A Divided Britain Must Now Seek New Identity Outside European Union

At 10 a.m. inside Aux Merveilleux de Fred, a patisserie in the heart of London’s French quarter, the air is thick with the aroma of butter. Aicha Boubakri, 30, is arranging neat rows of pastel-colored cream pastries in front of …

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Jury Orders Apple, Broadcom to Pay $1.1 Billion for Infringing CalTech Wi-Fi Patent

Apple Inc. and Broadcom Inc. must pay $1.1 billion in damages for infringing California Institute of Technology patents on Wi-Fi technology, a jury in California ordered. Apple was ordered to pay $837.8 million while Broadcom was hit with a $270.2 …

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Justice Department Sets Meeting on Internet Liability

The U.S. Justice Department said on Thursday it will hold a public meeting on Feb. 19 to discuss the future of a federal law which largely exempts online platforms from legal liability for the material their users post. The meeting …

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Personal Info Possibly Compromised for 1,100 Insurance Users in Connecticut

The personal information and Social Security numbers of about 1,100 users of Connecticut’s state health insurance marketplace might have been compromised after a security breach last fall, officials said. Access Health CT users affected by the email security breach will …

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Kobe Bryant’s Death Throws Spotlight on Crash-Warning System

The crash that killed nine people including Kobe Bryant has led to calls for crash-warning systems to be installed in more helicopters, but regulators and pilots worry that the instrument can trigger too many alarms and prove distracting. “Another warning …

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Delaware Court Says Insurance Doesn’t Cover Attacker in School Fight

Delaware’s Supreme Court has overturned a judge’s ruling that an insurance company must extend liability coverage to a teenager who was convicted of criminally negligent homicide after a school bathroom attack that left a 16-year-old girl dead. Wednesday’s ruling reverses …

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IGI Gets Regulatory Nod from Bermuda After Merger with Tiberius Acquisition

International General Insurance Holdings Ltd. (IGI) announced it has received regulatory approval from the Bermuda Monetary Authority in connection with its previously announced business combination with Tiberius Acquisition Corp., a publicly traded special purpose acquisition company. This approval, received on …

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Woodruff Sawyer Names Milano as Vice President of Management Liability

Woodruff Sawyer, an insurance brokerage in the U.S., has named Teresa Milano as vice president of Management Liability, effective immediately. Milano joins the Boston, Mass., office of Woodruff Sawyer, where she’s focusing on Woodruff Sawyer’s management liability practice comprised of …

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Pennsylvania’s Graham Company Hires McIntire as Chief Technology Officer

Graham Company, based in Philadelphia, Penn., has hired Michael McIntire as chief technology officer, in which he will lead the development of Graham’s technology strategy and manage its execution. In this role, McIntire will work to develop solutions for employees …

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Maryland’s Wye River Insurance Appoints Santarelli as President

Wye River Insurance has appointed Katherine Santarelli as president, leading day-to-day operations and providing strategic brokering and consulting services for the newly-formed insurance brokerage. The Baltimore, Md.-based boutique brokerage serves real estate and construction professionals in the multifamily industry. Santarelli …

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R&Q’s Accredited Completes Portfolio Transfer from Lansen Försäkringsaktiebolag

Randall & Quilter Investment Holdings Ltd. (R&Q) announced that its wholly owned subsidiary Accredited Insurance (Europe) Ltd. has completed the transfer of business from Sweden’s Lansen Försäkringsaktiebolag, a wholly owned subsidiary of SAAB Aktiebolag. The transfer will help to enable …

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Global Coronavirus Cases Soar to 10,000 as WHO Declares Health Emergency

The U.K. confirmed its first two cases of coronavirus on Friday, while the U.S. and Japan advised citizens to avoid traveling to China. Singapore suspended visas issued to Chinese citizens. Stocks fell in Europe and Asia as the virus continued …

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Integro Announces Beard Is Stepping Down as CEO of Specialist Broker RFIB

Integro Insurance Brokers Holdings Ltd., the parent of UK-based firm Risk Transfer Group (RTG), which trades under the RFIB brand, announced that Steven Beard, CEO of RFIB will be stepping down, effective immediately. On Jan. 1, 2020, Integro completed its …

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Most U.K. Insurers, Banks Unprepared for Risks of Climate Change

The Bank of England faces an uphill climb to get the finance industry ready for one of its biggest threats: the climate. About 80% of senior finance executives believe their firms “lack well-developed strategies to manage the risks of climate …

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Collapsed Cave not a Covered ‘Building’ Under Policy, Appeals Court Says

Interstate Underground Warehouse & Storage operates more than 3 million square feet of storage space inside a cave that was once a limestone mine just outside of Kansas City, Mo. The company’s website touts the constant 60-degree temperature inside its …

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North Carolina City Sets Climate Goals After Declaring Emergency

A North Carolina city has become the first in the state to declare a “climate emergency” and has now set goals on warming greenhouse gases and renewable energy. Asheville City Council unanimously voted for the declaration Tuesday after months of …

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San Antonio Hotel Sued After Glass Bottle Falls on 2-Year-Old

A mother who says her 2-year-old son was seriously injured when a glass ketchup bottle fell on his head from a fifth-floor balcony of a San Antonio hotel is suing the establishment for at least $1 million. Cassandra DeLa Cruz’s …

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Former Washington Insurance Agent Charged in $2.8M Premium Finance Case

Edward J. Chadwick, of Yakima, Wash., was charged this week with first-degree theft in Spokane County Superior Court. Chadwick was an insurance producer and owned an insurance agency called Kelt, primarily selling insurance to transportation companies. He was charged after …

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School in Washington Paying $475K in Claim of Kid Released to Wrong Parent

Seattle Public Schools in Washington has agreed to pay almost half a million dollars to resolve a claim involving a former student who said he was hospitalized after his elementary school released him to the wrong parent in 2010. The …

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Washington Fines Contractor for Blasting Violations, Worker Safety Issues

A reportedly unsafe blasting operation in Spokane, Wash., that put workers and the public at risk has resulted in an Idaho-based drilling company losing its license to perform similar work in Washington. The Washington Department of Labor & Industries has …

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Florida Woman Pleads Guilty to Hurricane Irma Disaster Assistance Fraud

A Florida woman has pleaded guilty to lying about damage caused by Hurricane Irma. Deannajo White, 39, pleaded guilty in Jacksonville federal court Friday to one count of disaster assistance fraud, according to court records. She faces up to 30 …

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Schalk Appointed President of Florida-Based St. Johns Insurance; Bowen to Retire

St. Johns Insurance, a privately-held insurer specializing in homeowners’ insurance products and services headquartered in Orlando, Fla., announced that Reese Bowen will retire from the role of president and Jesse Schalk, who joined St. Johns in 2013 as chief financial …

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Montana Man Injured in Shooting Files Lawsuit

A Montana man wounded in an officer-involved shooting has filed a lawsuit against the Yellowstone County sheriff’s department. Travis Tolan of Lockwood is alleging negligence, assault and battery and a broader claim that the sheriff’s office has a pattern of …

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Facebook to Pay $550M to Settle Biometric Privacy Violation Claims

In what the plaintiffs’ lawyers are calling the largest cash settlement ever resolving a privacy related lawsuit, Facebook has agreed to establish a fund of $550 million to pay Facebook users in Illinois claiming the social media giant’s facial recognition …

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Where Purdue Pharma-Sackler Legal Maters Stand Now

OxyContin maker Purdue Pharma LP and its controlling Sackler family have been negotiating with cities, counties and states on a proposed settlement worth an estimated $10 billion to resolve more than 2,600 lawsuits alleging they helped fuel the U.S. opioid …

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With Premiums Up Due to Accidents, Chemical, Refinery Plants Cut Back on Insurance

U.S. refineries and petrochemical plants are cutting back on insurance because several years of severe accidents have driven up the cost of coverage, industry and insurance sources said. With less insurance coverage for physical damage and business interruption, energy companies …

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California’s Topa Insurance Company Promotes Yates, Tillinghast

Topa Insurance Company, one of the wholly owned subsidiaries of Topa Insurance Group – a boutique insurance holding company based in Calabasas, Calif. – has promoted Kelly Yates to vice president of Claims and Tracy Tillinghast to assistant vice president …

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Judge Finds Ransomware Damage to Computer a ‘Direct Physical Loss’

State Auto Property and Casualty Insurance Co. is liable for the cost of replacing a computer server that was damaged and perhaps permanently compromised by a ransomware attack despite the carrier’s argument that the business owner did not suffer a …

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Coon Named Deputy Commissioner for Maryland Insurance Administration

Maryland Insurance Commissioner Al Redmer Jr. has named Jay Coon as deputy commissioner for the Maryland Insurance Administration. Coon is a veteran insurance executive with 30 years of industry experience. “Jay has an impressive background in business and management,” Redmer …

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Massachusetts’ Morse Insurance Agency Acquires Connolly Insurance

Morse Insurance Agency Inc., a provider of personal and business insurance in Southeastern Massachusetts, has acquired Connolly Insurance. The transaction became effective January 1, 2020. Morse Insurance has been a family-run agency since 1950. Brothers Dan, Tim and Brian Morse …

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New York’s The Stahlka Agency Names Berg as a Partner

