from Muhammad Ali Center in Kentucky

Artwork showing Muhammad Ali in a classic pose, in white trunks and red boxing gloves, was stolen from an exhibit while it was open to the public at the Muhammad Ali Center. Surveillance cameras recorded the brazen theft, and a …

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Leavitt Group Buys Majority in Murray and Murray in California

The Leavitt Group has purchased a majority stake in Murray and Murray Insurance Agency in Central California. Dan Lillard, a key team member of Murray and Murray, will become a co-owner and managing principal of the agency. Michael Murray, Patrick …

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South Carolina Extends Emergency Consumer Protections to 15 More Counties

South Carolina Director of Insurance Ray Farmer has extended consumer protections provided under an emergency regulation order to 15 additional South Carolina counties with damage resulting from Hurricane Matthew. Farmer issued Emergency Regulation 69-78 to provide protections to insurance consumers …

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Ex-Wife of Former Pitchman Jared Fogle Sues Subway

  The ex-wife of former Subway pitchman Jared Fogle filed a lawsuit in Indiana against the restaurant chain for damages, saying the company received at least three reports indicating his sexual interest in children but failed to take proper action …

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Confie Acquires Texas Auto Insurance Agency

Confie, a national provider of personal and commercial lines insurance, has acquired Hulme Corp., dba Alamo Auto Insurance of East Texas. Founded in 2001 and based in Tyler, Texas, Alamo Auto focuses on providing non-standard auto insurance. California-based Confie has completed 17 …

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AIG Increases Property Terrorism Capacity to $1B

American International Group, Inc. (AIG) has raised its property terrorism insurance limits globally to $1 billion. The larger capacity is available to clients on a stand-alone basis or as expanded limits within AIG’s Large Limits property insurance offering, which provides …

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Ironshore Expands Liability Coverages for Designers, Contractors

Ironshore’s Construction Industry Vertical, in conjunction with Ironshore Specialty Casualty, has expanded its coverage for the designers and contractors sector with a new combination policy covering contractors professional liability, contractors pollution liability and pollution mitigation in a single product suite. …

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South Carolina’s 2 Extremes: Part of State Recovers From Flood, Other Part in Drought

As one part of South Carolina continues to recover from flooding caused by Hurricane Matthew, another area is suffering a drought. The Greenville News reports Upstate residents are being asked to conserve by limiting nonessential use of water, such as …

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Michigan Doctor, a Former Lawmaker, Gets Probation for Insurance Fraud

A Lansing, Mich.-area doctor who is a former state lawmaker has been placed on probation for making false statements to an insurer. Judge Robert Jonker on Oct. 24 gave a significant break to Paul DeWeese, whose clinic, NBO Medical, performed …

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Fischer Named VP, Property/Casualty Service Leader at Hylant

Ohio-based privately owned insurance brokerage firm, Hylant, has named Debbie Fischer to the newly created position of vice president, property/casualty service leader. Most recently, she was vice president, client services. In her new role, Fischer will support Hylant’s high-level service …

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U.S. Homeowners Insurers’ Premiums Growing But Return on Equity Down: Aon

The U.S. homeowners insurance market is on track for continued growth in direct premiums for 2016 despite a decreasing return on equity for insurers. U.S. homeowners premium is set to surpass $90 billion for the first time, according to an …

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Couple Wanted in Louisiana Flood Contractor Fraud Scheme

Tangipahoa Parish, Louisiana, sheriff’s deputies say a man and a woman with numerous aliases are wanted in a flood contractor scheme that has taken more than $35,000 from two victims already in the Ponchatoula and Robert areas. Sheriff’s Office spokeswoman …

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USGS: 3rd Largest Oklahoma Quake Likely Caused by Wastewater Disposal

The third-largest earthquake in Oklahoma was likely triggered by underground disposal of wastewater from oil and natural gas production, the U.S. Geological Survey found in a report issued on Oct. 24. The magnitude 5.1 quake that struck northwest of Fairview …

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Pennsylvania Based NSM Insurance Group Expands with First International Acquisition

NSM Insurance Group, a Conshohocken, Penn., based insurance program administrator, has acquired Vantage Holdings, a U.K.-based collector car and outdoor leisure program administrator. The acquisition is subject to FCA approval. This move marks NSM Insurance Group’s first international acquisition and …

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Teen Traffic Deaths Continue to Rise in Utah

More Utah teens have died in car crashes during the first nine months of this year than in all of 2015, according to new state data. A total of 26 teenagers have died on Utah roads so far in 2016, …

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Ransomware Attacks Are Soaring, Says Beazley in Data Breach Report

Ransomware attacks against businesses will be four times higher in 2016 than last year, with a growing number of ransom-seeking hackers demanding bitcoin rather than money, according to a report by specialty insurer Beazley. The Beazley Breach Insights report is …

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Chubb CEO Greenberg Reports ‘Excellent’ Q3 Results

The world’s largest publicly traded property/casualty insurance company, Chubb Limited, reported net income for the quarter ended Sept. 30, 2016 of $1.36 billion, or $2.88 per share, compared with $528 million, or $1.62 per share, for the same quarter last …

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Foresters Say New Hampshire Drought Has Increased Threat of Wildfires

Drought conditions are making it harder to fight wildfires and New Hampshire residents should be vigilant about the increased threat, state forestry and fire officials say. Conditions range from abnormally dry to extreme drought in southern New Hampshire, making this …

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Pennsylvania’s Henderson Brothers Hires Quealy

Henderson Brothers Inc., a Pittsburgh, Penn., based independent broker in the insurance, employee benefits and financial services industries, has hired Thomas Quealy as a consultative associate in its consultative department. In this role, Quealy will be responsible for providing compliance …

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EU Floats Uniform Tax Rules for Multinationals to Stem Tax Avoidance

Multinational companies would have to calculate their tax liabilities according to one set of rules across the European Union under proposals on Tuesday aimed at stopping them shifting profits to avoid taxes. To close the loopholes offered by different national …

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UK Employers Downbeat About Economy, Hiring After Brexit Vote: Poll

The number of British firms that are confident about the economy halved after the Brexit vote, with larger firms and those in regions which voted to stay in the EU more downbeat than those in areas that backed Leave, a …

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Hub Northeast Hires McNulty to New Jersey Office

Global insurance brokerage Hub International Northeast Limited (Hub Northeast) has hired Timothy McNulty as an assistant vice president in its employee benefits division. In this role, McNulty will be based in the firm’s Summit, N.J., office and will be responsible …

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U.S. Judge Approves $14.7 Billion Settlement for VW Diesel Car Owners

A U.S. judge on Tuesday approved one of the biggest corporate settlements on record, Volkswagen AG’s $14.7 billion deal arising from its diesel emissions cheating scandal, and the German automaker said it would begin buying back polluting cars in mid-November. …

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New York to Hold Off Enforcing Airbnb Sublet Restrictions

The city and state of New York said Monday they would hold off enforcing a new law restricting short-term apartment sublets against Airbnb Inc. until the company’s lawsuit over the issue is resolved. That was a reversal from earlier indications …

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Facebook, Google Amassing of ‘Faceprints’ Facing Legal Challenges

Facebook Inc.’s software knows your face almost as well as your mother does. And like mom, it isn’t asking your permission to do what it wants with old photos. While millions of internet users embrace the tagging of family and …

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Casserley to Leave Willis Towers Watson

Dominic Casserley, president and deputy CEO of Willis Towers Watson, will leave the company when his employment agreement ends on Dec. 31, 2016, the global advisory and broking company confirmed on Tuesday. Casserley took his present position in January 2016 …

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Average Monthly Healthcare.gov Premium Tops $300; 85% Eligible for Subsidies

The average premium for benchmark 2017 Obamacare insurance plans sold on Healthcare.gov rose 25 percent compared with 2016, the U.S. government said on Monday, the biggest increase since the insurance first went on sale in 2013 for the following year. …

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1.8 Million Western U.S. Homes at Extreme or High Wildfire Risk, Report Shows

Things haven’t gone as bad as they could have so far in 2016 coming off last year’s record-setting wildfire season in the Western U.S., according to a report out today detailing wildfire risks to properties in the Western U.S. The author of …

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Report: Tennessee Man Dies After Riding Disney’s Star Tours in Florida

Authorities say a 67-year-old Tennessee tourist died after riding Star Tours at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. The September death of the Memphis, Tennessee, man was recorded in a list of serious ride-related injuries and illnesses that the major theme parks provide …

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Questions Linger Over Trump’s $17M Insurance Payout in 2005 for Florida Club

Donald Trump says he received a $17 million insurance payment in 2005 for hurricane damage to Mar-a-Lago, his private club in Palm Beach. But The Associated Press has found little evidence of such large-scale damage. Two years after a series …

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Tips for Safe Driving on Halloween

If you ever ventured out on Halloween to do some trick-or-treating when you were a child, you probably remember how exciting it can be. It’s all about running from house to house and marveling (or being bitterly disappointed!) at the treats...

