Insurance Journal

Zurich Insurance CEO Criticizes Climate Alliances After Exodus

The chief executive officer of Zurich Insurance Group AG has spoken out against the network of voluntary climate alliances that represent some of the biggest names in global finance, calling them “political and bureaucratic.” Mario Greco,...

Posted: Aug 10, 2023

Update: Zurich Insurance CEO Criticizes Climate Alliances After Exodus

The chief executive officer of Zurich Insurance Group AG has spoken out against the network of voluntary climate alliances that represent some of the biggest names in global finance, calling them “political and bureaucratic.” Mario Greco,...

Posted: Aug 10, 2023

WV Approves Raises for Corrections Workers as Lawsuits Filed Over Conditions

West Virginia`s state Legislature approved millions of dollars in raises and bonuses for corrections employees Tuesday, the same day as a lawsuit was filed against Republican Gov. Jim Justice and other state leaders over working conditions in the sta...

Posted: Aug 10, 2023

Judge Tosses Lawsuits Filed Over NYC’s Strict Rules on Short-term Rentals

A New York judge on Tuesday dismissed lawsuits filed by Airbnb and three hosts over New York City`s rules for short-term rentals, saying the restrictions are “entirely rational.” In a 14-page ruling, Supreme Court Judge Arlene P. Bluth sa...

Posted: Aug 10, 2023

Judge Tosses Lawsuits Filed Over NYC’s Strict Rules on Short-Term Rentals

A New York judge on Tuesday dismissed lawsuits filed by Airbnb and three hosts over New York City`s rules for short-term rentals, saying the restrictions are “entirely rational.” In a 14-page ruling, Supreme Court Judge Arlene P. Bluth sa...

Posted: Aug 10, 2023

Verisk Beats Expectations with Q2 Earnings

Verisk Analytics Inc. (VRSK) on Wednesday reported second-quarter earnings of $196.9 million. The Jersey City, New Jersey-based company said it had profit of $1.35 per share. Earnings, adjusted for one-time gains and costs, were $1.51 per share. The...

Posted: Aug 10, 2023

Could Georgia Be Next With Major Tort Reform? Kemp Calls for Limits

Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp said Tuesday that he wants to make it harder for people to file lawsuits and win big legal judgments, arguing that suits are driving up insurance and business costs. “The laws on our books make it …

Posted: Aug 10, 2023

Lloyd’s Leads Insurers in Raising Rates, Cutting Taiwan Cover as Conflict Risks Rise

Lloyd’s of London underwriters are leading insurers in raising rates and cutting the amount of cover they offer for risks involving Taiwan as concerns grow over possible military action by China, industry sources with knowledge of the matter sa...

Posted: Aug 10, 2023

Norwegian River Dam Partly Collapses After Floods

A dam on a Norwegian river partly collapsed on Wednesday, sending water gushing through a gaping hole in the structure after days of heavy flooding, TV images showed. The Braskereidfoss power dam on the Glomma River, Norway’s biggest waterway,...

Posted: Aug 10, 2023

Fake Job Offer Opened Door to Suspected North Korean Crypto Hack

In late July, a programmerat Estonia’s CoinsPaid, the world’s biggest crypto payment provider, met over video link with a recruiter who had reached out on LinkedIn with a lucrative job offer. During the 40-minute job interview, the engine...

Posted: Aug 10, 2023

Markets/Coverages: Howden Offers Blended Policy for PI, Crime and Cyber Liability

Howden, the London-based insurance group, announced the launch of a blended insurance product that brings together professional indemnity, crime and cyber liability into one policy and under one limit. It brings a different approach to insurance for...

Posted: Aug 10, 2023

Tainted Medication Fears Spur Defense Department to Seek Outside Testing

The US Department of Defense entered an agreement with Valisure, an independent lab that’s spotted dangerous chemicals in a variety of widely used pharma and consumer products, to test medications amid surging concerns about generic drug qualit...

