Insurance Journal

Proposed California Billionaires’ Tax Rattles Silicon Valley, Entangles Governor

A proposed billionaires’ tax in California has ignited a political uproar in Silicon Valley, with tech titans threatening to leave the state while Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom maneuvers to defeat a levy that he fears will lead to an exodus &#82...

Posted: Jan 15, 2026

Markets/Coverages: Berkshire (BHSI) Enhances UK D&O Liability Offering

Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance (BHSI) announced the launch of Executive First D&O Liability+, its enhanced UK D&O offering for large commercial and financial organizations trading their securities on US exchanges. Key features of the...

Posted: Jan 15, 2026

DeSantis Amplifies Warning on ‘Real Perils’ of AI, Data Centers and Pushes Regulation

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is ratcheting up a campaign against the potential dangers of artificial intelligence and data centers, resisting President Donald Trump’s effort to block states from meddling with Big Tech. DeSantis, a two-term gov...

Posted: Jan 15, 2026

AI Is the Biggest Mover on Allianz Risk Barometer; Cyber Takes Top Spot for Fifth Year

Cyber once again ranked as the top global risk in 2026, according to the latest Allianz Risk Barometer, coming in No. 1 in every region and across all company sizes. Artificial intelligence took the No. 2 spot, up from tenth …

Posted: Jan 15, 2026

Surging Oil Tanker Insurance Points to Growing Black Sea Chaos

The cost of insuring ships sailing through the Black Sea is surging again, as spiraling attacks on vessels underscore the growing risk of hauling commodities through the region. Underwriters are now charging about 1% of the value of a ship …

Posted: Jan 15, 2026

People Moves: Mosaic Builds Out Global Transactional Tax-Risk Team; The Hartford Names Hill CUO of S...

Mosaic Insurance, headquartered in Hamilton, Bermuda, has expanded its North America and international transactional tax-liability teams to meet heightened demand in the sector, with the recent addition of four tax-risk specialists and the promotion...

Posted: Jan 15, 2026

Financial Lines MGA Verde Risk Management Launched by Asta’s MGA Platform

Asta, the London-based provider of specialist underwriting platforms and services, announced the launch of MGA Verde Risk Management Ltd., which received regulatory approval from the UK regulator in December 2025. Specializing in the financial lines...

Posted: Jan 15, 2026

Two Dead in Thailand After Second Deadly Crane Accident a Day Earlier

A crane collapsed onto a road near Thailand’s capital on Thursday, crushing two vehicles and killing two people a day after a similar accident in the northeast caused the derailing of a train and the deaths of 32 passengers. Thailand’s &#...

Posted: Jan 15, 2026

Dark Fleet Seeking Russian Protection as US Seizes Oil Tankers

The dark fleet of tankers shipping illicit oil around the world is rushing to seek the perceived protection of the Russian flag after the US started seizing vessels involved in the Venezuelan trade. At least 26 ships have switched registration &#8230...

Posted: Jan 15, 2026

UK Regulators Agree Deal to Coordinate With EU on Critical Tech Providers

British financial regulators, including the Bank of England, have signed an outline deal with their European counterparts to enhance cooperation and oversight of providers deemed critical to the financial services sector, the BoE said on Wednesday. T...

Posted: Jan 15, 2026

UK Regulators Agree Deal to Coordinate With EU on Critical Third-Party Tech Providers

British financial regulators, including the Bank of England, have signed an outline deal with their European counterparts to enhance cooperation and oversight of providers deemed critical to the financial services sector, the BoE said on Wednesday. T...

Posted: Jan 15, 2026

SIAA Announces Strategic Partnership With Progressive

SIAA, the nation’s largest alliance of independent insurance agencies, has announced a new partnership with Progressive that will expand members’ access to both personal and commercial lines options. SIAA and Progressive’s partnersh...

Posted: Jan 15, 2026

Denmark-US Rift Persists as NATO Nations Deploy to Greenland

Denmark said a “fundamental disagreement” remained after a high-stakes meeting with the US over Greenland as several countries including Germany said they’d send military personnel to the Arctic island. Foreign ministers from Denmar...

