Insurance Journal

Update: UK Insurer Direct Line Rejects Ageas’ Sweetened Buyout Proposal

Britain’s Direct Line said on Wednesday it had rejected a revised 3.17 billion pound ($4.06 billion) takeover bid from Belgian rival Ageas, repeating that it “significantly undervalued” the home and motor insurer. Direct Line, a hou...

Posted: Mar 13, 2024

UK Is Far From Climate Proof Due to Poor Planning, Officials Say

The UK has failed to prioritize climate adaptation to risks such as floods and heat waves, putting British citizens and critical infrastructure in danger, an official assessment has found. A national adaptation plan, published last July, “falls...

Posted: Mar 13, 2024

Tesla, Rivals Get Low Marks for Automated-Driving Technology

Tesla’s Autopilot and Full Self Driving technology and nine other assisted-driving systems marketed by major automakers received “poor” ratings from the U.S. Insurance Institute for Highway Safety in a new study released on Tuesday....

Posted: Mar 13, 2024

Hedge Fund That Rode Catastrophe Bond Rally Mounts Tactical Retreat

A hedge fund that last year delivered its best result ever thanks to catastrophe bonds is now scaling back its position, based on a bet that the market is headed for a rough patch. Tenax Capital, which has a €100 …

Posted: Mar 13, 2024

US Natural Gas Pipeline Accidents Pose Big, Unreported Climate Threat

Last October, an Idaho farmer using a backhoe punched a hole into a 22-inch pipeline buried under a field, sending more than 51 million cubic feet of natural gas hissing into the air. While the incident on Williams Companies’ Northwest …

Posted: Mar 13, 2024

Would-Be Everton Owner 777 Partners Faces Lawsuit Over Asset Transfers

The investment manager trying to buy Everton FC is being sued by a creditor who wants to stop the firm from transferring two subsidiaries, claiming that the transaction was designed to “shield” the assets. Obra Capital said in a New &#823...

Posted: Mar 13, 2024

Oxendine’s Georgia Fraud Trial Must Finally Start April 15, Federal Judge Says

A former Georgia insurance commissioners’ efforts to dismiss insurance fraud and money laundering charges against him have run their course. John Oxendine must face trial starting April 15, a federal judge has decided. A pretrial conference is...

Posted: Mar 13, 2024

How 9 Men Stole 45 Cars Over 6 Months During COVID, Then Got Caught

New York Attorney General Letitia James has announced the guilty pleas and sentencing of nine members of a Bronx car theft ring for their roles in the theft of 45 vehicles during a six-month period from April to October 2020. …

Posted: Mar 13, 2024

$12.6M in Aid Delivered to San Diego County Communities

To aid recovery efforts in San Diego County following the January storms, FEMA, the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services and local partners continue to work together to bring relief to affected communities. In just three weeks sin...

Posted: Mar 13, 2024

People Moves: California Insurance Commissioner Lara Announces Appointments, Reappointments to Board...

California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara appointed new members and reappointed members to several state insurance boards and committees. New appointments include Ronald Coleman Baeza to the California Life and Health Insurance Guarantee (CLHIGA...

Posted: Mar 13, 2024

Nord Stream Sues Insurers in London Over 2022 Pipeline Blasts

Nord Stream is seeking more than 400 million euros ($436 million) from its insurers over explosions in 2022 which ruptured pipelines designed to transport Russian gas to Germany, court filings show. Nord Stream AG names Lloyd’s Insurance Co. an...

Posted: Mar 12, 2024

People Moves: Stratico Appointed Professional Liability Practice Leader at Brown & Riding

Brown & Riding, headquartered in Dallas, appointed Bill Stratico national professional liability practice leader. Stratico has over 35 years of industry experience. He joined Brown & Riding in 2010 as a management and professional liability b...

Posted: Mar 12, 2024

People Moves: Reed to Lead Acrisure’s New Great Lakes Region

Acrisure, headquartered in Grand Rapids, Michigan, has established a Great Lakes region, encompassing its businesses in Michigan, Indiana and Ohio. The Great Lakes region is led by long-time partner Kelly Reed. Reed has over 15 years of experience in...

