Texas Industrial Equipment and Services Firms Sued for Disability Discrimination

Federal officials say a pair of Texas-based industrial equipment and services companies refused to hire worker because of medical treatment for anxiety and opioid addiction. The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) charged in a lawsuit filed Aug. 19 that …

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Bears Emerge as Threat in Fight Against Minnesota Wildfire

Officials leading the fight against wildfires in northeastern Minnesota warned Aug. 30 about a new threat: bears attracted by generous donations of food and other supplies. “Donations have far out-stripped our need and our ability to store what we have …

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Wells Fargo Could Face New Regulatory Sanctions Over Pace of Restitution

Five years into scandals that have already cost Wells Fargo & Co. more than $5 billion in fines and legal settlements, regulators are privately signaling they’re still not satisfied with the bank’s progress in compensating victims and shoring up controls. …

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VW Asks Supreme Court to Reverse State Court Diesel Emissions Ruling

Volkswagen AG on Tuesday asked the U.S. Supreme Court to reverse an Ohio court ruling that cleared the way for the state to move forward with a lawsuit over its diesel emissions scandal and manipulation of emissions-control systems. The German …

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Moody’s: Ida’s Impact Likely to Be Greater on Regional Insurers, LA Citizens

While large, national property/casualty insurers with leading market shares in both the residential and commercial property markets in Louisiana will be exposed to losses resulting from Hurricane Ida, which hit the state on Aug. 29 as a Category 4 storm, …

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Texas’ Griddy Energy Settles Over Exorbitant Energy Bills From Freeze

The electric utility Griddy Energy has reached a settlement with Texas officials over crushing electric bills its customers received after the deadly February winter storm and cold wave, the Texas Attorney General’s Office announced. Griddy Energy sold power to consumers …

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Minnesota Tops 300 Pre-Labor Day Traffic Deaths

Minnesota reached 300 traffic accident deaths before Labor Day for the first time in more than a decade, prompting state public safety officials to issue a plea for people to slow down. The state reported its 300th fatality on Aug. …

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Officials Order More Evacuations from Massive Fire Threatening Lake Tahoe

Fire officials ordered more evacuations near Lake Tahoe and told other residents to be ready to leave as a destructive fire roared through forests southwest of the alpine lake that straddles the California-Nevada state line. Several communities south of the …

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ATF: Investigation Into Arizona Print Shop Explosion Delayed

Federal authorities have run into some delays while investigating the cause of an explosion at a Chandler strip mall print shop that seriously injured four men inside the building. Tom Mangan, a special agent with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, …

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Trio Accused of Staging Auto Accidents in California

Three people face multiple charges in connection with staged auto insurance accidents Los Angeles, the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office reported. Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón said Eduardo Retana, Ausencio Gomez and Victor Valle-Diaz, all of the city …

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Storm with Possible Tornado Causes Damage in Southeastern South Dakota

Residents in a southeastern South Dakota town were cleaning up Sunday from a storm that toppled trees and power lines and damaged the roof of the high school, officials said. The National Weather Service said it will survey the Lennox …

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U.S. Treasury Begins Inquiry Into Climate Risks in Insurance

The U.S. Department of the Treasury has announced that the Federal Insurance Office (FIO) is requesting information and soliciting public comment on the insurance sector and climate-related financial risks. FIO said the responses to the request for information will help …

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Floods, Outages Stall Oil Companies’ Efforts to Restart After Hurricane Ida

Widespread flooding from Hurricane Ida and power outages slowed efforts on Tuesday by energy firms to assess damages at oil production facilities, ports and refineries. Nearly all of Louisiana lost electrical power on Monday after one of the most powerful …

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Ascot Realigns Global Reinsurance With Launch of Ascot Re

HAMILTON, BERMUDA — Ascot announced the launch of Ascot Reinsurance, a global platform dedicated to reinsurance underwriting and ceded risk and providing a single point of entry for all Ascot’s reinsurance products and capabilities, regardless of geography. Ascot Re will …

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Ping An Insurance Denies Regulator Halted Sales of Alternative Investments

Ping An Insurance (Group) Co. denied that it has been ordered by regulators to halt sales of property-related alternative investments in response to a Reuters report that sent shares tumbling. The group and its asset management arm don’t sell any …

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Court Revives Bernie Madoff Customers’ $343M Clawback Suit Against Citigroup

A U.S. appeals court said the trustee liquidating Bernard Madoff’s firm can pursue a $343.1 million clawback lawsuit against Citigroup Inc., a decision that could help the late swindler’s customers recover close to the estimated $17.5 billion they lost in …

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Toyota to Restart Paralympic Village Driverless Vehicles Following Accident

Toyota Motor said on Monday it would resume operations of its self-driving e-Palette pods at the Tokyo Paralympic Games village with greater operator control and more safety staff to ensure they did not hit any more people. The e-Palettes were …

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Pandemic Uncertainty Hasn’t Slowed Private Equity Investments in Insurance: S&P Global

Private equity and venture capital firms have been pouring capital into insurance companies despite the uncertainties about claims and losses from the pandemic, according to a new analysis from S&P Global Market Intelligence. PE-backed M&A in the sector globally reached …

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‘Mission: Impossible’ Movie Producer Sues Insurer Over 7 Coronavirus Stoppages

Production on the new “Mission: Impossible” movie was shut down seven times due to the coronavirus pandemic, according to a lawsuit filed on Monday that accuses the film’s insurance company of failing to pay out for all but one of …

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Uber Proposes Gig Industry Benefits Model in Canada

Uber Technologies Inc. on Monday proposed a plan for a flexible benefits fund for app-based ride-hail and food delivery drivers in Canada under which all gig industry players would share data on workers’ hours and earnings. Under the preliminary proposal …

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People Moves: New Hires at Buckle, Plymouth Rock Assurance

Buckle Appoints Sinclair to Newly Created Position of Chief People Officer Buckle, a tech-enabled financial services company, appointed Cheryl Sinclair to the company’s newly created position of chief people officer. She is responsible for developing Buckle’s human resources strategy, including …

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Connecticut Insurance Department to Host Conference on Climate Change, Insurance

The Connecticut Insurance Department and U.S. experts on climate change, resiliency, mitigation and adaptation are leading a discussion on what the insurance industry should consider to mitigate and adapt. On October 13 and 14, the department is hosting The Connecticut …

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Massachusetts Contractor Faces $1.3M in Penalties After Workers Die at Dig Site

At a Boston sewer repair worksite in February, Jordy Alexander Castaneda Romero and Juan Carlos Figueroa Gutierrez died after a dump truck struck and pushed them into a nine-foot deep trench. For their employer, Atlantic Coast Utilities LLC/Advanced Utilities Inc., …

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Lawyer in Alabama Governor’s Office Charged with Child Solicitation

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) _ A lawyer in Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey’s office was arrested on charges of using a computer to solicit or exploit a child, jail records show. Chase Tristian Espy was booked into the Jefferson County Jail on …

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South Carolina Supreme Court to Hear Pair of Mask Mandate Lawsuits

South Carolina’s highest court will hear two challenges to the state’s refusal to let school districts require masks for students and teachers this week. The state Supreme Court has set aside two hours to hear the cases Tuesday. South Carolina …

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Insurers Settle Washington Boys Home Sex Abuse Case for $9M

Insurance companies have settled another sexual abuse lawsuit brought against Kiwanis International, this time for $9 million in a case involving seven men who were sexually abused at a Centralia, Washington, group home for boys decades ago. The state placed …

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Heavy Rainfall Expected Across Southeast Tuesday as Ida Weakens

Tropical Depression Ida is expected to cause considerable rainfall across the southeastern states Tuesday with flood and flash flood watches in effect from the Gulf Coast Region through the Tennessee and Ohio Valleys into the central and southern Appalachians. The …

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Chubb Unit Insurance Dispute Complicates Boy Scouts Abuse Victims’ Deal

A dispute over whether a unit of insurance giant Chubb Ltd. must contribute to a trust fund for sexually abused Boy Scouts is complicating talks to end the youth group’s bankruptcy case. Lawyers for more than 80,000 people who say …

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People Moves: C3 in California Launches Construction Division with Heidemann, Hallett, Porlas, Shea

C3 Risk & Insurance Services in San Diego, Calif. hired four insurance industry veterans to establish new construction and surety divisions. The new team members to the construction and surety divisions are: Paul Heidemann, managing director. Heidemann has more than …

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Couple Files Lawsuit Over Shooting of Dog That Ran at Colorado Officer

A couple whose young dog was shot by a police officer in a northern Colorado city has filed a lawsuit accusing the officer’s supervisors of covering up what happened and claiming that the city has fostered a culture that encourages …

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Higher Rebuilding Prices Expected to Boost Hurricane Ida’s Insurance Costs

Insurers are bracing for $15 billion to $30 billion in claims from Hurricane Ida, but the figure could jump higher, in part because of pandemic pricing that has pushed up the cost of lumber and labor to rebuild, insurance experts …

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Parents File Suit for Children Injured on Washington Tilt-A-Whirl Ride

The families of children who were injured on the Tilt-A-Whirl at the Kitsap County Fair in Washington in 2018 are suing the owner of the amusement company that operated the ride at the fair’s carnival and its manufacturer. The lawsuit …

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Japan Sees a Future in Crewless Cargo Ships as First Autonomous Trial Voyage Nears