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Study: Los Angeles Highest Workers’ Comp Claim Costs in California

The Los Angeles area continued to be a draw on California’s overall workers’ compensation costs, according to a study out today from the Workers’ Compensation Insurance Rating Bureau. The WCIRB issued a study on regional differences in California workers’ comp …

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Liberty Mutual Issues Statement Following Shooting at Oregon Office

Liberty Mutual issued a statement today addressing a Portland, Ore. shooting over the weekend reportedly involving co-workers at the insurance company who knew each other. Portland police are investigating whether a homicide at an office building is connected to a …

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Alabama Facing Severe Drought Statewide

A severe drought spreading rapidly across Alabama is forcing conservation measures and worrying farmers, and forecasters said Thursday there wasn’t much relief in sight. The latest federal assessment said an extreme drought covers the northern two-thirds of Alabama, and the …

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Mississippi Home Explosion Caused by Propane Leak Kills 2

Officials say two people were killed in a house explosion in Newton County. Coroner Danny Shoemaker tells The Clarion-Ledger that an 81-year-old man and 78-year-old woman died in the explosion Saturday night. Irven Skinner, a fire official, told WTOK-TV that …

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Industry Needs to Address Gaps in Workers’ Compensation, AMCOMP Panelists Say

At the American Society of Workers’ Compensation Professionals (AMCOMP) Fall Meeting held recently in New York, Mark Walls, vice president of communications and strategic analysis at Safety National, and Kimberly George, senior vice president at Sedgwick, discussed a lack of …

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Startup Auto Insurer Root Targets Good Drivers with Smartphones

Root officially debuted in the U.S. market on October 25.. The fledgling auto insurer, just 18 months old, relies on telematics and a customer’s smartphone to deliver what it says will be significantly cheaper rates for the best drivers based …

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Unemployment Claims on Rise in Louisiana

First-time claims for unemployment insurance in Louisiana for the week ending Oct. 15 increased from the previous week’s total. The state labor department figures show the initial claims rose to 2,674 from the previous week’s total of 2,558. For the …

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Court in Arkansas Reverses Drunken Driving Conviction over Checkpoint

The Arkansas Supreme Court has overturned a man’s driving while intoxicated conviction, agreeing with the state Court of Appeals that it resulted from an unconstitutional sobriety checkpoint. Justices reversed Jeremy Whalen’s 2014 conviction that followed his arrest at an Arkansas …

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Number of Flood Policies Sold in Iowa Dropping in Recent Years

The number of flood insurance policies sold in Iowa dropped 22 percent between 2011 and this year, but it’s hard to determine the reason for the decline. The Des Moines Register reported the number of policies fell to 13,872 at …

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Disaster Declared for Kansas Counties Hit by Storm

President Barack Obama has signed a disaster declaration for 11 Kansas counties hit hard by last month’s severe storms and flooding. The declaration means federal funding is now available for state and eligible local government and some nonprofit organizations. The …

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New Mexico Workers’ Comp Costs May Drop in 2017

New Mexico employers could see a decrease in their insurance costs for on-the-job injuries and deaths. The state Office of Superintendent of Insurance says a key factor in calculating individual employers’ workers’ compensation costs will drop by an average of …

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Heffernan in California Names Kamm to Board

Walnut Creek, Calif.-based Heffernan Insurance Brokers has named Barbara Kamm to its board of directors. Kamm is the former president and CEO of Technology Credit Union. Kamm has also served on the boards of Technology Credit Union, Tech Capital LLC, …

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Golden Bear in California Upgraded to A.M. Best A- VII Rating

Stockton, Calif.-based Golden Bear Insurance Co. announced that its A.M. Best issuer credit rating has been upgraded to an “A- VII” (Excellent). “Our rating reaffirms the deep level of experience among the Golden Bear team in underwriting property and casualty …

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James Woods Stoked over Dropped Appeal in $10M Defamation Suit

Forget civility. Just hours after an appeal was dropped in James Woods’ $10 million defamation lawsuit against an anonymous individual who tweeted the actor was a “cocaine addict,” Woods expressed joy about what had occurred. “The slime who libeled me …

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FDA Cites Hospitals for Under-Reporting of Injuries from Medical Devices

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is seeking to improve hospital reporting of injuries and deaths associated with medical devices after inspections at 17 hospitals revealed widespread under-reporting of such events. The FDA initiated the inspections following high-profile safety scandals …

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Hannover Re Expects Higher Renewal Premiums in Germany; Stresses Technical Pricing at Baden Baden

E+S Rück, Hannover Re Group’s German subsidiary, expects to see premium growth in the German market for the upcoming treaty renewals on January 1, 2017. Along with motor insurance, growth will likely be driven in particular by homeowners’ comprehensive insurance, …

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Erie Insurance of Pennsylvania Announces Executive Leadership Promotions

Erie Insurance, an Erie, Penn., based insurer, has announced several new executive leadership promotions. This move follows the company’s June 2016 announcement that Timothy G. NeCastro was named the firm’s next CEO. Lorianne Feltz has been named as executive vice …

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Review of 14 Studies Identifies Risk Factors for Kids’ Bicycle Injuries

Kids of lower socioeconomic status, those riding in rural areas, and those riding mostly on the sidewalk have higher risk of injury than others, according to a new review. Not surprisingly, injuries related to motor vehicle collisions are more severe …

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New York’s Crystal & Company Hires Strenger

Crystal & Company, a New York based strategic risk and insurance advisor addressing clients’ risk management, insurance brokerage and employee benefits consulting needs, has hired Scott Strenger as an executive director. In this role, Strenger will be responsible for new …

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AARP Suit Says Workplace Wellness Programs Raise Medical Privacy Concerns

A lobbying group representing older Americans sued the Obama administration on Monday claiming regulations for programs designed to rein in employee health care costs will subject workers to invasions of their medical privacy. Rules released in May by the U.S. …

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Windham Group Launches New IME Company in New Hampshire

The Windham Group has launched Logical IME, an independent medical examination company that serves workers’ compensation payers. Based in Manchester, N.H., Logical IME provides independent medical exams (IMEs) as well as peer review, functional capacity examinations, permanency ratings and record …

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Ping An Insurance Executive Says Stock Considerably Undervalued

Ping An Insurance (Group) Co., the world’s second-largest insurer by market value, is undervalued by as much as 45 percent, a senior executive at the company said. The $94 billion company, whose businesses span insurance, banking and asset management, is …

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Exxon Heads for Courtroom Faceoff With New York in Climate Change Probe

Exxon Mobil Corp. is headed to a courtroom in New York for the first time to try to block the state’s demand for accounting documents about how climate change will affect its finances. New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman, probing …

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This Bud’s for Uber’s Self-Driving Truck Road Test

A tractor trailer full of beer drove itself down Colorado’s I-25 last week with nobody behind the wheel. Uber Technologies Inc. and Anheuser-Busch InBev NV teamed up on the delivery, which they said is the first time a self-driving truck had been …

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Former Vermont Regulator Donegan Joins NCCI as Chief Regulatory Services Officer

Susan Donegan has been named as the new chief regulatory services officer for the NCCI. Donegan assumed the position on Sept. 19, and succeeds Helen Westervelt, who announced her retirement in January of this year. Westervelt remained at NCCI through …

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USI Makes 3 Appointments, 2 Promotions in Ohio

Insurance brokerage USI Insurance Services (USI) has added Brianna Berry, Nick Giancola and Kim Patrick in the USI Independence, Ohio, office. In addition, Heidi King has been promoted to consultant and Brian Muldoon has been promoted to senior account executive. …

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Progressive’s Barbagallo Elected Chair of PCI

The Property Casualty Insurers Association of America (PCI) elected new officers to its board of governors this week during the association’s annual meeting. John Barbagallo, commercial lines group president, Progressive Insurance Group, was elected PCI’s chair; Kurt Bock, CEO, Country …

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MetLife, U.S. Renew Court Battle Over ‘Too Big to Fail’

The U.S. government and the country’s largest life insurer are set for a rematch in a U.S. appeals court on Monday over how federal regulators decide a company is “too big to fail,” one of the most significant reforms to …

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S&P: Few North Carolina Residents Hit Hardest by Matthew Have Flood Insurance

With historic flood levels in North Carolina receding in the aftermath of Hurricane Matthew, preliminary estimates show that only a sliver of commercial and residential properties in areas most impacted by the storm are covered by policies through the National …

