Insurance Journal

Biden’s LNG-Export Study Presents ‘Speed Bump’ for Trump

The Biden administration released a key study Tuesday that is likely to complicate President-elect Donald Trump’s plans to quickly approve more exports of liquefied natural gas. The study, which analyzed the economic, environmental and other co...

Posted: Dec 18, 2024

Can Comp-Exempt Sub Owner Sue Contractor for Work Injury? Miss. Court Says ‘No’

It’s a question that has cropped up in state courts only on rare occasions: If the owner or officer of a subcontractor firm opts out of workers’ compensation coverage for himself, can he then sue the general contractor for negligence &#82...

Posted: Dec 18, 2024

AM Best Report Stirs the Pot on Whether MGAs Lead to Insurer Insolvencies

In May of 2022, as Florida lawmakers debated solutions to the Florida property insurance crisis, a number of Democrats in the state Senate argued that it wasn’t litigation and roof claims that had led to so many insurer insolvencies: It …

Posted: Dec 18, 2024

Schrager Hampson Aviation Expands With Acquisition of Pennsylvania’s Bilella Agency

Schrager Hampson Aviation Insurance Agency LLC, a division of Schrager Hampson Aviation Insurance Group, has announced the acquisition of Charles W. Bilella Agency Ltd, its sixth aviation insurance acquisition. The Charles W. Bilella Agency, in Blue...

Posted: Dec 18, 2024

Hub Acquires High Net Worth Specialist Jackson Hole Insurance

Hub International Ltd. acquired the assets of Jackson Hole Insurance LLC in Wyoming. Evan Molyneaux, president, and Geoff Whitaker, senior sales executive, will join Hub Mountain. Jackson Hole Insurance will be referred to as Jackson Hole Insurance,...

Posted: Dec 18, 2024

Massachusetts Weighs Workers’ Comp Rate Hike to Correct for ‘Excessive’ 2024 Cut

Massachusetts workers’ compensation insurers have filed for a 7.1% increase in average rates for industrial classes beginning July 1, 2025 — the first rate increase since 2016. Why an increase in 2025? According to the industry, it’s beca...

Posted: Dec 18, 2024

Cal/OSHA Issues $276K Citation for Serious Heat Violations

The California Division of Occupational Safety and Health issued $276,425 in penalties to Parkwood Landscape Maintenance based in Van Nuys, California, for willfully violating state heat illness prevention regulations. Cal/OSHA determined that the em...

Posted: Dec 18, 2024

Washington Fines and Moves to Bar Asbestos Removers From Working in State

Two Washington asbestos removal contractors face losing the ability to legally do future asbestos removal work, plus nearly a half-million dollars in fines, for allegedly knowingly exposing workers to extremely hazardous conditions. The Washington St...

Posted: Dec 18, 2024

How to Navigate Insurance Implications When Remodeling

This post is part of a series sponsored by Trucordia. Protect your home and finances during a remodel with key insurance tips, from policy updates to builder’s risk coverage. Be prepared for the unexpected! With today’s housing market cre...

Posted: Dec 18, 2024

Amazon Ignored Its Own Worker Safety Studies, Senate Report Says

Amazon.com Inc. leaders rejected internal recommendations that the company relax warehouse worker productivity rates to curb injuries, according to a report from a congressional committee. Released Monday by the majority staff for the Senate Committe...

Posted: Dec 18, 2024

Troubled New York Taxi Insurer Sues 180 Providers in Huge No-Fault Fraud Case

New York’s largest taxi insurer that is facing serious financial and regulatory challenges has filed a lawsuit seeking more than $450 million against medical providers it alleges have been part of a huge fraud scheme that takes advantage of the...

Posted: Dec 17, 2024

NFP Acquires Salus Group, Expanding Its Employee Benefits Practice

NFP, an Aon company, announced its acquisition of Benefits Partner, LLC dba Salus Group, an independent employee benefits consulting, brokerage and administration firm based in Sterling Heights, Michigan. Michael Brillati, CEO of Salus Group, will jo...