The Stahlka Agency has named Shawn Berg as a partner in the insurance agency. Berg joined the agency in 2011. He previously held similar roles at Marsh and also spent time on the carrier side with Safeco. He will be …

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MS Amlin Appoints 4 Senior Leaders Within Specialty Business

MS Amlin, the global re/insurer, announced the appointments of four senior leaders within the Specialty business, who will report to Mark Clements and Andrew Wright, co-chief underwriting officers of MS Amlin Underwriting Ltd (MS AUL). The creation of the Specialty …

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Brexit Day Is Finally Here; Now the Hard Part Begins: Opinion

London and Brussels are two hours apart by train but on Friday, the day the U.K. officially leaves the European Union, the two cities will feel worlds apart. The Brits are planning a Brexit celebration worthy of a downtrodden colony …

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Brexit Impact on UK Insurers Dictated by Trade Talks, Possible Economic Hit: AM Best

From an operational point of view, the United Kingdom’s departure from the European Union on Jan. 31, 2020 will have little immediate impact on AM Best-rated insurers in the UK or EU, according to the ratings agency in a new …

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Pro Global and VIPR Form Partnership to Deliver End-to-End Solution for MGAs

Pro Global Holding Ltd., global re/insurance outsourcing and consulting specialists have formed a partnership with VIPR, a software provider that focuses on delegated authorities. This move will see the two combine their expertise in the areas of bordereaux and coverholder …

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Family Sues Over Worker Death at Missouri Sawmill

The family of a 38-year-old man who died after falling into a wood chipper at a St. Joseph sawmill is suing the manufacturer of the machine. The St. Joseph News-Press reports that the minor children of Joshua Hill allege in …

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Insurer Loss Control Oversight Moving to Market Conduct Unit at TDI

The Texas Department of Insurance is moving oversight of insurer loss control inspections to Market Conduct Examinations in the Financial Regulation Division. This is part of the agency’s efforts to strategically align its organizational structure. As part of this move, …

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Universal Orlando Says Woman Suing Over Electrical Shock Was Negligent

A woman who claims she suffered an electric shock at a Universal Orlando water park last year has filed a lawsuit, but the theme park resort is blaming the woman for negligence. Universal Orlando filed a response last month to …

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Investigators Probe Cause of Deadly Fire at Alabama Marina

Roughly two dozen people lived on Dock B at Jackson County Park Marina, and none was rich or famous. They were middle-class adults and children, not yachters, folks who liked having a Tennessee River bywater for their backyard. A fire …

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ProSight Expands Into Captive Market; Founder Beneducci Resigns from Board to Form Agency

ProSight Global, Inc. (PROS) is expanding its insurance portfolio into the captive insurance market as part of a what it described as a strategic move that includes ProSight’s founder and former CEO Joe Beneducci stepping down from his current role …

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Houston-Area Manufacturer to Pay $35K to Settle Sex Harassment, Retaliation Suit

A plastics manufacturer in the Houston area has agreed to settle a sexual harassment and retaliation lawsuit for $35,000. Element Plastics Mfg. LLC, based in Sugar Land, Texas, has settled the suit filed by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission …

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AmWINS Names Bromiley Vice President in California

AmWINS Group Inc. has named Christopher Bromiley a vice president and casualty broker in the AmWINS Insurance Brokerage of California’s Los Angeles office. Bromiley will focus on primary and excess placements for difficult construction-related risks. Prior to joining AmWINS, Bromiley …

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Oregon Worker Who Died Was Operating Faulty Equipment

A Benton County, Ore. road worker who died on the job was operating a poorly maintained piece of leased logging equipment that was owned by his supervisor’s son, according to findings from two investigations. Pete Neuman, 59, was using a …

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Privacy Firm Finds Cannabis Patient Info Left Unsecured by Washington Firm

An internet privacy firm says it was able to access private personal information of more than 30,000 medical marijuana patients, recreational pot customers or dispensary employees in several states. The privacy firm was searching for unsecured data online and says …

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Grocery Worker in Oregon Called Woman, Daughter Racist Slurs: Suit

A 45-year-old Portland, Ore. woman has filed a lawsuit accusing grocer Fred Meyer of racial discrimination after she said an employee called her racist slurs. Melita Bullitt said in the lawsuit that she was shopping with her daughter at the …

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European Insurers Balk at EU Raising Capital Requirements Due to Cyber, Climate Risks

Insurers in Europe may need to put aside money to protect their policyholders should they become insolvent, and regulators should be able to be shut them down swiftly without the need for taxpayer bailouts, a top EU official said on …

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Opioid Kickback Probe Cites OxyContin Maker Purdue Pharma: Reuters

OxyContin maker Purdue Pharma LP is the unnamed company that surfaced in criminal charging documents filed earlier this week in a probe of illegal kickbacks from drugmakers, according to people familiar with the matter. Purdue Pharma, which faces U.S. Justice …

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Rhode Island Judge Says Jury Should Decide if Uber Can Be Liable for Crash

A jury should determine whether Uber ought to be held responsible for a passenger’s injuries, a federal judge in Rhode Island ruled. A U.S. District Court judge concluded Jan. 16 that jurors should determine whether driver Claudette Issa is considered …

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Group Preparing to Sue EPA Over Chesapeake Bay Pollution

A conservation group announced Monday that it’s preparing to sue the Environmental Protection Agency for failing to enforce the Clean Water Act relating to pollution limits for the Chesapeake Bay. The Chesapeake Bay Foundation announced it is preparing a notice …

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The Hilb Group Acquires Massachusetts’ Group Brokerage Insurance Agency

The Hilb Group LLC (THG) has acquired Group Brokerage Insurance Agency LLC (GBIA). The transaction became effective January 1, 2020. Located in Waltham, Mass., GBIA is an employee benefits agency primarily providing group medical, dental, life, short and long-term disability …

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Many Global Firms Face High Coronavirus Costs Due to Insurance Exclusions

Many global companies from hotels and airlines to industrial houses are expected to have to foot the bill for disruptions caused by a new coronavirus in China, with epidemics usually excluded from insurance cover, experts said. With 132 deaths in …

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Risk Strategies Acquires Maryland’s Weaver Brothers Insurance

Risk Strategies, a Boston, Mass.-based, privately held national insurance brokerage and risk management firm, has acquired Weaver Brothers Insurance Inc., a full-service brokerage based in Bethesda, Md. Terms of the deal were not announced. Founded in 1988 with roots dating …

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Coronavirus Impact: Growing List of Global Firms Cut Back on China Business Activities

Starbucks Corp. has closed more than half of its coffee shops in mainland China — about 2,000 of them — and Toyota Motor Corp. is halting production in the country, as global corporations grapple with a SARS-like coronavirus that has …

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Travelex’s UK Money Transfer and Wire Services Operational After Ransomware Attack

Travelex’s UK international money transfer service and wire offering is fully operational again, it said on Tuesday, almost a month after a crippling ransomware attack forced staff to use pen and paper to calculate foreign currency exchanges. The cyber attack …

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Firms Involved in Building Work on London’s Grenfell Tower Take No Blame for 2017 Fire

Firms involved in building work on London tower bloc that caught fire have sidestepped any responsibility for the 2017 tragedy that killed 72 people, a lawyer for the inquiry said. As the second phase of an inquiry into the Grenfell …

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Australia’s Capital, Canberra, Faces Worst Bushfire Threat in 17 Years

Canberra, Australia’s capital that’s surrounded by bush, is facing its worst wildfire threat in 17 years as a blaze sparked by a military helicopter approaches the city amid heatwave conditions. Residents in Canberra’s southern suburbs should be vigilant after the …

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Is the Re/Insurance Industry Ready for the Fourth Industrial Revolution?

Industry transformations occur when the pain of staying the same is suddenly greater than the pain of changing, according to Karen White, CEO of RMS. “The second thing that has got to be present for those transformations to occur is …

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At Least 8 Killed, 35 Vessels Burned in Alabama Marina Fire

A massive fire that killed at least eight people and destroyed dozens of boats in an Alabama marina early Monday was spread so rapidly by the wind that “we didn’t have time to do nothing,” said one resident who survived …

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UPDATE: Big Quake Shakes Miami and Caribbean, Damage Minor

A major earthquake struck south of Cuba on Tuesday, sending shockwaves as far as Miami and sparking panic in the Cayman Islands where it ripped open sinkholes, but did not do serious damage to people or property, initial reports said. …

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North Dakota Officials Promoting Flood Insurance in Red River Valley

Officials in North Dakota say it’s time for property owners in flood-prone areas of the Red River Valley to think about buying flood insurance. The push comes as early signs suggest a heightened risk of flooding this spring. The Red …

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Bill Would Require Extended Safety Netting at Ohio Pro Ballparks

An Ohio state lawmaker has introduced legislation requiring all major and minor league baseball teams in the state to install protective netting from foul pole to foul pole. State Rep. John Patterson introduced his bill in response to concern from …

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R&Q Acquires Montana Captive Insurer Vigneron

R&Q is pleased to announce it has acquired the Montana captive insurer, Vigneron Insurance Company Inc. from a wholly owned private investment holding company. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. VICI underwrote deductible reimbursement policies to cover the obligations …

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Key House Member Eyes Internet Liability Changes Before Election