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S&P: Few North Carolina Residents Hit Hardest by Matthew Have Flood Insurance

With historic flood levels in North Carolina receding in the aftermath of Hurricane Matthew, preliminary estimates show that only a sliver of commercial and residential properties in areas most impacted by the storm are covered by policies through the National …

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S&P: Few North Carolina Residents Hit Hardest by Matthew Have Flood Insurance

With historic flood levels in North Carolina receding in the aftermath of Hurricane Matthew, preliminary estimates show that only a sliver of commercial and residential properties in areas most impacted by the storm are covered by policies through the National …

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Damage to South Carolina Crops from Hurricane Matthew May Rival 2015 Flooding

South Carolina Department of Agriculture Commissioner Hugh Weathers says crops in some areas of the state may have sustained as much damage from Hurricane Matthew as they did from last year’s historic flooding. The Herald-Journal reports Weathers provided an update …

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RV Salesman in Washington Caught on Camera in Workers’ Comp Scam Fined $81K

A recreational vehicle salesman in Washington who claimed he couldn’t work because of an on-the-job injury has been ordered to pay back more than $81,000 in state disability benefits. Bobby Ray Johnson, 48, pleaded guilty to felony first-degree theft in …

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XL Catlin Introduces Cyber Insurance Endorsements for Specific Industries

XL Catlin’s Cyber & Technology has unveiled endorsements for financial institutions, healthcare, retailers as well as energy and utility companies that address cyber risks of each industry. “All businesses are growing more and more connected. Yet, they still have their own …

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Clune Named Lockton’s U.S. President, Chief Operating Officer

Global insurance agency Lockton has named Peter Clune to be its next U.S. president and chief operating officer, effective May 1, 2017. He will succeed Glenn Spencer who was previously named president and CEO of Lockton Inc.’s global operations effective …

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Just Says No New Defendants in Wrongful Death Suit in Iowa

The family of a Des Moines, Iowa woman who died of a prescription-drug overdose is appealing a judge’s rejection of their motion seeking to name the doctor’s former health system as defendants. Brandy Stoutenberg’s relatives originally blamed Dr. Daniel Baldi …

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Numerous Quakes Recorded in Oklahoma over Past 2 Days

Several earthquakes have been recorded in northwest Oklahoma during the past two days, including one of magnitude 4.0. No injuries or significant damage have been reported. The U.S. Geological Survey reports a 4.0 and 3.5 magnitude quakes Friday afternoon near …

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PPG in Louisiana Fined $92K over Safety Violations

Federal regulators have fined PPG Industries in Westlake, La. $92,642 for nine “serious” safety violations. The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration says the violations include failing to monitor air in confined areas, not inspecting piping safety relief valves and …

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North Dakota Voters to Decide on Medical Marijuana

North Dakota voters will decide next month whether to legalize marijuana for medical use, by siding with opponents who say sciences is on their side or with supporters like a desperate grandmother who illegally purchased the drug to help her …

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Illinois School Sued in Connection to Teen’s Suicide

The family of a 14-year-old Illinois high school student who killed herself last year is suing the local school district, arguing that it neglected to follow protocols that could have prevented the teenager’s death. The lawsuit accuses Mundelein High School …

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Louisiana Governor’s Latest Federal Flood Request Aid Upped to $4B

Gov. John Bel Edwards bumped up his request to more than $4 billion for federal flood disaster aid to repair south Louisiana’s flood destruction, according to a letter to the White House released Friday. The Democratic governor’s earlier request totaled …

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Ex-California State Senator Calderon Gets Prison Bribery

Former California state Sen. Ron Calderon was sentenced Friday to 31/2 years in prison in a corruption scandal in which he acknowledged taking bribes in exchange for his influence in Sacramento. U.S. District Court Judge Christina Snyder imposed the sentence …

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Foo Fighters Suit Against Lloyd’s Finally Settled

Dave Grohl’s Foo Fighters have finally settled a four-month-old lawsuit aimed at collecting on insurance claims related to a series of canceled concerts during the band’s 2015 world tour. A court filing signed by U.S. District Judge Manuel L. Real …

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$125M ‘Spinal Tap’ Fraud, Copyright Termination Suit Filed

Harry Shearer has launched a $125 million fraud and contract-breach lawsuit against Vivendi and StudioCanal over the 1984 rockumentary classic This Is Spinal Tap. The complaint, filed last week in California federal court, is packed with enough nuggets to instantly make …

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Reinsurers at Baden Baden Expect P/C Insurers to Resist 2017 Price Hikes

Hurricane Matthew will have a limited impact on the years-long decline in rates for reinsurance, according to industry representatives, who predict primary insurers will push back against price increases at the start of 2017. “I expect a strong likelihood for …

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Businesses Advised to Use Multiple DNS Vendors in Wake of PayPal, Twitter Outages

Companies can reduce the risk from the type of cyber attack that took out major websites on Friday by using multiple vendors for the critical internet service known as a domain name service, or DNS, companies and security experts said …

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Connecticut Based Insurer Cigna Eases Rules for Opioid Addiction Medication

The health insurer Cigna has agreed to end a policy that required physicians to fill out extra paperwork before they could give patients a drug used to treat opioid addiction. The move announced Friday comes after New York Attorney General …

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Palmer & Cay Hires Smith, Opens New York Office

Palmer & Cay, an Atlanta, Georgia, based privately-held insurance broker has appointed John C. Smith as vice chairman and member of the board of directors. This follows the firm’s recent expansion into the Northeast region with the opening of an …

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Former FBI Cyber Leader Trainor Joins Aon Risk Solutions

Aon Risk Solutions announced the appointment of James C. Trainor as senior vice president in its Cyber Solutions Group. Trainor joins Aon after a career at the Federal Bureau of Investigation, where he most recently led the Cyber Division at …

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Chinese Insurance Spree Continues as China Oceanwide Bids $2.7 Billion for Genworth

China Oceanwide Holdings Group Co. has agreed to purchase  Genworth Financial Inc. in a $2.7 billion cash deal, joining a record buying spree by Chinese companies as they seek to boost growth overseas. Monday’s deal by Chinese billionaire Lu Zhiqiang’s real …

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IIABNY Elects Zogby as National Director

Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of New York (IIABNY), a Dewitt, New York based organization representing independent insurance agents and brokers, has elected Stephen Zogby as national director. In this role, Zogby will represent the IIABNY on its national board …

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Airbnb’s New York Fight Moves From Legislature to Courtroom

Airbnb Inc. is fighting to stay alive in the biggest rental market in the U.S. Hours after New York Governor Andrew Cuomo signed a bill into law that will fine residents who rent out their apartments for illegal short-term stays, Airbnb …

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Verisk Analytics Buys Canadian Real-Time Software Maker Analyze Re

Data firm Verisk Analytics Inc. said it has acquired Halifax, Novia Scotia-based Analyze Re, a software analytics provider for the reinsurance and insurance industries founded in 2013. Analyze Re will become part of AIR Worldwide (AIR), the Verisk Analytics catastrophe …

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Former Chubb Executive Robusto to Succeed Motamed at CNA Next Nonth

Former long-time Chubb executive Dino E. Robusto will assume the roles of chairman and chief executive officer on November 21, 2016 at CNA, succeeding Thomas F. Motamed, who is retiring after eight years at the helm of CNA.  Last November …

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P/C Tech Firm, Xceedance, Opens London Office; Davies Heads EMEA Region

Xceedance, a global provider of property/casualty insurance technology, analytics and consulting services, has established an office in London to serve the European, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) market, the company announced. Xceedance is a managed services company that partners with …

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Willis Re and SpatialKey Partner to Launch European Windstorm App

Willis Re, the reinsurance division of Willis Towers Watson, has collaborated with SpatialKey Inc. to launch a new European Windstorm app. “This powerful new event response application integrates data from multiple data sources, including EuroTempest, insurance industry experts in forecasting …

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Brazil Charges 21 with Homicide for Failing to Avert Samarco Mine Disaster

Brazilian prosecutors charged 21 people with qualified homicide on Thursday for their roles in the collapse of a tailings dam at the Samarco Mineração SA iron ore mine last November that killed 19 people. The charges follow what is now …

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Neon Bermuda Taps Chubb’s Hunt to Become SVP, Property Insurance

Neon announced it has appointed Dwayne Hunt to the role of senior vice president – Property Insurance, in Neon’s Bermuda office. Neon said it opened a Bermuda office earlier this year to provide greater access to both the local and …

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Big Data Gathered by Twitter Monitoring Could Cut Premiums – and Erode Privacy

When people take to Twitter to comment on the great evening they enjoyed with good food and wonderful friends, reducing their monthly insurance bill is probably the last thing on their mind. But such tweets could help insurers to price …

