Insurance Journal

California Indoor Worker Heat Protections OK’d and in Effect

California’s indoor heat protections were approved and went into effect this week. The rules apply to most indoor workplaces. Employers are required to adopt safety measures that go into effect in most cases when indoor temperatures reach 82°F...

Posted: Jul 26, 2024

PCF Acquires Texas’ Montalvo Insurance Agency

PCF Insurance Solutions announced it has acquired the insurance business of Weslaco, Texas-based Montalvo Insurance Agency. Montalvo offers personal and commercial insurance coverage including homeowners, auto, general and professional liability, wor...

Posted: Jul 25, 2024

US DOJ Sues Allstate’s Nation General, Alleging Force-Place Car Insurance ‘Scheme’

Allstate’s National General auto insurance brand has been sued by the U.S. Department of Justice over allegation that National General and subsidiaries “engaged in a scheme to defraud customers” by putting its insurance product onto...

Posted: Jul 25, 2024

Allstate’s Nation General Sued by DOJ Over Alleged Force-Placed Insurance ‘Scheme’

Allstate’s National General auto insurance brand has been sued by the U.S. Department of Justice over allegation that National General and subsidiaries “engaged in a scheme to defraud customers” by putting its insurance product onto...

Posted: Jul 25, 2024

Uber, Lyft, DoorDash Prevail in California Gig-Worker Ruling

Uber Technologies Inc. and Lyft Inc. can keep classifying California drivers as independent contractors, after the state’s top court said a company-backed law passed by voters doesn’t wrongly curtail the legislature’s power over wor...

Posted: Jul 25, 2024

New Mexico Woman Pleads Guilty to Armed Robbery of Gallup Insurance Agency

A New Mexico woman pleaded guilty in federal court for an armed robbery of a Gallup insurance agency. Amber Yazzie, 29, of Gamerco, pleaded guilty to robbery and federal firearms charges for her role in the armed robbery of C …

Posted: Jul 25, 2024

AM Best Puts SCOR’s Credit Ratings Under Review After L&H Reserve Announcement

AM Best has placed the credit ratings of SCOR, the Paris-based reinsurer, under review with developing implications. The ratings were placed under review as a result of SCOR’s July 15 publication of an update on its second-quarter 2024 and full...

Posted: Jul 25, 2024

People Moves: Marsh Promotes McKay as UK Advisory Leader; BHSI Launches Surety in Spain, Led by Barb...

This edition of International People Moves details appointments at Marsh, Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance (BHSI) and the re/insurer IQUW. A summary of these new hires follows here. Marsh Promotes McKay as UK Advisory Leader Marsh, the insuranc...

Posted: Jul 25, 2024

Outlook Positive, AI Use on the Rise for Independent Agents, Says Nationwide

Despite challenges posed by inflation, market volatility and rapidly changing technologies, independent agents remain positive about their businesses and report more optimistic perceptions of national business conditions than in 2023. The recent Nati...

Posted: Jul 25, 2024

Explosion and Fire Hit Tequila Factory in Mexico, Killing at Least 5 Workers: Officials

An explosion and fire erupted inside a tequila factory Tuesday, killing at least five workers and injuring two others at the site in the liquor’s namesake town in Jalisco state, Mexican authorities said. The state Civil Protection agency announ...

Posted: Jul 25, 2024

Boeing Completes Deal to Plead Guilty Over 737 Max Crashes

Boeing Co. has completed an agreement with the US government to plead guilty to criminal conspiracy in connection with two fatal crashes of its 737 Max jetliner, setting the stage for a possible courtroom confrontation with relatives of those who &#8...

Posted: Jul 25, 2024

Freight Train Runs Off Tracks, Smashes Into Residential Garage in Niagara Falls

NIAGARA FALLS, N.Y. (AP) — A freight locomotive ran off the end of its track and smashed into the side of a garage Monday at a home in the city of Niagara Falls. No one was injured, but the impact …

Posted: Jul 25, 2024

WV Reminds Local Governments, Non-Profits of Flood Insurance Requirements

The West Virginia insurance commissioner is reminding all state and local governments and non-profit organizations that they could face penalties if they fail to obtain flood insurance on properties in flood hazard areas. “Please review your eligibil...