Representative Jan Schakowsky has asked her staff to examine changes to a liability shield that protects tech platforms such as Facebook Inc. from lawsuits because of her concerns about how fake information could be used in the 2020 presidential election. …

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Bender Insurance Solutions in California Names Wood Vice President of Personal Lines

Sacramento, Calif.-based Bender Insurance Solutions has promoted Jeffrey Wood to vice president of personal lines. Wood will continue to expand the sales and service offerings of the personal lines department, and provide expert personal insurance advice and advocacy to the …

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Beazley Adds Sanches as Underwriter in Southern California

Specialist insurer Beazley has appointed Justin Sanches as an underwriter within the U.S. healthcare liability team. Sanches joins Beazley’s Los Angeles, Calif., office to underwrite a range of global miscellaneous medical and life sciences risks for middle market and large …

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Embattled Tennessee Insurance Agent Fined $23K by State Regulator

A former Tennessee insurance agent facing more than 70 counts of insurance fraud has reached a settlement with the Tennessee Department of Commerce & Insurance (TDCI) barring her from practicing insurance activities in the state and requiring payment of civil …

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Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. Acquires Hanover Excess & Surplus of North Carolina

Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. has aquired Wilmington, N.C.-based Hanover Excess & Surplus, Inc. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed. Established in 1970, Hanover Excess & Surplus is a regional managing general agency offering hard-to-place coastal commercial and personal …

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Everest to Offer Lawyers PL Program for Small Firms through Embroker Online Platform

Everest Insurance has joined with Embroker to provide an online lawyers’ professional liability program for law firms with up to 10 employed attorneys. Through Embroker’s digitized platform, Everest’s Lawyers’ Professional Liability policy offers several coverage enhancements. The coverage is currently …

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Electricity Can’t Hold a Candle to Artificial Intelligence in Significance, Says Alphabet CEO

Google’s chief executive officer has left no doubt about how important he thinks artificial intelligence will be to humanity. “AI is one of the most profound things we’re working on as humanity. It’s more profound than fire or electricity,” Alphabet …

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Indonesia Forms Rescue Plan for Troubled State Insurer

Indonesian authorities are weighing the induction of a strategic investor into a unit of the nation’s oldest insurer that’s on the brink of collapse after alleged fund mismanagement left a $2 billion hole in its books. PT Asuransi Jiwasraya has …

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Apple’s China-Centric Supply Chain Braces for Disruption From Coronavirus

Apple Inc.’s China-centric manufacturing base is at risk of disruption after the Lunar New Year holiday as the company’s partners confront the coronavirus outbreak that has gripped the country and caused more than 100 deaths. Virtually all of the world’s …

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First Acceptance, IBI Offer Specialty Auto Program to Indiana Agents

First Acceptance Corp., a specialty auto insurance carrier with retail locations in 15 states, and Greenwood, Indiana-based Insurance Brokers Inc. (IBI) have made Acceptance auto insurance available to Indiana independent agents through the IBI agency network. IBI is a third-generation …

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Wisconsin’s American Family Insurance Raising Minimum Pay to $20 Per Hour

Madison, Wisconsin-based American Family Insurance and its group of companies are raising their minimum hourly wage to $20 per hour. This rate increase, implemented with the intent to attract and retain talent and create a positive impact on employees and …

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Iowa Town to Buy more Homes in Flood Plain

The city of Bettendorf, Iowa, has been awarded a $2.2 million federal grant that, coupled with state and city contributions, will make $2.95 million available to buy out up to 22 homeowners in the flood plain along Duck Creek near …

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2 Construction Workers Injured at University of Alabama Stadium

Two construction workers, participating in the renovation of Bryant-Denny Stadium at the University of Alabama, were injured Saturday when beams fell on a piece of equipment they were operating. Tuscaloosa Fire Rescue spokeswoman Holly Whigham told news outlets that the …

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3 Missing After Barge Crash on Mississippi River Near Louisiana Town

Three people were missing after two barge towing vessels collided Sunday on the Mississippi River in an accident that also may have released a small amount of toxic vapor into the air, the Coast Guard said. The Coast Guard said …

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Michigan Health System: Ex-Worker Stole Patient Data and Shared It

A southeastern Michigan hospital system said that a now-fired employee accessed and shared what was supposed to be protected personal and health information of more than 1,000 patients with someone affiliated with a personal injury lawyer. Beaumont Health said it …

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TDI to Insurers: Compliance with Temporary Vehicle Coverage Provisions Required

The Texas Department of Insurance has reminded carriers that provide personal auto insurance in the state about the need to comply with new temporary vehicle coverage provisions contained in House Bill 3420. HB 3420, passed by the Legislature last year, …

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Kentucky to Pilot Hemp Research Program for 1 More Year Before Expanding

Kentucky’s Department of Agriculture will continue operating its hemp program as a research pilot program for another year before transitioning to a commercial program, the agency said. Congress gave state agriculture departments the option to continue pilot programs before submitting …

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9 States Criticize Google’s Street View $13M Privacy Settlement

Attorneys general from nine states urged a federal judge to toss out Google’s $13 million settlement of a class-action lawsuit blaming its Street View mapping technology for a massive violation of consumer privacy. The proposed accord in a debacle that …

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Alera Group Acquires Muench Financial in Washington

Alera Group has acquired Muench Financial Inc. in Seattle, Wash. Muench Financial joins Alera Group through Wilson Albers. The Muench Financial team will operate out of Alera Group’s Seattle office. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. Muench Financial works …

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J&J CEO Testifies in Baby Powder Trail He Relied on Experts on Asbestos Risk

Johnson & Johnson Chief Executive Alex Gorsky on Monday faced questions from plaintiffs lawyers over the timing of his sale of company stock, as he testified for the first time in a jury trial over allegations that the company’s Baby …

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Miami Aims To Be Carbon Neutral by 2050 Under ‘Climate Ready’ Plan

With sea level rise already lapping at its door, the city of Miami made its first significant commitment to address the root cause of climate change, not just the symptoms. The city government plans to go carbon neutral by 2050, …

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Georgia Insurance Dept. Touts 2019 Work for Consumers, Agents

The Georgia Department of Insurance’s multiple enforcement divisions worked on behalf of insurance consumers to combat fraud, return insurance premiums, and approve insurance licenses in 2019, according to a statement from GADOI. In addition, the department said it increased the …

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Florida Man Accused of Making Fraudulent Hurricane Irma Claims

A Florida man has been accused of lying about damage caused by Hurricane Irma, federal prosecutors announced this week. An indictment was returned charging Deontre Javan Taylor, 26, of Jacksonville, with disaster assistance fraud. He faces up to 30 years …

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HOA Settles Suit with Florida Woman Who Fed Vultures, Gators for $53K

A Florida woman who fed vultures, alligators and other wildlife behind her gated-community home has agreed to pay $53,000 to settle a lawsuit brought by homeowners association. Palm Beach County Judge Scott Kerner permanently enjoined Irma Acosta Arya from feeding …

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Cyber Attacks in Europe, Middle East Could Be Work of Turkey-Sponsored Hackers

Sweeping cyber attacks targeting governments and other organizations in Europe and the Middle East are believed to be the work of hackers acting in the interests of the Turkish government, three senior Western security officials said. The hackers have attacked …

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Energy-Hungry Data Storage Is Another Culprit of Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Everyone has seen the warning. At the bottom of the email, it says: “Please consider the environment before printing.” But for those who care about global warming, you might want to consider not writing so many emails in the first …

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Australian Insurers Should Be Able to Withstand Mounting Bushfire Claims: AM Best

Australian insurers are well-capitalized and should be able to withstand losses from the 2019/2020 bushfire season, aided by strong capital positions and support from reinsurance partners, said AM Best. The ratings agency explained that comprehensive use of reinsurance has helped …

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California Vineyard Spills Nearly 100K Gallons of Red Wine into River

More than 97,000 gallons of red wine spilled from a tank at a vineyard in Sonoma County and eventually leaked into the Russian River, an accident officials said could hurt water quality in the 110-mile tributary flowing into the Pacific …

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Colorado Lawmakers Want to Toughen Workplace Harassment Protections

A proposal to rewrite Colorado’s rules for workplace harassment claims is expected to be introduced soon at the state capitol. It would change things for employers by limiting the use of confidentiality agreements in court, and potentially make businesses liable …

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4.6M Earthquake Confirmed in Southern California Desert

A small earthquake rattled the Southern California desert on Friday, but there were no immediate reports of damage or injuries, the U.S. Geological Survey has confirmed. A temblor with a preliminary magnitude of 4.6 struck at 7:03 p.m. and was …

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California Governor Wants to Block PG&E’s Bankruptcy Plan

California Gov. Gavin Newsom is urging a federal judge to reject Pacific Gas and Electric’s blueprint for getting out of bankruptcy and renewing his threat to lead a bid to turn the beleaguered utility into a government-run operation. In a …

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Entering and Exiting Digital: What’s Up with Multi-Brand Strategies of P/C Insurers?