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CNA Promotes Walsh, Lovvorn in Underwriting Unit

Chicago-based insurer CNA has promoted Kelly Walsh to vice president, Branch Services and Lindsay Lovvorn to vice president, Product and Process Systems. Both Walsh and Lovvorn will report to Barb Sandelands, senior vice president, Underwriting Services, CNA Commercial. In the …

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Peyton Manning’s Pep Talk to Insurance Leaders: ‘You Are Only as Good as the Team Around You’

If retired NFL quarterback Peyton Manning felt out of place in a room filled with insurance professionals – miles away from where he was last year on his way to a Super Bowl-winning season – no one would have guessed. …

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Homesharing Giant Airbnb Faces Rising Legal, Regulatory Risks in Big Cities

Airbnb, the online lodging service that investors now believe is worth $30 billion, faces a reckoning. In eight years of torrid growth, the company has often clashed with local public officials seeking to minimize the impact of short-term rentals on …

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Florida Man Arrested Over Doughnut Glaze Mistaken for Meth Files Lawsuit

A Florida man arrested last year after police mistook doughnut glaze in his car for meth is suing the city of Orlando and a drug-testing kit company. The Orlando Sentinel reports Daniel Rushing filed a lawsuit last week, claiming negligence …

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North Carolina Recovery Continues More Than 2 Weeks After Matthew

More than two weeks after Hurricane Matthew hit North Carolina, some areas are still flooded and others are beginning the long process of recovery. In North Carolina, the hurricane dumped more than a foot of rain 100 miles inland, causing …

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FBI: Atlanta Banks Hit by Serial Bank Robber

Police agencies around the metro Atlanta area are teaming up to find a man accused of robbing five banks in Cobb, north Fulton and Cherokee counties since August. The FBI says the most recent incident was in Roswell on Wednesday. …

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U.S. Seeks Tougher Cyber Security Standards for Banks

U.S. bank regulators last Wednesday outlined cyber security standards meant to protect financial markets and consumers from online attacks against the nation’s leading financial firms. Leading banks will be expected to use the most sophisticated anti-hacking tools on the market …

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Head of California Company says CDI Wrongly Halting Sales of Comp Product

The head of a business providing worker’s compensation and other benefits that was issued a cease and desist notice from the California Department of Insurance this week says the notice was wrongly issued. The CDI issued the notice to stop …

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National E&S in California Names Skiles Account Manager

National E&S Insurance Brokers in Palmdale, Calif. has named Brittany Skiles an Account Manager. Skiles works with all lines of insurance including general liability, contractor pollution, professional liability, commercial autos and workers’ compensation. She worked the last 10 years at …

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Midwest Study: More Lighting Would Cut Farm Vehicle Crashes by 60%

Traffic accidents involving farm vehicles in the Midwest would drop by more than 60 percent if state policies required more lighting and reflection on those vehicles, according to a study from the University of Iowa College of Public Health. The …

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Want to Know More About Agency E&O? Participate Now.

Insurance Journal is asking for participation in its 2016 Agency Errors & Omissions Survey. This survey report will share key insights on today’s Agency E&O market. Participate now to learn more about the market. The survey is designed specifically for independent …

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New Mexico Driver’s License Revamp Draws Fresh Criticism

New Mexico officials ran into fresh criticism Tuesday about revisions to the state’s immigrant driver’s license law at a public hearing on the proposed regulations. The Department of Taxation and Revenue has said its plan to implement a law approved …

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Insurance Industry Collaboration Key to Facing Disruption, III CEO Says

In an increasingly connected and globalized world, the insurance industry needs to work together to understand and accommodate the many disruptions it faces today and in the future, according to Sean Kevelighan, CEO of the Insurance Information Institute (III), during his …

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Fired Arizona Child Safety Workers Seek Revival of Wrongful Firing Suit

The Arizona Court of Appeals is set to consider reviving a wrongful termination lawsuit filed by five Arizona child welfare workers fired in 2014 amid an agency scandal. The ex-Child Protective Services employees argue they were fired in April 2014 …

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Acrisure in Michigan Announces Management-Led Buyout

Grand Rapids, Mich.-based Acrisure LLC has signed a definitive agreement for a management-led buyout of the company, led by Greg Williams, Acrisure’s CEO and co-founder, and a consortium of minority investors. Acrisure management and its operating partners are acquiring control …

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Copyright Claim Filed Over The Beatles’ 1965 Concert Film

On the verge of last month’s release of Eight Days a Week – The Touring Years, a Ron Howard-directed film showing live performances of The Beatles, a surprising lawsuit was filed by the company assigned Sid Bernstein’s intellectual property. Bernstein …

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AIG’s Ex-CFO Herzog Joins MetLife Board

MetLife. Inc. announced that David L. Herzog has been elected to its board of directors, effective immediately. Herzog most recently served as executive vice president and chief financial officer of American International Group (AIG). Herzog had been CFO since late …

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Mitsui Buys 15% Stake in XL’s ILS Firm, New Ocean Capital

  Mitsui & Co., Japan’s second-biggest trading house, agreed to purchase a 15 percent stake in New Ocean Capital, the asset manager that was founded by XL Group Ltd. and Stone Point Capital to make insurance-related bets. Mitsui also committed …

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Henderson Brothers Inc. of Pennsylvania Hires Brown

Henderson Brothers Inc., an independent insurance broker headquartered in Pittsburgh, Penn., has hired Eric Brown as a consultative associate. As a member of the consultative department, Brown will provide compliance training and assistance and help to manage Henderson Brothers’ online …

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USI Insurance Services Hires Bark to Massachusetts Office

USI Insurance Services (USI), an insurance brokerage and consulting firm headquartered in Valhalla, New York, has hired Brian D. Bark as president of the employee benefits practice in its Woburn, Mass., office. In this role, Bark will play a significant role …

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Venbrook Raises $42M in Financing, Buys New Jersey’s Brooks Insurance Group

Venbrook Group nailed down $42 million in new financing from Madison Capital Funding, a subsidiary of New York Life, and some of the money has already helped back an acquisition that expands its scope in the U.S. Northeast. Venbrook, an …

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Automakers, Chipmakers Race to Equip Autonomous Vehicles

Tesla Motors Inc.’s decision to equip all of its vehicles with self-driving hardware has intensified competition among rival camps of technology and auto companies over what equipment will be on board cars of the future. Tesla’s self-driving system will rely …

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New Orleans Plans to Add Almost Twice as Many Traffic Safety Cameras in 2017

The number of traffic safety cameras to catch drivers speeding or running red lights in New Orleans could nearly double next year. The Times-Picayune reports Mayor Mitch Landrieu has proposed adding another 55 such cameras to the 66 already in …

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Grinnell Mutual Leads 2nd Funding Round for Insurance Social Media Start Up

Serious Social Media, developer of the automated social media marketing service, InsuranceSocial.Media, and a 2016 graduate of the Global Insurance Accelerator (GIA) program, announced it has secured a second round of funding led by Iowa-based Grinnell Mutual Reinsurance Co. (Grinnell …

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Could Obama’s Exit Lead to Bipartisan Obamacare Fix?

President Barack Obama said on Thursday that his departure from office in January might be what it takes to begin to heal the political scars over Obamacare and allow for needed fixes to his signature healthcare law. The 2010 Affordable …

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Typhoon Haima Hits China as Weaker Storm; AIR Worldwide Comments

Typhoon Haima made landfall in China after it brushed past Hong Kong, forcing the city’s stock exchange to cancel trading for the day and airlines to suspend flights. The Hong Kong Observatory said it will consider lowering Storm Signal No. …

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Insurance Groups AAMGA, NAPSLO in Merger Talks

The American Association of Managing General Agencies (AAMGA) and the National Association of Professional Surplus Lines Offices (NAPSLO) are considering combining both organizations into one association and have formed a joint committee to explore the idea. Brady Kelley, executive director, …

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AXIS Insurance Names Harrington Cloud as SVP, Distribution & Broker Relations

AXIS Capital Holdings Ltd. announced Tracy Harrington Cloud has joined AXIS Insurance as senior vice president,  International Distribution and Broker Management. Harrington Cloud’s role will include helping to further enhance distribution management services and offerings across AXIS’ global network of …

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Bermuda-Based Somerset Re Raises Capitalization to $375 Million

Somerset Reinsurance Ltd. has increased its common share capitalization to $375 million, including investments from three strategic investors and a diverse group of high net worth investors. Somerset Re provides customized risk management solutions to the life insurance and annuity …

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Western Insurers Slowly Re-Enter Deals with Iran – a Market Valued at $9B

