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THE CATALYST FOR INDUSTRY EVOLUTION

Rough Notes

The imperative of professional development in the insurance industry By Mick Hunt As we navigate through an era where digital transformation reshapes every facet of our lives, the demand for continuous professional growth becomes undeniable. Consider...

Posted: May 31, 2024

NO COMMODITY TRAP

Rough Notes

Members of the Associated Insurance services team. Specialty Idaho agency diversifies from monoline in one industry to all lines for everyone By Dennis H. Pillsbury The decade of the ‘70s was a tumultuous one for the workers compensation system. The...

Posted: May 31, 2024

Marsh McLennan Agency announces acquisition of Perkins Insurance Agencies

Reinsurance News

Marsh McLennan Agency, a subsidiary of Marsh, has acquired Perkins Insurance Agencies, an Abilene, Texas-based independent agency. Established in 1977, Perkins provides commercial property and casualty (P&C) and personal lines coverage to West...

Posted: May 31, 2024

A MEMBER FIRST

Rough Notes

NAAIA executive director takes pride in organization and career accomplishments In the insurance industry, certain dedicated young professionals stand out among their peers and are members of an elite squad of individuals. These are their stories. “D...

Posted: May 31, 2024

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PARALLELS

Rough Notes

Leveraging military training principles in building insurance agency expertise By Rob Bowen In the realm of professional development, the journey from novice to seasoned expert shares remarkable parallels across diverse fields. Just as military recru...

Posted: May 31, 2024

Tesla to Recall 125,227 Vehicles Over Faulty Seat Belt Warning System

Insurance Journal

Tesla is recalling 125,227 vehicles in the U.S. due to a malfunction in its seat belt warning system that can increase the risk of injury in a collision, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said on Friday. The regulator said …

Posted: May 31, 2024

Trends in insurance agency and brokerage compensation

Rough Notes

Do you know where your firm compares to insurance industry averages for compensation decisions? By Tommy McDonald Compensation represents a substantial expense for most insurance agencies and brokerages. Therefore, the approach to compensation has a...

Posted: May 31, 2024

BENDER-JOHNSON RECEIVES 2023 ROUGH NOTES CSA

Rough Notes

The 2023 Rough Notes Community Service Award was given at the company’s Agency of the Year banquet this past March. From left: Sam Berman, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, The Rough Notes Company; Shawna Weaver, Director of Peopl...

Posted: May 31, 2024

TRUCKING INSURANCE: MOVING AMERICA FORWARD

Rough Notes

Five difficulties facing the market and ways to mitigate them By Harish Kapur The commercial trucking industry has changed drastically in the past several years. The steep demand for drivers that existed throughout the pandemic has vanished. At the s...

Posted: May 31, 2024

LATIN AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF INSURANCE AGENCIES

Rough Notes

Passion drives the members of this Florida-based organization By Christopher W. Cook A Google search of “Florida insurance market”  led me to one of  the questions that “people also ask”: What is causing the insurance crisis in Florida? While I’m not...

Posted: May 31, 2024

Nationwide Pet Shedding 100,000 Policies

Insurance Journal

The leading pet insurer in the U.S. said it is dropping about 100,000 policies starting this spring, citing inflation in the cost of veterinary care. Nationwide Pet, the leading provider of pet insurance for dogs, cats, birds and exotic animals, &#82...

Posted: May 31, 2024

COMMERCIAL AUTO’S GRIM RESULTS CONTINUE

Rough Notes

Will the tough times never end? By Joseph S. Harrington, CPCU Here are headlines from a search engine for the past seven years. Pick any one you want, since they all still apply: “Commercial Auto Insurance Underperformance Drags On” “Commercial Auto...

Posted: May 31, 2024

DENTAL AND VISION INSURANCE TRENDS

Rough Notes

Supporting worker satisfaction drives new plan features By Maura C. Ciccarelli We all know that oral and vision health are important not just for our quality of life, but also for overall health. With an increasingly competitive marketplace for talen...

Posted: May 31, 2024

A 6th House Has Collapsed into Atlantic on North Carolina’s Outer Banks

Insurance Journal

RODANTHE, N.C. (AP) — Another house has collapsed into the Atlantic Ocean along North Carolina’s coast, the sixth to fall along the Cape Hatteras National Seashore’s beaches in the past four years, according to U.S. National Park Service...

Posted: May 31, 2024

California Supreme Court Resolves Question on Coverage for COVID Business Shutdowns

Insurance Journal

The California Supreme Court has resolved a question about insurance coverage for COVID-19 business shutdowns in the issue of a virus exclusion in a ruling that is consistent with the vast majority of courts nationwide: the presence of the virus &#82...

Posted: May 31, 2024

AM Best downgrades ratings of Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Company of Arkansas

Reinsurance News

Credit rating agency AM Best has downgraded the credit ratings of Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Company of Arkansas, Inc. (FBMICA), a regional insurer, due to severe weather-related losses. The Financial Strength Rating dropped from B+ (Good) to B...