Two of the largest property/casualty insurers in the U.S., Allstate and Nationwide, made headlines recently when they announced shifts in their respective multi-brand portfolios. Faced with the prospect of staying relevant in an environment that has seen minimal organic growth …

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New Coronavirus Outbreak: Marsh Recommends Immediate Steps for Multinationals

The effects on multinational businesses from a potentially worsening Wuhan coronavirus outbreak could be severe, which is why they need to review, test and potentially update plans related to business continuity, crisis management and crisis communications, according to Marsh in …

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New Jersey Apartment Complex Fire Damages Dozens of Units

A fast-moving fire roared through a southern New Jersey apartment complex, damaging dozens of units but causing no injuries, authorities said. The fire broke out late Monday in the Buttonwood Village complex in Gloucester Township. Firefighters battled the blaze for …

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Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office Charges Insurance Adjuster in $722K Theft

The Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office (DAO) has charged insurance adjuster Michael R. Shelly with insurance fraud, forgery, theft by deception and theft by failure to make required disposition of funds for stealing more than $722,000 from Bridesburg, Penn.-based manufacturer Philly …

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The Hilb Group Acquires Maryland’s Martens Johnson Insurance Agency

The Hilb Group LLC (THG) has acquired Maryland-based Martens Johnson Insurance Agency Inc. (MJIA). The transaction became effective January 1, 2020. MJIA is a full-service insurance agency focused on the unique needs of the commercial transportation industry in the Maryland …

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Uber Goes to Washington. Autonomous Cars with Humans to Collect Data in D.C.

Uber Technologies Inc. will put self-driving vehicles on Washington, D.C. roads Friday with human drivers in control, the ride share company said on Thursday, as it seeks to collect data for future deployment of fully self-driving vehicles. Uber is collecting …

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Uber in London Failed to Flag Assault Complaints, Monitor Drivers’ Insurance Status

London’s main transportation regulator has released a scathing document detailing why it moved to ban Uber Technologies Inc. from operating in the city. The regulator lists several safety concerns, including the charge that it didn’t receive proper notification of alleged …

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Insured Losses from Australia’s Hailstorms Hit US$352.5 Million

The Insurance Council of Australia (ICA) has declared a catastrophe for damage caused by hailstorms that struck eastern Melbourne, the Australian Capital Territory and parts of New South Wales on Sunday and Monday (Jan. 19-Jan. 20). Insured losses from the …

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As Insurers Pull Back from Australia’s Bushfire Zones, They Could Become Uninhabitable

Australian wildfires that have razed thousands of homes and blackened an area about the size of England may also create the nation’s first climate refugees. That’s the view of Michael Mann, distinguished professor of atmospheric science at Pennsylvania State University, …

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China’s New Coronavirus Doesn’t Always Cause a Fever so Detection May Be Difficult

China’s new deadly virus is more difficult to contain than other pandemics because those infected may not get a fever, a symptom governments around the world are using to screen for the pathogen. The National Health Commission told local governments …

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Indonesia to Tighten Oversight of Troubled Insurance Industry as Crisis Continues

With Indonesia’s oldest life insurer tottering on the brink of collapse following years of alleged mismanagement, authorities plan to tighten surveillance of the industry by overhauling regulations and setting up a rescue agency. The government plans to draft an omnibus …

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Trump OKs North Dakota Storm-Related Disaster Declaration

President Donald Trump has approved a disaster declaration for North Dakota after an October storm dumped heavy rain and snow on a large part of the state. Gov. Doug Burgum made the request last month and announced Trump had approved …

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AXA Reviews Potential Sale of Middle Eastern Operations: Sources

AXA SA is considering options for its Middle Eastern operations including a potential sale, as Chief Executive Officer Thomas Buberl continues to streamline the operations of Europe’s second-largest insurer, people familiar with the matter said. The French insurer is working …

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U.K. Financial Services Firms Must Prepare for Failure of Brexit Trade Deal: Regulator

Financial firms in Britain should be ready in case no trade agreement is struck with the European Union by December, a senior U.K. regulator said on Thursday. Britain leaves the EU next week, followed by a “business as usual” transition …

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Florida Lawmakers Propose Task Force to Protect State from Sea-Level Rise

After years of mostly ignoring climate change, Florida lawmakers waded deeper into the matter on Tuesday , advancing a proposal that would create a statewide Office of Resiliency and establish a task force to begin looking into how best to …

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4 Racehorses Die at New Orleans Track in 10-Day Span

Four thoroughbred racehorses were euthanized after competing at a New Orleans track in a 10 -day span, prompting criticism from an animal advocacy group based in Washington D.C. Officials at the New Orleans Fair Grounds Race Course didn’t specify the …

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Wisconsin Manufacturer Fined $171K for Exposing Workers to Lead, Other Hazards

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited Milwaukee Valve Company Inc. – based in Prairie du Sac, Wisconsin – for exposing employees to lead and copper dust at rates higher than the permissible exposure …

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Court: Insurer GEICO Must Pay Injured Kansas Man for Care Provided by Wife

An insurance company must reimburse a Kansas man for the personal care his wife provided after he was injured in an automobile accident, the state Supreme Court ruled in rejecting that spouses are required to provide such support without compensation. …

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Texas’ Galiot Insurance Services, Higginbotham Join Forces

Houston-based Galiot Insurance Services, with a specialty in the life sciences sector, and insurance broker Higginbotham, headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas, have merged operations. Galiot President and CEO Brian Toglia, with 14 years of experience in the insurance industry, focuses …

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Hawaii Family Sues School Over Child’s Death While Kayaking

The family of a 5-year-old boy who died on a kayaking excursion filed a lawsuit against the school that conducted the trip. The family of Alaric Chiu filed the lawsuit last week against Mid-Pacific Institute citing reckless behavior and gross …

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New Laws Spur Insurers to Reserve for Potential Child Sex-Abuse Claims

Travelers Companies Inc. has set aside a “modest” amount of additional money to cover its possible exposure to child sex-abuse claims, the insurer’s finance chief, Daniel Frey, told analysts during an earnings call on Thursday. Two analysts asked about Travelers’ …

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Father Sues Police in Oregon for Using Stun Gun on 14-Year-Old

A father is suing Redmond, Ore. police because he says they used excessive force when they used a Taser stun gun on his 14-year-old son nearly two years ago. Michael Francisco filed the civil rights lawsuit last week in U.S. …

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Major Cyber Attacks of 2019 Seen via Infographic from Cyber Risk Modeling Firm Kovrr

With the number of cyber attacks on the rise, it’s natural to think that this increase of cyber attacks is due to new actors and technological developments, said Yakir Golan, the CEO of Kovrr, the Tel Aviv-based provider of predictive …

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Munich Re Weighs Whether to Set Long-Term Profit Target of $3.3 Billion: Source

Munich Re is considering whether to set itself a long-term net income target of 3 billion euros ($3.3 billion) a year as the company seeks to match levels it regularly achieved until 2015. The reinsurer may announce such a plan …

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J.C. Flowers Considers Sale of Its French Loan Insurance Broker CEP

J.C. Flowers & Co, the U.S. investment and financial services-focused private equity firm, is reviving plans for a potential sale of its French loan insurance broker Financiere CEP, according to people familiar with the matter. The firm is considering various …

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AssuredPartners Acquires Illinois’ Corkill Insurance Agency

AssuredPartners Inc. has acquired Corkill Insurance Agency Inc. of Elk Grove Village, Illinois. AssuredPartners said the Corkill acquisition is its first in 2020. The Corkill staff of 104 will remain under the operational leadership of Luke Praxmarer and Paul Praxmarer. …

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Reports: Florida Real Estate Could Lose $80B in Value from Sea Rise

Flooding due to climate change-related sea level rising, the erosion of natural barriers and long-periods of rain pose substantial economic risks to Florida, particularly to the value of South Florida real estate, according to two new reports released last week. …

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New Mexico State University Wrongly Fired Professor, Lawsuit Charges

A former criminal justice professor at New Mexico State University says he lost his job in retaliation for reporting misconduct at his department. The Las Cruces Sun-News reports Francisco Alatorre last month filed a lawsuit in state district court and …

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Environmental Group Warns ‘Forever Chemicals’ Widespread in U.S. Drinking Water

The contamination of U.S. drinking water with man-made “forever chemicals” is far worse than previously estimated with some of the highest levels found in Miami, Philadelphia and New Orleans, said a report on Wednesday by an environmental watchdog group. The …

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Wyoming Firm Settles Religious Discrimination Suit

A Wyoming company has settled a federal lawsuit by a former employee who claimed she was pressured to take Scientology courses as a condition of her employment. Julie A. Rohrbacher filed the lawsuit in 2018 against Teton Therapy, which operates …

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Former Student Says Oregon Teacher Groped Her 80 Times, Seeks $4.5M

The first of what could be multiple sexual abuse lawsuits against The Catlin Gabel School in Oregon was filed this month. The Oregonian/OregonLive reported Kim Wilson of Portland claims she was molested 80 times by Richardson Shoemaker, a long-time Catlin …

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BMS Group Appoints Kohonen as Senior Vice President in Atlanta

BMS Group, the independent specialist (re)insurance broker, has appointed Jani Kohonen as senior vice president and Atlanta branch manager, effective on Jan. 29, 2020. He will be based in Atlanta and reports to Pete Chandler, president & CEO of BMS …

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Strap on the Goggles. Employee Training Is Entering Virtual Reality.