  Western insurers are slowly reaching deals with Iran as they seek to re-enter a multi-billion dollar market although the pace of business is hampered by banking restrictions 10 months on from the lifting of international sanctions. Shut out of …

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PartnerRe to Buy Canada’s Aurigen Capital, in Life Reinsurance Push

PartnerRe Ltd., the reinsurer owned by John Elkann’s EXOR SpA, agreed to buy Aurigen Capital to expand in coverage of life policies in North America. PartnerRe agreed to pay C$375 million ($284 million) in a deal expected to be completed …

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Michigan Agent Named IIABA Young Agent of the Year

The National Young Agents Committee (YAC) of the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (IIABA or the Big “I”) has presented Kelly Hume of the Young Agents Council of the Michigan Association of Insurance Agents (MAIA) with its Outstanding Young Agent …

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LUBA Indemnity Insurance Assigned A- Financial Strength Rating by A.M. Best

A.M. Best has assigned a financial strength rating (FSR) of A- (Excellent) and a long-term issuer credit rating (Long-Term ICR) of “a-” to LUBA Indemnity Insurance Co. LUBA Indemnity a wholly owned subsidiary of LUBA Casualty Insurance Co. (LUBA). Both are headquartered in Baton Rouge, …

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North Carolina Environmental Groups, Regulators Spar Over Coal Ash Spill

Conservationists and regulators are at odds over how much coal ash was swept away by flooding during Hurricane Matthew – state inspectors say it would fit in the bed of a pickup truck while a watchdog group argues it’s a …

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Miami Scaffolding Collapse Kills 1, Injures 5

Construction scaffolding fell to the street from a downtown Miami high-rise Wednesday afternoon, causing one death and five injuries, authorities said. A man in his 50s had a fatal “cardiac episode” while running from falling debris near the approximately 50-story …

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Georgia Estimates $90M in Insured Losses From Hurricane Matthew

The Georgia Department of Insurance (GADOI) has released preliminary estimates of insured losses in the state from Hurricane Matthew. In a statement issued Thursday, GADOI said more than 30,000 claims have been reported and insured losses in Georgia has now …

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Rodeo Promoter Resolves Lawsuits Against 2 Texas Cowboys Over $1M Prize

Lawsuits alleging two calf ropers rigged a 2015 Texas rodeo to share a possible $1 million bonus prize have been dismissed following undisclosed settlements. The Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports settlement details weren’t released in a rodeo promoter’s lawsuits against Tuf …

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University of Iowa Cites Copyright Law to Block Flood Video Use

University of Iowa is citing a copyright law to block the use of the university’s footage of a 2008 flood for an upcoming documentary. Doug Krejci, who is trying to gather materials for a documentary about eastern Iowa during the …

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California Company’s Workers’ Comp Program Declared Illegal

California Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones moved to stop a central valley company from selling workers’ compensation and liability policies because they are not properly registered with the Department of Insurance. In a cease and desist order served on Monday the …

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Could More State Commissioners Require Climate Disclosure?

Max Messervy took a decidedly positive tack when pried again and again to reveal any negative reaction to a report he puts together every so often. Messervy, the insurance program manager at sustainability leadership advocate Ceres, is one of the …

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Asta Gets Initial Lloyd’s Approval to Launch & Manage Verto Syndicate 2689

Asta, the third party managing agent at Lloyd’s, announced it has received “in principle” approval from the Lloyd’s Franchise Board to establish and manage Verto Quota Share Syndicate 2689. Initially, Verto Syndicate 2689 plans to underwrite proportional reinsurance of Lloyd’s …

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What to Expect for This Winter’s Weather and La Nina Effects

Forecasters at the U.S. Climate Prediction Center issued their U.S. winter outlook today, saying that La Nina is expected to influence winter conditions this year. La Nina favors drier, warmer winters in the southern U.S and wetter, cooler conditions in …

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Snoopy to Retire from MetLife After 30 Years of Service

MetLife Inc., the largest U.S. life insurer, will phase out the use of Snoopy and Peanuts characters in its marketing. The insurer announced a new tagline, “MetLife. Navigating life together,” in what the New York-based company called the most significant …

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Travelers’ Q3 Results Hurt by Auto, Flood Claims

Travelers Cos., the sole property/casualty insurer in the Dow Jones Industrial Average, posted its fourth-straight profit decline as weather-related costs climbed and investment income slipped. The stock had the biggest intraday fall since June. Third-quarter net income dropped 23 percent …

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XL Catlin Names Zimmerman Client Distribution Leader in California

Steven Zimmerman has joined XL Catlin’s broker and client management team as client distribution leader in Los Angeles, Calif. He reports to Mike Soper, XL Catlin’s U.S. West regional broker and client management leader. Zimmerman has more than 20 years …

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University and San Diego PD Join Forces to Boost Teen DUI Prevention

Researchers at University of California San Diego School of Medicine will join forces with the San Diego Police Department to reduce alcohol-impaired driving among San Diego youth between the ages of 15 to 20. Helped by funding from the California …

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California Rules for Self-Driving Cars Draw Objections from Google, Automakers

Alphabet Inc.’s Google unit and automakers objected on Wednesday to California proposals to set new, mandatory rules for testing self-driving cars in the state, which industry officials said could hobble their efforts in the home to much of self-driving vehicle …

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Fast-Growing Insurance Matchmaker EverQuote Raises $23 Million

Digital insurance matchmaker EverQuote Inc. reports that it closed a $23 million dollar Series B investment led by Maryland-based Savano Capital Partners, with participation from Stratim Capital, Oceanic Partners and T Capital Partners. Cambridge, Mass.-based EverQuote said it will use …

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IICF’s Northeast Division Awards Ten Local Community Grants

The Insurance Industry Charitable Foundation’s (IICF) Northeast Division today announced it has awarded ten local community grants – in the amount of $2,500 each – to nonprofit organizations working outside the Metropolitan areas in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut. …

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State Regulators Say Pennsylvania Health Insurance Premiums to Rise

State regulators say the cost of health insurance premiums will be going up sharply next year for residents who buy individual plans. The state Department of Insurance said Monday that insurance company rates, based on requests for 2017, include an …

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IIABNY Names Lounsbury Interim President and CEO

Beginning Dec. 1, New York’s oldest insurance producer’s group will be under the leadership of a new state executive for the first time in 20 years. Lisa K. Lounsbury has been named interim President and CEO of the Independent Insurance …

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New Jersey’s New Day Underwriting Managers Hires Ippolito

New Day Underwriting Managers LLC, a Hamilton, N.J., based specialty intermediary of environmental and construction related professional liability insurance coverages, has named Jesilyn Ippolito as a consultant within its construction group. In this role, she will be responsible for providing …

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Jury Convicts Houston Execs in Healthcare Fraud Scheme

A federal jury in Houston has convicted three executives from a physical therapy chain for their roles in submitting about $9.6 million in false and fraudulent claims for healthcare services that weren’t provided to patients. U.S. Attorney Kenneth Magidson in …

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Zenefits ‘Overly Optimistic’ in Revenue Projections

A lot has happened since Zenefits told investors last year that its already lofty projection for annual recurring revenue would more than triple by the end of 2016. The HR software maker saw its founding chief executive officer leave under pressure from …

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Kansas to Appeal $120K Jury Award Linked to Deadly 2007 Crash

The state of Kansas plans to appeal a jury’s ruling that ordered it to pay $120,000 to the family of a 2007 car crash victim who died after a state trooper demanded she be sent to Missouri hospitals rather than …

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More Insurers Disclosing Climate Change Risks, Report Shows

Insurers in the U.S. are increasingly willing to disclose their risk management practices related to climate change, and that in part may be attributable to last year’s global accord in Paris and shifting attitudes in the business world on the …

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Typhoon Haima Batters Philippines; Weakened Storm Heads to China

More than 90,000 people were evacuated after Typhoon Haima left vast areas of the Philippines flooded and without electricity as the strongest storm to hit the nation this year heads toward China. Haima, a Category 5 super typhoon before it …

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Brokerslink Completes Private Stock Offering to Support Global Growth Strategy

Brokerslink, the Zug, Switzerland-based insurance broker, has announced the completion of a private stock offering, creating a broad shareholder base and investment to support the continued growth of its global insurance broking and risk business. Brokerslink said it now has …

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UK Specialist Insurer JRW Group Appoints Williams as Executive Chairman

Paul Williams, former Thistle Insurance Services managing director, is set to join The JRW Group* as executive chairman, subject to regulatory approval. His appointment to this newly formed role comes at a time when the niche insurance company is set …

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Third Point Re Shuns M&As Because Many Such ‘Marriages’ End in Divorce