In just two decades from now, half of all domestic ships plying Japan’s coastal waters may be piloting themselves. That’s the ambitious goal of the Nippon Foundation, a public-interest organization backing the country’s development of ocean-traversing autonomous ships. It aims …

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New Law Impacts Missouri Insurance Producers, Insurers

A new Missouri law that went into effect on Aug. 28 revises provisions for producer license renewals and provides opportunities toward continuing education credits for insurance professionals. It also enacts several regulatory changes affecting reinsurance, refusals to write auto insurance, …

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Chinese Regulators Seek More Control Over Internet Firms’ Algorithms

Chinese regulators will exercise greater control over the algorithms used by Chinese technology firms to personalize and recommend content, the latest move in a regulation spree across the internet sector. China’s internet watchdog, the Cyberspace Administration of China, on Friday …

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Bankruptcy Judge Urges Holdout States to Settle Issues With Purdue Pharma, Sacklers

A federal bankruptcy judge on Friday urged states that oppose a settlement plan with Purdue Pharma to try to work out differences with the OxyContin maker before he issues a ruling next week. During a videoconference hearing, Judge Robert Drain …

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FDA Tests for PFAS Found No Need to Avoid Processed Foods

The Food and Drug Administration released the results of the first survey of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in nationally distributed processed foods. Results showed that 164 of the 167 foods tested, including baby foods, had no detectable levels of …

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Ransomware Has Been a ‘Game Changer’ for Cyber Insurance

Anyone who works in cyber insurance knows that the industry is never static. It’s a constantly evolving business as the risks change all the time, and this has never been more apparent than right now, said panelists for Insurance Journal’s …

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China’s Regulator Probing Ping An Insurance’s Property Investments: Reuters

SHANGHAI — China’s banking and insurance sector regulator is probing Ping An Insurance Group Co. of China Ltd.’s investments in the property market, two people with knowledge of the matter said, after the firm took a big profit hit from …

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New York Volunteer Firefighter Killed by Reversing Fire Truck

A volunteer with the Hartland fire company was killed on Tuesday evening when a fire truck she was helping to direct reversed into her, authorities said. The Niagara County Sheriff’s office said several fire companies were responding to a fire …

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Pennsylvania Woman Who Coughed on Market Produce, Claimed Virus Gets Jail

A Pennsylvania woman who pleaded guilty to coughing and spitting on food at a supermarket in the early days of the coronavirus pandemic was sentenced to at least a year in jail. Margaret Ann Cirko, 37, pleaded guilty in June …

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Feds Say $31M Manhattan Trip-and-Fall Scam Used Homeless People as Pawns

A racket in which corrupt lawyers and doctors generated over $20 million in lawsuit settlements by manipulating hundreds of homeless individuals and other desperate people to feign trip-and-fall accidents has been shut down with an indictment, authorities announced. Charges against …

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Companies Appealing Fines Following Georgia Nitrogen Leak That Killed Six

Three of four companies are appealing federal workplace safety fines following a January liquid nitrogen leak that killed six workers at a Georgia poultry processing plant. The U.S. Department of Labor says plant owner Foundation Food Group is contesting citations …

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Tesla Slams into Florida Highway Patrol Car on Autopilot

A Tesla driving in autopilot mode slammed into a Florida Highway Patrol cruiser on an interstate near downtown Orlando and narrowly missed its driver, who had pulled over to assist a disabled vehicle. Earlier this month, the U.S. government opened …

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Northeastern Iowa Tornado, Storms Damage Buildings, Crops

Officials in northeastern Iowa say a tornado caused significant damage, especially in the small town of Marble Rock. KCRG-TV reports that emergency management officials cited power lines and trees knocked over after a tornado touched down about 6 p.m. on …

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Law Firms Battle Lawsuits Calling for SPAC Regulation

The legal tussle around special purpose acquisition companies (SPACs) intensified on Friday as a group of U.S. law firms hit out against lawsuits last week that called for blank-check firms to be regulated as investment companies. SPACs are acquisition vehicles …

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More Sinking in Tilting San Francisco High-Rise Halts Repairs

A $100 million fix to stop a San Francisco luxury high-rise from sinking and tilting even more is on hold while engineers try to learn why the building has sunk another inch during the repair. Doug Elmets, spokesman for the …

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Fire Damages Harry Potter ‘Birthplace’ Cafe in Scotland

A cafe in Scotland’s capital where author J.K. Rowling wrote some of the Harry Potter books has been damaged in a fire. The Elephant House in Edinburgh suffered smoke and water damage after a blaze broke out at the patisserie …

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Labor Force Participation Rebound Will Take Time: Research

The U.S. Federal Reserve faces a long slog if it hopes for the country’s labor force participation rate to climb back to pre-pandemic levels according to new research identifying a participation “cycle” that typically lags falling unemployment rates by nine …

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Nevada Jury Awards $38.8M to Family of Girl Killed by Trash Truck

A jury in Las Vegas, Nev., has awarded $38.8 million in damages to the family of an 11-year-old girl who was fatally hit by a trash truck as she walked home from school in February 2017. The Clark County District …

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Hong Kong’s OneDegree Raises $28 Million in New Round of Funding

OneDegree, a Hong Kong-based insurance technology company, raised $28 million in a new round of funding as the startup looks to expand in Asia. Sun Hung Kai & Co. and AEF Greater Bay Area Fund took part in the series …

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Fines, but no Jail Time for South Dakota AG in Pedestrian Death

South Dakota Attorney General Jason Ravnsborg pleaded no contest on Aug. 26 to a pair of misdemeanor traffic charges over a crash last year that killed a pedestrian, avoiding jail time despite bitter complaints from the victim’s family that he …

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Louisiana Governor Seeks Major Disaster Declaration After Ida’s Landfall

Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards has asked President Joe Biden for a Presidential Major Disaster Declaration due to the severe impact from Hurricane Ida, which slammed into Louisiana’s coast on Aug. 29 in Port Fourchon as a Category 4 storm …

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Ida’s Economic Impact Could Spread Far Beyond Gulf Coast

Hurricane Ida, with its high winds, floods and intense storm surge, not only will likely damage the energy-heavy Gulf Coast economy, its economic consequences could extend well beyond the region. The Gulf is not only a major base for oil …

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CoreLogic: Hurricane Ida Threatens 941K Homes with $220B in Rebuilding Cost

Severe wind, surge inundation and extended heavy rainfall endanger more than 941,000 homes with a reconstruction cost value of all at-risk homes totaling more than $220 billion, catastrophe modeling firm CoreLogic reported on Sunday. The central Louisiana coast is at …

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Dangerous Hurricane Ida Hits Louisiana, Poses Test for New Levees

Hurricane Ida made landfall in Louisiana on Sunday as an extremely dangerous Category 4 storm, forcing those who did not flee to brace themselves for the toughest test yet of the billions of dollars spent on levee upgrades following Hurricane …

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Homes, Outbuildings Burned in Minnesota Blaze

Dozens of homes, cabins and outbuildings have been destroyed or damaged in northeastern Minnesota as the state’s largest wildfire continues burning uncontained, according to Superior National Forest officials. Authorities say 12 homes or cabins and 57 outbuildings have been lost …

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Emergency Declaration in Arizona County Due to Flood Damage

Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey has issued a declaration of emergency for Coconino County after heavy rain last week caused major flood damage to homes, neighborhoods and private property. Ducey said this week that damage caused by post-wildfire flooding has taken …

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Japan’s Fukushima Plant to Build Undersea Tunnel to Release Nuclear Water Into Ocean

The operator of the wrecked Fukushima nuclear power plant said Wednesday it plans to build an undersea tunnel so that massive amounts of treated but still radioactive water can be released into the ocean about 1 kilometer (0.6 mile) away …

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Nirvana Sued in California by Man Who Was Nude Baby On Album Cover

A 30-year-old man who appeared nude at 4 months old in 1991 on the cover of Nirvana’s “Nevermind”album is suing the band and others, alleging the image is child pornography they have profited from. The lawsuit, filed by Spencer Elden …

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California Wildfire Threatens Lake Tahoe Area

Some 14,000 firefighters facing changing weather conditions battled more than a dozen large wildfires across California, including a growing blaze that was slowly pushing toward the Lake Tahoe resort region. Winds and temperatures were expected to pick up in coming …

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Insured Damage From Germany’s Deadly July Floods Estimated at €7B ($8.2B)

Devastating floods in western Germany last month likely caused insured damage to the tune of about 7 billion euros ($8.2 billion), an insurance industry group said Wednesday, significantly increasing its previous estimate. More than 180 people died in Germany and …

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How Automakers Are Navigating Differences Over COVID Vaccine Mandates

Public support for stronger measures to require COVID vaccinations is strong, according to a new Reuters/IPSOS poll, but for Detroit automakers the debate over vaccination policy is far from over. General Motors Co. said on Thursday it has required its …

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Ruling on Purdue Pharma Bankruptcy and Opioid Settlement Delayed Until Next Week

A U.S. judge said on Thursday he now anticipates a ruling on OxyContin maker Purdue Pharma LP’s bankruptcy reorganization plan on Wednesday of next week instead of this week because he needs more oral argument on certain issues. U.S. Bankruptcy …

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Microsoft Warns Thousands of Cloud Customers of Exposed Databases: Reuters

Microsoft on Thursday warned thousands of its cloud computing customers, including some of the world’s largest companies, that intruders could have the ability to read, change or even delete their main databases, according to a copy of the email and …