The future of employee training involves no embarrassing role-playing in front of new colleagues or boring web modules which take an hour each to click through. For the next wave in workplace learning, get ready to strap on a pair …

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California Man Arrested for Insurance Fraud on Top of an Apparently Legit $1M Claim

A California man is being charged with attempting to defraud his insurer of $43,000 while his $1 million property claim from one of the massive wildfires that struck the state in 2018 appears to be legitimate. Stephen Cortopassi, 64, of …

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UK Markets Watchdog Cracks Down on Conduct of Financial Advisers

Britain’s markets watchdog told financial advisers on Tuesday they face a two-year crackdown to stop unsuitable advice, investment scams and excessive fees. The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) said in a “Dear CEO” letter to heads of financial advice firms it …

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North Carolina Captive Insurance Program Continued Growth in 2019

The North Carolina Department of Insurance Captive Insurance Program continued its steady growth in 2019, according to a statement from NCDOI. As of Dec. 31, 2019, NCDOI had licensed (including provisional) 318 captive insurers and approved (including conditional) 592 cells …

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Demotech: Louisiana’s Centauri National Insurance to Keep ‘A’ FSR

Demotech Inc. said the Financial Stability Rating (FSR) of A, Exceptional, assigned to Louisiana’s Centauri National Insurance Co. is being sustained based upon its pending acquisition by Avatar Partners LP, parent of Avatar Property & Casualty Insurance Co. Centauri National …

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Prince Wrongful Death Case Against Doctor, Hospital Dismissed; Settlement Presumed

A wrongful death lawsuit filed by musician Prince’s family members has been quietly dismissed in recent months, suggesting family members have reached settlements with defendants including the Minnesota doctor who saw Prince in the weeks before his death and the …

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Arkansas’ Kerr Named Chair of NAIC’s Market Regulation, Consumer Affairs Committee

Arkansas Insurance Commissioner Allen Kerr has been named chairman of the Market Regulation and Consumer Affairs (D) Committee of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) for 2020. This is the second time Kerr will serve as chair of the …

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Mace Appointed Deputy Commissioner of Legal Services at Texas DWC

Kara Mace has been tapped as deputy commissioner for the newly created Legal Services program at the Texas Department of Insurance, Division of Workers’ Compensation. Legal Services will handle rule development, open records, litigation, contracts, subpoenas, and other legal issues …

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Dean Promoted to Managing Director at Burns & Wilcox in Indianapolis

Wholesale insurance broker and underwriting manager, Burns & Wilcox, has promoted Andrew Dean to managing director from associate managing director in the company’s Indianapolis, Indiana, office. As managing director, Dean oversees and manages day-to-day operations of the Indianapolis team and …

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EU Privacy Regulators Expected to Raise Fines Under GDPR Data Protection Rules

European Union privacy regulators are gearing up to make full use of expanded powers under new data protection rules, according to a report that found 114 million euros ($126.5 million) in fines have been levied so far for data violations, …

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4.5 Mag Quake Shook Southern Kansas on Sunday

A magnitude 4.5 earthquake was reported in southern Kansas on Sunday. The U.S. Geological Survey said the quake struck about 2 miles (3 kilometers) southwest of Hutchinson shortly after 1 p.m. The service had initially reported that it was a …

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AGCS Appoints Haagen as Chief Underwriting Officer Specialty, Succeeding O’Neill

Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty SE (AGCS), the corporate insurance carrier of Allianz Group, appointed Henning Haagen as chief underwriting officer specialty and member of the board of management, subject to regulatory approval. Effective March 1, 2020, Haagen will succeed …

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Supreme Court Rejects Bid to Put Obamacare Appeals on Fast Track

The U.S. Supreme Court signaled it won’t take up appeals defending Obamacare during the term that ends in June, rejecting requests by Democratic-led states and the House to put the case on a fast track. The appeals, filed separately by …

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Natural Disasters in Past Decade Broke Records for Economic, Insured Losses: Aon

The past decade broke new records in terms of economic damages and insured losses, according to Aon’s latest catastrophe report. The costs to global economies reached US$2.98 trillion between 2010 and 2019, which was US$1.19 trillion higher than 2000-2009, said …

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Pandemic Fears Grow as China Steps Up Efforts to Control New Flu-Like Coronavirus

Deaths from China’s new flu-like virus rose to nine on Wednesday with more than 470 confirmed cases, heightening global fears of contagion from an infection suspected to have come from animals. The previously unknown and contagious coronavirus strain emerged from …

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Former Iowa Agent Sentenced to Federal Prison for Fraud

A Muscatine, Iowa, insurance agent has been sentenced to 18 months in federal prison for wire and mail fraud. Federal prosecutors for Iowa said that Ashley Erin Murphy Schneider, 37, was sentenced Thursday in Davenport’s federal courthouse after pleading guilty …

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Ohio State Doctor Abuse Lawsuits, Investigation Have Cost $9.8M, So Far

The investigation and related lawsuits about alleged sexual abuse decades ago by an Ohio State University team doctor have cost nearly $10 million so far, according to the school. The total was about $9.8 million as of December, school spokesman …

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North Carolina Awarded $281M for Hurricane Damage by Army Corps

The Army Corps of Engineers will award $281 million to a North Carolina city and county heavily impacted by Hurricanes Matthew and Florence. The Corps will release $237 million to Surf City/ North Topsail Beach and $44.5 million to Carteret …

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Earthquake Felt in Eastern Tennessee, Kentucky

A small earthquake hit East Tennessee on Monday, officials said. The U.S. Geological Survey said a magnitude 3.8 earthquake struck near Fincastle, Tennessee in Campbell County. A USGS map showed it was felt around East Tennessee and southern Kentucky. It …

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Toyota to Recall 3.4 Million Vehicles Over Defect in Air Bags

Toyota Motor Corp. said on Tuesday it will recall 3.4 million vehicles worldwide because of an electronic defect that can result in air bags not deploying in crashes. The recall, which includes 2.9 million U.S. vehicles, covers 2011-2019 Corolla, 2011-2013 …

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Iran Crash Victims May Need Political Backing in Fight for Damages

Families of the 176 people killed when Iran shot down a Ukrainian airliner face a complicated legal battle where backing from the victims’ governments may be crucial as they seek damages, legal experts said. Lawyers say many relatives will automatically …

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IBM Calls For Rules to Curb Bias in Artificial Intelligence

IBM called for rules aimed at eliminating bias in artificial intelligence to ease concerns that the technology relies on data that bakes in past discriminatory practices and could harm women, minorities, the disabled, older Americans and others. As it seeks …

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Starr Insurance Companies Appoints Murphy as Southeast Regional VP

Starr Insurance Companies has appointed Kathleen Murphy as regional vice president, Southeast Region, effective January 13. Murphy is responsible for field leadership as well as broker and client relationships. According Robert Cruz, senior vice president, Sales and Distribution, Murphy has …

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Cannasure Names Jenkins Senior Product Development Manager in California

Cannasure Insurance Services has named Summer Jenkins a senior product development manager. Jenkins is based in Sacramento, Calif., and reports to Kieran O’Rourke, director of underwriting. Jenkins has more than 20 years of foreign and domestic underwriting, program and product …

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Topa Insurance in California Names Pavlov Chief Operating Officer

Calabasas, Calif.-based Topa Insurance Group has named Denise Pavlov the group’s senior vice president and chief operating officer. Pavlov joined the company in April 2018 as senior vice president and chief underwriting officer, overseeing Topa’s underwriting, products, program development, marketing …

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Washington Commissioner Orders Pet Insurers to Repay $4.7M to Consumers

Washington Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler issued a fine of $950,000 against ACE American Insurance Co. and Indemnity Insurance Co. of North America for reportedly overcharging 18,000 Washington consumers for nearly five years. Kreidler ordered the companies to repay $4.7 million …

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Alabama Agencies Ordered to Pay $540K in Back Wages to Disabled Workers

A recycling center that employs adults with intellectual disabilities in Alabama should have paid hundreds of thousands of dollars to its workers, federal labor officials said. The U.S. Department of Labor recently announced that employees were rightfully owed $540,000. Montgomery …

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Korean Re Gets Chinese Approval to Open Shanghai Branch

Korean Re has completed the establishment of a branch office in Shanghai as the company received final approval from the authorities of the People’s Republic of China on Dec. 27, 2019. The new office in Shanghai will be Korean Re’s …

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Lawsuit: Ex-Volvo Worker in North Carolina Fired Because He Wasn’t Swedish

A Romanian-born former employee at Volvo was left out of business talks, turned down for a promotion and ultimately fired because he wasn’t Swedish, according to a lawsuit. Luke Diventi is suing Volvo Group North America LLC for job discrimination, …

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Marsh & McLennan Acquires Ironwood Insurance Services of Georgia

Marsh & McLennan Agency LLC (MMA), the middle market agency subsidiary of Marsh, has acquired Ironwood Insurance Services, LLC, an independent broker in the Southeast. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed. Founded in 2007 and based in Atlanta, Ironwood …

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Wolf Promoted to President of Big I Advantage, Replacing Departing Buse

Mark Steven Wolf is the new leader of Big I Advantage, replacing Paul Buse who is moving on after more than 21 years with the company. Wolf is now president of Big I Advantage, IIAA Agency Administrative Services, IIAA Membership …

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Florida-Based Acentria Insurance Makes Executive Promotions

Acentria Insurance, an insurance agency operating in the Southeastern United States, has made executive leadership promotions in preparation for its plans grown and expand within the marketplace. Effective immediately, Kendall McEachern, co-founder of Acentria Insurance, will serve as chairman of …