Third Point Reinsurance Ltd., co-founded by hedge-fund manager Dan Loeb, likened the risk of mergers and acquisitions to picking a spouse without being aware of how much can go wrong. “Just like marriage, in M&A the 20 percent that work …

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Conboy Named CFO/Treasurer at Cameron Mutual Insurance

Cameron, Mo.-based Cameron Mutual Insurance Co. has appointed Pat Conboy, as chief financial officer/treasurer. Conboy joins Cameron from MAG Mutual in Atlanta, Ga., where he served as vice president of Financial Planning and Analysis. Prior to his 16-year career with …

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Brentwood Services Administrators in Tennessee Adds Vedros as Application Developer

Brentwood Services Administrators Inc. (BSA) headquartered in Brentwood, Tenn., has hired Zachary Vedros to the position of application developer in the IT Department, according to Jeff Pettus, president and chief executive officer of BSA. In his new position under Steven …

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Miami Beach Traps New Pool of Zika-Positive Mosquitoes

Officials say a new pool of mosquitoes taken from Miami Beach has tested positive for Zika. A Miami-Dade County Mosquito Control news release says officials learned about the new pool Monday. The insects had been collected from a trap Oct. …

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Alabama’s Oldest Mill Appears to be Total Loss After Fire

One of the oldest mills in the state has burned to the ground. Butler’s Mill, which was operational as recently as 2015, caught fire Monday. The building appears to be a total loss. AL.com reports Butler’s Mill was originally built …

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Florida Hurricane Fund Still Strong Despite Storms

Florida’s streak of dodging hurricanes is over, but the state-created fund that helps private insurers pay out claims after a storm remains in strong financial shape. Anne Bert, the chief operating officer of the Florida Hurricane Catastrophe Fund, said preliminary …

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South Dakota Senator Requests Federal Aid for Ranchers Impacted by Fire

U.S. Sen. John Thune is requesting federal disaster aid for ranchers affected by a large prairie fire in western South Dakota. Thune wrote to U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, asking for immediate aid to ranchers affected by the Cottonwood Fire. …

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Brightway Insurance Opening Agency in Oklahoma

Brightway Insurance is expanding into Oklahoma. The company said Paul Sacchieri will open the doors to Brightway, The Sacchieri Agency in Blanchard, Okla., on Oct. 24. It will be Brightway’s first location in the state. Brightway, The Sacchieri Agency is …

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Landowners File Lawsuit over 1995 Oklahoma Chemical Spill

Landowners in Kingfisher County, Oklahoma, have filed a lawsuit against a railroad company over a chemical spill caused by a train derailment two decades ago. The Journal Record reported that public documents indicate a railcar spilled about 3,300 gallons of …

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NTSB Blames Ohio Jet Crash That Killed 9 on Pilot Error

The National Transportation Safety Board has concluded the pilot in control of a corporate jet as it approached an Ohio airport improperly set the aircraft’s flaps and failed to maintain a proper speed, causing the plane to plunge into an …

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State Farm Agrees to Cut Rental Rates in California by 40%

California Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones on Wednesday announced he has obtained an agreement from State Farm General Insurance Co. to reduce their rental dwelling program policyholders’ rates statewide by an average of 40 percent. The reduction is to be effective …

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Disaster Loans Available to Mississippi Businesses Affected by Drought

The U.S. Small Business Administration says federal Economic Injury Disaster Loans are available in Mississippi as a result of a drought that began Aug. 9. The SBA said in a news release the loans would be available to small businesses, …

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South Carolina Nursing Home Accused of Negligence After Resident Drowns in Puddle

David Outlaw was a survivor, so much so that his brother can’t believe how he died, drowning in a puddle, pinned underneath his wheelchair after being left alone at the height of Hurricane Matthew to smoke outside his South Carolina …

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Attack on North Carolina GOP Office Under Investigation

Investigators combed through shards of glass, looked for residue of flammable accelerant and tried to narrow down the overnight hours when someone torched a local Republican Party office by throwing a flammable device through the window. The mayor said he …

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New Texas ‘Two-Step’ Program Aims to Simplify Workers’ Comp Disputes

The Texas Division of Workers’ Compensation is taking a promising pilot program statewide to help simplify and speed resolution of some disputes. A pilot started last year splits up related claim issues so that a hearing officer can decide the …

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McDonald’s to Pay $56.5K to Settle Federal Discrimination Case in Missouri

McDonald’s will pay a $56,500 settlement after a southeast Missouri restaurant manager refused to interview a deaf job applicant. The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission announced the settlement with McDonald’s Corp. and McDonald’s Restaurants. A message seeking comment from the …

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The Hilb Group Acquires Indiana Insurance Agency

The Hilb Group LLC (THG) has acquired Indianapolis, Indiana-based Fundamental Insurance & Retirement Planning Inc. (FIRP) The transaction was effective October 1, 2016. FIRP provides a range of insurance offerings from property and casualty to life and health for businesses and …

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Could Allstate’s ‘5 Minute’ Small Business Policy Transform Commercial Lines Sales?

At a time when technology startups are also targeting the small commercial insurance market, giant Allstate has debuted a hi-tech business insurance quoting platform that it says makes it possible for  small business owners to buy a policy in about …

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California Commissioner Issues Decision on Workers’ Comp Regulatory Filing

California Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones issued a decision regarding the Workers’ Compensation Rating Bureau’s Jan. 1, 2017 regulatory filing submitted to the California Department of Insurance in June. Jones approved all the changes to the Standard Classification System proposed by …

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Minor Flooding Follows Downpour in Nevada Wildfire Area

Fears of flooding are dissipating after rainfall helped quell a wind-whipped wildfire in Northern Nevada that destroyed 22 homes and 17 other structures in the Washoe Valley north of Carson City. Sierra Front Fire Management spokesman Mark Struble said that …

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Gender-Bias Case Against Can Microsoft Proceed, Judge Rules

A judge has allowed a class-action lawsuit alleging gender discrimination by Seattle, Wash.-based Microsoft Corp. to proceed. U.S. District Judge James Robart of Seattle in an order Friday denied the company’s request to dismiss key claims by women in the …

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Washington Employer Fined for Asbestos Violations

A Kirkland, Wash. asbestos removal contractor has been cited for several workplace health violations that reportedly put workers, contractors and homeowners at risk. The Department of Labor & Industries cited American Disaster Services Inc. a total of eight willful, serious …

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Native American Tribe Suing Connecticut for $613M for Land Taken in 1800s

A Connecticut-based Native American tribe is suing the state for at least $613 million in damages for land it says was taken from the tribal reservation more than a century ago. The Schaghticoke Tribal Nation said in the suit filed …

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New York to Test Blood of City Residents Exposed to Toxic Chemical

New York is offering free blood tests for residents of a Hudson Valley city where the water supply was contaminated with a toxic chemical in fire-fighting foam used at a nearby Air National Guard base. State Health Commissioner Howard Zucker …

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HUB International Promotes Brophy to President of East Region

HUB International, a Chicago, Ill., headquartered global insurance brokerage, has announced that Charles Brophy has been promoted to president of HUB International’s East Region, spanning from Maine to the mid-Atlantic region. His appointment will be effective January 1, 2017. He …

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New Jersey Man Sentenced to 3 Years in Prison for Insurance Fraud

New Jersey Attorney General Christopher S. Porrino and the Office of the Insurance Fraud Prosecutor announced that a Woodbridge, N.J., man was sentenced to three years in prison for reporting that his motorcycle had been stripped of its parts by …

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Judge ‘Strongly’ Inclined to Approve Volkswagen $14.7 Billion Settlement

Volkswagen AG and car owners will likely secure a federal judge’s final sign-off on their $14.7 billion settlement as the automaker continues to seek regulators’ approval of a fix for 482,000 pollution-spewing vehicles still on U.S. roads. U.S. District Judge …

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French Utility Firm Veolia Beefs Up Cyber Security to Protect Water Plants

Veolia Environnement SA, the French utility that provided drinking water to 100 million people last year, has beefed up cyber security to protect installations from hackers. “Cyber crime is the main threat for the company,” Jean-Louis Fiamenghi, the head of …

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Cobalt & Capita Plan to Launch Lloyd’s 1st Fully Shariah Compliant Syndicate

Cobalt Insurance Holdings Ltd. and Capita Managing Agency Ltd. (CMA) have announced they have taken a significant step in the launch of Lloyd’s first fully Shariah compliant syndicate after receiving “in principle” approval from Lloyd’s Franchise Board. Cobalt Founder Richard …

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France to Hike Premium Tax to Bolster Compensation Fund for Attack Victims

France plans to increase a levy on property insurance policies to 5.90 euros [$6.30] from 4.30 euros [$4.59] per contract to bolster a fund that provides compensation to victims of attacks or other criminal acts. Following the Islamist attacks in …