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Japan Vaccination Drive Faces Possible Setback Due to Contaminated Batch

A contaminant found in a batch of Moderna Inc.’s COVID-19 vaccines delivered to Japan is believed to be a metallic particle, Japanese public broadcaster NHK reported, citing sources at the health ministry. Japan on Thursday suspended the use of 1.63 …

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Online Thieves Divert $2.3M from New Hampshire Town of Peterborough

The U.S. Secret Service is investigating the theft of $2.3 million from the town of Peterborough, New Hampshire, by foreign thieves using fake email addresses. Town officials said Monday the investigation began July 26 when they learned that the ConVal …

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Man Charged with Shooting at Connecticut Capitol

A Connecticut man was charged Tuesday with firing multiple gunshots at the state Capitol in late May, one of several shooting incidents police believe he was involved in around the same time. No one was injured in any of the …

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Drought Disaster Relief Loans Available for Maine Businesses

Maine’s governor is calling on small businesses around the state to apply for federal disaster loans that are available because of the drought the state suffered earlier in the summer. Governor Janet Mills, a Democrat, said farm-related entities in nine …

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Louisiana Declares Emergency for Possible Hurricane Ida; Southeast States Also Warned

Louisiana has declared a state of emergency in preparation for what the National Hurricane Center warns could be a major hurricane. Florida, Mississippi and Alabama are also being warned to prepare for heavy rains and flooding. Tropical Storm Ida is …

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Judge Declines Plaintiffs’ Bid to Block J&J From Offloading Talcum Liabilities

A U.S. judge declined to stop Johnson & Johnson from taking steps to offload widespread Baby Powder liabilities from the rest of its business, preserving the option for the healthcare company to move thousands of claims from people who used …

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Ping An Insurance Profit Falls on Land Developer Investments

Ping An Insurance Group Co. of China, China’s largest insurer by market value, reported a 15.5% fall in first-half net profit after a 20.8 billion yuan ($3.2 billion) loss suffered on investments in beleaguered developer China Fortune Land Development Co …

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Global Insurance M&A Drops 3% in 1st Half of 2021: Clyde & Co. Report

Mergers and acquisitions (M&A) in the global insurance industry dropped 3% in the first half of 2021 with 197 completed deals worldwide, down from 206 in the second half of 2020, according to Clyde & Co.’s “Insurance Growth Report” mid-year …

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Final Victim of Tennessee Flooding Found; Death Toll Stands at 20

The body of the final person missing from a devastating weekend flood in Middle Tennessee was recovered on Wednesday, prompting the search for victims to be suspended as the head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency toured the area. Saturday’s …

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Alabama Convention Center Explosion Caused by Natural Gas Issue

An explosion that damaged Selma’s city convention center on Monday was caused by a natural gas problem, the mayor told city leaders. The Selma Times-Journal reported that Mayor James Perkins Jr. told a City Council meeting on Tuesday that Spire, …

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Cruises Revise COVID Guidelines Amid Reports of Breakthrough Cases

Joel Steckler was eager for his first cruise in more than a year and a half, and he chose the ship that just two months ago became the first to accept passengers again after a long pandemic shutdown. Steckler was …

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Veterinarian-Turned-Insurance-Pro Sees Practitioners Thriving But Stressed

The country’s veterinarians have weathered the pandemic better than many businesses. Many were able to keep their practices operating from early on and have not had to worry about lost income like restaurant, gym and other business owners have. Veterinary …

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Former Iowa Anchor Wants Age Bias Lawsuit to Change TV News

As a prominent reporter and anchor at one of Iowa’s biggest local television stations, Sonya Heitshusen was known for doggedly investigating injustices and holding the powerful accountable. A year after WHO-TV in Des Moines abruptly let her go, she is …

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New Mexico AG Seeks Takes More Steps to Intervene in Conservation of California Insurance Co.

New Mexico Attorney General Hector Balderas has retained California legal counsel on behalf of the state and filed for leave to submit an amicus curiae brief in the conservation proceedings over California Insurance Co. CIC continues to battle the imposition …

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NRA Canceling Annual Meeting in Texas Because of COVID

The National Rifle Association announced it has canceled its annual meeting, which had been set to be held next month in Houston, due to concerns over COVID-19. The NRA’s meeting had been set for Sept. 3 through Sept. 5 and …

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Louisiana Hospital System Will Require Employees to Get Vaccinated

Louisiana’s largest hospital system, Ochsner Health, said that it is requiring all of its employees to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 by Oct. 29. The announcement came a day after the Pfizer vaccine received full approval from the Food and …

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Scientists Detected Earthquake Swarm at Hawaii Volcano

Geologists said they had detected a swarm of earthquakes at Hawaii’s Kilauea volcano, though it is not erupting. The quakes began overnight on Tuesday and continued into the morning, The Hawaiian Volcano Observatory said. More than 140 earthquakes were recorded …

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US Golf Association Employee Charged in Embezzlement Scheme

A former United States Golf Association employee has been charged in a scheme to embezzle funds from the unauthorized sale of U.S. Open Championship tickets, Acting United States Attorney Jennifer Arbittier Williams announced Tuesday. According to a statement released by …

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Animal Shelter Facing Human Staffing Woes

MUNCIE, Ind. — A van load of new arrivals were backed into the receiving dock at Muncie Animal Care and Services and, as shelter workers opened the vehicle’s doors, its passengers erupted into a chattering chorus. “Hi!” “Pretty bird!” “What …

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Veterinarians Are Tired, Short-Staffed and Burned Out

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — During the gloomiest stretches of the pandemic, Dr. Diona Krahn’s veterinary clinic has been a puppy fest, overrun with new four-legged patients. Typically, she’d get three or four new puppies a week, but between shelter adoptions …

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Fire Crews Battle Blaze at Former Philadelphia Refinery Site

Fire crews battled a blaze at the site of a former refinery in south Philadelphia that was the scene of a huge blaze two years ago. Police said fire crews were called just after 12:30 p.m. Monday to the former …

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Case of 76 in Massachusetts Veterans Home Who Died of COVID Lands in Court

Two former top officials at a Massachusetts veterans home where nearly 80 residents died in one of the country’s deadliest COVID-19 outbreaks in a long-term care facility appeared in court Tuesday in an effort to have their criminal charges dismissed. …

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What Insurance Firms Promised at White House Cybersecurity Summit

Four insurance firms — Travelers, Coalition, Resilience Cyber Solutions and Vantage Group— were among the participants in the White House summit on cybersecurity along with giant technology firms and Biden Administration officials. “The federal government can’t meet this challenge alone,” …

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KCC Estimates Insured Loss From Hurricane Grace: $300M in Mexico, $30M in Caribbean

Catastrophe modeling firm the Karen Clark & Company (KCC) estimates that the insured loss to onshore properties from Hurricane Grace will be around $330 million—$300 million in Mexico and $30 million in the Caribbean. The estimate is based on the …

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People Moves: QBE Hires Swiss Re’s Mejia for LatAm Property U/W; Zurich Names Kasahara Chief Data Officer; Occam’s Green Joins Rokstone to Head Power Generation

This edition of International People Moves details appointments at QBE International, Zurich Insurance, and MGA Rokstone. A summary of these new hires follows here. QBE International Appoints Mejia as VP of Property Underwriting, LatAm QBE International has ramped up its …

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North Carolina Lawmakers Finalize Police Reform Bill Designed to Banish Undisciplined Officers

The General Assembly finalized a police reform bill on Tuesday designed to get rid of undisciplined officers at North Carolina law enforcement agencies while emphasizing mental health assistance for others. The consensus measure, which creates both public and confidential databases …

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Swiss Re Signs Carbon Removal Purchase Agreement to Fight Climate Change

Swiss Re and carbon removal specialist Climeworks are partnering to combat climate change — by signing the world’s first long-term purchase agreement for direct air capture and storage of carbon dioxide, worth US$10 million over 10 years. For Swiss Re, …

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Selma, Alabama Convention Center Damaged by Explosion

An explosion rocked an Alabama convention center, heavily damaging the building but causing no injuries, authorities said. The cause of the Monday night blast at Selma’s convention center _ which was unoccupied at the time was not immediately known, Al.com …

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More Canadian Businesses to Introduce Vaccine Mandates for Employees: Minister

More Canadian businesses will introduce COVID-19 vaccine mandates for their employees to safely return to the office amidst a growing fourth wave, the minister in charge of procuring inoculations said in an interview. Canada’s five biggest banks last week said …

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Canada’s Ruling Party Plans Tax Hike for Big Insurers, Banks to Fund COVID Recovery

OTTAWA – Canada’s ruling Liberal Party said on Wednesday that if re-elected it would raise corporate taxes on the most profitable banks and insurers to help pay for the cost of the COVID-19 recovery. The Liberals said they would hike …

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Insurers Need to Accelerate Exit From Oil & Gas Industry to Meet Climate Goals: Report

For the insurance industry to fulfill its stated commitment to combat climate change, it may want to accelerate its efforts to exit the oil and gas industry. To date, just one insurer has promised to take “significant action” in this …

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Tennessee Flooding Damages More Than 270 Homes

Crews with chainsaws and heavy equipment cleared their way through trees densely matted with vegetation, garbage and building debris Tuesday as searchers scoured a normally shallow creek for more flooding victims in rural Tennessee. Even cars and sheds were woven …

