Chubb Broadens Cyber Enterprise Risk Management Products

Chubb has broadened its enterprise risk management options for Chubb commercial cyber policyholders in the United States and Canada. Two new policy forms, Cyber Enterprise Risk Management (Cyber ERM) and DigiTech Enterprise Risk Management (DigiTech ERM), combine cyber insurance with …

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NORCAL Mutual Now Offering Insurance to Nebraska Physicians

NORCAL Mutual Insurance Company will began offering medical professional liability insurance in Nebraska on Sept. 1. This is the latest in NORCAL’s national expansion, which now reaches 38 states, including the District of Columbia. NORCAL provides insurance for physicians and …

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Southeast States Feel Effects of Harvey

Rains from Harvey are inundating coastal Alabama with floodwaters and forcing the Tennessee Valley Authority to lower lake levels in north Alabama. Authorities say numerous roads were covered with water in Mobile and Baldwin counties Wednesday morning, and conditions could …

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Analysis: 4 Things Houston Area Must Do to Prevent Future Flooding Disasters

An unprecedented amount of rain has fallen on the Houston area due to Hurricane Harvey, causing what’s likely the worst flooding event that the nation’s sixth-largest metropolitan area has ever experienced — even worse than 2001’s Tropical Storm Allison. This …

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House to Vote Next Week on Bill to Speed Autonomous Vehicles

The U.S. House of Representatives will vote Wednesday on a sweeping proposal to speed the deployment of self-driving cars without human controls and bar states from blocking autonomous vehicles, congressional aides said. The bill, which was passed unanimously by a …

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Ford Working on Self-Driving Technology for Pizza Delivery to Larger Trucks

Ford Motor Co. is considering deploying self-driving vehicle technology in larger commercial vehicles and is working with multiple partners to put its autonomous vehicles on the road, a senior Ford executive told Reuters on Tuesday. “We’ve been talking with different …

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Arkema Plant Fires Underscore Chemical Industry Risk Management Challenge

In its devastatingly slow crawl up the industrial Gulf Coast, Hurricane Harvey is proving to be the biggest test yet of the safety and vulnerabilities of the U.S. chemicals industry. A Houston-area chemical plant was hit by explosions overnight after …

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As Harvey Winds Down, Hurricane Irma Waiting in Wings

Hurricane Harvey has left major devastation in Texas, but there is another hurricane called Irma out in the Atlantic that could take aim at the United States within the next week or so. Irma became a hurricane early on Thursday …

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Thousands of Harvey Victims Rescued; At Least 38 Deaths; Damage Survey Begins

Soldiers and police in helicopters and high-water trucks rescued thousands of Texans stranded by floodwater from Hurricane Harvey on Thursday, which has killed dozens of people and displaced more than a million others as it drenches the Gulf Coast. Some …

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Judge Says Yahoo Must Face Data Breach Lawsuit

A U.S. judge said Yahoo must face nationwide litigation brought on behalf of well over 1 billion users who said their personal information was compromised in three massive data breaches. Wednesday night’s decision from U.S. District Judge Lucy Koh in …

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Harvey Motivates Nashville to Revisit $100M Flood Protection Plan

A Tennessee city will revisit flood protection plans following flooding in Texas from Tropical Storm Harvey, which came ashore last week as a hurricane. WPLN-FM reports the Nashville Metro Council will meet next month to consider building a floodwall system, …

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Chemical Fumes at Tennessee Filter Plant Sickens 24 Workers

Officials say chemical fumes have sickened 24 workers at a Tennessee plant that makes filters. Chattanooga Fire Department spokesman Bruce Garner told media the incident was reported about 10 a.m. Wednesday at Southern Filter Media. He said workers were using …

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Reese Joins Integro as Principal in Chicago Office

International broker and risk management firm Integro Insurance Brokers has hired Matt Reese as a principal for business development within the national sales practice across all lines of property and casualty insurance, as well as employee benefits. He will be …

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Alliant Americas Adds Bray as VP in Houston

Alliant has added Billy Bray as vice president within the company’s Alliant Americas division. He is based in Houston. Bray joins Alliant with a proven track record of developing targeted solutions that help clients from a broad range of industries …

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Texas Workers’ Comp Division Releases Disaster Guidelines for Insurers

The Texas Department of Insurance – Division of Workers’ Compensation has issued guidelines for insurers concerning workers’ compensation claims filed by insureds in counties named in Gov. Greg Abbott’s Hurricane Harvey disaster proclamation. TDI-DWC said that for the duration disaster …

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Twitty Named Senior VP at Dexter & Co. in Dallas

Dallas-based insurance and risk management firm Dexter & Company has added Jeff Twitty to its team as senior vice president. A seasoned insurance professional with more than 30 years of commercial insurance experience, Twitty joins Dexter from Frost Insurance where …

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4,500 Evacuated as Oregon Wildfires Burn

Wildfires in Oregon are burning an area roughly equivalent to half the state of Rhode Island, affecting air quality throughout the state and forcing the evacuations of more than 4,500 people, fire authorities said on Aug. 30 Two dozen fires …

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Man Arrested, Suspected of Igniting Fire Near Hard-Hit California Town

Authorities on Aug. 30 arrested a man suspected of starting an illegal campfire believed to have ignited a growing Northern California blaze that destroyed 10 homes, damaged five others and threatened hundreds more. The wildfire sparked near the town of …

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Soriano Appointed as New Confie CEO

Huntington Beach, Calif.-based Confie, a national insurance services organization that specializes in personal and small commercial lines of insurance, has appointed Cesar Soriano as chief executive officer, effective immediately. Mordy Rothberg, the company’s founder and executive chairman will continue to …

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PEMCO Insurance Launching Rideshare Driver Endorsement in Oregon

Seattle-based PEMCO Insurance announced it is introducing its auto policy endorsement for rideshare drivers in Oregon on Sept. 1. The company said the endorsement enhances personal auto policies for rideshare drivers, providing them additional coverage and lower deductibles. The product …

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How Risks Change When Recreation Turns to Adventure

Vacationers and tourists are no longer content to sit and relax; they want adventure. The global adventure tourism market is forecast to grow by as much as 46 percent by 2020, according to the Global Adventure Tourism Market 2016-2020 report …

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Law’s Ambiguity a Source of Mixed Messages Over Texas Cat Claims Statute

Ambiguity surrounding a Texas law that goes into effect on Sept. 1 has insurance industry representatives and attorneys who represent insurance policyholders sending conflicting messages to insureds who may have suffered property damage from Hurricane Harvey. HB 1774 was originally …

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35K Harvey Flood Insurance Claims Filed by Noon on Aug. 30

The government-run U.S. flood insurance program had already received 35,000 claims as of noon on Wednesday as a result of catastrophic flooding in Texas, according to the program’s director. “This is a very fast clip for them to move,” said …

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Jack Nebel Companies Promotes Brian Nebel to President

The Jack Nebel Companies, a Palatine, Illinois-based managing general agent and wholesale broker has promoted Brian Nebel to president. Additionally, founder Jack Nebel is moving into the role of chairman of the board and will remain with the agency on …

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Stonetrust Entering Nebraska Workers’ Comp Market

Omaha, Nebraska-based Method Insurance Services announced it will be the exclusive distribution channel for Stonetrust Commercial Insurance Co. as it enters the Nebraska workers’ compensation market. “Stonetrust is a Nebraska domestic insurer and is pleased to partner with Omaha based …

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Dog Owners Reach $300K Settlement in Death of Missouri Man

The owners of dogs that authorities believe killed an elderly Christian County, Missouri, bicyclist will pay a $300,000 settlement to the victim’s son. Joseph and Lindsay Brink agreed to pay the money to Vernon Vogt, the son of 85-year-old Werner …

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Global Study Finds No Increased Lung Cancer Risk for Hard Metal Workers

Workers in the hard metal industry are not at increased risk for lung cancer or any of 63 other potential causes of death, concluded the largest study on this population to date. The University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public …

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Harvey Bears Down on Louisiana as Flooding Paralyzes Houston

Tropical Storm Harvey bore down on Louisiana on Wednesday, pouring down more water after setting rainfall records in Texas that caused catastrophic flooding and paralyzed the U.S. energy hub of Houston. The storm that first came ashore on Friday as …

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Oregon Wildfires Have Cost Taxpayers More Than $100M in 2017

Oregon wildfires already have burned nearly 500 square miles this year, as one of the state’s many multimillion-dollar forest fires this season smolders and flares away. The Register-Guard reported the blaze, started by lightning in remote, steep terrain on the …

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Colorado Police Officer Arrested for Alleged Fraudulent Insurance Claims

A Colorado police officer indicted by a state grand jury was arrested on multiple felony counts for allegedly lying about his home and car being burglarized and collecting nearly $60,000 in fraudulent insurance claims. The Aspen Daily News reported Silt …

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Allianz Acquires Nigeria’s Ensure Insurance to Expand in Key African Market

Allianz Group announced a binding agreement to acquire 98 percent of Nigerian insurer Ensure Insurance Plc. from its core shareholder Greenoaks Global Holdings Ltd. Financial details of the transaction were not disclosed. Ensure Insurance Plc. offers life and non-life insurance …

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Personal Lines Startup Sherpa Raises $2.3M for UK Launch

Insurtech startup, Sherpa, announced it has raised $2.3 million in funding from angel investors, in a venture designed to “change the way personal insurance is delivered.” “We have completely re-thought the way insurance has worked for 100’s of years,” says …

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Connecticut Man Sentenced for Role in Car Insurance Fraud Scheme

A Connecticut man originally from Haiti has been sentenced for his role in a scheme to defraud insurance companies through staged car crashes. Jacques Fleurijeune was sentenced Monday in federal court in New Haven, Conn., to five months in prison …

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Two Delaware Residents Indicted After Insurance Fraud Investigation

After an investigation by the Department of Insurance Fraud Prevention Bureau, two Wilmington, Del., residents were indicted on Monday, August 7, 2017, by a New Castle County grand jury. Lisa Mitchell and Robert Jones were indicted on two felony counts …

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Element Risk Finalizes Acquisition of Virginia’s Russell Insurance Agency

Element Risk Management, a West Chester, Penn.-headquartered, privately held insurance firm, has finalized the acquisition of Russell Insurance Agency Inc., based in Front Royal, Va. The acquisition will be Element Risk’s first in the Commonwealth of Virginia and will serve …

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Insurance Industry Opens Hurricane Harvey Disaster Relief Fund

The nonprofit Insurance Industry Charitable Foundation (IICF) has established the IICF Hurricane Harvey Disaster Relief Fund to assist victims affected by Hurricane Harvey. IICF said it will collect and report on the total of all donations made through this fund, …

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UK Insurers Face Looming Brexit Deadline on Moving Contracts with EU Clients

Insurers in Britain face crunchtime within weeks if the government and the European Union do not allow millions of cross-border policies to continue to run undisturbed beyond Brexit. While Britain is not due to leave the bloc until March 2019, …

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Insurers Deploy Drone Fleets to Speed Harvey Disaster Recovery

Fleets of commercial drones are primed to hover over the destruction from Tropical Storm Harvey in an unprecedented test of unmanned aircraft’s ability to assess billions of dollars in damage for the insurance industry and accelerate payouts for harried policyholders. …

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Banks Seek More Insurance Protection Against Cyber Attacks, Rogue Traders

Banks are increasingly turning to insurance to protect their capital from “operational risks” like cyber attacks and rogue traders, and insurers say they can help safeguard lenders by providing an extra layer of expertise. After a spate of expensive court …

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Fidelis Names Novae’s Burford as Chairman of Specialised Risks in London

Fidelis Insurance announced that Ian Burford will join the London underwriting team as chairman of Specialised Risks, effective Sept. 4, 2017. Bringing over 30 years of experience in the London insurance market, Burford will focus on identifying opportunities to expand …

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Toyota Makes Strategic Investment in Grab, SE Asia’s Leading Ride-Sharing Firm

Toyota Motor Corp. is pushing deeper into the ride-sharing business. The Japanese carmaker is making a strategic investment in Grab, Southeast Asia’s leading ride-hailing operator, and said it will work with the company to provide services in Southeast Asia. Toyota …

