Insurance Journal

Owens Corning to Buy Tampa-based Masonite International for $3.9 Billion

(Reuters) – Owens Corning said on Friday it will buy door maker Masonite International for $3.9 billion in an all-cash deal, as it looks to beef up its home-building portfolio and expand its reach. Owens will acquire all outstanding shares &#82...

Posted: Feb 09, 2024

Alabama Lawmakers Push Sweeping Bill That Would Allow Lottery and Casinos

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — A group of Alabama lawmakers unveiled a sweeping gambling bill Wednesday that could authorize a state lottery and 10 casinos across the conservative Deep South state as some Republicans look to get the question before voters &...

Posted: Feb 09, 2024

People Moves: Mitsui Sumitomo EU Appoints Rodden as Interim CEO, Rebrands as MSIG UK; Gallagher Re P...

This edition of International People Moves details appointments at Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance (Europe) and Gallagher Re. A summary of these new hires follows here. Mitsui Sumitomo (Europe) Appoints Rodden as Interim CEO, Rebrands as MSIG UK Mitsui Sum...

Posted: Feb 09, 2024

Florida Bills on Litigation Financing, Wind-Mit Program Moving Along

Two pieces of legislation that could help reduce losses and litigation costs for insurance carriers are moving in the Florida Legislature: Litigation funding restrictions and changes to the state’s home-hardening program. By a vote of 15-5, the...

Posted: Feb 09, 2024

The Oil Was From Iran. The Insurance Was From New York

Last June, a rusting tanker named Sincere 02 picked up oil at an Iranian port and steamed across the Persian Gulf on its way to the United Arab Emirates. US sanctions forbid Western companies from knowingly doing business with Iran. …

Posted: Feb 09, 2024

Some Insurers Suspend Sales of Car Policies After UK Watchdog Again Intervenes

Britain’s financial watchdog said on Friday several insurers have agreed to suspend sales of policies that cover the depreciation of cars after it said it was worried the deals did not offer value for money. The suspension relates to so-called...

Posted: Feb 09, 2024

4.0 Earthquake Felt off Florida’s East Coast

Along with hurricanes and litigation, Floridians and their insurers can now add another potential concern: earthquakes. The National Weather Service reported that a 4.0 magnitude temblor, one of the largest recorded in the state, was felt off Florida...

Posted: Feb 09, 2024

Another Banner Year Seen by 5 Publicly Traded Insurance Brokers in 2023

Five of the largest publicly traded insurance brokers — Marsh & McLennan Cos., Aon, Arthur J. Gallagher, WTW and Brown & Brown – reported generally strong revenues in 2023, with annual increases ranging from 7% (Aon) to 18% (Arthur J. &...

Posted: Feb 09, 2024

Fosun Said to Revive Sale of Hong Kong’s $1 Billion Peak Re

Fosun International Ltd. has revived a plan to sell Hong Kong-based Peak Reinsurance Co. after failing on a previous attempt, according to people familiar with the matter. BNP Paribas SA is helping the Chinese conglomerate find a buyer for its &#8230...

Posted: Feb 09, 2024

Daughter of Wisconsin Inmate Who Died in Solitary Sues Prison Officials

MILWAUKEE (AP) — The daughter of a Wisconsin inmate who killed himself in solitary confinement has filed a federal lawsuit against state prison officials, alleging they failed to provide adequate mental health care and medications. Dean Hoffmann was...

Posted: Feb 09, 2024

Brazil Subsidized Rural Insurance for Deforested Farms: Report

Brazil subsidized rural insurance for farmers who deforested protected areas, engaged in slavery-like labor or planted in indigenous lands, according to a report from a nonprofit group. An investigation by Repórter Brasil found that farmers benefited...

Posted: Feb 09, 2024

Britain’s Financial Regulators Need ‘Ambitious Mindset’, Carnegie-Brown Says

British regulators need an “ambitious growth mindset” to implement post-Brexit financial sector reforms faster and stop business going elsewhere, an industry body said on Thursday. Britain’s “Edinburgh Reforms” – propose...