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White House, Big Tech, Insurers Vow to ‘Raise the Bar’ on Cybersecurity

The U.S. government on Wednesday said it would work with industry to hammer out new guidelines to improve the security of the technology supply chain, as President Joe Biden appealed to private sector executives to “raise the bar on cybersecurity.” …

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Fire at Missouri Lawyer’s Office Apparently Arson, Police Say

Police and fire investigators say a fire at a northeast Missouri law firm’s office is being investigated as an arson. The fire was reported early Sunday at the Frick and Cundiff law office in Kirksville. Legal Assistant Paula Bradshaw said …

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People Moves: IMA Names Droege Strategy Director; EPIC Adds Marshall in California

IMA Financial Group named H. Garrett Droege IMA director of innovation and strategy. Droege will be based in Denver, Colo. He specializes in evaluating emerging technology risks, and joins IMA in a newly created role, charged with examining risk and …

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Jury Denies Damages in Montana Wrongful Death Lawsuit

A federal jury has denied a damage award to the family of a Livingston, Mont., man who was shot and killed by police in January 2016. The estate of Sean Patrick O’Brien filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the City …

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No Official Determination of Cyberattack Method in Arizona

An investigation into a cyberattack targeting Kingman, Ariz., has concluded after finding that sensitive information involving approximately 200 people apparently was compromised but making no official determination of how the breach occurred, officials said. The Feb. 26 attack knocked down …

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Startup Raises $60M to Flag Infrastructure Damage, Injuries Before They Happen

Startup Urbint, which promises its software can identify utility and telecommunications industry failures, damages, and worker injuries before they happen, has raised $60 million. Urbint CEO and founder Corey Capasso said the funding is timely, hitting as Congress contemplates massive …

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New York Man Charged in $9M Fraud Conspiracy

A Brooklyn, New York, man was charged for conspiring to defraud the IRS, Acting U.S. Attorney Rachael A. Honig announced. Aleksander Zaretser is charged by indictment with conspiracy to defraud the IRS. He will be arraigned on a date to …

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Brown & Brown of Massachusetts to Acquire Berkshire Insurance Group

Berkshire Hills Bancorp Inc. and Brown & Brown Inc. announced the execution of a definitive agreement for the sale of the assets and operations of Berkshire Insurance Group, Inc. (BIG), a subsidiary of Berkshire Hills, to Brown & Brown of …

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Cleanup Begins in Soggy Northeast as Henri Plods Back to Sea

Residents across the waterlogged Northeast began clearing mud and tearing out sodden carpets Monday after deluges dropped by Tropical Storm Henri, whose remnants threatened further flooding in New England as the system made a slow trek back to the sea. …

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People Moves: Howden Names Willis’ Everling as CEO Netherlands, Corporate; Carpenter’s Christian to BMS Re; Aon Reins Hires TigerRisk’s Jackson in U.S.

This edition of International/Reinsurance People Moves details appointments at three brokers: Howden, BMS Re and Aon with roles in the Netherlands and the U.S. A summary of these new hires follows here. Howden Appoints Willis’ Everling as CEO Netherlands, Corporate …

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‘Be Honest’: New Transportation Safety Chief Warns Robot-Car Claims Erode Public Trust

The nation’s new chief accident investigator wants to send a message: growing public confusion over automated driving systems in the U.S. is threatening to undermine the potential safety benefits of the technology. Jennifer Homendy took the reins as chairwoman of …

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UK Insurers Warned They Could Face Reguatory Action Over Car, Home Policies

LONDON – Insurers in Britain that are not ready to implement tougher “value for money” rules on car and home policies could face disciplinary action, the Financial Conduct Authority said on Wednesday. The FCA found in May that loyal customers …

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Insurtech ELEMENT and MGA Parametrix Launch Cloud Outage Insurance in Europe

ELEMENT, the Berlin-based insurtech, announced a partnership with managing general agent, Parametrix Insurance, launching parametric cloud outage insurance for companies in Germany. The product is designed to cover financial losses due to downtime of third-party IT and cloud infrastructure providers. …

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China’s Cities Aren’t Prepared for Extreme Weather Caused by Climate Change

Climate change is making China’s annual summer floods worse, and cities housing millions of people aren’t prepared to handle the damage. Record-breaking rainfall in the central province of Henan killed more than 300 people last month, while downpours continue to …

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Mississippi City Will Require Security Cameras Outside Businesses

A Mississippi city will require many businesses and shopping centers to install video cameras to help law enforcement officers identify people who commit crimes. The Vicksburg Board of Mayor and Aldermen last week approved an ordinance mandating the cameras at …

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People Moves: Chubb Names Georgia-Based Booker, Meyer to EVP Roles; Skipper Joins Palomar; The Villages Adds Dooley

Chubb Chubb announced leadership appointments within its North America Property business unit and in its wholesale excess and surplus lines division, Westchester. Matt Booker has been appointed Executive Vice President, Westchester Property and Inland Marine, where he will have responsibility …

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EY Fined $4.8M by UK Accounting Watchdog over Audit of Transport Firm Stagecoach

Britain’s accounting watchdog said on Wednesday it has fined Ernst & Young LLP 3.5 million pounds ($4.80 million) over the audit of transport firm Stagecoach Group’s financial statements in 2017. The Financial Reporting Council (FRC) said Mark Harvey, the auditing …

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Georgia Officers to Train to Draw Blood From Drivers Suspected of DUI

A new grant will be used to train Georgia law enforcement officers to draw blood from drivers suspected of driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, state officials said. The Georgia Governor’s Office of Highway Safety says it has …

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South Africa’s State Insurer to Raise Premiums to Cover Riot-Related Reinsurance Costs

JOHANNESBURG – South Africa’s only insurer covering political violence will increase its premiums to cover a rise in reinsurance costs following some of the worst unrest in decades, the head of the state-owned company told Reuters. More than 300 people …

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Insurer Lessons from UK Court Ruling on Business Interruption: Put Customers First

COVID-19 has led to the disruption of millions of businesses around the UK, particularly for SMEs who have been beset by an average of £130,000 in late payments. However, the Supreme Court ruling in January provided business owners with much …

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Alera Group Acquires Sage Benefit Advisors in Colorado

Alera Group has acquired Sage Benefit Advisors in Colorado. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. Sage is a l health insurance agency that offers health insurance consulting and enrollment support for individuals, families and businesses. Alera Group is an …

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FDA’s COVID Vaccine Approval Makes Challenges to Mandates Tougher to Win

Formal U.S approval of the Pfizer Inc /BioNTech SE COVID-19 vaccine will make it nearly impossible to successfully challenge mandates by employers, legal experts said. The decision by the Food and Drug Administration to give full approval to the vaccine …

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Insurance Is on Agenda at Today’s White House Cyber Summit With Tech Leaders

The White House is hosting an event on Wednesday that will bring together the largest U.S. technology companies for a discussion about cybersecurity challenges following a raft of high-profile hacking incidents earlier this year, people familiar with the event told …

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Washington Man Who Faked Job Injury Pleads Guilty in Workers’ Comp Scam

A Thurston County, Wash., man who reportedly tried to pass off a barroom brawl injury as a workplace accident has pleaded guilty to stealing state workers’ compensation insurance benefits. Chuck Wayne Riccio, 40, of Yelm, pleaded guilty Tuesday to third-degree …

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Texas Coastal Windstorm Insurance Coalition Celebrates 50 Years

The Coastal Windstorm Insurance Coalition in Texas is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. Established originally as the Windstorm Action Committee in Galveston, the coalition has expanded in recent years to include representatives from coastal communities along the Texas Coast. …

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M4 Earthquake Confirmed in Southeastern California

An earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 4.0 shook an agricultural area of southeastern California early Monday, the U.S. Geological Survey confirmed. The quake struck at 7:57 a.m. south of the Salton Sea, about 7 miles north of Westmorland, the …

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Ohio Coaster Dropped Metal Plate, Injuring Woman

A piece of metal that flew off the world’s second-tallest roller coaster and hit a woman in the head while she stood in line came from the back of the ride’s train and was about the size of a fist, …

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Massive 2016 Flood Still Defines South Louisiana Parish

Jennifer Carnevale’s yard can hold 23 inches of water before her house floods. She knows because her family has seen the water cross that all-important threshold, twice. “We’ve measured it,” the 46-year-old mom of three said. Their home in Country …

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California Firefighters Battling a Dozen Large Blazes

More than 13,500 firefighters were working Monday to contain a dozen large California wildfires that have destroyed hundreds of homes and forced thousands of people to flee to safety. After an extensive review of fire damage, Gov. Gavin Newsom requested …

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People Moves: Coomer Joins Swiss Re’s iptiQ as CTOO; COGITANDA Hires Gerety from Liberty Specialty as Chief Ins. Officer; Ki Names Hodgson 1st CTO

This edition of International People Moves details technology appointments at Swiss Re’s iptiQ and the digital Lloyd’s syndicate Ki as well as an appointment at German cyber risk management and insurance solutions provider COGITANDA. A summary of these new hires …

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People Moves: New Hires at Verisk, LL Global; RT Specialty Promotes Amara

Verisk Names Holzer as Executive VP, Chief Human Resources Officer Verisk, a global data analytics provider, appointed Sunita Holzer as executive vice president and chief human resources officer (CHRO). Bringing three decades of human resources leadership experience across relevant industries, …

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Jury Nixes Claims Against Air Rescue Firm in Fatal Accident