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China’s Mysterious Respiratory Virus Spreads to Health Workers, Different Countries

China’s mysterious respiratory virus has caused six deaths and infected a number of medical workers, a sign the outbreak has entered a new phase with the illness spreading from person to person. Health-care workers contracting the new illness indicates that …

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Tort Reformers Proclaim Top 10 ‘Judicial Hellholes’ for 2020

It’s out: the annual report by tort reform advocates of what they say are the nation’s worst local courts and states that are abusing the civil justice system. The report also warns of state courts that did not make the …

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Feds Charge 2 Florida Women with Hurricane Irma Disaster Assistance Fraud

Two Florida women have been accused of lying about damage caused by Hurricane Irma in separate cases, federal prosecutors announced last week. Indictments were returned charging Bernita Willette Carswell, 36, of Jacksonville, and Deannajo White, 39, Suwannee County, with disaster …

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Texas Mutual: Massachusetts Firm Pleads Guilty to Workers’ Comp Fraud

A Massachusetts company has pleaded guilty in a Travis County, Texas, district court to workers’ compensation fraud, according to Texas Mutual Insurance Co. Texas Mutual says EME International Inc. (EME) of Marblehead, Massachusetts, pleaded guilty to a third-degree felony and …

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MGA Incubator Castel Taps Carlos from Arch Insurance as Head of Specialty

Castel Underwriting Agencies Ltd., the managing general agent and club-style MGA formation platform, has announced the appointment of Raoul Carlos as head of Specialty as it structures its underwriting cells and MGAs into a number of centres of excellence focused …

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Three Massachusetts Workers Shocked When Scaffolding Touches Power Line

Three people were injured, one critically, on Tuesday when scaffolding they were working with at a Massachusetts home came in contact with power lines, police said. Beverly police responded to a report that two workers had fallen from the roof …

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SterlingRisk Insurance Promotes DelPrete to President of Programs

SterlingRisk Insurance, a Woodbury, N.Y.-based independently owned insurance brokerage, has promoted Geraldine DelPrete to president of Programs. According to SterlingRisk CEO David Sterling in a company press release, DelPrete’s background in reinsurance and underwriting and understanding of programs has directly …

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Boeing Employees’ Emails on Pilot Training Could Boost Crash Victim Claims

Internal emails from Boeing Co. employees could strengthen the legal case for families claiming the company’s push to minimize the training needed for new 737 Max aircraft contributed to two crashes that killed 346 people. Employees bragged about fooling the …

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Aon’s Quintal Jumps to Marsh’s Financial Institutions Practice

Insurance broker Marsh announced the appointment of Jacqueline Quintal as a managing director in its U.S. Financial Institutions Practice. In this role, Quintal will bring together transactional and risk advisory brokerage, claims, and consulting resources for financial institution clients throughout …

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Distinguished Programs Promotes Bah in Massachusetts, McFadden in New York

Distinguished Programs, a national insurance program manager, has promoted Mamadou Bah to regional sales executive and Renée A. McFadden to vice president and regional sales executive in New Jersey and eastern Long Island, including Queens and Brooklyn. With more than …

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Massachusetts’ RogersGray Promotes Deems to Partner

RogersGray has promoted Greg Deems to partner within the Massachusetts-headquartered, independent insurance agency. Deems joined RogersGray in 2011 and became a top performer in his sales role, devoting himself to the furthering of his insurance knowledge and was instrumental in …

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P/C Insurers Boosted Underwriting Profit, Surplus in 2019’s First 9 Months

The private U.S. property/casualty insurance industry saw its net underwriting gains increase to $5.4 billion in the first nine months of 2019 from $4.7 billion a year earlier, bolstered by growth in premiums and a drop in catastrophe losses. The …

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Supreme Court Says State Universities Not Immune to Patent Challenges

The U.S. Supreme Court refused to shield state-run universities from having to appear before a federal administrative body to defend the validity of patents they own. The justices turned down an appeal by the University of Minnesota that argued it …

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Judge Presses PG&E on How It Will Protect Wildfire Victims’ Funds Given FEMA Demand

PG&E Corp. needs to explain how it will keep a promise to pay fire victims $13.5 billion in the face of a demand from the Federal Emergency Management Agency for a cut of that money, a bankruptcy judge said Wednesday. …

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Liberty Mutual’s Irish Insurer Exits Several Lines Including Commercial Liability, Property

Liberty Insurance, the Irish subsidiary of Liberty Mutual Insurance Group, is exiting its commercial liability, commercial property and development bonds lines of business. Liberty will continue to provide services and honor its commitments to existing liability, property and bonds customers …

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Indonesia Takes Action to Rescue State Insurers, Potentially Raising Funds

Indonesia will appoint state financial firm PT Bahana Pembinaan Usaha Indonesia as a holding company for state insurers to improve their finances, a deputy minister said on Thursday, as the government puts together a rescue plan for a second troubled …

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Japan Firms Have Done Little to Build Resilience Against Increasing Floods: Reuters Poll

Japanese companies have contingency plans for the floods that increasingly drench this island nation, but most have done little to fortify facilities, relying instead on insurance and securing alternative supply sources, a Reuters poll found. Japanese have long been conditioned …

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2019 Floods Brought Financial Woes to South Dakota Townships

Townships in South Dakota are facing economic difficulties as 2019 flood repair costs mount. Townships primarily depend on their taxpayers for funds to repair more than 31,000 miles (50,000 kilometers) of roads while they wait for reimbursements from the Federal …

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Oklahoma Oil Rig Explosion Wrongful Death Trial Begins in Oklahoma

The wrongful death trial against a oilfield equipment contractor in connection with a January 2018 explosion and fire that killed five men in southeastern Oklahoma is underway. The McAlester News-Capital reports that attorneys for the families of Parker Waldridge of …

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With Focus on Iowa, MIAA Hires Wright, Siegfried

The Midwest Insurance Agency Alliance (MIAA), a regional insurance agency network based in Lincoln, Nebraska, has added support Jamie Wright and Rebekah Siegfried to support the organization’s continued growth in Iowa. Wright has joined MIAA as regional vice president for …

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Catapult Insurance Promotes King, Adds Fisher to Executive Team in Dallas

Catapult Insurance Solutions, a privately held managing general insurance agency and wholesale brokerage based in Dallas, has promoted Becky King to vice president of Underwriting and product manager, and added Steve Fisher as vice president of Business Development. King has …

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Reuters Report: How Secrecy in Courts Stymies Safety Regulators

LEBANON, Ohio — Something wasn’t right with the Rhino. Reports started trickling in to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) in 2005 of people being killed or injured in the Yamaha Motor Co. off-road vehicles when they tipped over. But …

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Coastal Insurance Underwriters Acquires Assets of Florida Tech Company Cybercom

Coastal Insurance Underwriters, Inc., a Ponte Vedra Beach Florida based MGU and program administrator, acquired the assets of Cybercom International Corp. on Jan. 2, 2020. Cybercom International Corporation, Inc. (CIC) was established in 1997 as a custom software development company …

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Ceron Named BMS Latin America & Caribbean COO in Miami

BMS Group, an independent specialist reinsurance broker, has appointed of Alejandro Ceron as BMS Latin America & Caribbean chief operating officer, effective immediately. Ceron will be based in Miami and reports to Jose Astorqui, CEO of BMS Latin America & …

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Labor Dept Rules Tennessee Utility Illegally Fired Whistleblower

The U.S. Department of Labor has ruled in favor of a nuclear engineer who says the Tennessee Valley Authority fired her in retaliation for reporting safety and personnel concerns. The Labor Department is ordering the utility to restore Beth Wetzel’s …

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Newspaper Says Chemicals Found in Drinking Water Near South Carolina Air Base

A newspaper says it found high levels of a toxic chemical in the drinking water near one of South Carolina’s largest military bases. The Post and Courier paid University of Rhode Island researchers to examine tap water at the Crescent …

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Liberty Mutual Surety Launches Product Line for Small, Mid-Size Contractors

Liberty Mutual Surety has launched a new product line dedicated to contract transactional and small- to mid-sized surety business. Liberty Mutual Surety Plus is available through independent agents and serves contractors that need standard bond programs up to $25 million, …

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Meat Loaf Sues Texas Hotel, Blames Negligence for Disabling Fall

Singer and actor Meat Loaf has filed a lawsuit against a hotel at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport and organizers of a horror convention held there, blaming them for negligence when he fell from a stage while answering questions from convention …

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Recreational Cannabis Impairs Driving Even When Driver Not High: Harvard Research

Recreational cannabis use affects driving ability even when drivers are not intoxicated by marijuana, according to a study from a Harvard Medical School hospital. Published in the Drug and Alcohol Dependence journal, the study “Recreational Cannabis Use Impairs Driving Performance …

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Citing Safety Concerns, 16 States Oppose Trump Plan to Ship Natural Gas by Rail

Attorneys general from 16 U.S. states have opposed a Trump administration proposal to ship liquefied natural gas (LNG) by rail, arguing that any leaks increase safety risks to residents and emergency responders. The top legal officers of Maryland, New York, …

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Virtual Auto Insurance Agency Insurify Raises $23M; Will Expand Into Home, Renters, Life

