Insurance Journal

Durham, NC Council Declares City a ‘Fourth Amendment Workplace’

In a unanimous vote Tuesday, Durham City Council passed a resolution to make the North Carolina city a “Fourth Amendment Workplace,” increasing protections for city workers against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids and arrest...

Posted: Sep 09, 2025

Former WhatsApp Employee Says Bosses Ignored Cybersecurity Flaws

A former employee at Meta Platforms Inc.’s WhatsApp filed a federal lawsuit Monday alleging he repeatedly raised cybersecurity concerns about the messaging app with his superiors but was ignored and retaliated against. Attaullah Baig, who ident...

Posted: Sep 09, 2025

Virginia’s Disaster Fund Now Open to Home and Business Owners

Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin announced that the state’s $50 million disaster aid fund is now accepting applications from homeowners and businesses in the southwest region of the state. The Virginia Disaster Assistance Fund, which Youngkin p...

Posted: Sep 09, 2025

Exclusive: Applied System Acquires AI-Enabled Risk Digitalization Firm Cytora

Applied Systems announced the acquisition of Cytora, a digital risk processing platform for the insurance industry, in an effort to accelerate connecting the dots within the insurance ecosystem, something Applied terms as the “Digital Roundtrip...

Posted: Sep 09, 2025

Exclusive: Applied Systems Acquires AI-Enabled Risk Digitalization Firm Cytora

Applied Systems announced the acquisition of Cytora, a digital risk processing platform for the insurance industry, in an effort to accelerate connecting the dots within the insurance ecosystem, something Applied terms as the “Digital Roundtrip...

Posted: Sep 09, 2025

Markets/Coverages: Tokio Marine HCC Enhances Product Recall Offering

Tokio Marine HCC (TMHCC) – Specialty Group, a member of the Tokio Marine HCC group of companies based in Houston, Texas, announced that it has partnered with The Acheson Group to enhance its existing Product Recall Crisis Consultancy abilities...

Posted: Sep 09, 2025

Ariel Re Gets ‘In Principle’ Approval From Lloyd’s to Launch Syndicate 2006

Ariel Re, a global reinsurer with offices in Bermuda, London and Hong Kong, announced it has received “in principle” approval from Lloyd’s to launch a new syndicate. From 2026, Ariel Re will be separating its Lloyd’s business...

Posted: Sep 09, 2025

Swiss Re, Munich Re and Hannover Re Top List of 40 Largest Reinsurers in 2025: S&P

Swiss Re tops the list of the world’s 40 largest reinsurers, followed by Munich Re and Hannover Re, according to S&P Global Ratings. Berkshire Hathaway Insurance Group comes in at number four, while Lloyd’s is ranked at number 5 and &...

Posted: Sep 09, 2025

Google Sued by Advertising Exchange Over Monopoly Violations

Alphabet Inc.’s Google was sued by advertising exchange PubMatic Inc., which is seeking billions of dollars over its claim that the search giant has illegally monopolized the ad technology market. The lawsuit, filed Monday in federal court in V...

Posted: Sep 09, 2025

Automakers Debut New EVs, Affordable Models at Munich Car Show

Major automakers showcased their latest models at the Munich car show on Monday, unveiling new EVs and lower-cost models as Europe’s auto sector fights crises ranging from tariff hikes to rising costs and rivalry with Chinese firms on their hom...

Posted: Sep 09, 2025

Disasters Damage $12.7 Billion of African Infrastructure a Year

The average annual loss of infrastructure including buildings caused by disasters in Africa is $12.7 billion, according to the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure. Of the damage 70% is caused by floods followed by earthquakes at about 28%...

Posted: Sep 09, 2025

French Parliament Ousts Prime Minister, Deepening Political Crisis

France’s parliament brought down the government on Monday over its plans to tame the ballooning national debt, deepening a political crisis that is weakening the euro zone’s second-largest economy. Lawmakers voted to oust Prime Minister F...