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Beazley Expands Coverage for Social Engineering, Online Fraud Scams

Beazley has launched a new excess policy for the U.S. market that significantly expands the protection available to firms that fall victim to impersonation scams by fraudsters convincing employees to wire funds to external accounts. According to Beazley, this and …

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West Virginia Doctor Gets 20 Years in Prison for Illegally Distributing Painkillers

A West Virginia doctor accused of illegally distributing painkillers to three patients who later died has been sentenced to 20 years in federal prison. Dr. Michael Kostenko, who faced 22 charges, admitted at the second day of his trial in …

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Tennessee Valley Authority Steps Up Monitoring Near Memphis Water Supply

The Tennessee Valley Authority says it is installing 24 more monitoring wells at a coal-fired power plant where high levels of arsenic and lead were found in groundwater. A TVA statement Aug. 24 said it continues to investigate how the …

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Barber Appointed President of S.S. Nesbitt in Alabama, Johnson to Lead Benefits Practice

S.S. Nesbitt & Co. Inc., a Southeastern insurance agency and division of EBSCO Industries Inc., has appointed insurance veteran Paul Barber as president. Barber comes to S.S. Nesbitt after having spent 25 years in a variety of leadership roles at …

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Harvey Update: Trump Vows Model Recovery; Thousands Rescued; Deaths, Costs Increasing

With Texas still being lashed by rain and rescues still underway, President Donald Trump vowed that the government’s response to Hurricane Harvey would serve as a model for disaster recovery. “We want to be looked at five years, 10 years …

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Study Keys on Opioids in California Comp Claims Involving Mental Health

A new study shows the prevalence of opioids in workers’ compensation claims involving mental health. The study by the California Workers’ Compensation Institute tracks changes in the prevalence, volume and strength of opioid prescriptions in California work injury lost-time claims …

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California DOI Hearing Date Set for Workers’ Comp Pure Premium Rate Filing

The California Department of Insurance announced that it will hold a public hearing on Oct. 5 to consider the Workers’ Compensation Insurance Rating Bureau’s Jan. 1, 2018 pure premium rate filing. The filing was submitted to the CDI on Aug. …

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Zalewski Named Chair of California Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board

California Gov. Jerry Brown has named Katherine Zalewski chair on the California Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board. Zalewski served on the board since her appointment by Brown in 2014. Prior to her appointment, she joined the Department of Industrial Relations as …

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S&P: Primary P/C Insurers, Not Reinsurers, to Bear Brunt of Harvey’s Insured Losses

While it’s too early to accurately quantify the insured losses related to Hurricane Harvey, primary insurance carriers — as opposed to reinsurers — would retain the majority of losses, according to analysts at S&P Global Ratings. Regional and local primary …

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Illinois Governor Vetoes 2nd Workers’ Comp Bill

Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner has vetoed another workers’ compensation reform bill that was strongly opposed by the insurance industry. He has nixed HB2525, which would have required pre-approval of workers’ comp insurance rates. The legislative analysis of the bill stated …

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Illinois Governor Vetoes 2nd Workers’ Comp Bill

Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner has vetoed another workers’ compensation reform bill that was strongly opposed by the insurance industry. He has nixed HB2525, which would have required pre-approval of workers’ comp insurance rates. The legislative analysis of the bill stated …

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Judge Rules Against Iowa DOT in Noncommercial Vehicles Citations Case

Another judge has ruled that Iowa Department of Transportation officers didn’t have authority to issue speeding tickets to drivers of noncommercial vehicles. The Des Moines Register reports Scott County District Associate Judge Christine Dalton says if officers had the authority …

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Davis Named Operations Director at Powers Insurance and Risk Management

St. Louis Missouri-based POWERS Insurance and Risk Management and sister company Valley Insurance Agency Alliance (VIAA) has named Tim Davis as director of Operations for both firms. Davis will oversee both administrative and organizational systems, which includes everything from human …

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Texas Regulators Offer Guidance to Insurers on Harvey Response

The Texas Department of Insurance has issued several bulletins offering guidance to insurers related to Hurricane Harvey, which made landfall near Rockport, Texas, late on Aug. 25. The bulletins are in response to the proclamation by Gov. Greg Abbott declaring …

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CoreLogic: 52% of Houston Moderate, High Risk Properties Not in Flood Zone

Irvine, Calif.-based CoreLogic has conducted an analysis for the flooding occurring as a result of Hurricane Harvey. This analysis shows that 52 percent of residential and commercial properties in the Houston metro are at “High” or “Moderate” risk of flooding, …

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P/C Insurers Lost $5.1 Billion on Underwriting in First Half of 2016: A.M. Best

The U.S. property/casualty (P/C) industry recorded a net underwriting loss of $5.1 billion for the first six months of 2017, according to preliminary results, compared with a $2.0 billion loss in the same period a year ago. This financial review …

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Colorado Tells Sessions That Pot Industry Is Working And Can Be Better

Colorado’s legal marijuana industry is working – and can work better with federal collaboration, the state’s governor and Republican attorney general told U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions in a letter. Gov. John Hickenlooper and Attorney General Cynthia Coffman urged Sessions …

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HUB California Adds Brown & Brown’s Caster as Account Executive

HUB International of California has named Adam Caster an account executive and producer in its La Palma office. Caster reports to Steve Vicencia, executive vice president of HUB International Insurance Services Inc. Caster has been in the risk management and …

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California Bill Targets Sexual Harassment by Venture Capitalists

A rash of sexual harassment scandals this summer involving venture capitalists has laid bare a major weakness in laws meant to protect workers from unwelcome advances. While legislation is clear on many workplace interactions, there’s next to nothing on the …

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AXIS’ Acquisition of Novae Approved in Shareholder Vote

AXIS Capital Holdings Ltd. announced that shareholders of Novae Group have approved the company’s acquisition by AXIS. Approximately 99.97 percent of shareholder votes were cast in favor of the deal. AXIS announced last week it had substantially sweetened its offer …

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IGI Appoints Jabsheh as Executive Director, IGI UK, in Expanded Company Role

International General Insurance Holdings Ltd. (IGI), the specialist commercial insurer and reinsurer, has announced the appointment of Waleed Jabsheh as executive director of IGI UK as part of the company’s plans to grow in new and existing markets. Jabsheh will …

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New York’s Cybersecurity Regulation Compliance Requirements Go Into Effect

Financial Services Superintendent Maria T. Vullo reminded all entities covered by the New York State Department of Financial Services’ (DFS) cybersecurity regulation that yesterday, August 28, 2017, was the first compliance date of this first-in-the-nation cybersecurity regulation. “With cyber-attacks on …

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Trial Nears for Final Defendant in Delaware Murder-For-Hire Case

A judge is holding a final case review for the last of four defendants charged in the murder-for-hire killings of a Delaware couple. Monday’s court proceeding comes as a trial looms for Dominique Benson in the 2013 deaths of Joseph …

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Insurers Will Easily Swallow Harvey’s Claims but Growing Climate Risk Predicted

Damages from Hurricane Harvey’s ravaging of Houston and the Texas Gulf Coast are estimated to be well below those from the major storms that hit New Orleans and New York in recent years, insurance executives have said. Though insurers should …

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Massachusetts Prosecutors Seek $13M in Deadly Meningitis Outbreak

Boston federal prosecutors are seeking more than $13 million from a Massachusetts pharmacy co-founder who was sentenced to prison in a nationwide meningitis outbreak that killed 76 people and sickened hundreds more. The Boston Globe reports that the U.S. Attorney’s …

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Vermont’s The Richards Group Joins The Northern United Agents Alliance

The Northern United Agents Alliance (NUAA) has announced that The Richards Group of Brattleboro, Vermont, has joined NUAA along with Davis & Towle Insurance Group of Concord, N.H., and Eaton & Berube Insurance Agency of Nashua, N.H., as a founder …

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Abuse of Nursing Home Residents Often Goes Unreported

More than 1 in 4 cases of possible sexual and physical abuse against nursing home patients apparently went unreported to police, says a government audit that faults Medicare for failing to enforce a federal law requiring immediate notification. The Health …

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Schwarzenegger to Raise Awareness of UK’s Payment Protection Insurance Scandal

The animatronic head of actor and former California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger mounted on tank tracks urges consumers to “make a decision,” in a campaign launched on Tuesday to raise awareness of Britain’s costliest consumer mis-selling scandal. The Financial Conduct Authority …

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Uber Provides Free Accident Insurance for More Than 450,000 Indian Drivers

Uber Technologies Inc. rolled out a free insurance program for more than 450,000 drivers registered on its ride-hailing app in India, seeking to attract more drivers. The San Francisco-based company, which this week chose a new chief executive officer, said …

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Lloyd’s Insurers’ Stocks Fall on Possible Claims from Hurricane Harvey

Lloyd’s of London insurers dropped amid speculation that they will suffer losses from Tropical Storm Harvey that’s battering Houston, the epicenter of the U.S. oil industry. The storm, which which made landfall as a category 4 hurricane and then drifted …

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Harvey’s Insured Losses Hurt Insurers’ Stocks But Could Help Reinsurers’ Prices

Hurricane Harvey’s whipsaw of wind and rain across Houston and the Texas Gulf Coast hurt the shares of U.S. property and casualty insurers on Monday as Wall Street analysts estimated insured losses as high as $20 billion. That would make …

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AIG Revives Lucrative Top Executive Pay Packages of Pre-Bailout Glory Days

American International Group Inc.’s new Chief Executive Brian Duperreault has pledged to revive the insurer’s glory days of top talent, underwriting discipline and fat profit margins. One thing he has already brought back: big pay packages. As he rejoined AIG …

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Tornado in Florida Causes Damage to Several Buildings

A tornado damaged buildings and cars and toppled trees in Florida but no one was hurt. The Bradenton Herald reports that the tornado struck Saturday night in Manatee County with winds of 70 mph (112 kph). The newspaper says several …

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Barbour to Take Over as CEO of Independent Insurance Agents of Georgia

Independent Insurance Agents of Georgia (IIAG) announced that John Barbour, currently vice president of Governmental Affairs, will serve as its new chief executive officer. Barbour will lead the association beginning Sept. 1, 2017. Barbour joined Big “I” Georgia in August …

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Key House Chairman Wants Flood Insurance Reforms, Not Just Renewal

A key Republican said Hurricane Harvey will spur Congress to reach a deal to fund the nation’s flood insurance program before it expires next month, even though divisions persist over how much the federal government should be on the hook …

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Trump to Send Congress ‘Very Expensive’ Disaster Aid Request for Harvey Victims

U.S. lawmakers are expected to pass a large aid package for victims of Hurricane Harvey, but specifics of the plan and its price tag are unclear as Congress awaits a funding request from the Trump administration. Rain continued to pound …

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CNA, Aon Affinity to Offer Malpractice Program for Dental Practices

CNA and Aon Affinity, the affinity business of Aon plc, have partnered to offer dental firms nationwide malpractice coverage to meet the evolving needs of dental practices. The coverage combines the experience of both firms in the dental malpractice insurance …

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NCCI Files 10% Reduction in Workers’ Comp Loss Costs for West Virginia

West Virginia employers will see a projected $21 million reduction in workers’ compensation premiums in the coming year, according to a recent statement from Gov. Jim Justice. The National Council on Compensation Insurance (NCCI) has filed a proposed reduction of …

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No Evacuation for Louisiana Parish in Harvey’s Path

Dick Gremillion has watched Houston officials come under fire for deciding not to order an evacuation ahead of the epic flooding that has left hundreds of people in the country’s fourth-largest city trapped in their homes. But as the Louisiana …

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Harvey Could Inflict Even More Death and Destruction as Flood Waters Rise

Flood waters from Tropical Storm Harvey, which has already killed at least seven people in Texas and was expected to drive tens of thousands from their homes, are likely to rise, officials warned on Monday, as heavy rain continued to …

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CoreLogic: 52% of Houston Moderate, High Risk Properties not in Flood Zone

Irvine, Calif.-based CoreLogic has conducted an analysis for the flooding occurring as a result of Hurricane Harvey. This analysis shows that 52 percent of residential and commercial properties in the Houston metro are at “High” or “Moderate” risk of flooding, …