Posted: May 31, 2024

Sompo appoints Swiss Re’s Tewes as Head of Risk Control CE Commercial P&C Insurance

Reinsurance News

Sompo, a global provider of commercial and consumer property, casualty, and specialty re/insurance, has appointed Malwine Tewes to the newly established role of Head of Risk Control for its Continental Europe (CE) Commercial Property and Casualty...

Posted: May 31, 2024

Munich Re’s Martin Neuhaus on His Division’s North American Approach

Risk & Insurance

“Weather-related risks on the property side are a significant concern for risk managers and various industries. Leading experts, such as Colorado State University, forecast a very active hurricane season of at least 23 named storms and five major...

Posted: May 31, 2024

Aon/NFP’s Lenox Advisors Acquires Maryland Benefits Firm Serving Medical Pros

Insurance Journal

Lenox Advisors, Inc., an affiliate of NFP, an Aon company, reports it has acquired Martin/Wight & Co., a Maryland-based insurance and financial services firm that specializes in serving medical professionals. Founders Brian Martin and Ted Wight w...

Posted: May 31, 2024

Building Explosion Kills Bank Employee, Injures 7 Others in Youngstown, Ohio

Insurance Journal

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (AP) — A massive explosion blew out much of the ground floor of an apartment building, killing a bank employee and injuring several other people. Police and emergency officials initially blamed natural gas, but the fire chief later &...

Posted: May 31, 2024

Marsh McLennan Acquires Texas’ Perkins Insurance Agencies

Insurance Journal

Marsh McLennan Agency, a subsidiary of Marsh, announced the acquisition of Perkins Insurance Agencies, an Abilene, Texas-based independent agency. Terms of the acquisition were not disclosed. Founded in 1977, Perkins primarily provides commercial pro...

Posted: May 31, 2024

American National Exiting Homeowners Insurance Market

Insurance Journal

Following its announcement several months ago to leave the homeowners insurance business in nine states including California and Louisiana, American National appears to be exiting the line in all states. According to a letter sent to employees and ot...

Posted: May 31, 2024

Universal secures combined $2.4bn reinsurance tower for 2024-2025

Reinsurance News

Universal Insurance Holdings, Inc. has announced the completion of its combined 2024-2025 reinsurance program, effective June 1, 2024, for its subsidiaries Universal Property & Casualty Insurance Company (UPCIC) and American Platinum Property...

Posted: May 31, 2024

Michigan Willing to Repair Flint Homes Ripped Up by Pipe Replacement

Insurance Journal

DETROIT (AP) — The state of Michigan said it’s willing to step in and oversee property repairs at 1,900 homes in Flint where water pipes have been inspected or replaced but the grounds remain a mess. The city in March …

Posted: May 31, 2024

Inszone Acquires Texas’ T Blackwell Insurance Group

Insurance Journal

Inszone Insurance Services announced the acquisition of T Blackwell Insurance Group, an agency based in Garden Ridge, Texas. Founded by Tracey Blackwell in 2012, T Blackwell Insurance Group has carved a niche in personal lines insurance, offering a s...

Posted: May 31, 2024

Banks, Asset Managers Warned of ‘Huge’ Fallout of UK’s New Greenwashing Law

Insurance Journal

Banks and asset managers in the UK woke up to a new reality on Friday, as the country enforces some of the most far-reaching anti-greenwashing rules ever seen. Due to its broad scope, the new requirement from the Financial Conduct …

Posted: May 31, 2024

Banks, Asset Managers Warned of ‘Huge’ Fallout From UK’s New Greenwashing Law

Insurance Journal

Banks and asset managers in the UK woke up to a new reality on Friday, as the country enforces some of the most far-reaching anti-greenwashing rules ever seen. Due to its broad scope, the new requirement from the Financial Conduct …

Posted: May 31, 2024

Automated EHR Summarizer, an effective & efficient tool for life insurance underwriting: Munich Re

Reinsurance News

In a recent interview with Reinsurance News, June Quah, Vice President, Integrated Analytics, Munich Re, Canada, discussed the reinsurance giant’s newest digital solution, Automated EHR Summarizer which is set to ensure efficient and accurat...

Posted: May 31, 2024

AM Best Revises Outlooks to Stable, Affirms Excellent Ratings for MEMIC Group

Insurance Journal

AM Best has revised the outlooks to stable from negative and affirmed the Financial Strength Rating of A (Excellent) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Ratings of “a” (Excellent) of workers’ compensation specialist Maine Employers&#821...

Posted: May 31, 2024

People Moves: Howden Re Names Hearn as Chair, Global Clients Strategy; Ex-Lloyd’s CEO Beale Named Ch...

Insurance Journal

This edition of International People Moves details appointments at Howden Re and climate consultancy South Pole. A summary of these new hires follows here. Howden Re Names Hearn as Chair, Global Clients Strategy Howden Re, the reinsurance and risk ad...

Posted: May 31, 2024

Core Specialty adds ex-Goldman Sachs veteran Sally Pope Davis to its Board

Reinsurance News

Core Specialty Insurance Holdings, and subsidiaries, have announced the addition of Sally Pope Davis to its Board of Directors, effective immediately. Jeff Consolino, Core Specialty’s Founder, President, and Chief Executive Officer, said, “W...