A federal jury has rejected negligence and warranty claims against an air rescue company that was sued by the family of a Delaware firefighter who died after falling from a helicopter during a training exercise. The jury ruled Thursday that …

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Henri Hurls Rain as System Settles Atop Swamped Northeast

The slow-rolling storm system named Henri was expected to continue drenching the Northeast with rain Monday with a slated turn to the east from upstate New York back through New England. The National Weather Service in Boston said torrential downpours …

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‘Hey, Insurance Industry: What About Us?’ Ask Small Businesses as Satisfaction Wanes

Insurance carriers and agents may want to pay more attention to small business insurance customers, especially those with commercial auto and workers’ compensation policies. They’re feeling neglected. According to the J.D. Power 2021 U.S. Small Commercial Insurance Study a lack …

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Cyber Attacks Make Working from Home Costly for German Businesses: Report

Working from home during the pandemic cost German companies some 53 billion euros ($62 billion) worth of damages from cyber attacks, according to estimates by the Cologne Institute for Economic Research. Overall damages hit a record 224 billion euros last …

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Hub International Agrees to Buy Aviva Canada Unit, National Home Warranty Group

Hub International Ltd., the Chicago-based insurance broker, announced that it has signed a purchase agreement to acquire the assets of National Home Warranty Group Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Aviva Canada Inc. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed. …

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Call Center Humans vs. Automation: How to Make Inertia Work for Firms and Customers

In the digital age, service center operations, including call centers and help desks, are increasingly important to organizations for interacting with their customers. Companies are looking for ways to manage service centers more efficiently — including routing calls to appropriate …

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SEC Eyes Rules for Financial Firms’ Digital Engagement Practices: Reuters

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) will seek input on whether digital customer engagement innovations used by financial firms should be governed by existing rules or may need new ones, commission chair Gary Gensler told Reuters. While the SEC’s …

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New Wildfires Break Out on Greece’s Evia Island

ATHENS, Greece (AP) – Greece’s fire department scrambled firefighting aircraft and ground forces as at least two new blazes broke out in areas already scarred by wildfires this summer, with strong winds complicating efforts to contain them. The first broke …

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CVC Capital Completes $700M Purchase of RiverStone Europe from Fairfax

CVC Capital Partners (CVC), the Luxembourg-headquartered private equity firm, announced the completion of its acquisition of RiverStone Europe from Fairfax Financial Holdings Ltd. and OMERS, the pension plan for Ontario’s municipal employees. The purchase price of the acquisition is approximately …

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Fire on Mexico’s Pemex Offshore Oil Platform Kills at Least One, Cuts Production

MEXICO CITY – A fire that struck an offshore oil platform operated by Mexico’s state-run Pemex cut the company’s production by 444,000 barrels per day (bpd) due to the lack of natural gas to re-inject into crude fields, a company …

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Kentucky Supreme Court Rules to Limit Governor’s COVID Emergency Powers

The Kentucky governor’s efforts to aggressively combat COVID-19 suffered a landmark legal defeat Saturday as the state’s high court cleared the way for new laws to rein in his emergency powers. The state Supreme Court ordered a lower court to …

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Climate Change Exacerbated Germany’s Deadly Floods: Report

The heavy rains and floods that killed at least 220 people in Belgium and Germany this summer were made more likely and more intense by climate change. These are the conclusions of a rapid attribution report put together in just …

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NTSB: Bridge Crew at Fault in Anchored Ship’s Costly New Orleans-Area Crash

The bridge crew’s lack of attention to a cargo ship’s position let it drag anchor and hit another anchored ship and a dock last year, doing millions of dollars in damage, according to a National Transportation Safety Board report. “Monitoring …

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Ohio Roller Coaster Closed After Object Flies Off Ride, Injures 1

The world’s second-tallest roller coaster won’t open again this year after a person standing in line was hit in the head by a metal object that flew off the ride last weekend at Cedar Point amusement park in Ohio. The …

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Hurricane Laura Hit Louisiana a Year Ago but Recovery Is Ongoing

Hurricane Laura made landfall in Southwest Louisiana nearly a year ago but local officials and state insurance regulators say the area still a long way to go to recover. Laura, which made landfall on August 27, 2020, displaced 2005’s Hurricane …

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Paying an Appraisal Award Doesn’t Always Bar Prompt Payment Liability: 5th Circuit

Considering two principal questions in an insurance dispute between Texas homeowners and their insurance carrier, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit handed each party a win and a loss. The dispute in Randel v. Travelers Lloyds of …

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Bankruptcy Judge Says Purdue Pharma’s Sacklers Face ‘Substantial’ Liability Risk

The judge overseeing Purdue Pharma’s bankruptcy said on Monday that some members of the Sackler family who own the OxyContin maker face a “substantial risk” of liability and could be on the hook for “huge amounts of money” over claims …

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6 States Opt Not to Sign $26B Opioid Settlements with Distributors, J&J

At least six U.S. states, including Georgia, have decided they will not fully sign on to a proposed $26 billion settlement with three drug distributors and Johnson & Johnson, which have been accused of fueling the nation’s opioid epidemic, according …

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Tennessee Rescue Search Continues After Historic Flooding

At least 22 people were killed and rescue crews searched desperately amid shattered homes and tangled debris for dozens of people still missing after record-breaking rain sent floodwaters surging through Middle Tennessee. Saturday’s flooding in rural areas took out roads, …

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Alliant Acquires Northern California-Based ASURA Risk

Alliant Insurance Services has acquired Northern California-based ASURA Risk in San Ramon, Calif. Kevin Kilty, principal with ASURA Risk, along with fellow principals Greg Miller and Jon Wheeler, and the entire ASURA team, will join Alliant and continue servicing clients …

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Alera Group Acquires Third-Party Administrator Related Risk

Alera Group, an independent, national insurance and wealth management firm, acquired Related Risk, a third-party administrator (TPA) that helps insurance companies and employers generate new premiums and profits by accelerating product speed-to-market while ensuring compliance with emerging and evolving statutory …

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P/C Insurers Boosted Underwriting Net Income 28% in First Half of Year: AM Best

The U.S. property/casualty industry grew its net underwriting income by 28% in the first six months of 2021 compared with the same prior-year period. According to a new AM Best report, a 5.4% growth in net earned premiums and 55.3% …

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Rain Falls at Highest Point on Greenland’s Ice Sheet for 1st Time on Record

Rain fell at the highest point on the Greenland ice sheet last week for the first time on record, another worrying sign of warming for the ice sheet already melting at an increasing rate, scientists said on Friday. “That’s not …

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It Turns Out That Humans Are Secret Weapon for Autonomous Vehicle Startups

Self-driving startups like Cruise and Pony.ai have begun testing their driverless cars in some parts of California in the past year, with an additional feature: Human operators. While there is no driver behind the wheel, the passenger seat is occupied …

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Boy Scouts Delays Bankruptcy Step After Judge Questions Legal Fees, Insurer Deal

Attorneys for the Boy Scouts of America are postponing a key bankruptcy hearing that was scheduled to start this week, following a court ruling that casts uncertainty on the future of the case. Attorneys on Friday filed court papers postponing …

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Greece Wildfire Destroys Jobs of Pine Resin Collectors

AGDINES, Greece (AP) – For generations, residents in the north of the Greek island of Evia have made their living from the dense pine forests surrounding their villages. Tapping the ubiquitous Aleppo pines for their resin, the viscous, sticky substance …

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Storm Henri Causes Flooding, Power Outages in Northeast; Heavy Rains to Continue

Henri is soaking the U.S. Northeast with rain and disrupting transport after being downgraded to a tropical depression. The former hurricane will produce additional rainfall of 1 to 3 inches, with locally higher amounts possible, over portions of Long Island, …

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T-Mobile Now Says Data Breach Affects More Than 50 Million Customers

T-Mobile US Inc. said on Friday an ongoing investigation into a data breach revealed that hackers accessed personal information of an additional 5.3 million customers, bringing the total number of people affected to more than 53 million. The third largest …

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UK Broker Tysers Launches Platform for End-to-End Digital Processing, Called Tconnect

Tysers, the London-based insurance broker, has launched Tconnect – a cross-functional, cloud-based platform designed to consolidate processes and automate the end-to-end lifecycle of a policy. The launch of Tconnect represents a significant milestone in Tysers’ digital transformation program to modernize …

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GM Recall Due to Fire Risk Covers All Chevrolet Bolts

General Motors said Friday it is recalling all Chevrolet Bolt electric vehicles sold worldwide to fix a battery problem that could cause fires. The recall and others raise questions about lithium ion batteries, which now are used in nearly all …

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Insured Losses from European Floods Estimated at $6 Billion-$7.7 Billion: RMS

RMS, the Newark, Calif.-based catastrophe modeling company, estimates that insured losses from the Western and Central Europe flooding, which occurred between July 12 and 18, 2021, will likely range between €5 billion and €6.5 billion (US$6 billion and US$7.7 billion). …

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Canada’s Five Biggest Banks to Require Their Employees to Be Fully Vaccinated

TORONTO – Canada’s five biggest banks are mandating that employees working from their offices must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 this fall, taking a firmer stance than some of their U.S. counterparts and some other Canadian companies. Royal Bank of …

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Giant Container Ship, Which Blocked the Suez in March, Again Crosses the Canal