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North Carolina Residents File Suit to Halt Energy Co’s Bid to Waive Legal Claims

Nine neighbors living near Duke Energy’s unlined coal ash pits want North Carolina courts to block the nation’s largest electric company from offering a $5,000 payment to neighbors that give up the option of suing over future water problems. The …

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West Virginia Miner Who Survived 2006 Sago Blast Dies on Job

A coal miner who died on the job in West Virginia was the brother of one of the 12 killed in the Sago Mine disaster of 2006. The Charleston Gazette-Mail reports that authorities identified the miner found dead Friday as …

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IIAV ‘Redoubling’ Hurricane Preparedness Efforts Since Following Harvey’s Texas Impact

The Independent Insurance Agents of Virginia (IIAV) is motivated to redouble its efforts around hurricane preparedness, particularly as it relates to flood damage, since following Hurricane Harvey’s impact in Texas, according to President and CEO Robert Bradshaw in an emailed …

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Berkley Program Specialists Hires Greville as VP, Business Development

Naperville, Ill.-based Berkley Program Specialists has appointed Michael Greville as vice president and business development officer. Greville will oversee the new business strategy for the organization. He is responsible for managing prospective program administrator relationships nationwide, as well as engaging …

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Sioux Falls, S.D., Sees Drop in People Working Finance, Insurance Jobs

The finance industry has lost hundreds of workers in the past three years as health care and retail companies continue growing their workforce in the area. The Argus Leader reports that finance and insurance companies employed just under 14,000 people …

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Ironshore’s Singapore Branch Introduces Legal Event Expense Cover

Ironshore Insurance Ltd., Singapore Branch, has introduced a specialty professional lines product that offers protection for after-the-event legal expenses to mitigate commercial litigation loss exposure. Ironshore’s after-the-event legal expenses product provides insurance against adverse costs awards in commercial litigation. The …

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Nevada Gambling Regulators Don’t Want Marijuana in Casinos

Nevada’s gambling regulators are grappling with how to deal with the state’s latest legal vice – recreational marijuana – and they’ve made it clear that pot doesn’t belong in casinos. In the first of a series of policy discussions, the …

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Judge Won’t Block Challenge to Seattle’s Rideshare Driver Union Law

For the second time this month, a federal judge has rejected a challenge to Seattle’s first-in-the-nation law allowing drivers of ridesharing companies such as Uber and Lyft to unionize over pay and working conditions. U.S. District Judge Robert Lasnik rejected …

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Compre Acquires Legacy Portfolio from Noway’s Gjensidige Forsikring

Compre, the London-based insurance and reinsurance legacy specialist, announced it has acquired a further legacy portfolio from Norwegian insurer Gjensidige Forsikring ASA for an undisclosed sum. The portfolio comprises U.S. asbestos, pollution and health hazard (APH) risks underwritten between 1983 …

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Lawyers: Massachusetts Withheld Evidence About Breathalyzers

Lawyers representing 750 drunken driving defendants in Massachusetts say the state withheld evidence that might show Breathalyzer results were flawed. The Boston Globe reports the lawyers believe they are missing about 400 potentially exculpatory documents detailing the calibration of the …

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Former New Jersey Transit Worker Says He Was Fired for Raising Safety Concerns

A recently fired New Jersey Transit compliance officer told lawmakers on Friday that he was terminated for raising safety and other concerns and that the agency is a “runaway train.” Todd Barretta told a joint Assembly and Senate oversight committee …

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New Hampshire’s G&A Insurance Joins Northern United Agents Alliance

The Northern United Agents Alliance (NUAA) of Concord, N.H., has announced that G&A Insurance of Dover, N.H., has joined the NUAA as a participating member. G&A Insurance is a locally-owned, full-service agency that was formed in April 2011. The team …

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Data Firm TransUnion Buys Driving Records Provider Datalink

Data provider TransUnion sad it has completed the acquisition of Datalink Services Inc., also known as Compass Driving Records, a nationwide provider of vehicle and driving records and driver pre-screening services. Chris Cartwright, president of TransUnion’s USIS division, said Datalink …

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Harvey’s Catastrophic Costs Mount; Many Lack Adequate Insurance

Hurricane Harvey’s second act across southern Texas is turning into an economic catastrophe — with damages likely to stretch into tens of billions of dollars and an unusually large share of victims lacking adequate insurance, according to early estimates. Harvey’s …

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Typhoon Hato Will Have Limited Financial Impact on Macau Insurers: A.M. Best

Typhoon Hato will have only a moderate impact on the earnings of rated non-life insurers in Macau, and a limited effect on their financial strength, according to A.M. Best. On Aug. 23, 2017, Typhoon Hato (Category 2 on the Saffir-Simpson …

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25 Years Later…What If an Andrew-Type Storm Hit Florida Today?

Though Florida hasn’t suffered a category 5 storm since Hurricane Andrew hit the north Miami area on Aug. 24 1992, the risk of such a storm has not gone away or even declined. In fact, the state’s risk of destruction …

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South Carolina Private School Sued Over Disclosure of Private Student Medical Info

A parent has sued a South Carolina private school the same day the school sent out an email that included private medical information about 86 students. The lawsuit said an email Friday from the school nurse asking for updates on …

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High Cost, Scarcity of Insurance Keeping Vendors from Sears Shelves

U.S. department store operator Sears Holdings Corp. is having trouble stocking shelves, as some vendors have fled while others are demanding stricter payment terms because of difficulties hedging against default risk. The strain in Sears’ supply chain is exacerbated by …

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Harvey’s Flooding of Houston ‘Beyond Anything Experienced Before’

Catastrophic flooding triggered by Tropical Storm Harvey inundated Houston on Sunday, forcing residents of the fourth most populous U.S. city to flee their homes in boats or hunker down in anticipation of several more days of “unprecedented” rainfall. Harvey came …

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Hurricane Harvey Could Spur Congress to Act on Flood Insurance

The destruction that heavy rain and floods from Hurricane Harvey could inflict on Texas would add to the pile of debt owed by a federal flood insurance program that is due to expire in September, advocacy groups said. The National …

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Hurricane Harvey’s Flood Losses Could Match Katrina’s

Flood damage in Texas from Hurricane Harvey may equal that from 2005’s Hurricane Katrina, the costliest natural disaster in U.S. history, said an insurance research group on Sunday. As heavy rain pounded Houston and Texas’s coastal counties, the Insurance Information …

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Arkansas Task Force: State Should Bar Dicamba Herbicide Next Year

An Arkansas task force has advised the state to bar sprayings after April 15 next year of agricultural herbicides containing the chemical dicamba, which has been linked to crop damage across the U.S. farm belt, a state spokeswoman said. The …

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Cruise Ship Passengers Stranded in Gulf by Harvey

Cruise ships carrying thousands of passengers were stranded in the Gulf last Friday as Hurricane Harvey, a Category 4 storm, came ashore in the middle of the Texas coast, closing the Port of Galveston. Carnival Corp. said that three of …

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Hurricane Harvey Shutters Key Oil, Gas Operations in Texas

Key oil and gas facilities along the Texas Gulf Coast have temporarily shut down as Hurricane Harvey pounds the region with torrential rain and high winds, virtually assuring gasoline prices will rise in the storm’s aftermath. Even before the Harvey …

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St. Louis Workers Likely to See Wage Drop with New Law

Thousands of workers in St. Louis will likely see smaller paychecks starting Monday, when a new Missouri law takes effect barring local government from enacting minimum wages different than the state minimum. The law is drawing protests in St. Louis …

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Harvey Smashes Homes, Businesses; Heavy Rain Continues

Hurricane Harvey rolled over the Texas Gulf Coast on Saturday, smashing homes and businesses and lashing the shore with wind and rain so intense that drivers were forced off the road because they could not see in front of them. …

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Insurers Have Mobilized Adjusters for Harvey Cat Losses

Teams of insurance adjusters were mobilized Friday in Texas cities closest to Hurricane Harvey’s expected path of destruction. Hurricane Harvey made landfall late Friday evening as a category 4 hurricane. According to AIR Worldwide, “the eye of the storm crossed …

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How Hurricane Harvey Is Affecting Catastrophe Bonds

Bonds tied to weather risks tumbled the most in seven months as Hurricane Harvey advanced on Texas’s Gulf Coast. The Swiss Re Cat Bond Price Return Index dropped 0.44 percent this week, the steepest decline since January. The benchmark, which …

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Saturday Update: Hurricane Harvey Weakens to Cat 1, Downgrade to Tropical Storm Likely

Hurricane Harvey weakened to a category 1 hurricane as it moved inland over Texas on Saturday and would likely become a tropical storm later, the U.S. National Hurricane Center said. Harvey was the strongest storm in more than 50 years …

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Harvey Hits Texas With Massive Winds, Torrential Rain

Harvey became the strongest hurricane to hit Texas in more than 50 years, making landfall in the heart of the U.S. energy sector and bringing the danger of a life-threatening storm surge. Harvey came ashore as a Category 4 storm …

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Insurance Pros Make Case for Diversity at IICF Conference in California

The Insurance Industry Charitable Foundation on Thursday convened Southern California insurance industry leaders to explore the impact of fostering an inclusive work environment, with an estimated 200 attendees at its Women in Insurance Conference Series luncheon in Los Angeles. Two …

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A.M. Best Weighs Hurricane Harvey’s Financial Hit; Ranks Top 30 Texas Insurers

With Hurricane Harvey threatening the Texas coastline, A.M. Best said it has begun to assess the potential financial impact this event may have on the U.S. property/casualty (P/C) industry. The most recent track of Harvey has the storm path running …

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RMS Comments on Tracking of Hurricane Harvey

Ben Brookes, RMS Vice President Capital Markets Solutions, posted the following blog update at 15:00 UTC , Friday August 25 Until yesterday evening Harvey looked like a rain-flooding threat, largely – likely to land-fall as a tropical storm or weak …

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Herbicide Drift Destroying Crops in South Dakota, Farmers Say

South Dakota farmers are reporting crops devastated by herbicide drift. The Argus Leader reports that farmers believe the herbicide to be dicamba, which is used for weed control. Three dicamba products are registered for use on dicamba-tolerant soybean plants in …

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Oklahoma Agency Wants to Install 72 Seismic Stations

The Oklahoma Geological Survey has proposed to install more than 70 permanent seismic stations across the state that would allow scientists to better study earthquakes. The $3.5 million proposal would be placed in a grid pattern and phased in for …

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FEMA Asked to Reconsider Minot Flood Risk Map

The Souris River Joint Board has asked the Federal Emergency Management Agency to review the preliminary flood risk map for Minot. Board members said the failure to consider the operations of Canadian dams in the development of the flood risk …

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Lash Named VP of CNA’s New Orleans, Nashville Branches

Chicago-based CNA has appointed Justin Lash as vice president of the company’s Nashville and New Orleans franches. In this role, He reports to Rob Huber, senior vice president and southern zone officer. Lash has more than 14 years of insurance …

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As Harvey Nears, Texas Coast Shuts Down

The National Hurricane Center has called off the hurricane watch from Port Mansfield, Texas, south to the mouth of the Rio Grande, but the Hurricane Harvey scenario for Corpus Christi and the surrounding areas on the mid-Texas coast seems to …

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Official Blames Humans for Utah’s Wildfire Cost Doubling

Utah State Forester Brian Cottam said “stupid human tricks” have led to the states’ wildfire bill being double what it usually is. Cottam says the cost to Utah for this year’s wildfires is projected to be $18 million, while the …

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Woman Suing Oregon Cremation Company for $2.5M over Ashes in Father’s Urn

A woman is suing an Oregon cremation company for $2.5 million, claiming it gave her the remains of a stranger instead of her deceased father. Kimberly Grecco, 53, discovered the remains were her not her father’s as she prepared to …

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Cybersecurity Requirements in New York: Determining Compliance

The New York Department of Financial Services (DFS) has issued cybersecurity requirements for financial services companies. Codified at 23 NYCRR §500, the law became effective on March 1, 2017, and requires insurance and insurance-related companies as well as brokers, agents …

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Dreams Come True with Haggerty Insurance-Backed Classic Car Sharing Service

