Business Insurance

Worker fakes COVID-19 doctor note

An unnamed Fortune 50 company had to pay upwards of $100,000 after having to close its Atlanta offices after one of its workers faked a COVID-19 diagnosis.

Posted: May 22, 2020

Axa XL launches commercial umbrella program

Axa XL’s global risk management and North America excess casualty business units now offer Multipass, aimed at helping U.S.-domiciled multinational businesses efficiently address their tax/compliance regulations and contractual obligations, Axa XL, a...

Posted: May 22, 2020

Most California COVID-19 comp claims accepted: Study

Of the 1,077 workers compensation COVID-19-related claims filed before April 30 in California, 35% were denied and of those 69.7% involved negative tests for the virus, according to a white paper released Thursday by the California Workers’ Compensat...

Posted: May 22, 2020

The BI Top 10: Week of May 18, 2020

COVID-19 litigation and legislation were much in the news this week. The naming of underwriting officers at Chubb and Liberty Mutual also drew interest.

Posted: May 22, 2020

Cyclone causes more than $13 billion damage in India

The government of the Indian state of West Bengal said that cyclone Amphan has caused around 1 trillion Indian rupees ($13.3 billion) worth of damage.

Posted: May 22, 2020

Aviva expects nearly $200 million worth of COVID-19

U.K.-based insurer Aviva PLC expects £160 million ($195.5 million) in claims related to the COVID-19 pandemic and weaker second quarter sales.

Posted: May 22, 2020

Tens of thousands of Israeli websites hacked

Iranian hackers hacked and disabled tens of thousands of Israeli websites on May 21.

Posted: May 22, 2020

Insurance sector mulls new coverage linked to pandemics

The Algerian Union of Insurance and Reinsurance Companies said that the insurance sector is considering developing a type of insurance cover linked to epidemics and pandemics.

Posted: May 22, 2020

Insurance sector to face uncertainty, challenges

A report by A.M. Best Co. Inc. expects the Indian nonlife insurance sector to face uncertainty and challenges due to COVID-19 pandemic-driven economic turbulence.

Posted: May 22, 2020

Premiums rise 12.5% in Southeast Europe

Gross written premiums increased 12.5% year-over-year to more than €15 billion ($16.4 billion) in 2019 in the Southeast European region.

Posted: May 22, 2020

Premiums rise nearly 57% at VIG Croatia

Gross written premiums of Austria-based Vienna Insurance Group AG's Croatian unit increased nearly 57% year-on-year to more than €46 million ($50 million) in the first quarter.

Posted: May 22, 2020

NOAA predicts 60% chance of above-normal hurricane season

There is a 60% chance of an above-normal U.S. hurricane season, a 30% chance of a near-normal season and only a 10% chance of a below-normal season, according to the forecast issued Thursday by NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center, a division of the Nati...

Posted: May 21, 2020

Insurance groups push taxpayer-funded pandemic backstop

An alternative federal proposal designed to protect businesses financially against widespread economic shutdowns due to a future pandemic was unveiled Thursday by three major insurance industry groups.

Posted: May 21, 2020

Forescout sues Advent to complete $1.9B merger

Forescout Technologies Inc. sued Advent International Corp. on Wednesday, after the private equity firm pulled out of a deal to buy the U.S. cybersecurity company for $1.9 billion.

Posted: May 21, 2020

Challenges with cannabis product liability capacity: Panel

Increases in product liability capacity for the cannabis industry and related companies remain elusive amid a patchwork of regulation, speakers said at the Business Insurance cannabis webinar on product liability Wednesday.

Posted: May 21, 2020

Former government nurse ordered to pay up

A Veterans Affairs hospital nurse pleaded guilty to defrauding the federal government after she injured her back at work in 1995 and submitted false expense reports stemming from rehab exercises she claimed she participated in from 2010 to 2016.

Posted: May 21, 2020

Aon adds components to comp analytics tool

Aon PLC has launched a new workers compensation cost management tool, the Chicago-based brokerage announced Wednesday.

Posted: May 21, 2020

Woodruff & Sawyer names Barrengos chairman

Woodruff Sawyer & Co. said Thursday that CEO Andy Barrengos has assumed the added title of chairman, while chairman Stan Loar has become chairman emeritus.

Posted: May 21, 2020

Firefighter’s cumulative hearing loss not compensable

A firefighter’s hearing loss is not covered by workers compensation because it was cumulative and not triggered by a single incident, an appellate court held Wednesday.

Posted: May 21, 2020

Age discrimination case against HP can proceed

A U.S. District Court judge in San Jose, California, has refused to dismiss age discrimination claims in a class-action lawsuit filed against HP Inc. and Hewlett Packard Enterprise Co. by former employees, stating they had provided sufficient evidenc...

Posted: May 21, 2020

Generali sees lower operating profit due to COVID crisis

Italy's biggest insurer, Generali, expects its operating profit to be “resilient” this year, but to fall short of last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it said on Thursday.

Posted: May 21, 2020

VIG's premiums rise more than 7%

Austria-based Vienna Insurance Group AG's insurance premiums grew more than 7% to surpass €3 billion ($3.3 billion) in the first quarter, driven by strong demand in Austria and Poland during the first two months.

Posted: May 21, 2020

VW agrees to pay fine, suit against CEO, chairman ends

A German court has ended proceedings against the chairman and chief executive of Volkswagen AG after the carmaker agreed to pay a fine of €9 million ($10 million) over the diesel emissions scandal.

Posted: May 21, 2020

Cyclone causes devastation in India, Bangladesh

Cyclone Amphan, which hit India and Bangladesh on May 20, has killed at least 14 people and caused widespread damage.

Posted: May 21, 2020

Hospitality firms to sue against Aviva, QBE

A group of hospitality firms in the United Kingdom plan to sue insurers Aviva PLC and QBE Insurance Ltd. after failing to secure payouts following business interruption due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Posted: May 21, 2020