Posted: Feb 09, 2024

Howden Has $1.4 Billion for Growth, Could Tap New Investor for Extra Firepower

Howden, one of the world’s largest privately owned insurance brokers, has 1.1 billion pounds ($1.4 billion) for growth, including acquisitions, and has had interest from potential new shareholders to back a large deal if needed, its management...

Posted: Feb 09, 2024

Global Warming Exceeded Benchmark Over 12-Month Period for First Time on Record

Global warming exceeded temperatures of 1.5 degrees C over a 12-month period for the first time in record keeping. The European Union’s Copernicus Climate Change Service released its findings in its Global Climate Highlights 2023 report on Thur...

Posted: Feb 09, 2024

Weekly Q4 2023 Earnings Wrap: CNA, Cincinnati Financial, American Financial

Fourth quarter net income at CNA Financial Corp. was up about 54% to $367 million, and net income for the year increased 77% to a record $1.2 billion. CNA said its property/casualty segments recorded net premium growth during the quarter …

Posted: Feb 09, 2024

People Moves: Inglis Elected to AIG’s Board of Directors; DUAL North America Names Sherry Head of Tr...

Inglis Elected to AIG’s Board of Directors The board of directors at American International Group, Inc., headquartered in New York, elected John (Chris) Inglis as an independent Director, effective March 1. Inglis is a former national cyber dir...

Posted: Feb 09, 2024

Bank Plans to Auction Off Greenbriar Lots Owned by West Virginia Governor

CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) — A Virginia bank that is seeking to recover more than $300 million in longstanding unpaid business loans to the family of West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice is planning to auction off land at a sporting club …

Posted: Feb 09, 2024

Labor Official Rules Dartmouth College Basketball Players Are School Employees

A National Labor Relations Board regional official ruled on Monday that Dartmouth basketball players are employees of the school, clearing the way for an election that would create the first-ever labor union for NCAA athletes. All 15 members of the &...

Posted: Feb 09, 2024

Inszone Acquires J.B. Martin Insurance Agencies in New Mexico

Inszone Insurance Services acquired J.B. Martin Insurance Agencies in Albuquerque, New Mexico. This acquisition bolsters Inszone’s presence in the Southwest. Since its establishment in 1981, John Bradley Martin and his team have built J.B. Mart...

Posted: Feb 09, 2024

Construction Insurtech Shepherd in California Raises $13.5M in Series A Funding

San Francisco, California-based insurtech Shepherd announced it raised a $13.5 million Series A funding round led by Costanoa Ventures with participation from Intact Ventures, Era Ventures, Greenlight Re and Spark Capital. The company says it will ut...

Posted: Feb 09, 2024

Judge Tosses Suit by Estate of Employee Killed in Crash After Mandatory Wine Tasting

A Connecticut judge has tossed a lawsuit by the estate of a woman who was killed in a crash while driving intoxicated following a mandatory wine tasting at the restaurant that employed her. The estate brought claims of common law …

Posted: Feb 09, 2024

Maine Gov. Mills Nominates Consultant Carey to Be Superintendent of Insurance

Maine Governor Janet Mills has nominated Robert L. Carey of East Boothbay, who has advised state regulators and lawmakers on health insurance issues for decades, to serve as Superintendent of the Maine Bureau of Insurance. Prior to establishing his o...

Posted: Feb 09, 2024

Court Orders Sports Bar, Owner to Pay $359K for Retaliating Against Employees

A federal court has ordered a Milford, Connecticut, sports bar and its owner to pay employees a total of $359,485 in back pay, emotional distress damages, withheld compensation and punitive damages for violating labor and safety law anti-retaliation...

Posted: Feb 09, 2024

People Moves: Across American Names Barr CFO/CTO; Sobel Joins Aspire in California

Barr Named CFO/CTO at Across America Insurance Leah Barr joined commercial transportation insurance wholesaler Across America Insurance, headquartered in Riverside, Calif., as chief financial and technology officer. A 20-year insurance industry veter...

Posted: Feb 09, 2024

Lubbock, Texas to Vote on Marijuana Despite Attorney General Lawsuit

LUBBOCK — An effort to decriminalize possession of small amounts of marijuana in Lubbock is moving forward, despite Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton suing five cities this week for doing the same. Lubbock Compact, the organization behind the propose...

Posted: Feb 08, 2024