Posted: Dec 17, 2024

Massachusetts Charges 12 With Running $2.6 Million High-End Car Theft Ring

Massachusetts law enforcement officials report that 12 individuals identified as stealing 63 high-end vehicles totaling more than $2.6 million have been arraigned. Another individual related to the investigation has an outstanding warrant and has not...

Posted: Dec 17, 2024

PointeNorth Expands in Southeast With Acquisition of Georgia Agency

Atlanta-based PointeNorth Insurance Group, a broker and agency specializing in commercial insurance, including transportation, construction and condominium coverage, has continued its rapid pace of growth with the addition of another Georgia agency....

Posted: Dec 17, 2024

US to Require Rear Seat Belt Reminders in Vehicles in 2027

The U.S. Transportation Department said Monday it will require rear seat reminder systems to boost seat belt use starting in late 2027 in all new cars and trucks in an bid to reduce traffic crash deaths and injuries that have …

Posted: Dec 17, 2024

AI Focal Point of Cybersecurity Outlook for 2025, Says Experian

Artificial intelligence is at the center of Experian’s annual breach forecast due to its enabling capabilities. Michael Bruemmer, vice president of global data breach resolution at information services company, said that while ransomware and br...

Posted: Dec 17, 2024

Trucordia Acquires Virginia’s Richard King Agency

Insurance brokerage Trucordia reports that its most recent acquisition is the Richard King Insurance Agency, a family-owned brokerage firm in Powhatan, Virginia. The Richard King Insurance Agency has been offering personal and commercial insurance in...

Posted: Dec 17, 2024

Deloitte Faces Class Action Lawsuits Over Rhode Island Cyber Breach

Deloitte Consulting has been hit with class action lawsuits over the cyber breach of Rhode Island’s portal for state-administered benefits known as RIBridges. The suits have been brought in Rhode Island and New York federal courts on behalf of...

Posted: Dec 17, 2024

Meta Settles With Australia’s Privacy Watchdog Over Cambridge Analytica Lawsuit

Meta Platforms has agreed to a A$50 million settlement ($31.85 million), Australia’s privacy watchdog said on Tuesday, closing long-drawn, expensive legal proceedings for the Facebook parent over the Cambridge Analytica scandal. The Office of t...

Posted: Dec 17, 2024

Ex-West Virginia School System Official Charged With Stealing $3.4 Million

CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) — A former maintenance director of a southern West Virginia county school system was charged in a scheme to steal about $3.4 million from a local board of education. Michael David Barker appeared in court Wednesday after &#8230...

Posted: Dec 17, 2024

Toyota to Add $922M Paint Facility at Large Kentucky Complex

GEORGETOWN, Ky. (AP) — Toyota plans to build a new paint facility as part of a $922 million investment at its factory complex in Georgetown, Kentucky, making it the second big addition announced this year at the automaker’s largest manufacturin...

Posted: Dec 17, 2024

Becton Dickinson to Pay $175 Million to Settle SEC Probe

Becton, Dickinson & Co. has agreed to a $175 million fine over Securities and Exchange Commission claims it repeatedly misled investors about one of its most important products. The regulator said Becton Dickinson was aware an infusion pump it ma...

Posted: Dec 17, 2024

ConnectUW Holdings Opens for Business at Lloyd’s

ConnectUW Holdings, the parent company of Connect Underwriting and other specialist reinsurance MGAs, announced it will take ownership of Lloyd’s box number 356 from Dec. 23, 2024. Situated in the company market section on Gallery 3, ConnectUW...

Posted: Dec 17, 2024

DAC Beachcroft Expanding Into US With 2 New Offices

Law firm DAC Beachcroft said it is expanding into the U.S. with offices in New York and Los Angeles. Insurance specialists Lawrence Klein and Gilbert Lee will join UK-based DACB as partners from law firm Robinson+Cole. They provide advice to …

Posted: Dec 17, 2024

AXIS to Transfer $2.3B of Reinsurance Reserves to Enstar in Boost to Specialty Focus

AXIS Capital Holdings Ltd. and Enstar Group Ltd. announced they have entered into a loss portfolio transfer (LPT) reinsurance agreement, which will retrocede $2.3 billion of AXIS’s reinsurance reserves. Structured as a 75% ground-up quota share...

Posted: Dec 17, 2024