Digital auto insurance comparison agency Insurify announced it is expanding into home, renters and life insurance comparison. To help drive its expansion, the Cambridge, Mass.-based company said it has raised $23 million in Series A funding, led by MTech Capital …

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Alaska School District Weighing Cost of Earthquake Relief

Negotiations between the Anchorage School District in Alaska and the federal government over earthquake damage relief could result in the district turning down millions in funds, an official said. The negotiations over money to repair damage caused by the state’s …

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California Refinery Hit With $125K in Safety Violations

Federal officials have fined a Southern California refinery $125,000 for chemical safety and risk-management violations, according to a newspaper report. The violations stem from a 2016 investigation into Torrance Refinery, which found equipment designed to help contain an accidental release …

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Chinese Regulator Gears Up for Opening of Financial Sector – and Foreign Competition

Chinese financial institutions are completely capable of coping with foreign competition as the $40 trillion financial sector is freed up, the central bank said on Thursday, after China and the United States signed a initial deal on trade. The bank …

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Sedgwick Acquires Restoration Industry Billing Software Firm, G&E Enterprises

Insurance and benefits claims firm Sedgwick reports it has acquired Chattanooga, Tennessee-based G&E Enterprises. G&E Enterprises is a tome and material billing and data management system for insurance restoration contracting. Its primary product is software-as-a-service offering T&M Pro. Sedgwick said …

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U.K. Insurtech Startup battleface Receives Investment from Fintech Ventures Fund

Insurtech startup battleface Inc., a U.K. firm that provides travel insurance products for unconventional travelers worldwide, announced it has successfully closed its seed financing round with backing from leading strategic and venture capital investors. Atlanta, Ga.-based Fintech Ventures Fund has …

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Panel Urges Mandatory Safety Systems for Aircraft Manufacturers

An expert committee on Thursday recommended the Federal Aviation Administration’s require Boeing Co and other aircraft manufacturers to adopt new safety management tools in the wake of two fatal Boeing 737 MAX crashes. Boeing grounded its entire 737 Max fleet, …

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U.K. P&C Insurers Face Strong Competition, Claims Inflation: AM Best Report

Market conditions for U.K. non-life insurers were difficult in 2019 as they continued to face strong competition and claims inflation, according to a report published by AM Best. Companies have had to contend with changes in the discount rate — …

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Gemini, Seeing Insurance As Key to Future of Virtual Currency, Starts Own Captive

U.S. virtual currency firm Gemini Trust Company announced on Thursday that it has launched its own insurance unit to boost coverage against theft of crypto assets. Gemini’s new in-house insurer, Bermuda-based Nakamoto Ltd, provides a total of $200 million in …

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China’s Fosun Considers Sale of German Insurer Frankfurter Leben: Sources

Chinese conglomerate Fosun International Ltd. is exploring options including a potential sale for its German insurance business Frankfurter Leben Holding GmbH, people with knowledge of the matter said. Fosun has held talks with potential advisers about options for Frankfurter Leben, …

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Lawmaker Says Maine Cannabis Needs Bank, Insurance Access

A Maine legislator is calling on the state’s legislative body to push the U.S. Congress to make banking and insurance accessible to legalized cannabis businesses. Republican Rep. John Andrews of Paris, Maine, said he intends to introduce a resolution to …

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Saxe Doernberger & Vita Names Guertin Managing Partner of Northeast Office

Saxe Doernberger & Vita, P.C. (SDV) has named Theresa A. Guertin as managing partner of SDV’s Northeast office, effective January 1, 2020. Guertin has an active litigation practice, and she is co-chair of the firm’s Risk Transfer group. She represents …

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Ames & Gough Elects Knise as Chair, Announces Senior Leadership Appointments

Ames & Gough, an insurance broker and risk management consultant specializing in serving design professionals, law firms, associations/nonprofits and other professional service organizations, has appointed Matt Gough as president and Brett Gough as chief operating officer. Along with CEO Dan …

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Renaissance Alliance Insurance Services Adds Five New Agencies to Its Network

Renaissance Alliance Insurance Services, a national membership alliance for independent insurance agencies, has announced that five independent insurance agencies joined its network. New member agencies are in Massachusetts and Florida. In making the announcement, Renaissance Alliance Executive Chairman Kevin R. …

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Generali’s Europ Assistance Opens Office in Thailand

Europ Assistance, the Generali subsidiary, announced it has opened an office in Thailand, expanding the company’s commitment to the Asia region where it has operated for the past 30 years. Europ Assistance now provides travel assistance services across Southeast Asia …

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Chubb Names Côté as Head of Major Accts, Europe; Brionne as France Country President

Chubb announced a series of changes to its European leadership team: a new head of Major Accounts for Europe; a new country president for France and a new director of Accident & Health Continental Europe. Nadia Côté has been appointed …

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Florida Legislative Session 2020: Insurance Bills to Watch

The Florida insurance industry will be focused on several key issues this session, including reform for auto glass (windshield) assignment of benefits (AOB) abuse, reforms to the state’s legal system, as well as changes to the Florida Hurricane Catastrophe Fund. …

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Florida Legislative Preview 2020: Industry Calls On Lawmakers to Reform Lawsuit Abuse

The Florida Legislature started its 2020 legislative session this week and lawmakers are set to consider a number of insurance-focused issues over the course of the 60-day period. At the top of the list for industry and consumer advocates are …

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Finance, Insurance Sector ‘Wins’ in U.S.-China Trade Deal Seem Familiar

The long-awaited U.S.-China trade deal unveiled on Wednesday touted new wins for U.S. companies looking to access China’s $40 trillion financial market, but many of the changes were already in the works even before the trade war ignited. The deal, …

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Aspen Risk Management Group in California Acquired by TRISTAR

TRISTAR Insurance Group Inc. has agreed to acquire San Diego, Calif.-based Aspen Risk Management Group. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. All Aspen employees will continue operating out of the existing locations under the name Aspen Risk Management Group, …

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Dead Crew Member’s Family Suing California Dive Boat Operator

The family of the lone crew member to die in a fiery scuba boat disaster that killed all 33 passengers off the California coast last year sued the vessel’s owner Monday in federal court. The lawsuit by the family of …

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Southern California Uber Driver Accused of Raping Passenger

An Uber driver was arrested on suspicion of raping a woman who said she fell asleep in his car after a night of drinking and woke up to him assaulting her, authorities said. The suspect, Alonso Calle, had contacted police …

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Philadelphia Insurance Names Doyle Co-Chief Underwriting Officer; Adds 3 Senior VPs

Philadelphia Insurance Companies has appointed John Doyle as a co-chief underwriting officer and promoted three vice presidents to senior vice president roles. Doyle is now shares the underwriting officer responsibilities along with President John Glomb. In this new role, Doyle …

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Using Game Theory to Determine Who’s Liable: Autonomous Vehicle or Human Driver?

A recent decision by the National Transpiration Safety Board (NTSB) on the March 2018 Uber crash that killed a pedestrian in Arizona split the blame among Uber, the company’s autonomous vehicle (AV), the safety driver in the vehicle, the victim, …

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Critics Say Puerto Rico Needs a Proactive Emergency Plan

More than two years ago, Hurricane Maria revealed that Puerto Rico was utterly unprepared for a powerful hurricane despite its location in one of the world’s most storm-vulnerable regions. Now, a flurry of earthquakes topped by a magnitude 6.4 temblor …

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One80 Intermediaries Acquires Pennsylvania’s Vista Underwriting Partners

One80 Intermediaries, a national wholesale insurance broker and program manager headquartered in Boston, Mass., has acquired Vista Underwriting Partners, a full service managing general underwriter of medical stop loss insurance. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. Headquartered in Media, …

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Santarelli to Head Maryland’s Newly Formed Wye River Insurance Brokerage

Wye River Insurance, based in Baltimore, Md., has announced leadership appointments for the newly-formed insurance brokerage serving real estate and construction professionals in the multifamily industry. Long-time insurance expert Katherine Santarelli will lead day-to-day operations and provide strategic brokering and …

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Christmas Ransomware Attack Hit New York Airport Servers

An upstate New York airport and its computer management provider were attacked by ransomware over Christmas, officials said. Officials at the Albany County Airport Authority announced Thursday that the attack came to light after Schenectady-based LogicalNet reported its own management …

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Severe Storms Expected to Bring Relief, New Risks to Bushfire-Stricken Australia

Severe storms are expected to bring some relief in the coming days from huge bushfires scorching Australia but the heavy downpours could also carry the risk of landslides and water pollution, officials said on Wednesday. Australia is battling its worst …

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Ben & Jerry’s Says No Depositions Possible in Claims Against ‘Happy Cows’

Ben & Jerry’s said it does not deceive consumers by saying it used milk and cream from “happy cows” to make its ice cream, and that an environmental advocate’s lawsuit claiming otherwise should be dismissed. In a Monday filing seeking …

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N.Y. Limo Drivers Face New Safety Rules After Deadly 2018 Crash

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo and leaders of the state legislature have agreed on a package of limousine-safety laws that would create a new driver’s license for operators, require seat belts, ban defective vehicles from the road and increase penalties …

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Captive Insurance Agents Turning Independent: How to Choose New Management Software

There’s a storm brewing for many captive insurance agencies and their agents, and that storm may be lengthy. As an example, Nationwide is one of a number of captive insurance companies actively converting their captive agents to the independent model. …

