Insurance Journal

Expanding Alaska Glacial Lakes Increasing Risk of Destructive Floods

Every summer, people living near the Mendenhall River in Juneau, Alaska, keep a close eye on the water level. When the river level begins to rise rapidly, it’s a sign that Suicide Basin, a small glacier-dammed lake 5 miles up …

Posted: Mar 13, 2026

40 Cars Recovered in Takedown of Million Dollar Stolen Vehicle Sales Operation

New York officials reported that after a year-long investigation they have recovered more than 40 Honda and Toyota vehicles worth more than a million dollars that were stolen. New York Attorney General Letitia James and New York City Police (NYPD) &#...

Posted: Mar 13, 2026

AM Best Revises Outlooks to Positive for Plymouth Rock Assurance Group

AM Best reports that it has revised the outlooks to positive from stable and affirmed the Financial Strength Rating (FSR) of A- (Excellent) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating (Long-Term ICR) of “a-” (Excellent) for the members of Plym...

Posted: Mar 13, 2026

Viatris Settles Lawsuit Over Use of Maryland Woman’s Cells in Drug Research

Generic drugmaker Viatris has settled a lawsuit brought by the family of Henrietta Lacks, a Maryland woman whose tissue samples were used without her permission to develop enduring cells for lucrative medical research. Viatris and Lacks’ estate...

Posted: Mar 13, 2026

Muni Bonds in California Get Expensive Amid Flurry of Demand

Municipal bond investors are clamoring for tax-free debt sold by California issuers. That demand is benefiting borrowers across the state — even ones without AAA credit ratings. In general, U.S. state and local government debt has gotten more expensi...

Posted: Mar 13, 2026

Appeals Court Overturns $481M Award to Columbia University Over Software Claim

A U.S. appeals court on Wednesday overturned a $481 million ruling that New York’s Columbia University had won against software company Gen Digital for infringing patents related to cybersecurity technology. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fe...

Posted: Mar 13, 2026

People Moves: MEMIC Group Names Keck as East Vice President

The MEMIC Group, headquartered in Portland, Maine, appointed Jim Keck as the regional vice president for the Eastern region, effective March 9. Keck succeeds Jeff Funk, who will be retiring after 20 years of service. Keck will oversee MEMIC’s E...

Posted: Mar 13, 2026

People Moves: Surplus Lines Association of Washington Elects Board of Directors

The Surplus Lines Association of Washington elected officers for the upcoming term at their 2026 annual meeting, including President Cristi Carrington, Vice President Gretchen Echelbarger, Secretary/Treasurer Katy Peterson, and Past President Connie...

Posted: Mar 13, 2026

Tornadoes Level Homes in Illinois and Indiana

Major storms that whipped up tornadoes in parts of Illinois and Indiana on Tuesday leveled homes, downed trees and power lines, and overwhelmed a 911 center south of Chicago with emergency calls, according to officials. “Please do not come here...

Posted: Mar 12, 2026

Iran Has Likely Begun Laying Mines in Hormuz, UK Minister Says

It’s becoming increasingly evident that Iran is laying mines in the Strait of Hormuz, according to the UK, as Iran’s new supreme leader used his first comments to the media to say the critical waterway should stay closed. “The repor...

Posted: Mar 12, 2026

Lilly Flags Safety Risk in Compounded Zepbound Mixed With Vitamin B12

Eli Lilly & Co. warned that the active ingredient in its weight-loss blockbuster Zepbound could pose a risk to patients when mixed with vitamin B12, a combination sold by US drug compounders. Lilly tested compounded products and found “sign...

Posted: Mar 12, 2026

NC Insurance Agent Posts Statement After Arrest on Embezzlement Charges

A North Carolina insurance agent is out on bond, awaiting court action, after he was charged with diverting premium payments from four automobile dealerships. Jeffrey Martin Webster, of Jamestown, North Carolina, was charged with 18 counts, including...

Posted: Mar 12, 2026

Markets/Coverages: Marsh Risk, Apollo Develop Insurance Facility for Uber

Marsh Risk, a business of Marsh, and specialty insurer Apollo’s ibott division announced the launch of an insurance facility for Uber. According to the companies, the facility is the first of its kind and will “accelerate the deployment o...