Many Americans dream of driving fabulous, unique, vintage cars. The vast majority of Americans never get to actually do it. Sure, we see them around—I live in Brooklyn and I don’t own a car, but as I walk around my …

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Senator Flanagan First Appointee to Massachusetts Marijuana Regulatory Post

A state senator was named Wednesday by Governor Charlie Baker to the regulatory board that will oversee the cannabis industry in Massachusetts. Sen. Jennifer Flanagan, of Leominster, is the first appointee to the five-member Cannabis Control Commission. She will serve …

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Massachusetts Fire Chief Hospitalized After Explosive Blaze Hits Three Homes

The fire chief in Millbury, Mass., has been hospitalized after flames hit three homes and caused several propane tanks to explode. Chief Richard Hamilton was taken to UMass Medical Center in Worcester early Wednesday with heat exhaustion and dehydration. He …

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Hurricane Harvey Looks to Be First Big Test for Trump FEMA Director Long

Brock Long knew it was just a matter of time. “We’ve gone 11 years without a major hurricane land-falling in the U.S.—that’s a one-in-2,000 chance,” said Long, President Donald Trump’s administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, in an interview …

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Lawsuit: Pennsylvania Train That Crashed Also Overshot Previous Station

A man who was among dozens of people injured when a commuter train crashed at a suburban Philadelphia terminal is suing the rail company, claiming the train also blew past a previous station before the accident. Passenger Darrell Robbson filed …

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Gallagher Appoints Bluefin’s Hogg to Lead Scottish Operations

Arthur J. Gallagher announced that Kenny Hogg has been appointed regional managing director (RMD) for Scotland and will join the business with effect Aug. 29, 2017. The current RMD for Scotland, Paul Kerry, will remain with the business in his …

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Insured Losses for August 2016’s Italy Quake Revised Upward to $127.4M: PERILS

The final property insurance market loss estimate for the magnitude 6.0 earthquake that hit Central Italy on Aug. 24, 2016 has increased to €108 million (US$127.4 million), according to PERILS, the independent Zurich-based organization that provides industry-wide catastrophe insurance data. …

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Germany Pioneers Ethical Guidelines for Operation of Driverless Cars

Protecting people rather than property or animals will be the priority under pioneering new German legal guidelines for the operation of driverless cars, the transport ministry said on Wednesday [Aug. 23]. Germany is home to some of the world’s largest …

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UK Economy Begins to Feel Brexit Pinch – Perhaps Brexit Punch

Britain’s economy is beginning to feel the Brexit pinch, or perhaps given the strong performance of the rest of the world economy, it should be punch. After a prolonged period of relatively benign economic numbers following last year’s vote to …

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AXIS Sweetens Offer for Lloyd’s Specialty Carrier Novae to $611.5M

AXIS Capital Holdings Ltd. has substantially sweetened its offer for Novae Group plc, a Lloyd’s of London specialty insurer and reinsurer. AXIS, a Bermuda-based specialty insurer and reinsurer, said it will now pay $611.5 million in cash for Novae, up …

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Home Telematics Startup Roost Raises $10.4M from Insurers

Roost, a developer of home telematics for property insurance carriers, raised $10.4 million from three international insurance industry companies. Aviva Ventures led the Series B financing; Desjardins Insurance and Fosun RZ Capital also participated along with previous investors. Fosun RZ …

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Risk Managers Prefer Standalone Cyber Policies: RIMS Survey

According to the 2017 RIMS Cyber Survey, risk professionals’ continued to show preference for standalone cyber insurance policies as the number of practitioners who purchased the coverage increased moderately in 2017. Findings from the 2017 RIMS Cyber Survey include: Organizations …

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Studies Show Automated Car Safety Technology Are Preventing Crashes

Safety systems to prevent cars from drifting into another lane or that warn drivers of vehicles in their blind spots are beginning to live up to their potential to significantly reduce crashes, according to two studies released Wednesday. At the …

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Nestle’s ‘Natural’ Claims on Poland Springs Don’t Hold Water, Lawsuit Alleges

Nestle SA’s Poland Spring Water unit has duped American consumers into paying premium prices for ordinary ground water that’s pumped from some of Maine’s most populated areas, rather than from natural springs as the company advertises, according to a lawsuit. …

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Georgia Insurance Agent Arrested for Misappropriating Workers’ Comp Premiums

An insurance agent in Floyd County, Ga., has been arrested on fraud charges related to the misappropriation of insurance premiums, according to the Georgia Department of Insurance. Marshall Irwin, 56, owner and operator of the Irwin Agency in Rome, Ga., …

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Panensky to Lead New Ironshore Computer Emergency Response Team

Ironshore Inc. has unveiled a Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT) to manage cyber claims across all product lines. CERT-Ironshore is a dedicated computer response team comprised of cyber claims coordinators representing each specialty lines division. Howard Panensky will serve as …

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Suspect in Florida Auto Theft Arrested After Stopping to Watch Eclipse

Authorities in Florida say an auto theft suspect who wanted to watch the moon blot out the sun instead has a blot on his record. The Orange County Sheriff’s Office said on its Facebook page that Jocsan Rosado was arrested …

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Georgia Truck Driver Gets 2 Years in Prison for Crash That Killed 5

A Georgia truck driver has been sentenced to prison in a 2015 highway collision that killed five people after the trucker fell asleep at the wheel. A State Court judge in Savannah sentenced 61-year-old David Jerald Gibbons of neighboring Pooler …

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California Workers’ Comp Medical Payments Per Claim Fell in 2016, Report Shows

Medical payments per claim in California’s worker’s compensation system dropped 9 percent in 2016 from two years prior, according to a report issued by the the Workers’ Compensation Insurance Rating Bureau on Thursday. The WCIRB’s California Workers’ Compensation Aggregate Medical …

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Harvey Now a Hurricane, Sustained Winds Near 85 MPH

The National Hurricane Center says Harvey is now a hurricane in the Gulf of Mexico with sustained winds of 85 mph and higher gusts. At 1 pm CDT, the hurricane was located around 335 miles southeast of Corpus Christi, Texas, …

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Texas Windstorm Insurer Says It’s Ready for Harvey

The Texas Windstorm Insurance Association said it has initiated its catastrophe plan and that it is ready for Tropical Storm Harvey. Tropical Storm Harvey has crossed the boundaries of 80 degrees west longitude and 20 degrees north latitude, but as …

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Robot Adds to Security at Posh Houston Shopping Center

The security robot stopped in front of its boss, who had blocked its path in the parking garage of the swanky River Oaks District. The Houston Chronicle reports the egg-shaped patroller spun slowly on its wheels, scanning for a way …

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Dakota Access Pipeline Company Files $1B Suit Against Sues Greenpeace, Other Groups

The company building the disputed Dakota Access oil pipeline filed a lawsuit against Greenpeace and other groups on Aug. 22, alleging that they disseminated false and misleading information about the project and interfered with its construction. In its lawsuit, which …

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Ohio Insurance Department: All Counties to Have Access to Health Coverage

Ohio Department of Insurance Director Jillian Froment announced that all counties will now have access to health insurance have on the federal exchange in 2018. Froment said health insurance from CareSource will be available in Paulding County in 2018. Paulding …

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Judge Approves $1M Loan so Alaska Newspaper Can Pay Workers’ Comp, Employees

A federal bankruptcy judge has approved a $1 million loan for the Alaska Dispatch News to keep it operating as negotiations continue with potential buyers. The newspaper will use the loan from potential buyers approved this week to continue paying …

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California Hospital Workers’ Comp Survey Shows Moderating Losses, Higher Adjustment Expenses

A survey from 18 hospital systems and more than 44 individual facilities within California shows average losses paid per indemnity claim rose 2.9 percent annually over the past 10 years. Keenan HealthCare and actuarial consultant Milliman on Thursday released the …

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Verisk to Acquire Bankruptcy Data and Risk Management Firm LCI

Verisk Analytics Inc. has agreed to acquire LCI, a provider of bankruptcy risk prediction and management tools for banks and creditors. When the transaction is complete, LCI, based in Burlingame, California, will become part of Argus, Verisk’s data and advisory …

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Family Settles Suit Against Perdue, Trucking Firm Over Virginia Crash

A family has settled a lawsuit against Perdue Farms and a trucking company over the death of an off-duty sheriff’s deputy whose tractor was struck by a semi-truck carrying chicken. The Virginian-Pilot reported Tuesday that the suit is being settled …

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Pennsylvania Law Firms Hedge Bets on Marijuana Being Legalized Nationwide

A number of Philadelphia-area law firms are setting up practices to serve the cannabis industry despite concerns of an uncertain future. Many of the city’s biggest law firms – including Duane Morris, Fox Rothschild and Cozen O’Connor – have recently …

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Massachusetts’ Boston Insurance Brokerage Promotes Two

Boston Insurance Brokerage (BIB), a Boston, Mass.-based national wholesale brokerage offering commercial insurance solutions, has promoted John Roderiques to associate vice president of its workers’ compensation division and Cara Treen to account executive. In their new roles, Roderiques and Treen …

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Cities Hope Fines Will Curb Distracted Walkers

This really shouldn’t be a surprise to anyone who’s done it: You are just no good at texting and walking. While you might do OK at the reading and typing part, your preoccupied brain isn’t paying enough attention to what’s …

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CNA Hardy Appoints IMIU’s Fryer as Class Manager, Mining Specialist

CNA Hardy, a specialist commercial insurance provider for clients within the Lloyd’s and company markets, announced the appointment of James Fryer as class manager, mining specialist. Reporting to Lloyd Tunnicliffe, head of Property, Fryer will be responsible for building out …

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Airbus A350 Operators Must Upload Software Fix to Prevent Risk of Explosion

European aviation safety authorities have issued an emergency directive for operators of the Airbus A350-900 long-haul aircraft to upload a software fix to prevent potential overheating of the hydraulic system and a risk of explosion. Airbus has delivered over 100 …

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Regulators Under Pressure to Develop Rules of Road Minus Drivers

When the U.S. government finally got around to regulating auto safety in 1967, it insisted that every car have seat belts and that the steering column be engineered to absorb impact so it wouldn’t spear the driver. The safety rulebook …

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Declining Life Expectancy Shrinks Deficits of Corporate Pension Plans: Opinion

The Grim Reaper has some happy news, but if pension funds turn this into a party they’re dicing with death. Continuous Mortality Investigation Ltd., which produces longevity projections using data on lives that are insured or in pension plans, said …

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UK Financial Services Sector Seeking ‘Ambitious’ Brexit Trade Agreement

The UK’s financial sector is seeking an “ambitious” trade pact between Britain and the European Union to try to prevent a costly shift of jobs and business to the continent once the country leaves the bloc, according to a draft …

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Mitsui Sumitomo Buys Singapore’s First Capital Insurance from Fairfax for $1.6B

Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance Company (MSI) is buying Singapore’s First Capital Insurance for $1.6 billion from Canada’s Fairfax Financial Holdings, in the biggest takeover by a Japanese insurer in populous Southeast Asia. Starved of growth in their aging home market, Japanese …

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Moultrie Hired as VP of Client Services of S.S. NESBITT Brokerage in Alabama

EBSCO Industries Inc. (EBSCO) has hired insurance veteran Phillip Moultrie as vice president of client services for its insurance brokerage, S.S. Nesbitt (SSN), based in Birmingham, Ala. Moultrie’s immediate focus will be on ensuring that the agency delivers its services …

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25 Years Later: How Florida’s Insurance Industry Has Changed Since Hurricane Andrew

Aug. 24, 1992 was anything but a typical Monday for Robert Reynolds as he drove through debris-filled roads and devastation on the way to his family-run agency then located in Homestead, Fla. Hurricane Andrew had just barreled through the region, …

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Employee Embezzlement Schemes Often Carried Out Over Years

Nearly 25 percent of employee thefts involve large-scale losses of more than $1 million and 29 percent are carried out over five or more years. According to a study on embezzlement by specialist insurer Hiscox, high-loss cases often result from …

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Judge Dismisses Stockholders’ Suit Against Martha Stewart

A Delaware judge has dismissed a class-action lawsuit filed by former stockholders of Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia over the company’s 2015 acquisition by Sequential Brands. The lawsuit said that Stewart leveraged her position as controlling stockholder to secure greater consideration …