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EU Needs Pan-European Pension Product to Cut Complexity, Costs: Regulator

The European Union needs a common pension product because existing long-term savings offerings are too complex and costly, the region’s industry regulator said. “There are too many products and people don’t really understand them,” Gabriel Bernardino, chairman of EIOPA, the …

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Moon Appointed CEO of JLT Re Korea

JLT Re, the London-based reinsurance broker and consultant, has appointed Jong Kuk (“JK”) Moon as CEO of JLT Re Korea. Moon will be based in JLT Re’s Seoul office and will report to Kenny Moyes, CEO, JLT Re Asia. “JK …

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Philippines Readies for Super Typhoon Haima – the 2nd Storm in a Week

  The Philippines raised the storm alert for two northern provinces to its highest level as authorities moved people to safer ground, canceled work and suspended flights before Super Typhoon Haima is due to make landfall as soon as Wednesday …

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Oklahoma Waiting for Guidance on Workers’ Comp Opt Out Transition

There seems to be more questions than answers as to what happens next in the wake of the Oklahoma Supreme Court’s finding that the opt out portion of the state’s 2013 comprehensive workers’ compensation legislative overhaul is unconstitutional. That’s because …

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First Consumer Class Action Filed Over Samsung Note 7 Smartphone

Samsung Electronics Co.’s woes over the Galaxy Note 7 smartphone have moved into the courtroom. Three people who bought the phones, which were recalled because the Note 7 is prone to catching on fire and exploding, sued the electronics maker’s U.S. …

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Bill Cosby Avoids Liability for PR Reps’ Statements Over Sexual Assault Claims

Massachusetts federal judge Mark Mastroianni has rejected a bold attempt to pin liability on Bill Cosby over what his spokespersons told the press in reaction to women who accused the entertainer of sexual assault. Cosby is facing a defamation lawsuit …

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CBIZ Insurance Services Adds 3 New Staff to Sarasota, Florida Office

CBIZ has added three professionals to lead the new CBIZ Insurance Services, Inc. practice in Sarasota, Fla. Keith Mercier joins CBIZ as president of CBIZ Insurance Services, Florida, West Coast. In his new role with CBIZ, Mercier will be responsible …

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Report Shows California and New Jersey Have Highest Workers’ Comp Rates

California and New Jersey had the nation’s most expensive workers’ compensation rates, while North Dakota had the lowest rates in the nation, a new report shows. A report released this week by the Oregon Department of Consumer and Business Services …

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Cogan Appointed Chief Legal Counsel at Ohio Workers’ Comp Bureau

Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC) Administrator/CEO Sarah Morrison has appointed Kevin Cogan as the bureau’s chief legal counsel. Cogan will be a member of BWC’s executive staff, responsible for coordinating all legal activities for BWC, providing legal advice and …

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In Safety Push, Texas Troopers Riding School Buses

Some Texas troopers are giving up patrol cars and instead ride school buses in a child safety effort. The Texas Department of Public Safety says the plan is part of National School Bus Safety Week, which began Monday and runs …

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Panel to Study Cyber Security Issues at St. Jude After Heart Device Claims

Medical-device maker St. Jude Medical Inc. said it plans to set up a medical advisory board focused on cyber security issues affecting patient care and safety. St. Jude said in a statement that the group, known as the Cyber Security …

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1347 Property Insurance Holdings Reviewing Operating Plan, Shareholder Value Enhancement

Property Insurance Holdings (PIH), a property/casualty insurance holding company offering insurance to individual and commercial customers in Louisiana and Texas through its subsidiary, Maison Insurance Co. (Maison), is conducting a strategic and financial review to evaluate various means of enhancing …

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Federal Safety Board: Pilots Ignored Procedures in Fatal 2015 Ohio Crash

Levin The pilots of a charter flight that crashed last year in Akron, Ohio, killing seven employees of a Florida real estate development company, ignored multiple routine procedures and their company was lax in its oversight, an investigation has found. …

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Volunteers in Oregon Gather to Assess Damage from Tornado on Coast

Volunteers who worked to keep residents safe when a tornado ripped through a coastal Oregon town are now assessing the damage. The Oregonian/OregonLive reported that no one was hurt or killed by the tornado that ripped through Manzanita late last …

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Chubb’s ESIS Targets Alternative Markets with Unit Headed by Betancourt

ESIS Inc., Chubb’s claims and risk management services division, has launched an Alternative Markets Practice focused on non-traditional casualty risks. The practice will provide clients with access to dedicated claim service professionals with expertise in comprehensive and specialized claim handling, …

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Teens Who Use Phones While Driving Also Prone to Other Risky Behaviors

American teens who use their smartphones when they’re behind the wheel are also more likely to participate in other dangerous driving behaviors, like speeding, driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, or failing to wear a seat belt, according …

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Parts of Virginia Beach Face Long Recovery from Hurricane Matthew

For some neighborhoods in Virginia Beach, the long recovery from flooding caused by Hurricane Matthew is just beginning. On Saturday, emergency management crews and other officials toured several communities where homes were damaged. Virginia Beach emergency manager Erin Sutton says …

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JLT Specialty USA Hires Three in New York

JLT Specialty USA, a U.S. subsidiary of Jardine Lloyd Thompson Group plc. (JLT), a specialty-focused provider of insurance, reinsurance and employee benefits related advice, brokerage and services, has appointed three new team members who will be based in Latham, New …

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Tarpey Insurance Group Acquires TSB Insurance Services in Massachusetts

Tarpey Insurance Group Inc., a family owned and operated independent insurance agency headquartered in Wakefield, Mass., has acquired TSB Insurance Services, also of Wakefield, Mass. TSB Insurance Services will be relocated to Tarpey Insurance Group’s home office effective immediately following …

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Independent Insurance Investments Inc. Appoints DeLago to Board

Independent Insurance Investments Inc. (4I’s), a holding company formed to invest in non-standard personal lines automobile insurance companies and related service companies, appointed Joe DeLago, CEO of Good2Go direct marketing division, to its board of directors at its October 13 …

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AIG Sells Certain Latin American, Central and Eastern Europe Business to Fairfax

American International Group Inc. is selling its local commercial and consumer insurance operations in Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Uruguay, Venezuela and Turkey to property/casualty insurer Fairfax Financial Holdings Ltd. AIG is also selling Fairfax the renewal rights for the portfolio of …

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MS Amlin’s Rayner Joins Pioneer Underwriters as Group Director of Underwriting

Pioneer Underwriters announces that Graeme Rayner has commenced his role as group director of underwriting, reporting to Chief Executive Officer Darren Doherty. Rayner, whose appointment was first announced in August 2016, joins from MS Amlin where, prior to Mitsui Sumitomo’s …

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Slow Pace of Insurance Payouts & Rebuilding Angers Alberta Wildfire Victims

Some five months after the wildfires that devastated Fort McMurray were extinguished, anger over red tape and the slow pace of insurance payouts and permit issuance is flaring in the remote northern Canadian city. More than 1,900 structures were destroyed …

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Bad Attitudes That Get in the Way of Success at Work

“Martha has so much going for her, but she could be doing so much more for herself.” How many people do you know or work with like that? What keeps us from getting to where we want to be or …

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Auto Claims Startup Snapsheet Attracts $20 Million in Funding

Liberty Mutual and USAA are among the backers behind of Snapsheet, a startup that is developing virtual auto claims technology and services that recently closed on $20 million in new financing. Snapsheet disclosed the Series C funding round on Oct. …

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EPIC Launches Cyber Risk Insurance Platform for Small, Mid-Sized Businesses

EPIC Insurance Brokers & Consultants, a retail property, casualty insurance brokerage and employee benefits consultant, has launched its proprietary Cyber Risk and Insurance Platform tailored to small and mid-sized businesses. The initial offering of EPIC’s Financial Risk Solutions Specialty Group, …

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A.M. Best: Damage From Hurricane Matthew Won’t Affect Most Insurer Ratings

A.M. Best does not anticipate a significant number of rating actions related to Hurricane Matthew, as most rated insurance carriers have sufficient capital and appropriate reinsurance programs in place to effectively absorb this event, according to a new briefing from the …

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Supreme Court Weighs How to Figure Design Patent Damages in iPhone Case

The U.S. Supreme Court last Tuesday signaled a willingness to reduce the potentially huge penalties imposed for ripping off a patented design as it heard arguments in the legal fight over the amount Samsung should pay Apple for copying the …

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Georgia-Based Trucking Co. Ordered Off the Road After Numerous Safety Violations

A trucking company that was recently involved in an explosion while hauling automobile air bag inflators was ordered to take its vehicles off the road Oct. 7 by federal regulators who said they found a long list of serious safety …

