Business Insurance

AccuRisk acquires Texas non-subscription book from Great American

AccuRisk Solutions LLC has acquired the renewal rights and run-off services of Great American Insurance Group’s book of Texas non-subscription business, the managing general underwriter announced Thursday.

Posted: Oct 09, 2020

Insulated cladding possibly spread fire at tower

Insulating cladding attached to the outside of the building was possibly responsible for spreading the fire that ripped through a 33-storey tower block in the South Korean city of Ulsan.

Posted: Oct 09, 2020

Lower asset valuations to hurt Bahraini insurers

A report by A.M. Best Co. Inc. said that lower asset valuations in the first quarter, a result of the economic fallout triggered by the pandemic, is expected to cut into the solvency levels of Bahraini insurers.

Posted: Oct 09, 2020

Cyber attacks surge in Africa amid pandemic

Data from Russia-based cyber security firm Kaspersky Lab ZAO showed that Kenya, Nigeria and South Africa saw a surge in cyber attacks in the first eight months of the year.

Posted: Oct 09, 2020

ILS investors want risk-adjusted improvements

Australian insurance-linked securities investors want to see risk-adjusted improvements at the January renewals and not just rate increases.

Posted: Oct 09, 2020

Premiums fall 23% in Ukraine

Data from the National Bank of Ukraine showed that local insurers' gross written premiums declined 23% year-over-year to 21 billion Ukrainian hryvnia ($735 million) in the first half of 2020.

Posted: Oct 09, 2020

Court ruling to eliminate COVID-19 presumption in Michigan

The Michigan Supreme Court ruled that Gov. Gretchen Whitmer did not have the authority to issue emergency orders during the COVID-19 pandemic, including making it easier for first responders and health care workers who contract COVID-19 to obtain wor...

Posted: Oct 08, 2020

Axa XL revamps underwriting, broker relations management teams

Axa XL, a unit of Axa SA, on Thursday announced a slew of appointments across its Americas region leadership.

Posted: Oct 08, 2020

Sedgwick appoints president of managed care operations

Sedgwick Claims Management Services on Thursday named Andrea Buhl president of managed care operations.

Posted: Oct 08, 2020

Digital wholesale brokerage launches

Pathpoint Inc., which describes itself as a digital wholesaler for excess and surplus lines insurance, officially launched Thursday.

Posted: Oct 08, 2020

Surplus lines insurer names former Marsh exec as CEO

WestCongress Insurance Holdings LLC on Thursday named Steven H. Kerr president and CEO.

Posted: Oct 08, 2020

Gallagher: All communications systems up after cyber event

Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. on Wednesday reported to clients and business partners that all of its communications capabilities are functioning following a cybersecurity breach in late September.

Posted: Oct 08, 2020

No joy in a malfunctioning video game piece: Lawsuit

A mother and son team on Monday filed a lawsuit against Nintendo over long-reported problems with its popular Nintendo Switch controllers, Wired magazine reported.

Posted: Oct 08, 2020

Brexit hits London commercial insurers

A report by the International Underwriting Association said that Britain's planned departure from the European Union reduced London commercial insurers' gross written premiums by 14% to £27.6 billion ($35.6 billion) last year.

Posted: Oct 08, 2020

France declares state of natural disaster

France has declared a state of natural disaster in 55 communes in the Alpes-Maritimes department after storm Alex caused more than three months worth of rain in 24 hours over the past weekend.

Posted: Oct 08, 2020

Gazprom fined $7.6 billion in Poland

Poland has fined Russian energy firm PJSC Gazprom €6.5 billion ($7.6 billion) for violating antitrust laws while building the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline to Germany.

Posted: Oct 08, 2020

Hurricane hits Mexico, causes widespread damage

Hurricane Delta hit Mexico on Oct. 7 and caused widespread damage.

Posted: Oct 08, 2020

Japan braces for typhoon

Typhoon Chan-hom is expected to hit Japan on Oct. 8 and bring strong winds, high tides and heavy rains, which can cause landslides and floods.

Posted: Oct 08, 2020

ADA, FMLA charges reinstated against Walmart

A federal appeals court has reinstated Americans with Disabilities Act and Family Medical Leave Act charges filed by a former injured Walmart Inc. worker who was fired after she refused an allegedly unfeasible alternative position.

Posted: Oct 07, 2020

RIMS plans hybrid in-person, virtual 2021 annual convention

The Risk and Insurance Management Society’s 2021 annual convention and exhibition, to be held in Chicago April 18-21, 2021, is slated to be a hybrid in-person and virtual event, but may pivot to an entirely digital event.

Posted: Oct 07, 2020

Mechanic denied comp for false statements

An appellate court denied a mechanic benefits after holding he provided false statements, though one judge dissented after questioning whether the worker understood the deposition proceedings.

Posted: Oct 07, 2020

Nationwide, Travelers prevail in COVID-19-related litigation

Federal courts in Atlanta and Los Angeles dismissed COVID-19-related lawsuits filed by restaurants against Nationwide Mutual Insurance Co. and Travelers Cos. units, respectively, but a state court ruled in favor of an Ohio restaurant against Cincinna...

Posted: Oct 07, 2020

Mitchell launches claims analysis tool

Mitchell International Inc. has launched a tool that allows workers compensation and auto casualty claims organizations analyze medical provider treatment and billing behaviors to identify activities that may be connected to fraud, waste or abuse, th...

Posted: Oct 07, 2020

Markel to move reinsurance property cat unit, cut jobs

Markel Corp. said Wednesday it will move its property catastrophe reinsurance business into Nephila Holdings Ltd. and close its Markel Global Reinsurance property catastrophe unit, resulting in some 25 job losses.

Posted: Oct 07, 2020