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Texas Gulf Coast Braces for Possible Hurricane Harvey

Harvey, which could strengthen into the first hurricane to strike Texas since 2008, forced workers off Gulf of Mexico platforms, sent cotton rallying and has airlines preparing for flight disruptions. Currently a tropical depression, Harvey was 460 miles (740 kilometers) …

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Researchers Using Airplanes to Map Earthquake Faults in Oklahoma

Researchers are turning to the sky to help stop earthquakes from rumbling deep beneath the Oklahoma soil. The U.S. Geological Survey in coordination with the Oklahoma Geological Survey and other groups last week began using a modified small airplane to …

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Illinois Governor Vetoes 1 of 2 Workers’ Comp Bills Opposed by Insurers

Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner has vetoed a workers’ compensation reform bill that has been strongly opposed by the insurance industry. Rauner on Aug. 18 vetoed HB 2622, which would have created the Illinois Employers Mutual Insurance Co. by allowing the …

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Appeals Court Rules L.A. Lakers Not Entitled to Coverage in TCPA Suit

The U.S. Ninth Circuit court of Appeals affirmed Wednesday that the Los Angeles Lakers are not entitled to insurance coverage for class allegations that the team violated the Telephone Consumer Protection Act. During a game the team evidently invited attendees …

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Florida Domestic Insurer Sawgrass Mutual Insurance to ‘Wind Down’ Insurance Operations

Just a day after being downgraded by ratings agency Demotech, Florida-based insurer Sawgrass Mutual Insurance Company has been placed under administrative supervision by the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation. According to an amended consent order for administrative supervision dated Aug. …

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A.M. Best Assigns ‘A’ Rating to New Texas Insurer, Starr Specialty

Ratings agency, 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 Starr Specialty Insurance Co. (Starr Specialty), headquartered in Dallas. The outlook assigned to these credit …

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Missouri Agency Changes Name to Reflect Focus on Risk Management

St. Louis, Mo.-based Powers Insurance and Benefits recently changed its name to Powers Insurance & Risk Management. Founded in 1991, the company is one of the largest family owned and operated independent insurance agencies in the bi-state region. Powers Insurance …

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Missouri Company Fined $700K for Breaking Rules After Worker Fatality

A Missouri plumbing company has been fined more than $700,000 for workplace safety violations, including an employee’s death. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration cited Arrow Plumbing LLC for the death of 33-year-old Donald “D.J.” Meyer and for allegedly failing …

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Hurricane, Storm Surge Watches Issued for Texas Coast

The national hurricane center has issued a storm surge watch for Texas coast from Port Mansfield to High Island and a hurricane watch from north of Port Mansfield to San Luis Pass. The government of Mexican government also issued tropical …

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New Lawsuit Filed Over Alleged Baylor Rape Policy Failures

A woman who reported that she’d been sexually assaulted filed a lawsuit on Aug. 21 against Baylor University, alleging questions she faced from the university shifted blame away from her attacker toward her. The lawsuit filed in a Waco federal …

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Denver Soon to Open Legal Marijuana Clubs

Colorado’s largest city is on the brink of licensing some of the nation’s first legal marijuana clubs. But Denver’s elaborate hurdles for potential weed-friendly coffee shops and gathering places may mean the city gets few takers for the new licenses. …

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Pennsylvania Commuter Train Crash Injures Dozens, None Critically

A commuter train crashed into a parked train at a suburban Philadelphia terminal early Tuesday morning, injuring dozens of passengers and the train’s operator, a transit spokeswoman said. None of the 42 people hurt in the crash suffered life-threatening injuries, …

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PERILS Insured Loss Estimates for Storm Thomas Remain Unchanged $293.2M

PERILS AG has disclosed its third loss estimate for windstorm Thomas, also known as Doris, which affected the British Isles, the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany on Feb. 23-24, 2017. The third estimate of the property insurance market loss for Windstorm …

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Feds Say Brake Problems Preceded Derailment in Pennsylvania

Crews encountered air brake problems before a 178-car freight train derailed in Pennsylvania earlier this month, causing hazardous material to ignite and forcing nearby residents to evacuate, federal investigators said. The National Transportation Safety Board’s preliminary report issued Monday said …

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Massachusetts’ Arbella Insurance Group Promotes Mann

The Arbella Insurance Group, a Quincy, Mass.-headquartered regional property and casualty insurance company, has promoted Ellen Mann to assistant vice president of human resources. Reporting to Gayle O’Connell, executive vice president, Mann will oversee Arbella’s human resources strategy, including talent …

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Delaware Updates Law to Address Advances in Cyber Threats

Delaware Governor John Carney last week signed into law House Substitute 1 for House Bill 180, legislation that provides the first updates in Delaware law to address advances in cyber threats in more than a decade. The legislation requires additional …

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Chubb Taps Allianz’ Gschossmann as Head of Financial Lines

Chubb announced that Johannes Gschossmann has been appointed as head of Financial Lines in Singapore. He joined the company on July 12 and reports to Liam Burrell, division head of Property & Casualty (P&C). Gschossmann brings with him more than …

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How Civil Immunity Lawsuit Led to Limits on Taser Use: Reuters Report

One of the biggest commercial threats to Taser International’s signature weapon could come from a lawsuit the company won. Across the United States, wrongful death lawsuits involving Tasers have created a body of case law restricting the use of a …

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NexAssure to Launch MGA for Europe, Middle East Business

NexAssure Group is set to open a specialist managing general agent, NexAssure Agency (UK) Ltd. in London and has appointed a senior underwriter Mark Angel as head of Specialty to lead the company’s expansion into Europe and Middle East. Angel …

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Trump FEMA Chief Backs Reducing Federal Role in Disaster Relief, Flood Insurance

President Donald Trump’s emergency management director said he’s pushing for an overhaul of disaster relief so that states, cities and homeowners bear more of the costs, and less of the risk falls on the federal government. Brock Long, who was …

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Chlorine Tank Ruptured by Stolen Car Kills 2 in Mississippi

County officials in Mississippi say a toxic cloud of chlorine was released when a stolen car crashed into a utility station and killed two passengers. WLOX-TV reports Harrison County Sheriff Troy Peterson says the BMW convertible was stolen roughly one …

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Louisville Sues Drug Distributors Over Kentucky Opioid Epidemic

Officials in Kentucky’s largest city have filed suit in federal court against opioid distributors, accusing them of contributing to the drug epidemic in the state. Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer announced the lawsuit Monday, saying that Cardinal Health, AmerisourceBergen and McKesson …

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Gas Leak at West Virginia Restaurant Sends 7 to Hospital

A fire official says seven people have were sent to the hospital after a suspected gas leak at a West Virginia restaurant. Media outlets report the incident happened Monday at a Buffalo Wild Wings outside the Huntington Mall. Barboursville Fire …

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SCA Promotions Wins March Madness Prize Insurance Fight Against Yahoo

Yahoo Inc. owes a prize promoter $5.5 million for backing out of a contract to pay $1 billion for predicting every winner in the 2014 NCAA men’s basketball tournament, and entering a similar contract with Quicken Loans Inc. and Warren …

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National Safety Board Schedules Vote on Tesla Autopilot Crash Cause

The U.S. National Transportation Safety Board will vote at a Sept. 12 hearing on the probable cause of a May 2016 crash that killed a man using the semi-autonomous driving system on his Tesla Model S sedan, the agency said …

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Huge Verdict Upends J&J’s Talc Product Liability Defense Strategy

A massive California verdict in a lawsuit alleging Johnson & Johnson’s talc-based products cause cancer has opened a new front in the litigation, upending the company’s hopes that the cases were only gaining traction in Missouri, legal experts said. The …

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Idaho City Tells Insurer to Pay For Children’s Chemical Burns

The city of Lewiston has decided to pay medical bills for children from two families who suffered chemical burns at a park. The children were burned after city employees left a toxic paint stripper applied to graffiti near Pioneer Park’s …

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Los Angeles Jury Hands Down $417M Award Baby Powder Lawsuit

A Los Angeles jury has ordered Johnson & Johnson to pay a record $417 million to a hospitalized woman who claimed in a lawsuit that the talc in the company’s iconic baby powder causes ovarian cancer when applied regularly for …

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Northern Illinois Agency Owner Indicted Again; Slapped with 20 Fraud Counts

The owner of multiple property/casualty insurance operations in northern Illinois has been indicted once again, this time on charges that he defrauded more than 100 clients. Todd J. Fendler, of Rockford, Ill., previously had been charged in federal court on …

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Conn. Court Supports $41.7M in Damages to Student Disabled by Tick Bite on School Trip

The Connecticut Supreme Court in August supported a jury’s decision to award $41.7 million in damages to a student permanently disabled by a tick bite while on a school field trip in China, stating that schools in Connecticut are obligated …

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Oklahoma Workers’ Comp Report Shows Big Drop in Premium Costs Since 2013

Oklahoma’s workers’ compensation system seems to have benefited from reforms that were initiated in 2013, at least in terms of premium costs for businesses. By the end of 2016, businesses in Oklahoma had seen a 30 percent reduction in workers’ …

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Online Property Management Service Cozy Takes On Renters Insurance Market

The renters insurance market has been a hard nut to crack for the industry, but an insurance carrier and online rental service platform hope their partnership may be the secret to breaking through. Cozy, an online property management site for …

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Young Takes on Role of President at Iowa’s Crop Pro Insurance

Crop Pro Insurance, a Johnston, Iowa-based managing general agent (MGA) specializing in crop insurance, announced that Joe Young, a co-founder of Crop Pro Insurance, has signed on to serve as the new company’s president. Young brings 29 years of insurance …

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Ohio’s Grange Insurance Launches 36-Month Policy Option for Businesses

Columbus, Ohio-based Grange Insurance has introduced a new 36-month commercial insurance package policy, helping select businesses spend less time focused on renewing their insurance each year and more time focused on what matters most — running and growing their businesses. …

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Texas Researchers Testing System that May Help Prevent Wrong-Way Driving

Kevin Balke turned his SUV southeastward, checked his instruments and confirmed he was ready. Nearly a mile of concrete stood before him with plenty of room to run, but he wouldn’t need all of it to prove his point — …

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Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty Names Mann in California Head of E&O

Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty has named Gary Mann North America head of errors and omissions. He is based in San Francisco, Calif. He reports to Paul Schiavone, North America regional head of financial lines. Mann was previously deputy regional …

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Russian Female Flight Attendant Sues Aeroflot for Discrimination

“Old, fat and ugly” is what Yevgeniya Magurina jokingly calls a group of flight attendants for Russia’s flagship airline Aeroflot who she claims have been sidelined in an apparent drive to make the cabin crew younger and more physically attractive. …

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Scientists: Sea Level Rise Will Pose Threat to Hawaii By 2100

A group of scientists say the state of Hawaii could lose $19 billion worth of land and structures, and millions more in infrastructure by 2100 because of rising sea levels. West Hawaii Today reported an upcoming report from the scientists …

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Small Quake Confirmed Near Alaska’s Largest City

A small earthquake hit the Cook Inlet region of Alaska near Anchorage, the state’s biggest city. The Alaska Earthquake Center says the magnitude 2.8 earthquake struck at 9 a.m. Sunday a spot about 13 miles southwest of Anchorage. The earthquake …

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Wildfire in Yosemite National Park Grows, Evacuations Remain in California Town

Weather conditions have halped crews batttle a blaze in Yosemite National Park that has forced the evacuation of the tiny California community of Wawona. The blaze is now 3,820 acres and is now 17 percent contained. Singh said thunderstorms forecast …

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Europe’s Cities Resist Use of Security Infrastructure Despite Vehicle Terror Attacks

Europe has experienced around a dozen cases of drivers using a car or truck to plow into pedestrians like last week’s attack in Barcelona, but cities have not rushed to mitigate the risks by changing their layout. Concerns about cost, …

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Taser Deaths Produce at Least 442 Lawsuits Against Police, Municipalities: Reuters

In a first-of-its-kind review of court documents, police reports, other public records and news accounts, Reuters compiled the most comprehensive public accounting to date of deaths and litigation that followed police use of Tasers. In all, reporters documented 1,005 people …