Posted: Mar 12, 2024

Insurtech bolttech Partners with Saudi Telecom Group to Provide Embedded Insurance

Singapore-based insurtech bolttech announced its expansion into the Middle East with the launch of its partnership with telecommunications company stc Group. bolttech’s collaboration with Riyadh, Saudi Arabia-headquartered stc will provide stc&...

Posted: Mar 12, 2024

Markets/Coverages: Aon Launches Partner Risk Insights

Aon plc, a global professional services firm, today announced the launch of Partner Risk Insights, a digital platform powered by CoverWallet, to help U.S. organizations simplify the way they manage insurance-related third-party risk. The digital plat...

Posted: Mar 12, 2024

Kansas Man Sentenced to 12 Months Probation For Insurance Fraud

Kansas Insurance Commissioner Vicki Schmidt announced last week that an Overland Park man has been sentenced to 12 months of probation for insurance fraud. Matthew Finholm, age 43, pleaded guilty in the District Court of Johnson County to one misdeme...

Posted: Mar 12, 2024

Xcel Texas Wildfire Legal Reckoning to Take Years to Play Out

(Xcel Energy Inc. will likely be wrangling for years with the legal fallout from the wildfires burning through the Texas Panhandle. The experience of utility companies in California and Oregon sued over massive blazes sparked by downed power lines sh...

Posted: Mar 12, 2024

Texas Firefighters Make Progress Containing Panhandle Wildfires

LUBBOCK — Texas firefighters are gaining more control over the remaining wildfires in the Panhandle, more than two weeks after the infernos first engulfed large swaths of the region and burned more than 1 million acres. As of Monday, the …

Posted: Mar 12, 2024

At Least 50 Hurt as LATAM’s Boeing 787 to Auckland Dropped Abruptly Mid-Flight

At least 50 people were hurt when a Boeing 787 operated by LATAM Airlines dropped abruptly mid-flight from Sydney to Auckland on Monday, according to the airline and a New Zealand health service organization that treated the injured. The aircraft &#8...

Posted: Mar 12, 2024

Rivian Leaves Georgia’s Dreams of Becoming an EV Hub Uncertain

(Bloomberg) — Georgia Governor Brian Kemp has appointed himself the figurehead of Rivian Automotive Inc.’s massive $5 billion development outside of Atlanta. In 2023, the first day of March was dubbed “Rivian Day.” Just a year...

Posted: Mar 12, 2024

Amynta Group Completes Acquisition of Canadian MGU, Sutton Special Risk

Amynta Group, the New York-based insurance services provider, announced the completion of the previously announced acquisition of Sutton Special Risk Inc., a managing general underwriter (MGU) of specialty insurance and reinsurance products in Toront...

Posted: Mar 12, 2024

Amynta Group Completes Acquisition of Sutton Special Risk

Amynta Group, the New York-based insurance services provider, announced the completion of the previously announced acquisition of Sutton Special Risk Inc., a managing general underwriter (MGU) of specialty insurance and reinsurance products in Toront...

Posted: Mar 12, 2024

Twice as Many Personal Lines Insurers Downgraded by AM Best in 2023

AM Best delivered 39 downward credit rating actions to U.S. personal lines insurers in 2023, more than twice the number registered for 2022, the rating agency reported in it official tally for the year. Additional downgrades of 15 commercial insurers...

Posted: Mar 12, 2024

Record Rainfall Hits Charleston, South Carolina, Forcing Flood Rescues

CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP) — A record-setting rainstorm flooded parts of Charleston, South Carolina, on Saturday, requiring emergency responders to help some people get out of high waters. The National Weather Service in Charleston reported that 3.63 inch...

Posted: Mar 12, 2024

Generali CEO Says Insurer Has Financial Strength for M&A Deals

Italian insurance giant Assicurazioni Generali SpA has the financial means for acquisitions that fit its template for value creation, according to Chief Executive Officer Philippe Donnet. “We are considering very strict discipline for M&A w...

Posted: Mar 12, 2024