Posted: Jul 25, 2024

WTW Reports 48% Hike in Q2 Net Income With Organic Growth of 6%

WTW reported second quarter net Income of $142 million, an increase of 48% compared to net income of $96 million in the prior-year second quarter. Q2 adjusted net income rose 20% to $263 million, from $219 million reported in the …

Posted: Jul 25, 2024

How a Perfect Storm Sent Church Insurance Rates Skyrocketing

The Rev. John Parks was taking his first sabbatical in 40 years of ministry when he got a call from his church’s accountant with some bad news. Church Mutual, the church’s insurance company, had dropped them. “This does not make &#8...

Posted: Jul 25, 2024

Northern California Fire Becomes State’s Biggest in a Day, Evacuations Ordered

A wildfire that started Wednesday near Chico, California grew quickly to 45,549 acres overnight to become the state’s largest active blaze. Evacuation orders and warnings were issued, but the under of residents affected or properties damaged or destr...

Posted: Jul 25, 2024

Florida Coach and Co-Defendants Ask Court to Drop Jaden Rashada NIL Lawsuit

GAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Florida coach Billy Napier and two co-defendants on Tuesday filed motions to dismiss quarterback Jaden Rashada’s lawsuit regarding a failed name, image and likeness deal worth nearly $14 million. Napier, Florida booster...

Posted: Jul 25, 2024

King Insurance Adds Barnette Agency in NC, Gilbert Named President

Gainesville, Florida-based King Insurance Partners has acquired Barnette and Coates Inc., an agency in Henderson, North Carolina. Principal Jimmy Barnette said in a news release that the move will allow the agency to expand its access to resources an...

Posted: Jul 25, 2024

Video: Whale Surfaces, Capsizes Fishing Boat Off New Hampshire Coast

Two fishermen are safe after a whale crashed onto their boat, capsizing it off the New Hampshire shore, according to the U.S. Coast Guard. The incident occurred Tuesday near Odiorne Point State Park in Rye. The two men, who were …

Posted: Jul 25, 2024

Insured Losses From CrowdStrike Outage Could Reach $1.5B, CyberCube Says

Global insured losses from last week’s massive IT outage are likely to range from $400 million to $1.5 billion, cyber analytics firm CyberCube said on Thursday. A software bug in cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike’s quality-control system cau...

Posted: Jul 25, 2024

Maine Provides Waterfront Communities With $21 Million to Rebuild From Winter Storms

Maine is providing more than $21 million in grants to help dozens of waterfront communities rebuild from a series of devastating storms this past winter. The storms brought flooding, damage and power outages to the Northeast, and were particularly da...

Posted: Jul 25, 2024

Philippines Rushes to Contain Oil Spill From Sunken Tanker

Philippine authorities are rushing to contain an oil spill from a tanker that sank early Thursday, killing one crew member, after Typhoon Gaemi battered the nation. A Philippine-flagged tanker carrying 1.4 million liters of industrial fuel oil capsiz...

Posted: Jul 25, 2024

Oscar Mayer Wienermobile Rolls Over in Chicago Highway Crash

OAK BROOK, Ill. (AP) — An Oscar Mayer Wienermobile got into a pickle on a Chicago highway. The hot-dog shaped Wienermobile hit a car Monday morning along Interstate 294 and its driver lost control and overcorrected, causing it to roll …

Posted: Jul 25, 2024

Houston City Council Approves Plan to Increase Federal Flood Insurance Discounts

Houston residents could see a greater discount on their federal flood insurance premiums as soon as next spring after the Houston City Council on Tuesday approved a watershed master plan expected to improve the city’s class rating in FEMA&#8217...

Posted: Jul 25, 2024

ACLU: 51 Texas School Districts Not Complying With Ban on Hairstyle Discrimination

The ACLU of Texas said Wednesday it found 51 school districts in violation of the Texas CROWN Act, which bans race-based hair discrimination, and urged them to update their dress code policies. The Texas CROWN Act prohibits schools, workplaces and &#...

Posted: Jul 25, 2024