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Homeowners Often Overlook Mitigating Water Leak Risks: Chubb

The majority of homeowners do not view internal water leak damage as the most concerning home threat, despite the fact that water leaks are a more frequent risk than fire and theft, a new Chubb survey revealed. “The time between …

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Chinese Venture Capital Firm, Sinovation Ventures, Boosts Investment in AI

For years, Kai-Fu Lee would share his venture capital firm’s office space in Beijing with startups he was backing so they could get advice and collaborate with each other. But about three months ago, the last of the startups packed …

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Ascot Launches P/C Reinsurance MGA: Ethos Specialty Insurance Services

Ascot Group Ltd. (AGL) has launched Ethos Specialty Insurance Services, LLC, a standalone managing general agent (MGA), operating under AGL. Michael Sillat has been appointed as chief executive officer of Ethos, effective Dec. 1, 2017. “The formation of Ethos represents …

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Maryland Libraries Are Training Staff to Administer Overdose Antidote

Some library workers in Maryland are learning how to administer an opioid overdose antidote. The Baltimore Sun reports that library systems in Harford, Carroll and Anne Arundel counties have begun offering training to staff in administering naloxone, commonly known as …

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Pennsylvania Lumber Fire Took 1.5M Gallons to Douse

A fire chief says a Pennsylvania lumber mill fire took 1.5 million gallons of water to douse, though no workers were hurt in the blaze and only one firefighter suffered a minor injury. Lawn Volunteer Fire Chief Daniel Braden says …

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Yahoo to Pay $5.5M After Breaking NCAA Tournament Bracket Deal

Yahoo Inc owes a prize promoter $5.5 million for backing out of a contract to pay $1 billion for predicting every winner in the 2014 NCAA men’s basketball tournament, and entering a similar contract with Quicken Loans Inc and Warren …

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Popular Robots Appear Dangerously Easy to Hack, Researchers Say

Some of the most popular industrial and consumer robots are dangerously easy to hack and could be turned into bugging devices or weapons, IOActive Inc. said. The Seattle-based cybersecurity firm found major security flaws in industrial models sold by Universal …

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Pennsylvania’s Venture Programs Adds Rawlings as Senior Underwriter

Venture Programs, a national insurance program administrator based in West Chester, Penn., has added Brian Rawlings as senior underwriter to support FITLIFE, its new program for fitness, wellness and spa services. As senior underwriter, Rawlings will be responsible for building …

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Brit Global Specialty USA Taps Aspen’s Liening as SVP, Excess Casualty

Brit Ltd. announced it has appointed Jonathan Liening as senior vice president, Excess Casualty, for Brit Global Specialty USA. Liening joins BGSU, effective Aug. 21, and is based in Chicago. He reports to Douglas Trainor. He will focus on writing …

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Typhoon Hato Intensifies as Its Heads to Hong Kong

Hong Kong was preparing to shutter businesses as Typhoon Hato drew closer to the city, with Cathay Pacific Airways Ltd. scrapping flights and the local observatory warning it may raise the third-highest storm signal at midnight local time. The tropical …

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Illinois Attorney General Reaches $4.5M Settlement in Opioid Marketing Case

Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan has reached a $4.5 million settlement with an Arizona-based pharmaceutical company that her office sued for deceptive marketing of an opioid drug meant for cancer patients. Madigan said Insys Therapeutics Inc. “pushed a highly addictive …

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Federal Funding Available to West Virginia Flood Victims

President Donald Trump has made federal funding available residents in four West Virginia counties dealing with severe flooding, landslides and mudslides. The Federal Emergency Management Agency announced the money is available for people in Harrison, Marion, Marshall and Wetzel counties. …

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Miami Insurance Agent Arrested Over Assisted Living Facility Fraud Scheme

An investigation led by the Florida Department of Financial Services (DFS) Bureau of Insurance Fraud has led to the arrest of a Miami insurance agent for attempting to evade a higher insurance premium for his assisted living facility (ALF) client. …

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More Louisiana Homeowners Eligible for Flood Recovery Aid

Louisiana’s flood recovery board agreed on Aug. 18 to Gov. John Bel Edwards’ plan to widen eligibility for a homeowner aid program by including those whose flood insurance proceeds didn’t cover their rebuilding costs. Grant amounts for some homeowners without …

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Clemson University Fraternity Hazing Death Settled for $250K

A judge has approved a $250,000 settlement between Clemson University and the family of a student who died during a fraternity pledge run nearly three years ago. Judge Robin Stilwell on Thursday approved the deal that Clemson reached with Tucker …

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Greenberg Traurig Adds Michelman & Robinson’s Sebastinelli in California

Greenberg Traurig LLP has added insurance regulatory attorney John A. Sebastinelli as shareholder to its policy and insurance regulatory and transactions practices in the firm’s San Francisco, Calif. office. Sebastinelli’s practice focuses primarily on California insurance regulatory law matters. He …

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Brightway Chairman Miller Announces Changes to Top Leadership Positions

Brightway Insurance Co-Founder and Chairman David Miller has announced he will transition to executive chairman and Michael Miller, formerly vice chairman and co-founder, will take over as chairman of the Florida-based company. David Miller announced the change in the company’s …

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Seeman Holtz Acquires Agency Acquisitions LLC in Texas

Seeman Holtz Property & Casualty Inc. has acquired Agency Acquisitions LLC, headquartered in Arlington, Texas. Agency Acquisitions specializes in trucking insurance. Seeman Holtz said the acquisition will add a niche service to its portfolio and broaden its client reach throughout …

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Judge Divides $100K Insurance Payout to Victims of 2015 Oklahoma Parade Crash

A Payne County judge has distributed $100,000 in insurance money to victims of a 2015 homecoming parade crash at Oklahoma State University that killed four people and injured dozens more. Associate District Judge Stephen Kistler was tasked with deciding how …

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As National Flood Program Nears Expiration, Private Market Gears Up to Expand

Unleashing the invisible hand that has been missing from the flood insurance market for nearly 50 years is no easy task. But private flood insurance experts say the change will be a good thing not only for private flood insurers …

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Nebraska Contractors Sue Insurers for Not Paying Storm Damage

Two Omaha contractors are expanding a legal strategy they say forces insurance companies to pay for storm damage, but industry officials say the practice leads to exaggerated claims and may drive away insurers. Home repair contractors Steve Shannon and James …

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Kansas Trial Over Bias Claim Against Secretary of State Kobach’s Office Begins

A former employee in Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach’s office alleges in a lawsuit headed to trial on Aug. 21 that she was fired because she didn’t go to church enough. Kobach — who until the middle of 2016 …

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Time to Submit Louisiana Flood Insurance Form Winding Down

Louisiana residents who had damage from last summer’s widespread flooding have two weeks to submit the proof of loss form required for a flood insurance claim. FEMA says more than 29,600 claims have been filed with the National Flood Insurance …

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Michigan WWII Bomber Site Gears Up for Driverless Demos in December

Self-driving cars will begin taking test laps this December on the site of a famous World War II airplane factory in Michigan where Rosie the Riveter helped produce a shiny B-24 Liberator bomber every hour more than seven decades ago. …

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DOXA Insurance Holdings Names Wall as Chief Financial Officer

DOXA Insurance Holdings LLC, a Midwest-based private equity investment firm acquiring medium to small managing general agencies (MGAs), has appointed Kevin Wall as the company’s new chief financial officer (CFO). A CPA, Wall’s prior experience includes serving as finance director …

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Evacuations Ordered for Hundreds of Residents in California, Oregon

Evacuation orders affecting hundreds of people were issued in California and Oregon as wildfires neared small towns, including one that’s a prime location for viewing the eclipse. About 600 residents were told to leave the tourist town of Sisters, Oregon, …

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USGS Confirms Small Quake Hit Hawaii’s East Coast

A magnitude 4.1 earthquake hit off the coast of the Big Island of Hawaii, the U.S. Geological Survey’s Hawaii Volcano Observatory confirmed. The USGS reported that the earthquake struck at 8:35 p.m. Friday about 66 miles northeast of the town …

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Driving Distraction, Eye Safety Concerns Cast Shadow on Eclipse Excitement

Sold out hotels, viewing parties and special media coverage will culminate today, when a total solar eclipse will be visible across the entire U.S. But along with the excitement comes safety concerns, according to various government agencies. The Federal Highway …

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Woman Files Federal Lawsuit Over Delaware Pumpkin-Flinging Accident

A woman who was critically injured when an air cannon exploded during a Delaware pumpkin-launching competition has filed a federal lawsuit against event organizers and participants, state officials and Discovery Communications. Suzanne Dakessian claims in Wednesday’s lawsuit that she was …

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Two Plead Guilty to $25M New Jersey Prescription Drug Scheme

Two men have pleaded guilty to defrauding New Jersey and health insurers out of $25 million by submitting claims for unneeded prescriptions. Matthew Tedesco and Robert Bessey pleaded guilty on Thursday to conspiracy to commit health care fraud. Authorities say …

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Verisk to Acquire London-Based Complex Data Software Firm Sequel

U.S.-based data analytics firm Verisk Analytics Inc. has agreed to acquire London-based insurance and software specialist Sequel from private equity firm HgCapital and other Sequel shareholders. Sequel specializes in software that “creates instant, intuitive understanding of the most complex data,” …

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New Jersey’s Menendez, Pallone Tout Flood Insurance Reform Legislation

Five years after Superstorm Sandy devastated towns along the New Jersey shore, Sen. Bob Menendez and Rep. Frank Pallone want changes made to federal flood insurance they said will fix a system that often failed beleaguered homeowners. Speaking Thursday on …

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JLT Re Taps Bardon as Bermuda Partner, Working with Industry Loss Warranty Team

JLT Re, the London-based reinsurance broker and consultancy, has appointed Nicolas Bardon as a partner in JLT Re’s Bermuda operation reporting to Guy Hengesbaugh. Bardon will work closely with Gary Reynolds and others on the industry loss warranty team in …

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Indian IPOs Headed for Record Year as Insurers Seek to Raise Funds

Indian initial public offerings are headed for a record year, as a rush of insurers seek to ride a rally in the local market and tap increasing investor demand for financial assets. At least four Indian insurers are aiming to …

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Maxum’s Lucas Joins Everest Re to Head U.S. Casualty Facultative Programs

Darwin Lucas has joined Everest Reinsurance Co. as vice president and head of U.S. Casualty Programs for all general casualty and professional liability lines of coverage within the Facultative Reinsurance division. He will be managing the division’s program portfolio and …

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Third Jury Sides with J&J, Bayer Over Xarelto Drug Liability Claims

A federal jury has cleared Bayer AG and Johnson & Johnson of liability in the third case to go to trial out of thousands of lawsuits claiming the drugmakers’ blood thinner Xarelto led to severe internal bleeding. The verdict in …

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QBE Reports Good H1 Profit on Australia/N. Zealand Rate Hikes, N. America Top Line Growth

QBE reported a healthy profit hike during first quarter of 2017, despite heightened claims activity in its Emerging Markets’ division, which reported a combined ratio of 110.8 percent and has led to the creation of two separate divisions covering the …

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Fraud Following Catastrophes an Unwelcome Trend, Oklahoma’s Doak Says

In testimony on Capitol Hill in early August, Oklahoma Insurance Commissioner John Doak told federal lawmakers that fraud across all lines of insurance costs the industry an estimated $80 million to $100 million annually. Testifying on insurance fraud issues at …

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How Much Solar Eclipse Distraction Will Cost Employers

Add today’s total eclipse of the sun to the list of worker distractions that cost U.S. companies hundreds of millions of dollars in lost productivity. American employers will see at least $694 million in missing output for the roughly 20 …

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U.S., Canada, Mexico Conclude First Round of Talks on NAFTA

The United States, Canada and Mexico wrapped up their first round of talks on Sunday to revamp the NAFTA trade pact, vowing to keep up a blistering pace of negotiations that some involved in the process said may be too …

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Hurricane Season Ramping Up Along Southeast Coast

This is it, the days surfer Blue Spivey looks forward to all winter. The days he can go online and watch those big, long swells rolling across the Atlantic Ocean like they do all year out in California. You’ve got …