Posted: May 31, 2024

AIG is selling an additional 30 million of Corebridge shares

Reinsurance News

Global insurer, American International Group (AIG) has launched a secondary offering of Corebridge Financial common stock, priced at $29.20 per share. The insurer has offered 30 million existing shares of common stock, out of approximately 608 mil...

Posted: May 31, 2024

Nurse Honored for Compassion Is Fired After Referring to Gaza ‘Genocide’ in Speech

Insurance Journal

A nurse was fired by a New York City hospital after she referred to Israel’s war in Gaza as a “genocide” during a speech accepting an award. Labor and delivery nurse Hesen Jabr, who is Palestinian American, was being honored …

Posted: May 31, 2024

QBE NA partners with DUAL’s Catalytic Risk Managers on Builders Risk Program

Reinsurance News

QBE North America, part of the global insurer, has announced a new program partnership with Catalytic Risk Managers & Insurance Agency, LLC, a division of DUAL North America, Inc. Both organisations will work together on the Builders Risk prog...

Posted: May 31, 2024

Moody’s enhances risk management with TomTom’s precise location data

Reinsurance News

Moody’s has selected TomTom’s global location data to enhance the accuracy and relevance of geocoding analyses across various workflows in its risk management solutions. This data will be integrated into Moody’s Insurance Geocoder, combining TomTo...

Posted: May 31, 2024

Investors With Trillions Aren’t Handling Australia Climate Risks

Insurance Journal

Major investors in Australia aren’t responding fast enough to rising threats to infrastructure and other assets from cyclones, floods and other natural disasters, according to a group focused on climate risks. Extreme weather events in the nati...

Posted: May 31, 2024

Investors With Trillions Aren’t Handling Australia Climate Risks: Study

Insurance Journal

Major investors in Australia aren’t responding fast enough to rising threats to infrastructure and other assets from cyclones, floods and other natural disasters, according to a group focused on climate risks. Extreme weather events in the nati...

Posted: May 31, 2024

McGill and Partners adds Cabot Lyman to US Property team

Reinsurance News

Insurance and reinsurance broker McGill and Partners has announced the appointment of Cabot Lyman as Partner in its US Property team. “The addition of Cabot to the team strengthens our highly differentiated value proposition that enables us to del...

Posted: May 31, 2024

Israel Aims to Boost Red Sea Oil Deliveries Despite Environmental Risks

Insurance Journal

Israel plans to allow more oil tankers to dock at a Red Sea port in Eilat despite environmental risks, as it strives to maintain energy security amid conflict on multiple fronts, according to Israeli officials and government documents. Prime Minister...

Posted: May 31, 2024

Everest expands global presence by launching Mexican operations

Reinsurance News

Bermuda domiciled insurer and reinsurer Everest, has received regulatory approval to begin operating in Mexico. Trading as Compañía de Seguros Generales Everest México S.A. de C.V., the entity will be headquartered in Mexico City, and it will be l...

Posted: May 31, 2024

Talk to Two Attorneys: The Intersection Between Workers’ Comp and Employment Law

Risk & Insurance

Workers’ comp and employment law aren’t the same — but they do have some overlap. The post Talk to Two At...

Posted: May 31, 2024

Cleaner Shipping Fuel Is Contributing to Ocean Warming: Report

Insurance Journal

Shipping fuel regulations introduced in 2020 have led to a substantial cut in sulfur dioxide (SO2) pollution, but may also have made the ocean warmer by reducing cloud cover, according to a modeling study in a paper published late on …

Posted: May 31, 2024

MS Amlin predicts highly active 2024 Atlantic hurricane season

Reinsurance News

MS Amlin, Lloyd’s global insurer and reinsurer, predicts that the upcoming 2024 Atlantic hurricane season will be significantly above average, potentially one of the most active on record. Climate scientists at MS Amlin analysed forecasts fr...

Posted: May 31, 2024

SCOR secures $175m of retro with latest cat bond

Reinsurance News

French reinsurer SCOR has successfully sponsored a new catastrophe bond, Atlas Capital DAC Series 2024-1, providing it with a multi-year risk transfer capacity of $175 million against named storms in the US and earthquakes in the US and Canada. At...

Posted: May 31, 2024

Former Verra CEO David Antonioli joins Oka’s advisory board

Reinsurance News

US carbon-credit insurance carrier Oka, has added former Verra CEO, David Antonioli, to its advisory board as the company sets its sights on international carbon markets. During his 15-year tenure at Verra, Antonioli oversaw the Verified Carbon St...

Posted: May 31, 2024

Bondaval launches new reinsurance vehicle to enable future growth

Reinsurance News

Bondaval is establishing a reinsurance vehicle, Bondaval Re, marking a new chapter for the business, which has so far been operating exclusively as a managing general agent. According to the firm, Bondaval Re will allow it to partner directly with...

Posted: May 31, 2024