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Hylant Names Herr SVP for Client Strategy & Resource Development in Orlando

Hylant has promoted Andria Herr to the newly created position of senior vice president, Employee Benefits Client Strategy & Resource Development. She was most recently the Orlando office president. Herr has 30 years of experience;15 years working on the carrier …

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Indiana Workers’ Comp Rates to Drop 9.3% Next Year

Indiana Department of Insurance Commissioner Stephen W. Robertson has approved a 9.3 percent reduction in workers’ compensation insurance rates that becomes effective Jan. 1, 2017. The approved rate decrease will result in savings of approximately $82.7 million dollars for Indiana …

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Texas DWI Cases at Risk as Lab Expert’s Credibility Questioned

Thousands of DWI convictions in North Texas could be jeopardized after the testimony of a state forensic scientist recently came under scrutiny, according to a newspaper report. Christopher Youngkin was involved in a 2013 lab error in which two blood …

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Texas Health Clinic Owner Sentenced for Workers’ Comp, Insurance Fraud

The owner of a Houston health clinic pled guilty to insurance fraud after billing for medical services – often provided to injured employees – despite having no licensed medical staff at the clinic, the Texas Department of Insurance reported. Instead, …

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New Workers’ Comp Law in California Causing Headaches

In advance of a possible headache brewing for workers’ compensation providers, California Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones on Monday notified all workers’ comp insurers writing policies in the state about changes to procedures related to excluded employees created by a new …

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Earthquake Policy Sales up, and May Continue to Rise Following ShakeOut

It’s still a few days until the annual Great ShakeOut earthquake drills during which people in homes, schools, and organizations practice what to do during earthquakes – the events encourage preparedness and buying policies – but sales of earthquake policies …

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MJ Insurance Adds Moore as Consultant in Arizona

MJ Insurance has added Pat Moore as an employee benefits and risk management consultant in its Phoenix, Ariz. office. Moore will drive sales and service to new and existing clients while specializing in benefits consulting and cybersecurity. Moore was previously …

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Arsons Increase in Rockford, Illinois; Some Occurring Simultaneously

Firefighters in Rockford, Illinois, are alarmed by a rise in arsons this year and urging city residents to be wary and report any suspicious activity. According to the Rockford Register Star, 35 fires in the city were set by arsonists …

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North Carolina Estimates $1.5B in Hurricane Damage to Buildings

North Carolina emergency officials have estimated that the destructive and deadly Hurricane Matthew caused $1.5 billion worth of damage to more than 100,000 homes, businesses and government buildings in the state. The state’s Department of Public Safety said in a …

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Study: Kansas’ Largest Earthquake Likely Caused by Wastewater Injection

The largest recorded earthquake in Kansas history was likely the result of wastewater injected into the ground by one or two nearby wells, according to a new study from the U.S. Geological Survey found. The 4.9 magnitude earthquake happened in …

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FEMA Extends Deadline for Louisiana Flood Aid Applications to Nov. 14

People seeking disaster aid to help them recover from Louisiana’s catastrophic August flooding have an extra month to apply for assistance. The Federal Emergency Management Agency announced this week that the deadline to register for federal disaster assistance has been …

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Jury: Oklahoma Group Home Operator to Pay $7.2M in Wrongful-Death Case

A jury has found that the operator of an Oklahoma City group home acted recklessly in connection to a man who died soon after he was relocated to the home. Mitchell Boles, 52, lived at a state-run center for the …

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Contractor’s Insurance Expected to Pay for Repairs to Damaged Kansas Supreme Court Building

Rainwater has seeped into the building that houses the Kansas Supreme Court, causing extensive damage and forcing some employees to temporarily relocate. The Kansas Judicial Center’s leaking roof, which was in the process of being fixed, was inundated by heavy …

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Weather Service: Tornado, Rain Walloped Pacific Northwest

A tornado struck an Oregon beach town, sending debris flying and toppling power lines and trees as strong winds and heavy rain walloped the Pacific Northwest over the weekend, according to the National Weather Service. Thousands of people were without …

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Testimony to Begin in Lawsuit Related to Penn State Molestation Scandal

Testimony is to begin on Monday in a whistleblower lawsuit filed by a former Penn State assistant football coach who says the university fired him after learning he was a witness against Jerry Sandusky, the former coach later convicted of …

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Idaho French Fry Maker in a Twist over Alleged Fry Design Infringement

Two major french fry producers are facing a court battle over a new twisty fry design. The Times-News  reports the J.R. Simplot company of Boise, Idaho filed a patent infringement lawsuit against McCain Foods in U.S. District Court on Friday, …

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Former University of Hawaii Student Sues over Emotional Abuse

A former University of Hawaii student and Air Force veteran has sued the university and one of his professors for allegedly attacking him with “violent outbursts and irrational verbal and physical abuse.” Kenton Asao filed a lawsuit in Circuit Court …

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Owner of Washington Asbestos Company Pleads Guilty to Fake Certifications

The owner of a company that provided federally mandated training for construction firms that work with asbestos has pleaded guilty to giving certifications to people he knew had not taken his course. U.S. Attorney Annette Hayes says Isaac Cole owned …

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Trial Starts in Defamation Suit Over Rolling Stone Rape Story

A defamation lawsuit against Rolling Stone magazine over its debunked story of a University of Virginia gang rape is set to start in federal court on Monday. University administrator Nicole Eramo is seeking a total of $7.85 million in damages …

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Virginia Police Urge Caution When Making Post Hurricane Matthew Repairs

Virginia State Police are urging residents to be cautious as they repair their homes and vehicles that suffered damage during Hurricane Matthew. Officials with the State Police Insurance Fraud say residents should check with their insurance provider to make sure …

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Northwest Insurance Services to Acquire Pennsylvania’s Winans Insurance

Northwest Insurance Services, a Warren, Penn., headquartered subsidiary of Northwest Bank, has signed a definitive agreement effective November 1 to acquire Winans Insurance & Employee Benefits, a property and casualty insurance and employee benefits firm also located in Warren, Penn. …

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CNA Appoints Kaas to Senior Vice President and Mid-Atlantic Zone Officer

CNA has appointed John Kaas to senior vice president and Mid-Atlantic zone officer. In this role, Kaas will be responsible for advancing the strategic direction of the territory, which includes CNA’s branches in Baltimore, New Jersey, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Richmond and …

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Maine’s The MEMIC Group Hires Levesque

The MEMIC Group, a Portland, Maine, headquartered workers’ compensation specialist, has appointed Adam Levesque as safety management consultant to provide safety training services and advice to MEMIC’s customer base in New Hampshire. Levesque has more than 10 years of environmental …

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Insurers Take Risk in Not Growing Technology Budgets in Age of Disruption: Novarica

Despite the increased challenges facing insurers from new technology-enabled competitors, insurers’ 2017 information technology budgets look a lot like those of prior years, according to consulting firm Novarica. Novarica’s annual study of U.S. insurer IT budgets and projects analyzes results …

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U.S. Says Trade Talks with Britain Not Possible Until Brexit Resolved

Britain needs to sort out its relationship with the European Union before it can begin to talk to the United States about any post-Brexit trade deal, U.S. Trade Representative Michael Froman said in Geneva on Monday. “The practicality is that …

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UK’s Century Underwriting Launches Liability Division, Senior Leaders Named

Century Underwriting, the London-based specialist commercial managing general agent, has launched a new liability underwriting division and made two senior appointments to support its growth. Tony Collman has been appointed to lead the development and growth of the division with new …

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Typhoon Sarika Hits Philippines, Killing at Least 2 People, Displacing Thousands

Typhoon Sarika made landfall in eastern Philippines on Sunday after leaving at least two people dead a day earlier, thousands of villagers displaced and hundreds of planes grounded. Locally named Karen, the typhoon weakened after hitting the town of Baler, …

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Lloyd’s Names Revilla as Head of Latin America

Lloyd’s has appointed Daniel Revilla as head of Latin America responsible for enhancing business relationships and trading rights across the region for the benefit of the Lloyd’s market. He will also assume the role of country manager for Mexico and …

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Arkansas Court: Voters to Decide Medical Marijuana Plan

Voters will have their say on at least one medical marijuana proposal this November, the Arkansas Supreme Court ruled on Oct. 13. Justices sided with supporters of a proposed constitutional amendment that would allow patients with certain medical conditions to …

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10 Takeaways from the Future of Insurance and InsureTech Connect Conference

You’ve probably heard. There is tremendous investor interest right now in technology-first insurance startups, or insurtech firms. The first InsureTech Connect Conference in Las Vegas in early October attracted an estimated 1,500 tech entrepreneurs, investors and insurance executives from around …

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