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Disaster Designation Issued For 11 Alabama Counties

Eleven Alabama counties are under a natural disaster designation after excessive rainfall and flooding from Tropical Storm Cindy. The conditions caused extensive damage to crops, sparking Gov. Kay Ivey to ask for federal assistance for Alabama farmers in June. U.S. …

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Semi-Truck Crashes Prompt Review of Kentucky Interstate

A series of accidents involving semi-trucks on the interstate has prompted a review from the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet. The Courier-Journal reports the agency will review ramps and roadways following accidents in Louisville’s Spaghetti Junction. Kentucky Transportation Cabinet spokeswoman Andrea Clifford …

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Health Insurers Will Get August Obamacare Payments Trump Threatened to End

The government will make this month’s payments to insurers under the Obama-era health care law that President Donald Trump still wants to repeal and replace, a White House official said Wednesday. Trump has repeatedly threatened to end the payments, which …

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Increase in California Workers’ Comp Pure Premium Sent to Department of Insurance

The Workers’ Compensation Insurance Rating Bureau has submitted its Jan. 1, 2018 pure premium rate filing to the California Department of Insurance proposing advisory pure premium rates that average $2.01 per $100 of payroll. That WCIRB’S proposed rate is 14.3 …

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Georgia Fines Company Behind Deadly Leak at Sperm Bank $302K

A deadly February 2017 industrial gas leak at a sperm bank in Augusta, Ga. was caused by the over-pressurization of a bulk storage tank, according to findings from an investigation by state inspectors released Thursday by Insurance and Safety Fire …

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Liotta Named Chairman of Oklahoma Workers’ Compensation Commission

Gov. Mary Fallin has named Mark Liotta as chairman of the Oklahoma Workers’ Compensation Commission. Liotta, a former state representative from Tulsa, succeeds Robert Gilliland, whose term on the commission expires Aug. 25. Liotta’s appointment as chairman takes effect Aug. …

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Federal Appeals Court Voids Exxon Pipeline Safety Order

An appeals court has voided an order that would have required Exxon Mobil to revise its pipeline-safety procedures after a 2013 oil spill in Arkansas. The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration issued the order in 2015, and it could …

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Wisconsin Officials: State Law Prevents Fire Sprinkler Rule Enforcement

Wisconsin officials say a state law prevents them from enforcing a fire sprinklers rule that fire officials say is one of the best ways to save lives. The 7-year-old rule requires sprinklers be installed into new apartment buildings that have …

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Ex-Esurance Worker in South Dakota Sues Over Alleged Discrimination

A former Esurance call center worker in South Dakota is suing the insurance company alleging discrimination and harassment because he’s Jewish. The Argus Leader reports that Brandon Marshall filed the federal lawsuit on Aug. 15. Marshall claims his supervisor called …

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Louisiana Governor Seeking Homeowner Flood Grant Expansion

Gov. John Bel Edwards announced he wants to broaden Louisiana’s flood aid program to include homeowners whose flood insurance proceeds didn’t cover their rebuilding costs and to boost grant amounts. Initial limits setting homeowner eligibility for the rebuilding aid granted …

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New North Dakota Laws Address Producer Conduct, Customer Gifts, More

North Dakota Insurance Commissioner Jon Godfread has said that since taking office at the beginning of this year he has focused on ensuring the agency he runs is available and responsive to insurance consumers, producers and companies alike. As part …

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Industrial Insurer HDI Global Forms Excess Surplus Lines Carrier

Industrial insurer HDI Global Insurance Co. (HDI) has formed an excess and surplus lines subsidiary, HDI Specialty Insurance Co. The new platform will “bring European expertise and solutions” to the alternative energy, private public partnerships (P3s), and design-build construction markets, …

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Pennsylvania Selects Commissioner Miller to Lead Department of Human Services

Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf has selected Insurance Commissioner Teresa Miller to lead the state’s Department of Human Services, effective August 21. He simultaneously announced in an email to state employees that Jessica Altman will serve as Miller’s replacement to lead …

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Los Angeles Makes Packer Cannabis Czar over Legal Pot Industry

With recreational marijuana use just months away from being legal in California, Los Angeles has appointed a so-called cannabis czar tasked with regulating the local pot industry. The Daily News reported the City Council voted unanimously this week to confirm …

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Judge Sends Suit for California Man’s Helicopter Crash Death to Workers’ Comp

A wrongful death lawsuit filed by the family of a man who died in an ambulance helicopter crash has been thrown out by a judge who said the case must go through California’s workers’ compensation death benefits program. The Fresno …

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Boseman Named Chief Operating Officer at Brown & Riding in California

Brown & Riding has named Mike Boseman chief operating officer. Boseman is based out of the company’s Los Angeles, Calif. headquarters and will be responsible for strategic operations, including client and carrier development, enhancing information technology service offerings, and enforcing …

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Lawsuit Claims Rodent Was Baked Into Sandwich at Pennsylvania Chick-fil-A

A lawsuit claims a suburban Philadelphia woman got an extra topping on her Chick-fil-A sandwich: a dead rodent. Ellen Manfalouti sued in Bucks County Court over the tiny rodent she claims was baked into the bottom bun of her chicken …

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Carlton Fields Hires Silverman to New York Office

Carlton Fields has hired Alex B. Silverman to its New York office as an associate. Silverman will practice in the firm’s Property and Casualty Insurance practice group. Silverman represents insurance companies in complex risks and coverage-related disputes involving multimillion-dollar general …

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New Jersey’s New Day Underwriting Names Webb AVP in Construction Division

New Day Underwriting Managers, a Hamilton, N.J.-based specialty intermediary of environmental and construction-related professional liability insurance coverages, has named Bill Webb assistant vice president in the Construction Division. As an expert in architects and engineers (A&E), contractor’s professional liability (CPrL) …

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A.M. Best América Latina Chief Resigns; Keenan Assumes Interim Role

A.M. Best announced today that Manuel Agustin Calderón de las Heras has resigned from his position as managing director of A.M. Best América Latina to pursue other opportunities. Calderón de las Heras has been with A.M. Best for the last …

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Global Insured H1 Losses from Natural, Man-Made Disasters Were $23B: Swiss Re

Global insured losses from natural catastrophes and man-made disasters in the first half of 2017 totaled US$23 billion, while economic losses during the same period came to US$44 billion – an indication of the extent of the protection gap that …

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XL Catlin Taps Willis Towers Watson’s Piper as UK Client & Distribution Director

XL Catlin announced the appointment of Louise Piper as UK Client and Distribution director, effective Sept. 1, 2017. In this role, Piper will be responsible for working with brokers and clients to ensure that XL Catlin continues to provide the …

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Group Led by Yunfeng Financial to Buy MassMutual’s Asia Unit for $1.7B

A group led by Yunfeng Financial Group Ltd., the company backed by billionaire Jack Ma, agreed to buy an Asian unit from Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Co. to add insurance products to the array of financial services it offers to …

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5 Reasons Cyber Security Is Failing and What P/C Insurers Can Do About It

Businesses are spending a small fortune on cyber security but what they are doing is not working very well, according to a cyber security expert who sees the insurance industry as a key to improving the situation. “We have a …

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GOP Facing Resistance to State Bills Shielding Drivers Who Hit Protester

Republican lawmakers in six states have pushed this year for legal protections for motorists who hit protesters blocking traffic. Fairly or not, they’re facing an intense backlash now that violent images of a car ramming into a crowd protesting a …

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Lawsuit Claims U.S. Delinquent in Enforcing Rear Passenger Seat Belt Law

A new lawsuit accuses the U.S. government of being too slow to implement rules requiring that rear seat vehicle passengers be warned when they fail to buckle their seat belts. In a complaint filed on Wednesday, two nonprofits said the …

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Drug Company Deflects Blame in Lawsuit Over West Virginia Opioid Crisis

A West Virginia city’s lawsuit against a drug company has led to a dispute over which is at fault in the opioid epidemic. The Charleston Gazette-Mail reported last week that one of the nation’s largest drug wholesalers is attempting to …

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Florida Official Pushes Back On Reports of Highway Patrol Ticket Quotas

The head of the Florida agency that oversees state’s highway patrol insists troopers don’t have ticket quotas. Terry Rhodes on Tuesday told Gov. Rick Scott and members of the state Cabinet that her agency is reminding all supervisors that quotas …

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Private Equity Owner Weighs Selling Partial Stake in Insurance Broker HUB International: Reuters

Hellman & Friedman LLC is exploring the sale of a stake in HUB International Ltd. in a deal that could value one of the largest North American insurance brokerages at between $6 billion and $7 billion, including debt, people familiar …

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Middle Market Growth Spells Opportunity for California’s Insurance Community

The insurance community has at least two reasons to be interested in a new report on middle market companies, particularly those who are doing business in California. According to a report released this week from American Express and Dun & …

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Report: California Comp Insurer Written Premiums to be Flat Through 2017

Written premiums from workers’ compensation insurers in California for the year are expected to be flat at $18.1 billion compared with 2016 thanks largely to rate decreases, according to analysts with the Workers’ Compensation Insurance Rating Bureau. Premiums doubled from …

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Quarry Blasts Send Barrage of Rocks Through Minnesota Neighborhood

Southern Minnesota residents are on edge after another quarry blast from a nearby mining operation sent a barrage of rocks through a neighborhood. A blast at Jefferson Quarry sent chunks of limestone — some as large as bowling balls — …

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Insurance Professionals, Meteorologists Kick Off ‘Hurricane Tour’

Texas insurance experts and meteorologist are touring the Texas coast to inform the public about hurricane awareness and new legislation aimed at mitigating storm damage and related insurance costs. The Insurance Council of Texas (ICT) will lead the team as …

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Vehicle Plows into Barcelona Pedestrians in Suspected Terror Attack

A van mowed down pedestrians on Las Ramblas, a spot popular with tourists in Barcelona, police said, as a local paper reported there was a shootout in one of the city’s markets. Police said many people were injured in what …

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Louisiana Installing Barriers to Help Stem Fatal Highway Crashes

To help prevent fatal crashes more than 600 miles of cable barriers will be installed in highway medians across Louisiana through state and federal funding totaling more than $100 million. KTBS-TV reports crews will begin installing the barriers for 41 …

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Ford Motor Co. to Pay Up to $10.1M to Settle EEOC Harassment Case

Ford Motor Co. has agreed to pay up to $10.125 million to settle an investigation by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) over alleged sex and race harassment at two Ford plants, the federal agency announced. In its investigation, …

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Baylor Settles with Woman Who Said University Ignored Rape

The first woman to sue Waco-Texas-based Baylor University over allegations the nation’s largest Baptist school ignored or mishandled rape allegations has settled her case, her attorney said. Jasmin Hernandez sued Baylor in early 2016, two months before the school released …

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J.M. Wilson Adds Bailey as Asst. Transportation Underwriter in Michigan

Managing general agency and surplus lines broker, J.M. Wilson, has added Mitchell Bailey as assistant transportation underwriter in its Portage, Michigan, office. Bailey is responsible for quoting new and renewal transportation accounts, setting up and binding policies, assisting underwriters, and …

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NotPetya Cyber Attack Cost World’s Biggest Container Shipping Line up to $300M

The June cyber attack that paralyzed the computer systems in companies around the world is estimated to have cost the world’s biggest container shipping line between $200 million and $300 million, A.P. Moller-Maersk said Wednesday. The Copenhagen-based group, which was …

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Sweltering Las Vegas Heat Continues Delaying, Canceling Flights

The extreme heat this summer in Las Vegas has been causing a multitude of delays and cancellations at McCarran International Airport, including one airline that suspended service for the season and another that had to adjust its departure schedule. Airport …

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Idaho Taps Utah Company to Deploy App for Eclipse Traffic

Idaho Transportation Department officials are hoping technology from a Utah company will help improve traveler safety if traffic comes to a complete halt during the solar eclipse. Millions across the country are expected to travel to the path of totality, …

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Swiss Re Corporate Solutions Forms Global Contingency & Sports PA Team

Swiss Re Corporate Solutions has created a global Contingency and Sports Personal Accident (PA) team and appointed Jonathan Cole as head Contingency and Sports PA, effective immediately. Cole will be responsible for expanding these lines of business across the four …