ISMAILIA, Egypt – The giant container ship Ever Given, which blocked the Suez canal for six days in March, crossed the waterway on Friday for the first time since it left Egypt after the incident. The ship, en route from …

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Catastrophic Flooding Leaves Eight Dead in Tennessee

Catastrophic flooding in Middle Tennessee left at least eight dead and dozens missing Saturday as rains washed away homes and rural roads, authorities said. Humphreys County Sheriff Chris Davis told news outlets more than 30 people have been reported missing. …

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Hurricane Grace Crosses Mexico, Killing at Least 8 People

Hurricane Grace crossed through Mexico on Saturday, leaving at least eight people dead, causing floods and power cuts to more than half a million customers, before losing force as it swept toward the country’s Pacific coast. The storm entered Mexico …

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Former Alabama Officer Sentenced 25 Years for Killing Suicidal Man

A judge sentenced a former Alabama police officer to 25 years in prison Friday for the shooting death of a suicidal man who was holding a gun to his own head. Former Huntsville police officer William “Ben” Darby was convicted …

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Florida Cybersecurity Agency Hampered by Vacancies

Gov. Ron DeSantis’ new technology office is supposed to resolve the state’s longtime tech woes and lead the state’s defense against cybersecurity threats. A year into its inception, the office is struggling. In the last several months, the new Florida …

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Forest Service: Lightning Caused Minnesota Wildfire

A wildfire in the Superior National Forest of northeastern Minnesota has grown to 6 1/4 square miles (16 square kilometers), but U.S. Forest Service officials said on Aug. 19 that it grew little overnight. The Forest Service said lightning caused …

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Flood-Weakened Tracks a ‘Probable Cause’ in 2019 Fort Worth Train Derailment

Federal officials say a train that derailed and caught fire in Fort Worth in 2019 was traveling on tracks that had been weakened by flooding after days of rain. The National Transportation Safety Board said in an accident report released …

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1 Person Dies in DUI Accident Every 9 Hours in Texas, Officials Say

Last year there were 963 driving under the influence (DUI) alcohol-related traffic fatalities in Texas. That means on average, a person in Texas dies every nine hours and six minutes as a result of a traffic crash involving alcohol, according …

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People Moves: Harrington to VP at GJS Re; Kansas Association of Insurance Agents Adds Werth

GJS Re Insurance and reinsurance veteran Chris Harrington joined the Los Angeles-based reinsurance intermediary G. J. Sullivan Co., Reinsurance, as vice president. Based in Chicago, Harrington will report to John Threlfall, senior vice president and head of facultative. Harrington brings …

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Michigan Issues C&D Order Against Aliera Companies, Connected Businesses

Michigan insurance regulators issued a cease and desist order against a healthcare sharing ministry and two connected companies for allegedly acting in violation of the state’s insurance code. In a media release, Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services (DIFS) …

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People Moves: Lockton Names Michon President in California; Alliant Adds Racunas

Lockton Insurance Brokers LLC named Alex Michon president of its Sacramento, Calif., operations. Michon specializes in managed care and multinational organizations that require complex regulatory compliance. Michon has nearly three decades of experience in the commercial insurance industry. He joined …

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State Fund Offering Credit Extension to Policyholders Impacted by California Wildfires

California’s State Compensation Insurance Fund is offering a 30-day credit extension to policyholders affected by wildfires currently burning in Northern California counties declared states of emergency by Gov.Gavin Newsom. The counties are Alpine, Butte, El Dorado, Lassen, Nevada, Placer, Plumas, …

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People Moves: Former Willis Re CTO Joins Placement Platform Supercede; Sedgwick Hires Cordingley for Event Response in Australia, Cooper for Asia Biz Development

Reinsurance Placement Platform Supercede Hires Former Willis Re CTO Supercede, the London-based global reinsurance placement platform, announced the appointment of Aydin Betez, formerly chief technology officer of Willis Re, to lead the development of its cloud-based digital ecosystem, built for …

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Florida-Based King Insurance Acquires Robert Blakeley

King Insurance, a full-service insurance brokerage firm that provides a variety of property & casualty as well as employee benefits solutions, has acquired Robert Blakeley Insurance. Robert Blakeley, based in Leesburg, Fla., has been insuring businesses and individuals in central …

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Six Maryland Law Enforcement Officers Facing Fraud-Related Charges

Six Maryland law enforcement officers are facing federal indictment for charges related to schemes to defraud financial institutions and insurance companies. A federal grand jury has returned an indictment charging an officer for the Fairmount Heights Police Department, the Anne …

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Maine Enacts Law That Will Ban Use of ‘Forever Chemicals’ in All Products by 2030

Maine last month enacted a law that makes it the first U.S. state to ban the use of PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, in nearly all products. PFAS are commonly referred to as “forever chemicals” because of their inability …

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California Wildfire Season Setting a Record, More Damage Expected

Smoke from California’s wildfires choked people on the East Coast. Flames wiped out a Gold Rush-era town. The acreage burned would dwarf the state of Rhode Island. Images of homes engulfed in flames and mountains glowing like lava would make …

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Lawsuit Filed in Wyoming Says Mixup Kept Family at Gunpoint

Yellowstone National Park rangers and Wyoming sheriff’s deputies seeking a murder suspect held a vacationing family at gunpoint for an hour without adequate cause, a lawsuit claims. Brett and Genalyn Hemry, of Independence, Missouri, say they are victims of false …

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Nevada Senator Wants Ideas to Address Wildfire Smoke

Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto is urging firefighters, scientists, teachers and moms to help form new strategies to deal with increasingly unhealthy air quality in Nevada caused by wildfires that continue to worsen and no relief in sight in the years …

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‘Best Agency to Work For’ Nominations Open: Submit Now

Is your independent insurance agency a Best Place to Work? If so, why not nominate your agency as a “Best Agency to Work For” in 2021? To nominate your agency, you must be a current employee of the agency you …

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AM Best Assigns ‘B++’ (Good) Credit Rating to Bermuda-Based ASR Re Ltd.

AM Best has assigned a Financial Strength Rating of B++ (Good) and a Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating of “bbb+” (Good) to Bermuda-based ASR Re Ltd. (ASR Re). ASR Re is a wholly owned subsidiary of ASR Holdings Ltd., the non-operating …

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Tropical Storm Henri Could Strike New York, New England as Hurricane Starting Sunday

Tropical Storm Henri is set to grow into a hurricane before slamming the U.S. Northeast anywhere from Long Island to Massachusetts, bringing heavy rain, a flooding storm surge and thrashing winds to the region starting Sunday. Hurricane watches have been …

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Digital Auto Insurer Root Will Add Independent Agents to Its Distribution

Digital auto insurer Root saw its loss ratio spike in the 2021 second quarter as higher costs for repairs, used vehicles and miles driven rose above pre-pandemic levels. But the Ohio-based insurer continues to report growth in its premium volume, …

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Climate Activists Plan 2 Weeks of Protest in City of London

Environmental activists who caused days of traffic chaos in London two years ago said on Wednesday [Aug. 18] they would start a fortnight of action next week focused on the capital’s financial district, which they blame for helping to fuel …

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Mosaic and DXC Technology Launch Technology Platform for Specialty Insurance

Mosaic Insurance and DXC Technology announced the launch of an insurance technology platform that increases the speed at which specialty insurance is sold, underwritten and serviced. Together with DXC’s business-process expertise and technology, Mosaic, the Bermuda-based specialty insurer, aims to …

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Russia’s Nord Stream Pipeline 99% Complete, but Insurance Needed Before Gas Flows

A controversial Russian pipeline to Europe can deliver its first batches of natural gas to Germany this year, according to Gazprom PJSC. The Nord Stream 2 link can ship 5.6 billion cubic meters of the fuel in 2021, the Russian …

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Tech Giants Are ‘Too Big to Fail’ Because They Host Insurers, Banks on Cloud Platforms

More than a decade on from the financial crisis, regulators are spooked once again that some companies at the heart of the financial system are too big to fail. But they’re not banks. This time it’s the tech giants including …

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People Moves: CSRisks Promotes Sedliak; Pinnacle Adds Linton in Tennessee

CSRisks Capitol Special Risks, a division of Specialty Program Group, LLC, announced that Amanda Sedliak will succeed Dorothea Westin as President of the specialty lines insurance brokerage firm. Ms. Sedliak joined CSRisks as an Account Manager in 1998, working her …

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Fourth Person Charged over Failed South Carolina Nuclear Plant Project

A fourth business executive faces criminal charges stemming from a federal investigation into a failed multibillion-dollar project to build two nuclear reactors in South Carolina, authorities announced Wednesday. Jeffrey A. Benjamin was a former senior vice president for Westinghouse Electric …

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Mining Giants Face Reckoning About Sexual Harassment as BHP Fires 48 Workers

Women still face a threat to their safety at remote mine sites across the globe. It’s a challenge the industry is grappling with after BHP Group, the world’s biggest miner, lifted the lid on a male-dominated culture in which sexual …

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New University of Iowa Utilities Contractor Fined After Worker’s Fall

A contractor that recently took over management of the University of Iowa utility system has been cited for safety violations after a worker fell into an underground steam tunnel and was injured, newly released records show. The Iowa Occupational Safety …

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Louisiana’s Orleans Parish to Pay $2M to Exonerated Man in Settlement

Local prosecutors have reached a $2 million settlement with a New Orleans man who spent 23 years in prison before being cleared on charges including rape and manslaughter. “I welcome this measure of justice after so many years,” Robert Jones, …