Posted: Aug 10, 2023

Catastrophe Bond Funds Ranked Among 2023’s Top-Performing Credit Funds

Catastrophe bond funds rank among the 10 best performing credit funds this year, as the hurricanes, earthquakes and other disasters that could trigger payouts have either not happened or not been sufficiently severe. The catastrophe, or cat bonds, re...

Posted: Aug 10, 2023

White House Holds First-Ever Summit on Ransomware Crisis Plaguing Public Schools

The White House on Tuesday held its first-ever cybersecurity “summit” on the ransomware attacks plaguing U.S. schools, in which criminal hackers have dumped online sensitive student data, including medical records, psychiatric evaluations...

Posted: Aug 10, 2023

NFP Buys Hafetz & Associates in New Jersey

NFP, a property-casualty insurance broker, benefits consultant and retirement advisor, has acquired Hafetz & Associates, based in Linwood, New Jersey. Hafetz is a general agent specializing in health benefits, work disability and other services f...

Posted: Aug 10, 2023

People Moves: Insurance Office of America Hires Leland to Western Division

Insurance Office of America (IOA), headquartered in Longwood, Fla., hired Zack Leland to its western division team. Based in Aliso Viejo, Calif., Leland joins IOA as a commercial lines producer, focusing primarily on staffing, contractors, warehousin...

Posted: Aug 10, 2023

Kellogg’s ‘Woke’ Workplace Diversity Programs Are Illegal, Group Claims

A conservative legal group on Wednesday urged a U.S. anti-discrimination agency to investigate Kellogg over workplace diversity policies that it says are unlawful, and accused the cereal maker of sexualizing its products. This is the second complaint...

Posted: Aug 10, 2023

Wind-Driven Hawaii Wildfire Destroying Maui Tourist Town

A wildfire erupted in Maui on Wednesday fueled by strong winds from Hurricane Dora, destroying homes and businesses in a tourist town and forcing some residents to jump into the ocean to escape the flames. The Associated Press is reporting …

Posted: Aug 09, 2023

Why Does the Securities Market Matter to Insurance Professionals?

This post is part of a series sponsored by AgentSync. Securities, like insurance products, are highly regulated to protect consumers and the health of the economic system as a whole. Learn why securities matter to insurance professionals, even if you...

Posted: Aug 09, 2023

Inszone Expands in Texas With Acquisition of Speck Insurance

Inszone Insurance Services, a national provider of benefits, personal, and commercial lines insurance, announced the acquisition of Speck Insurance and Financial Services. Terms were not disclosed. The acquisition includes all operations of Speck Ins...

Posted: Aug 09, 2023

NC DOI Arrives at 4.5% Increase in Auto Rates for Next Two Years

North Carolina’s insurance commissioner has negotiated a smaller increase on auto insurance rates than the state’s rating agency had requested. The North Carolina Rate Bureau in February requested an average increase of 28.4% for private...

Posted: Aug 09, 2023

NC DOI Arrives at 4.5% Increase in Auto Rates for Next Two Years, 9.9% on Dwelling

North Carolina’s insurance commissioner has negotiated a smaller increase on auto insurance rates than the state’s rating agency had requested. The North Carolina Rate Bureau in February requested an average increase of 28.4% for private...

Posted: Aug 09, 2023

Michigan’s CMS Energy to Explore Sale of 13 Hydroelectric Dams

CMS Energy Corp’s unit Consumers Energy said on Wednesday it will explore the sale of its 13 hydroelectric dams, as the energy provider looks to minimize the cost burden on customers. The utility service provides natural gas and electricity to...

Posted: Aug 09, 2023

Wall Street WhatsApp, Texting Fines Exceed $2.5 Billion

Wells Fargo & Co. and BNP Paribas SA are among firms that will pay hundreds of millions of dollars in penalties for employees using unofficial communications like WhatsApp, personal texts or email to conduct business — the latest in US …

Posted: Aug 09, 2023

Delaware’s Navarro Warns Producers Not to Blame DOI for Higher Premiums

The Delaware Department of Insurance is not forcing insurers to raise premiums, and anyone who says otherwise could lose their license and face fines of $10,000, the department warned in a bulletin this week. “The department continues to regula...

Posted: Aug 09, 2023