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Court Upholds Uber Forced Arbitration, Ban on Customer Lawsuits

A U.S. appeals court on Thursday ruled in favor of UberTechnologies Inc. in a lawsuit over whether passengers gave up their right to sue the company when they registered for its taxi-hailing service. The 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals …

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Massachusetts’ Partners Insurance Group Promotes McDonald

Partners Insurance Group LLC, a Swansea, Mass.-headquartered independent insurance agency with eight locations in Southeastern Massachusetts and Rhode Island, has promoted Michelle McDonald to vice president. McDonald joined Partners Insurance Group in 2014 and has more than ten years of …

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N.Y. Times Must Face Defamation Lawsuit Over Professor’s Slavery Comments

A federal appeals court on Tuesday said the New York Times Co. must face a defamation lawsuit by a Louisiana economics professor who said it quoted him out of context by saying he described slavery as “not so bad.” The …

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Maryland’s Frederick Mutual Insurance Company Promotes Pelletier

Frederick Mutual Insurance Company (FMIC), a Frederick, Md.-based provider of insurance coverage for homeowners and businesses, has promoted Bob Pelletier from assistant vice president and claim manager to vice president and chief claim officer. Pelletier is directly responsible for the …

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New York’s NYBOCT Seeks More Than $1M in Damages for Mishandled Claim

New York Bus Operators Compensation Trust (NYBOCT), a Bay Shore, N.Y.-based group self-insured trust created by a number of New York passenger bus companies, has filed a complaint against Arthur J. Gallagher & Co., Gallagher Bassett Services Inc. and Risk …

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P/C Insurance Industry Maintains Favorable Ratings in First Half 2017: A.M. Best

Credit rating activity for the U.S. property/casualty industry in the first half of 2017 was favorable, with upgrades outpacing downgrades. Nearly one-third of the 2017 upgrades were driven by increased parental support, ongoing mergers and acquisitions (M&A) and the generally …

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China’s Ping An Reports Biggest Half-Yearly Profit in Decade

Ping An Insurance Group Co of China , the country’s second-largest insurer by market value, on Thursday reported its biggest half-yearly profit in at least a decade on robust growth in life insurance premiums. The strength in Ping An’s life …

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Bayer-Backed Health Startup, Medopad, Seeks $30M in New Funding: Sources

Medopad Ltd., backed by pharmaceuticals giant Bayer AG, is looking to raise new funds, joining the clutch of fast-growing U.K. startups that are mixing artificial intelligence and health care. A London-based mobile platform for health-care companies, insurers, doctors and patients, …

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4 European Reinsurers Maintain Pricing Discipline in Tough Market: Fitch

The four largest European reinsurers – Munich Re, Swiss Re, Hannover Re and SCOR – have largely maintained pricing and policy terms without a significant drop in their business volumes, despite relentless soft market conditions, according to Fitch Ratings. Fitch …

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Warm Atlantic Sets Stage for Busy Hurricane Season Peak

Not one, but three potential storms threaten to usher in the busiest phase of the Atlantic hurricane season later this month, courtesy of warm ocean temperatures. The season — which runs from June to November — has already seen above-average …

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Storm-Prone Cities Vie for Environmental Impact Bonds

As climate change pushes U.S. cities to build protections against stronger storms and more frequent floods, the Rockefeller Foundation is helping cities with a novel kind of financing, one that transfers some of the risk of innovative projects from cities …

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Uber CEO Claims Venture Capital Lawsuit Against Him Should Go to Arbitration

Ex-Uber Technologies Inc. Chief Executive Officer Travis Kalanick said the lawsuit brought by venture-capital firm Benchmark seeking his ouster from the company’s board should be heard in private arbitration. In a letter Monday to a Delaware judge, an attorney for …

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Pioneer Special Risk to Offer CPL Coverage Expansion For Specialty Contractors

Pioneer Special Risk has launched a new optional coverage expansion for specialty contractors that offers them the option of including incidental contractors pollution coverage, traditionally required as part of their client’s contractual terms, within the specialty contractor’s primary CGL policy. …

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Florida Police: Tiger Woods Had Marijuana, Painkillers in System When Arrested for DUI

Tiger Woods had the active ingredient for marijuana, two painkillers and two sleep drugs in his system when he was arrested on a DUI charge earlier this year, a report released Tuesday by police said. Police in Jupiter, Florida, released …

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A.M. Best Revises Outlooks to Negative for West Virginia National Auto Insurance Co.

A.M. Besthas revised the outlooks to negative from stable and affirmed the Financial Strength Rating of B (Fair) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating of “bb” of West Virginia National Auto Insurance Co., based in Morgantown, W.Va. The ratings company …

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Mississippi City Wants $400K Repaid From Arts School For Roof Collapse Work

A Mississippi city has sued the head of a school for the arts, saying he knew before the roof collapsed that it was in danger of falling in. The City of McComb alleges that Terrance Alexander, director of Jubilee Performing …

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Workplace Is Hostile, Stressful, Grim Place for Many Americans

The American workplace is grueling, stressful and surprisingly hostile. So concludes an in-depth study of 3,066 U.S. workers by the Rand Corp., Harvard Medical School and the University of California, Los Angeles. Among the findings: Nearly one in five workers …

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More States, Star Lawyers Eye Lawsuits Against Big Pharma Over Opioids

Big Pharma is having a Big Tobacco moment as litigation over opioids attract star lawyers and a growing list of states and local governments seeking their own multibillion-dollar payout to deal with costs of a burgeoning drug epidemic. On Tuesday, …

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Businesses Owned by West Virginia Gov Settle Flood Clean Up Suit for $550K

Three businesses owned by West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice and his family have agreed to settle for $551,420 a lawsuit that claimed they had not paid for $771,268 of cleanup work after the Greenbrier resort was hit by severe flooding …

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6 Safety Features That Can Save You Money on Car Insurance

There might just be a treasure trove of savings in your auto insurance premiums. If you haven’t yet explored discounts for safety features, it might be worth looking into. It varies by state and insurance carrier, but if your car is equipped...

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Buying Auto Insurance: Online vs. Agent

The Internet has changed our lives in so many ways. Where we get the news, how we learn, the way we do business and how we shop. Now you can even buy insurance policies online. But which is better, buying an auto insurance online or the “old...

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

Comprehensive Auto Insurance: What It Is and When You Need It

Despite its name, comprehensive auto insurance doesn’t cover everything related to your car in the case of an accident or damage to your car. Instead, it covers theft and damage to your car due to natural disasters and other non-collision ev...

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

Suretywave Acquires Insure Vision Technologies in California

SuretyWave LLC has acquired Sherman Oaks, Calif.-based Insure Vision Technologies. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. The acquisition paves the way for SuretyWave to integrate its digital business-architected platform with IVT’s web-based surety bond processing system known as the …

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Seeman Holtz Enters Texas Through Primera Casualty Acquisition

Boca Raton, Fla.-based Seeman Holtz Property & Casualty Inc. has acquired Primera Capital, headquartered in Dallas, Texas. Primera’s Anthony Davis and team have been offering both auto insurance and tax services to the Dallas area for over seven years. The …

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Strayhan Promoted to Producer/Broker in USG’s Troy, Michigan Office

USG has promoted Mark Strayhan to producer/broker for the Troy, Mich., office. He formerly held the title of associate producer/broker. Strayhan will continue building his book of business and agency retail network. Strayhan joined the USG team in 2016 with …

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J.M. Wilson Promotes Hamilton to Branch Manager in Ohio

Managing general agency and surplus lines broker, J.M. Wilson, has promoted Andrew Hamilton to branch manager in its Westerville, Ohio, office. Hamilton will plan the operations of the office, coordinate the staff, and work towards building relationships to foster growth …

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Police Misconduct Lawsuit Settlements Cost Dallas Millions Over 5 Years

Records show that Dallas, Texas, has spent almost $11 million in the past five years settling more than 20 lawsuits against police, a huge increase compared to the previous five years. KDFW-TV reports the city spent less than $400,000 to …

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Activists Oppose Iowa’s $1M in Liability Insurance Requirement for Rallies

Some activists are pushing to change rules that require groups to obtain $1 million in liability insurance before holding a protest at the Iowa Capitol. The Des Moines Register reports the Iowa Department of Administrative Services says it will review …

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Despite Reduction in Oil, Gas Wastewater Injections, Oklahoma Quakes Continue

The disposal of wastewater from oil and gas production by injecting it deep into the ground has been linked to a dramatic increase in earthquake activity in Oklahoma since 2009. Injection rates have declined recently because of regulatory actions and …

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Takata Bankruptcy Judge Halts Air Bag Victims’ Lawsuits for 90 Days

A U.S. judge overseeing the bankruptcy of Takata Corp.’s U.S. business on Wednesday halted lawsuits for 90 days against automakers brought by victims of its faulty air bag inflators. Takata requested a six-month stay of the lawsuits, arguing an injunction …

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Greenlight Capital Re Names Belfatti to New Role of Chief Operating Officer

Greenlight Capital Re, the Cayman Islands-based specialist property and casualty reinsurance company, announced it has hired Michael Belfatti to the newly created position of chief operating officer, effective immediately. Belfatti’s responsibilities as COO will include oversight of the company’s pricing, …

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USGS Awards $4.9M to Boost Warnings for West Coast Quakes

The U.S. Geological Survey has awarded $4.9 million to six universities and a nonprofit to help advance an early warning system for earthquakes along the West Coast. The federal agency says the ShakeAlert system could give people seconds or up …

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Millions of Dollars in Damage During Wyoming Flooding This Year

The high volume of water that poured down Wyoming rivers and streams from a melting record mountain snowpack this year is being blamed for several river deaths and causing tens of millions of dollars in damage to roads, recreation sites …

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Key to Good Leadership: Honest Self-Appraisal – Part 2, Catlin Interview

Second of Two Articles Good leadership is essential if the industry is going to successfully navigate the challenges ahead, Stephen Catlin told Insurance Journal during a recent interview, as he looked back at lessons he’s learned during his 40-year journey …

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Motor Vehicle Deaths Declined 1% in 2017

Preliminary data show U.S. motor vehicle deaths and injuries were down slightly in the first six months of 2017, although they were still significantly higher than they were two years ago, according to the National Safety Council. There were 18,689 …

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Global Insurance Renewal Rates Fall for 17th Quarter in Q2 2017: Marsh

Global insurance renewal rates fell for the 17th consecutive quarter in the second quarter of 2017, according to Marsh’s Q2 2017 Global Insurance Market Index. Despite the continuing decline, Q2 marks the sixth quarter in a row the rate of …

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Mass. Behavioral Health Facility Faces $207K in Fines for OSHA Violations

A Massachusetts behavioral health facility faces $207,690 in proposed penalties from the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) for violations found while conducting a follow-up inspection. On June 29, 2017, OSHA issued UHS of Westwood Pembroke …

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AIG Wants to Sell $2 Billion in Life Settlements Business

American International Group Inc. wants to sell a $2 billion portfolio of life settlements that would pay out when sick or elderly customers die, two people familiar with the matter said. AIG, the largest commercial insurer in the United States …

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Final Evacuees From Pennsylvania Derailment, Fire Return Home

The last of the evacuated residents of a small Pennsylvania town were finally able to return to their homes one week after a freight train carrying hazardous materials derailed and caught fire. CSX spokesman Rob Doolittle said residents of 40 …

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Massachusetts Governor Signs Bipartisan Pregnant Worker Protection Legislation

Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker last month signed H. 3680, a bipartisan bill to extend protections to pregnant workers in the state. The legislation, An Act Establishing the Massachusetts Pregnant Workers Fairness Act, will prohibit workplace and hiring discrimination related to …

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China to Further Open Its Economy to Foreign Investments in Insurance, Banking

China, facing a possible decline in foreign investment this year, will become more open for international investors and take steps to better protect intellectual property, its cabinet said on Wednesday. In recent months, the Chinese government has made multiple statements …

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Taiwan Power Crisis a Growing Concern for Local Industry: Opinion

I was having dinner with a friend in downtown Taipei on Tuesday night when the electricity went off for the second time that day. Workers accidentally shut off the supply of natural gas to a single power generator just a …

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