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Kansas City Police to Pay $200K in Settlement With Demonstrator

A man who suffered a compound fracture to his leg when he was hit by a tear gas canister during racial injustice protests last summer has received a $200,000 settlement from the Kansas City, Missouri, police department. The man did …

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Early COVID-19 Vaccinations Prevented 140,000 Deaths: Study

A new study by Indiana University and RAND Corp. assessed the impact of COVID-19 vaccinations and found that 139,393 deaths were prevented during the first five months of vaccination efforts in the United States. With COVID-19 cases again on the …

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With Federal Legalization Expected, Cannabis Insurers Quietly Get Ready to Roll

Insurers are quietly gearing up for a potential ten-fold increase in sales to the booming $17.6 billion-a-year cannabis industry as Congress inches closer to legalizing pot at the federal level. While 36 U.S. states and the District of Columbia have …

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Workers at Massachusetts Veterans’ Home at Center of COVID-19 Outbreak Sue

Employees of the Massachusetts veterans’ home at the center of a devastating COVID-19 outbreak in the spring of 2020 have sued several members of the facility’s former leadership team, alleging they were forced to care for sick and dying veterans, …

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Massachusetts Utilities Seek to Stretch Reimbursement for Storm Damage

Massachusetts’ two largest utilities have asked to defer reimbursement payments for weather damage after a record amount of storms exceeded the maximum number the companies can seek reimbursement for. Under state law, utilities may recover operations and maintenance costs from …

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Biden Administration to Require Nursing Home Employees to Get COVID-19 Vaccine

President Joe Biden said on Wednesday his administration will require employees at nursing homes to be vaccinated against COVID-19 as a condition of the facilities participating in the Medicare and Medicaid government healthcare programs. Biden made the announcement hours after …

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California Drought Hurting World’s Top Almond Producer

As temperatures recently reached triple digits, farmer Joe Del Bosque inspected the almonds in his parched orchard in California’s agriculture-rich San Joaquin Valley, where a deepening drought threatens one of the state’s most profitable crops. Del Bosque doesn’t have enough …

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New Jersey Domestic Violence Victim Suing Prosecutor Over Being Named

A New Jersey woman who killed her abusive ex-fiance can proceed with a lawsuit that claims her rights as a domestic violence victim were violated when a county prosecutor publicly identified her, an appeals court ruled Tuesday. The suit alleges …

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Workers at Massachusetts Veterans’ Home at Center of COVID-19 Outbreak Sue

Employees of the Massachusetts veterans’ home at the center of a devastating COVID-19 outbreak in the spring of 2020 have sued several members of the facility’s former leadership team, alleging they were forced to care for sick and dying veterans, …

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Massachusetts Utilities Seek to Stretch Reimbursement for Storm Damage

Massachusetts’ two largest utilities have asked to defer reimbursement payments for weather damage after a record amount of storms exceeded the maximum number the companies can seek reimbursement for. Under state law, utilities may recover operations and maintenance costs from …

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Biden Administration to Require Nursing Home Employees to Get COVID-19 Vaccine

President Joe Biden said on Wednesday his administration will require employees at nursing homes to be vaccinated against COVID-19 as a condition of the facilities participating in the Medicare and Medicaid government healthcare programs. Biden made the announcement hours after …

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Goldman Sachs to Buy Asset Management Arm of Insurer NN Group for Nearly $2B

AMSTERDAM – Goldman Sachs said on Thursday it will buy Dutch insurer NN Group’s asset management arm for around 1.7 billion euros ($1.98 billion) in the biggest acquisition by the U.S. company since David Solomon became chief executive in 2018. …

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California Wildfires Are Exhausting 10,000-Strong Army Fighting Them

There are over 10,000 firefighters battling unprecedented blazes in California, but that isn’t enough, and the state is having a hard time finding more as flames rage across the western U.S. and Canada. Twelve major wildfires now burn in the …

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States Weighing $26 Billion Opioid Settlement Face Saturday Deadline

U.S. states are racing to meet a deadline to commit to a $26 billion opioid settlement with three drug distributors and the drugmaker Johnson & Johnson, as some grapple with local resistance and concerns the amount isn’t big enough to …

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Parametric Catastrophe Facility CCRIF to Pay Haiti $40M Following Deadly Quake

CCRIF SPC, the Cayman Islands-based parametric catastrophe facility, will pay approximately US$40 million to the government of Haiti, following the devastating magnitude 7.2 earthquake, which struck the Caribbean island on Aug. 14, significantly affecting the city of Les Cayes. This …

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TechAssure Launches Cyber Threat Sharing Community to Fight Ransomware

TechAssure has announced a partnership with RiskAnalytics and ICE Cybersecurity to launch an exclusive cyber insurance option called The ShadowNet Program, a real-time, proactive cyber intelligence solution. Using RiskAnalytics’ proprietary cybersecurity solutions, and ICE Cybersecurity’s assessment and analytics platform, insureds …

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Why Haiti Is Prone to Deadly Earthquakes

Earthquakes have been wreaking havoc in Haiti since at least the 18th century, when the city of Port-au-Prince was destroyed twice in 19 years. Saturday’s powerful quake killed hundreds and injured thousands more. Eleven years earlier a temblor killed tens …

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South Carolina Supreme Court Allows University to Institute Mask Mandate

The South Carolina Supreme Court ruled that a mask mandate instituted by the University of South Carolina last month does not violate a state budget proviso banning discriminatory face covering requirements. University officials withdrew the mask rule earlier this month …

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UK Court Approves $14 Billion-Plus Class Action Against Mastercard

A London court on Wednesday approved a 10 billion pound-plus ($14 billion-plus) class action against global payments processor Mastercard that claimants said could entitle 46 million British adults to roughly 300 pounds each if it is successful. The Competition Appeal …

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Tokio Marine Insurance Singapore Hit by Ransomware Attack

Tokio Marine Insurance Singapore Ltd. (TMiS), a subsidiary of Tokio Marine Group, announced it was hit by a ransomware cyber attack. Upon a detection of the attack, TMiS immediately took necessary measures including the isolation of the network to prevent …

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4 Texas School Districts Close Due to Virus Outbreaks

As the new school year begins for Texas students and mask mandates are debated in various state courts, at least four school districts have already closed campuses due to COVID-19 outbreaks. The shutdowns are taking place as more school districts …

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Family of Man Killed During Kenosha, Wisconsin, Protests Sues Police

The family of one of the two men fatally shot during a demonstration against police violence in Kenosha, Wisconsin, has filed a federal civil lawsuit against local law enforcement, accusing officers of facilitating Kyle Rittenhouse’s attacks. Anthony Huber was participating …

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Marsh and Citi Develop Risk Program With 6 Insurers to Deliver Vaccines Globally

Global insurance broker Marsh and global bank Citi said they have developed a risk mitigation structure to cover the risk associated with a number of governments that are self-funding their coronavirus vaccine procurement through the COVAX Facility. The innovative structure …

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People Moves: Korte Named Sr. VP at CNA; Stephan Corporate Joins The Plexus Groupe; Ryan Specialty Group Adds Behren

CNA CNA appointed Dieter Korte senior vice president, Middle Market. In this role, Korte will be responsible for profitability, growth, and strategic direction of Chicago-based CNA’s middle market business unit. Korte joined CNA in 2016 after 25 years of commercial …

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Insurers Await Judge’s Ruling as Boy Scouts Bankruptcy Hearings End

A year and a half after the Boy Scouts of America sought bankruptcy protection amid an onslaught of child sex abuse lawsuits, a Delaware judge is poised to issue a ruling that could determine whether the organization might emerge from …

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Former Purdue President Sackler Says Family Did Not Contribute to Opioid Epidemic

Former Purdue Pharma President Richard Sackler said on Wednesday that his family’s reign over the OxyContin maker did not contribute to the national opioid epidemic and downplayed his role in a marketing strategy that prosecutors said led to some unsafe …

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SEC Working to Require Corporate America to Disclose Workforce Data

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is headed for a scuffle with corporate America over how much information public companies must disclose about their most important asset: employees. Urged on by progressive Democrats, unions and investors, the regulator is …

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Sacklers: Purdue’s ‘Moral Responsibility’ to Pay for Opioid Crisis Tied to Liability Shield

A member of the Sackler family that owns Purdue Pharma testified on Tuesday that his family bears a “moral responsibility” to help abate the U.S. opioid crisis but said it will not contribute financially to the effort unless it receives …

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Hacking, But Make It Ethical: How ‘The Good Guys’ Are Boosting Cybersecurity

Sometimes, real life can be like the movies. At least, that’s according to two ethical hackers in this episode of The Insuring Cyber Podcast. Dr. Ondrej Krehel, founder and CEO of LIFARS – a New York City-based incident response and …

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Settlement Reached on PIP Coverage for Michigan Car Accident Victims

Michigan insurance regulators and the state’s personal injury protection (PIP) medical coverage program have reached an agreement regarding unlimited coverage for persons injured in an automobile accident prior to the July 2, 2020, implementation of Michigan’s new auto insurance law. …

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Firefighters Struggle to Control Blazes Fueled by Heatwaves in France and Spain

Firefighters are struggling to control blazes in France’s Gulf of Saint Tropez and in the Spanish province of Avila, another manifestation of dangerous global warming that’s already caused a long list of extreme weather events this summer. A wildfire burned …