Posted: Mar 12, 2026

Coast Guard Rescues 3 Fishermen Whose Ship Sank in Maine’s Boothbay Harbor

The U.S. Coast Guard rescued three people from the water approximately 23 miles south of Boothbay Harbor in Maine on Wednesday morning. The Coast Guard Station Boothbay Harbor crew reported they located the vessel at 9:01 a.m. and rescued three &#823...

Posted: Mar 12, 2026

Mississippi Jury Acquits Engineer Charged With Lying About 2017 Plane Crash

A jury has acquitted a former engineer overseeing military aircraft maintenance of charges of making false statements and obstructing justice during the criminal investigation of a 2017 military plane crash in Mississippi that killed all 16 service m...

Posted: Mar 12, 2026

WTW: US Commercial Insurance Rates Moderate to 2.9% in Q4 2025

U.S. commercial insurance rates increased 2.9% in the fourth quarter of 2025, according to the latest WTW Commercial Lines Insurance Pricing Survey (CLIPS). “Commercial insurance pricing continued to moderate in the fourth quarter, reflecting a...

Posted: Mar 12, 2026

World Faces Largest-Ever Oil Supply Disruption on Middle East War, IEA Says

The war in the Middle East is creating the biggest oil supply disruption in history, the International Energy Agency said on Thursday, a day after it agreed to release a record volume from strategic stockpiles to offset shortages and a …

Posted: Mar 12, 2026

Officials Declare Barge Fire in Delaware Bay Under Control

The U.S. Coast Guard and the states of Delaware and New Jersey on Wednesday declared the barge fire in Delaware Bay under control. No injuries were reported for the incident. The barge was carrying salvage metal at the time of …

Posted: Mar 12, 2026

People Moves: Andover Cos. Names Nadeau, Duchette; Plymouth Rock Appoints Seaborn

The Andover Companies Names Nadeau SVP and CUO, Duchette SVP and CUO The Andover Companies, headquartered in Andover, Massachusetts, appointed Paul Nadeau as senior executive vice president and chief operating officer and Patrick Duchette as senior v...

Posted: Mar 12, 2026

Natural Gas Boom Will Spur a Shortage of US Fracking Gear, Shale Boss Says

Rising US natural gas exports and soaring domestic demand for the power-plant fuel will lead to a shortage of fracking gear later this decade, according to the head of one the country’s top drilling contractors. Activity in US shale fields &#82...

Posted: Mar 12, 2026

Warburg Pincus Is Said to Explore Options for Asian Insurer Oona

Warburg Pincus is considering options for Oona Insurance that might lead to a sale, according to people familiar with the matter, after receiving interest from other insurers and investment firms. The US private equity firm is working with Citigroup...

Posted: Mar 12, 2026

How The Alliance’s Certified Insurance & Risk Professional (CIRP) Designation Helps New Producers Bu...

The insurance industry continues to evolve quickly, and agencies face growing pressure to develop producers who can contribute sooner and communicate with confidence. Many new professionals enter the field with enthusiasm but without a clear pathway...

Posted: Mar 12, 2026

Oil Tankers Attacked Off Iraq as Middle East Crisis Worsens

Two oil tankers were hit in Iraqi waters, the latest in a string of attacks on ships in the Persian Gulf that are raising risks to global energy supply from the deepening Middle East war.The strikes on the vessels off …

Posted: Mar 12, 2026

People Moves: Church Mutual Names Pam Rushing as COO, Neil Ziegler to CUO – Admitted

Church Mutual Insurance Company announced two leadership promotions that reinforce the company’s focus on innovation and disciplined growth. Pam Rushing has been promoted to chief operating officer (COO), and Neil Ziegler has been promoted to c...

Posted: Mar 12, 2026

People Moves: Church Mutual Names Rushing as COO, Ziegler to Admitted CUO

Church Mutual Insurance Company announced two leadership promotions that reinforce the company’s focus on innovation and disciplined growth. Pam Rushing has been promoted to chief operating officer (COO), and Neil Ziegler has been promoted to c...

Posted: Mar 12, 2026