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U.K. Broker Tysers Invests in Bermuda-Based MGA, Helix Underwriting Partners

Tysers, the London-based broker, announced it has taken a minority investment in Bermuda’s newly formed and first independent managing general agent Helix Underwriting Partners Ltd. “As we enter the 200th year of Tysers’ existence, we are delighted to be partnering …

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HCI to Acquire Policies of Florida’s Anchor P&C; Weston to Acquire Anchor Specialty

Two Florida-based homeowners insurers, Anchor Property & Casualty and Anchor Specialty Insurance, have succumbed to market pressures in the state and will be acquired by other companies. Tampa, Fla.-based HCI Group has entered into a preliminary agreement for its subsidiary …

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Ed Broking Appoints Kelley from Sompo Int’l as Head of Bermuda Liability Division

Ed, the global reinsurance, wholesale and specialty broker, announces the appointment of Colin Kelley as head of Ed’s new Liability Division in Bermuda. Effective immediately, Kelley will lead the professional lines, casualty and healthcare teams. Kelley brings more than 16 …

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Spike in Piracy in Singapore Strait Prompts Calls for Improved Security

Coastal nations around the Singapore Strait must step up surveillance and patrols of the strategic waterway after a sharp rise in piracy incidents last year, maritime watchdog ReCAAP said on Wednesday. The number of piracy and armed robbery incidents in …

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World Economic Forum Sounds Alarms About Climate Change Risks

The World Economic Forum is sounding alarm bells on climate change, with environmental risks occupying the group’s top five long-term concerns for the first time on record. Extreme weather events, the failure of climate-change mitigation, major natural disasters, biodiversity loss …

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Cyber Ranks as Top Peril for Companies Globally for 1st Time: Allianz Survey

Cyber incidents rank for the first time as the most important business risk globally, pushing the perennial top peril, business interruption (BI), into second place, according to the ninth Allianz Risk Barometer 2020. Cyber incidents were named by 39% of …

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USI Names Gilbertson Commercial Lines Practice Leader in San Francisco

USI Insurance Services has named Peter Gilbertson commercial lines practice leader for the Greater San Francisco Bay Area. Gilbertson, who is based in San Francisco, will be responsible for leading a team of property/casualty professionals in the delivery of risk …

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Integrity Insurance Hires Huber as Territory Sales Manager in Minnesota

Integrity Insurance, a property and casualty carrier headquartered in Appleton, Wisconsin, has added Jake Huber as territory sales manager for Minnesota. Based in Minnesota, Huber will be responsible for developing and implementing sales action plans with agency partners to drive …

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Alera Group Acquires AMCORP in San Antonio

Alera Group, a national employee benefits, property/casualty, retirement services and wealth management firm, has acquired AMCORP, a benefits consulting and financial planning firm located in San Antonio, Texas. Founded in 1981 and led by Vince Zinsmeyer and Craig Zinsmeyer, AMCORP …

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Outlooks to Revised to Stable for Missouri Valley Mutual Insurance

AM Best has revised the outlooks to stable from positive and affirmed the Financial Strength Rating of B+ (Good) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating of “bbb-” of Missouri Valley Mutual Insurance Co. (Missouri Valley) in Burke, South Dakota. Missouri …

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Oklahoma AG Sues 3 Opioid Distributors

Oklahoma Attorney General Mike Hunter on Jan. 13 brought a lawsuit against three distributors of opioids after winning a lawsuit against one drug manufacturer and reaching pretrial settlements in other cases. Hunter filed the lawsuit in Cleveland County District Court …

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Supreme Court Declines to Hear Bonds Dispute in Puerto Rico Bankruptcy

The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday declined to take up a dispute that has roiled the $3.8 trillion U.S. municipal bond market over payments on special revenue bonds that grew out of Puerto Rico’s ongoing bankruptcy. The justices left in …

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Wholesale Distributer in Louisiana to Pay $140K to Settle Disability Discrimination Suit

A wholesale distributor based in Jefferson Parish, La., has agreed to pay $140,000 and provide other significant relief to settle a federal disability discrimination lawsuit. The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) charged in its suit that Imperial Trading Company …

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Brit Global Specialty Names AIG’s Ruhlman to U.S. Cyber Team

Brit Ltd. has named Douglas Ruhlman as assistant vice president, Cyber, for Brit Global Specialty USA. Ruhlman will work to support the underwriting and growth of Brit’s U.S. cyber portfolio. He will report to Jeff Norton, senior vice president, Cyber …

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Russell Joins POWERS Insurance & Risk Management as Commercial Lines Account Manager

POWERS Insurance & Risk Management in St. Louis, Missouri, has hired Amy Russell as a commercial lines account manager. Russell has more than 20 years of experience in the insurance and marketing industries. In this position, Russell will be responsible …

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Climate Scientists Warn that Australia’s Bushfires Could Become the New Normal

Bushfires ravaging Australia have provided a foretaste of the kinds of conditions that could become normal unless the world moves rapidly to curb emissions of the greenhouse gases driving global warming, scientists have warned. Although Australia’s government and parts of …

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Nonprofit Opening Flood Risk Model to Researchers and Public

A nonprofit flood risk research organization is offering the first publicly available flood risk model that predicts the probability of flooding for homes and properties across the United States. Brooklyn, N.Y.-based First Street Foundation has launched Flood Lab, a research …

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Harvard Professor Takes Aim at ‘Clickbait’ With Defamation Suit Against New York Times

A Harvard University professor known as an expert in intellectual property is suing the New York Times for its publication of a “sensationalized, false and defamatory ‘clickbait’ Internet headline and lede” about him during the Jeffrey Epstein human trafficking scandal. …

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Fire Torches Several Buildings in New Jersey

A large fire that started in an apartment building under construction spread to several other buildings late Sunday in a downtown district, but no injuries were reported. The fire in Bound Brook, N.J., broke out around 8 p.m. Sunday at …

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Beecher Carlson Insurance Services Hires Ehrlich to Its New York Office

Beecher Carlson Insurance Services LLC, a specialized large account insurance broker, has appointed Joe Ehrlich as Beecher Carlson’s National Practice Leader for Private Equity, Family Office, and M&A. Ehrlich will report to Chief Operating Officer Bill Daly and will work …

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AssuredPartners Acquires Maryland’s The Jordan Insurance Group

AssuredPartners Inc. has acquired The Jordan Insurance Group LLC located in Columbia, Md. The team of five will remain under the operational leadership of Bill Jordan following the acquisition. The agency currently reports $1.1 million in annualized revenues. Headquartered in …

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New York Bans Use of Toxic Chemical in Firefighting Foam

New York plans to restrict the use of firefighting foam that contains certain chemicals that have the potential to contaminate groundwater. Firefighting foam can contain polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, which are man-made chemicals that research suggests can decrease female fertility, …

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BPB UW Management Launches Underwriting Agency as MGA Incubator

BPB UW Management Ltd (BPBUW) has launched an underwriting agency focused on nurturing individual MGA businesses. Its executive team is led by Chairman Jonathan Palmer-Brown, CEO John Holm, COO Margaret Ryan and Executive Director Robin Blunt. BPBUW’s business strategy is …

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P. Barrett Brown Named President of Brown & Brown Retail Business

Insurance broker Brown & Brown announced the appointment of P. Barrett Brown as an executive vice president and president of the company’s retail business. Most recently, Brown served as a senior vice president and a regional president in the retail …

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Liberty Mutual Re Opens Office in Singapore, Appoints Leong from Aspen Re

Liberty Mutual Re (LM Re), part of Liberty Mutual Insurance Group, announced it has opened an office in Singapore and appointed Annie Leong as regional underwriting manager for LM Re in Asia Pacific. “As LM Re continues to build out …

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ArgoGlobal Names Shallow Head of Int’l Specialty, MacDonald Head of Non-U.S. Casualty

ArgoGlobal, the Lloyd’s insurer and member of Argo Group, announced the appointment of Jeremy Shallow as head of International Specialty and Ross MacDonald as head of non-U.S. International Casualty. Shallow reports to John Moffatt, active underwriter of Syndicate 1200, while …

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Forex Firm Travelex Restores Some Online Services After Ransomware Attack

Travelex is restoring operations to process foreign exchange orders electronically, it said on Monday, almost two weeks after cyber hackers took hold of its systems, leading to a global blackout of its online services. Staff at Travelex were forced to …

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Philippine Volcano Erupts, Forcing Evacuation of Thousands of Residents

A lock-down is being implemented by police in three towns in the Philippines near an erupting volcano, 40 miles (65 kilometers) south of capital Manila, to prevent residents from returning home as heavy ash fall and tremors continue in the …

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FDA Report Cites Health Complaints About Juul E-Cigarettes

Juul Labs Inc. received roughly 2,600 complaints about adverse health effects related to its e-cigarette during its first three years in operation, with customers citing issues such as burning sensations in the lungs, blistered lips and vomiting, according to an …

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Washington Mom, Son Charged in Attempted Auto Insurance Fraud

Three people were charged in King County Superior Court in connection to two separate auto insurance fraud cases after investigations by Washington Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler’s Criminal Investigations Unit. In the first case, Sawsan Al-Tamimi and Yassir Al-Mtowag each were …

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