Posted: Sep 09, 2025

Agent Has No Duty to Tell Insured of Pending Nonrenewal: Connecticut High Court

A Connecticut insurance agent has no duty to inform clients that their home insurer intends not to renew their insurance policy, the state’s high court recently affirmed in a case where the homeowners had argued that their long relationship wit...

Posted: Sep 09, 2025

CIWA Launches Matt Abram Scholarship to Honor Legacy of Popular Insurance Pro

The California Insurance Wholesalers Association has created the CIWA Future Matt Abram Scholarship, established in memory of Matthew Abram. The scholarship helps celebrate Abram’s legacy of energy, community, and connection by supporting risin...

Posted: Sep 09, 2025

Oregon Workers’ Comp Pure Premium Rate Dropping

Oregon employers on average would pay 87 cents per $100 of payroll for workers’ compensation costs in 2026, down from 91 cents this year, under a new proposal. The Oregon Department of Consumer and Business Services called for the decline &#823...

Posted: Sep 09, 2025

US Property Insurance Costs Hit New High as Disasters Worsen

The cost of property insurance in the US rose to an all time-high in the first half of the year, as homeowners faced sharp price increases in states recently affected by climate-related disasters, such as California. The average insurance payment &#8...

Posted: Sep 08, 2025

Renaissance Introduces the First in a Suite of AI Solutions for Independent Agents

Agency network Renaissance said it has become the first of its kind to deliver an exclusive suite of artificial intelligence solutions built specifically for independent insurance agents. “Independent insurance agents face unique challenges tha...

Posted: Sep 08, 2025

Texas Hemp Industry Breathes Sigh of Relief as Legislators Avoid Ban

When news broke last Wednesday afternoon of a last-minute push to pass new, stricter regulations for consumable hemp products, the employees at Austin Vape & Smoke sprung into action. Zaquiri Hensen, a manager at the South Austin store, said he &...

Posted: Sep 08, 2025

Philips Faces Deepened French Probe Over Sleep Apnea Device Safety

French prosecutors stepped up an investigation into Royal Philips NV for potentially causing danger to human health with breathing devices, tasking a magistrate with deeper probing powers to lead the case. Paris prosecutors said on Monday that the de...

Posted: Sep 08, 2025

Buffett’s Oregon Utility Says Fire Lawsuits Pose Shutdown Risk

Berkshire Hathaway Inc.’s PacifiCorp says ongoing litigation from massive wildfires in 2020 that exposed the company to billions of dollars in damages is jeopardizing its ability to continue providing power to hundreds of thousands of customers...

Posted: Sep 08, 2025

People Moves: Lockton Promotes Rapciewicz and Cullen to Lead US Casualty

Brokerage Lockton announced new leadership appointments within its U.S. casualty business. Peter Rapciewicz has been named U.S. casualty leader, and Jessica Cullen appointed head of excess casualty and operations. Rapciewicz will oversee the strategi...

Posted: Sep 08, 2025

NCCI Calls for 6.9% Average Decrease in Florida Workers’ Comp Rates

Starting in January, workers’ compensation insurance rates for Florida businesses could drop by an average of 7%. The National Council on Compensation Insurance last week recommended an average rate decrease of 6.9% for the voluntary market, ef...

Posted: Sep 08, 2025

Florida Official Dismisses Need to Study Vaccine Mandate

Florida Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo said there’s no need to do projections of the potential effects of ending vaccine mandates for children, as Governor Ron DeSantis pushes to make his state the first one to scrap immunization requirements. &...

Posted: Sep 08, 2025

US Plant Raid Jolts South Korea and Stirs Investor Anxiety

The immigration raid on a Georgia EV battery plant run by two South Korean firms has rattled Seoul, coming less than two weeks after President Lee Jae Myung’s White House meeting with Donald Trump where Korean companies pledged to invest &#8230...

Posted: Sep 08, 2025

Older Homes for Sale in California Now Come With Wildfire Warnings

Most California homes were built long before the state required that they be constructed to withstand wildfires. Now, sellers of older homes in high-risk areas must disclose to potential buyers not only a dwelling’s susceptibility to fire but w...

Posted: Sep 08, 2025