Posted: Jan 15, 2026

What’s New at the Risk & Insurance Education Alliance in 2026: Innovation, Education, and AI Integra...

As we enter 2026, the Risk & Insurance Education Alliance continues its mission to deliver insurance education, risk management training, and innovative learning tools for professionals. In a recent discussion with President & CEO William Hol...

Posted: Jan 15, 2026

Cyber Breach Affected 750,000 Canadian Investors, Regulator Says

Personal information of about 750,000 Canadian investors has been impacted by a “sophisticated phishing attack,” according to the Canadian Investment Regulatory Organization, in an update on the fallout from a major breach disclosed in Au...

Posted: Jan 15, 2026

People Moves: SPG Names Carpenter as VP of Business Development for Infrastructure Division

Specialty Program Group (SPG) LLC announced that Travis Carpenter has joined the organization as Vice President of Business Development for its Infrastructure Programs Division. In this role, Carpenter will lead national sales and distribution initia...

Posted: Jan 15, 2026

People Moves: SPG Names Carpenter VP of Business Development, Infrastructure Division

Specialty Program Group (SPG) LLC announced that Travis Carpenter has joined the organization as vice president of business development for its Infrastructure Programs Division. In this role, Carpenter will lead national sales and distribution initia...

Posted: Jan 15, 2026

People Moves: SPG Names Carpenter VP of Business Development, Infrastructure

Specialty Program Group (SPG) LLC announced that Travis Carpenter has joined the organization as vice president of business development for its Infrastructure Programs Division. In this role, Carpenter will lead national sales and distribution initia...

Posted: Jan 15, 2026

Scientists Confirm 2025 Was Third-Hottest Year, Trailing 2024 and 2023

Last year was the third hottest on record, according to an analysis of temperature data released Wednesday by three independent agencies. That puts 2025 just behind the second-hottest year, 2023, and the hottest, 2024. What makes this result extraord...

Posted: Jan 15, 2026

Oracle Sued by Bondholders Over Losses Tied to AI Buildout

Oracle was sued on Wednesday by bondholders who say they suffered losses because the company chaired by billionaire Larry Ellison concealed its need to sell significant additional debt to build out its artificial intelligence infrastructure. The prop...

Posted: Jan 15, 2026

Florida Heads for Smallest Orange Crop in Nearly a Century

Florida’s orange harvest is expected to fall to the lowest in nearly a century, as shrinking groves continue to offset improvements in yields. The state is seen producing 12 million boxes of fruit in the 2025-26 season, down 2% from …

Posted: Jan 15, 2026

$182M Settlement Reached in 2015 New York Train Crossing Crash That Killed 6

A more than $182 million settlement has been reached with victims of a deadly 2015 collision between a train and an SUV at a suburban New York crossing. The majority of the settlement with Metro-North Railroad goes to the families …

Posted: Jan 15, 2026

People Moves: SAN Group Names Regional VP; RCM&D Appoints Surety Division Director

Satellite Agency Network Group, Inc. (SAN), headquartered in Hampton, New Hampshire, hired Sherri Warcholic as regional vice president for Connecticut and Rhode Island. Warcholic will focus on identifying and developing membership opportunities, supp...

Posted: Jan 15, 2026

People Moves: SAN Group Names Regional VP; RCM&D Hires Surety Division Director

Satellite Agency Network Group, Inc. (SAN), headquartered in Hampton, New Hampshire, hired Sherri Warcholic as regional vice president for Connecticut and Rhode Island. Warcholic will focus on identifying and developing membership opportunities, supp...

Posted: Jan 15, 2026

Musk’s xAI Faces California AG Probe Over Grok Sexual Images

Elon Musk’s artificial intelligence startup, xAI, is under investigation by the California attorney general’s office after the company’s Grok chatbot was allegedly used to create thousands of sexualized images of women and children...

Posted: Jan 15, 2026