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Crews Battle ‘Rapidly Growing’ Wildfire in Northern Minnesota

Fire crews in northeastern Minnesota battled a “rapidly growing” wildfire Sunday, adding to a list of wildfires in the region that has prompted Gov. Tim Walz to authorize the National Guard to assist in firefighting efforts. Superior National Forest officials …

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Cedar Rapids, Iowa, to Settle Police Dog Attack Suit for $50K

The Cedar Rapids, Iowa, City Council approved a $50,000 payment to settle a lawsuit brought by a man who said he was unjustly attacked by a city police dog last year. The lawsuit was filed by Howard Cones, who said …

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AM Best Assigns B+ Rating to Texas’ National Unity Insurance

AM Best assigned a Financial Strength Rating of B+ and a Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating of “bbb-” (Good) to National Unity Insurance Co. (National Unity) in San Antonio, Texas. The outlook assigned to the ratings is stable. The ratings reflect …

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More Homes Threatened as Blazes Burn in California, Across West

Thousands of homes in Northern California remain threatened by the nation’s largest wildfire as unstable weather creates a high danger of new blazes erupting across the West. Weekend thunderstorms across the northern Sierra didn’t produce much rain, instead whipping up …

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Insurtech VOOM, Markel Offering Mileage-Based Motorcycle Insurance

Mobility insurtech VOOM and specialty insurer Markel have teamed up to launch a per-mile insurance offering for motorcycles in select states. VOOM will distribute the per-mile product both directly to riders and through select partners while Markel will provide underwriting …

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People Moves: Chubb’s Kocsondy Joins Beazley Cyber; Ames & Gough Adds Martin; WTW’s Kinzer Moves to Zurich Construction; AXA XL Adds 4 to Pollution Team

Beazley Appoints Chubb’s Kocsondy as U.S. Cyber & Tech Chief Specialist insurer Beazley has appointed Patricia Kocsondy as head of U.S. Cyber & Tech. Kocsondy, an experienced cyber underwriter and manager, comes from Chubb, where she served as senior vice …

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Massachusetts Woman Arrested for Workers’ Compensation Benefits Fraud

A Norwood, Massachusetts, woman was arrested in connection with fraudulently receiving federal workers’ compensation benefits and disability benefits from the Social Security Administration (SSA). Karen Nolan was indicted on two counts of theft of public funds and two counts of …

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10th Tornado Confirmed in July Pennsylvania, New Jersey Storms

The National Weather Service has confirmed a 10th tornado that struck during storms last month in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Forecasters in Mount Holly, New Jersey, said Sunday that the EF-0 tornado struck July 29 in a remote area of …

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People Moves: RT Specialty’s Burrows, API’s Gorman Promoted; New Hire at Concord Specialty

RT Specialty Promotes Burrows to Senior Account Manager RT Specialty has promoted Stacy Burrows to senior account manager within its environmental and construction professional (ECP) practice. She is based at RT ECP’s Hamilton, New Jersey, offices. Since joining the RT …

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Agencies Ride Commercial Prices, Reopened Economy to Record Organic Growth

Buoyed by the hard market and rebounding economy, Independent insurance agents and brokers grew overall by 7.1% in the second quarter, surpassing the 6.9% organic growth reported eight years ago in the second quarter of 2013. Commercial lines posted an …

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Aston Lark Ireland Acquires Dublin-Based Broker A.R. Brassington & Co.

Continuing its rapid pace of expansion, Aston Lark Ireland announced the acquisition of A.R. Brassington & Co. Ltd., a subsidiary of the ARB Group. Established in 1929 and based in Dublin, Brassington Insurance is one of Ireland’s oldest insurance brokerages, …

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Insurtech Quotall Announces Strategic Partnership with Broker/Fintech Provider Acrisure

Insurtech ecosystem specialist Quotall announced it has entered into a strategic partnership with global insurance broker and fintech services provider, Acrisure. Under the partnership, Acrisure will provide insurance product sourcing and insurer partnership services to meet the portfolio needs of …

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Nations Are Working Together to Deter Piracy in Waters Off West Africa

LAGOS – Helicopters hover above a patrol vessel in Nigeria’s frenetic Apapa port as attack boats zoom past. On the dock, drones emblazoned with the Nigerian flag sit ready to deploy – all part of a $195 million U.S.-backed “Deep …

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NFL Owner Kraft Sued Over South Carolina Paper Mill’s Harmful Pollution

A South Carolina paper mill, whose foul smell has triggered more than 30,000 complaints, has become one of the dirtiest polluters in the United States since being acquired by an investment group led by Robert Kraft, the billionaire owner of …

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Heavy Rains Lash Haiti, Complicating Rescue Efforts for Earthquake Survivors

LES CAYES, Haiti – Heavy rains lashed Haiti on Tuesday night, complicating rescue efforts and drenching thousands left homeless by a devastating earthquake that killed at least 1,419 people, as hopes dimmed for survivors. Tropical Depression Grace churned over the …

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Shell to Pay $111 Million to Resolve Long-Running Oil-Spill Dispute in Nigeria

Royal Dutch Shell Plc’s Nigerian unit agreed to pay a local community $111 million to resolve a long-running dispute over an oil spill that occurred more than half a century ago. The Anglo-Dutch energy giant will pay the Ejama-Ebubu people …

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Hudson Structured Capital Management Buys Majority Stake in MGA Occam

Occam Underwriting, the London-based specialist lines managing general agency, announced that Hudson Structured Capital Management (HSCM) has recently acquired a majority stake in the company. HSCM, an asset manager specializing in the re/insurance and transportation sectors, has also made a …

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One Dead in Mount Vernon, Georgia Fire

Georgia Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner John F. King announced that Ricky Bell, 57, was killed in a Montgomery County fire around 2:20 p.m. on Wednesday, August 11. Commissioner King’s Fire Investigations Unit arrived on scene around 5:00 p.m. to …

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County in Washington to Settle Suit Over Harassment by Deputy for $72K

Clark County, Washington, has agreed to pay $72,000 to settle a civil rights lawsuit filed by a man who said an argument with a deputy led to deputies harassing and arresting him over several months. Steven Klug, a 54-year-old U.S. …

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People Moves: Alliant Names Caterino Senior VP in Nevada; LP Adds Micco

Alliant Insurance Services named Karen Caterino senior vice president in its public entity practice. Caterino is based in Nevada and will focus on leading public entity, education and pooling business growth and development initiatives. Caterino spent years in various business …

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Why Snow, Hail and Wildfire Are Expensive for Insurance Industry

If you’re having trouble wrapping your mind around the spree of natural catastrophes currently plaguing the world—from deadly July floods in Germany and China to the wildfires still burning in Greece, California and Siberia —you may be interested to know …

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Court Revives 6,000 Lawsuits Against 3M Over Surgical Device

A federal appeals court on Monday revived nearly 6,000 lawsuits alleging that a widely used device produced by 3M Co. to keep surgical patients warm caused them to develop infections. The 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals said the Minnesota …

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Bayer’s Asks Supreme Court to Reverse Roundup Cancer Claim Verdict

Bayer, trying to contain billions of dollars in legal costs, filed a petition with the U.S. Supreme Court to reverse an appeals court verdict that upheld damages to a customer blaming his cancer on the German group’s glyphosate-based weedkillers. Bayer …

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Insurance Fraud Referrals Up by 11% in Minnesota in 2020

The number of insurance fraud investigations in Minnesota in 2020 rose by 11% compared with 2019, according to the state’s primary law enforcement agency focused on white collar crime. The Minnesota Commerce Fraud Bureau, a division of the Minnesota Department …

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Hub International Acquires Assets of Kansas Agency, Dissinger Reed

Global insurance broker and financial services firm, Hub International Limited (Hub), acquired the assets of Dissinger Reed LLC (Dissinger Reed), located in Overland Park, Kansas. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed. Dissinger Reed is a special risk agency that …

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New York Insurance, Finance Regulator Lacewell to Resign

New York’s top financial regulator, Linda Lacewell, is planning to step down as the state grapples with fallout from Governor Andrew Cuomo’s resignation. Lacewell, the state’s superintendent of financial services, will resign effective Aug. 24, she said in a memo …

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Ryan Specialty Group Reports It Suffered Cyber Breach in April

Newly public brokerage firm Ryan Specialty Group reported today on a data security incident that happened in April. The firm said that on or about April 17, 2021, it became aware of “unusual activity” related to certain employee email accounts …

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People Moves: Carpenter Names Willis Re’s Harden President of APAC; HUB Appoints Stait to Lead Canada Cannabis Specialty; Riega Is Fidelis’ Head of Sustainability

This edition of International People Moves details appointments at Guy Carpenter, HUB International and Fidelis Insurance. A summary of these new hires follows here. Guy Carpenter Names Willis Re’s Harden as President of Asia Pacific Guy Carpenter & Co., the …

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Safeway Faces $339.3K in Fines After Amputations at Denver Plant

Federal work safety officials imposed more than $339,000 in penalties against Safeway Inc. after a worker at a Denver milk packaging plant operated by the company lost four fingers while operating a molding machine that lacked required safeguards. Following an …

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Russia TV Channel Abandons Talks with Google to Get YouTube Account Unblocked

MOSCOW – Tsargrad TV, a news channel owned by a sanctioned Russian businessman, said it had abandoned talks with Google to have its YouTube account unblocked and on Monday accused the U.S. group of dragging its feet in negotiations. Google …

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