Insurance Journal

Minnesota on Verge of Banning Forever Chemicals

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) – Minnesota is on the verge of banning non-essential uses of “forever chemicals.” And lawmakers say they are naming the legislation after a woman who spent the last months of her life campaigning for restriction...

Posted: May 11, 2023

NCCI Names Fick New Board Chairman, Elects Other Board Members

The National Council on Compensation Insurance has elected Brandon Fick as its new board chairman, replacing Lisa Corless. Fick is chief underwriting officer for Liberty Mutual Global Risk Solutions, North America. He was elected at the NCCI annual m...

Posted: May 11, 2023

J&J, Cancer Victims Ordered to Start Mediation in Bankruptcy

A federal judge ordered a new round of settlement talks between Johnson & Johnson and lawyers who spurned the company’s offer to pay $8.9 billion to end tens of thousands of cancer claims filed by people who used the company’s …

Posted: May 11, 2023

Altria Agrees to $235 Million Settlement to Resolve Juul-Related Cases

Altria Group Inc said Wednesday that it will pay $235 million to settle at least 6,000 lawsuits accusing it of fueling a teen vaping epidemic through its former investment in e-cigarette maker Juul Labs Inc. The deal ends nearly all …

Posted: May 11, 2023

East, Southern Europe Win as Firms Rethink Supply Chains

Low-cost economies in eastern and southern Europe are being increasingly favored for investment as companies around the world revamp supply chains to make them more resilient and cost-efficient, a study by professional services group EY found. The fi...

Posted: May 11, 2023

Flood Requirements, Condo Inspection Rules Revised in Fla. Bills Sent to Governor

When a bill passed at a December special session of the Florida Legislature required all Citizens Property Insurance policyholders to buy flood insurance, many owners in high-rise condominiums were outraged. Already facing soaring premiums on HO-6 po...

Posted: May 11, 2023

Abuse Victims Prepared to Sue Baltimore Archdiocese Under New Law

After Maryland lawmakers recently eliminated the statute of limitations for child sex abuse lawsuits amid heightened scrutiny of the Archdiocese of Baltimore, civil rights attorney Ben Crump announced plans Tuesday to bring a series of civil claims o...

Posted: May 11, 2023

Massachusetts Lawmakers Consider Limiting Zip Code Weight in Auto Rates

Massachusetts lawmakers are considering a measure that would curtail the use of geographical location in the rating of private passenger auto insurance, a factor that critics say now penalizes urban and minority drivers. But the insurance industry sa...

Posted: May 11, 2023

Ex-Tesla Worker Seeks Third Trial in California Race Case After $3.2M Award

A Black former Tesla Inc TSLA.O factory worker has accused the electric automaker’s lawyers of “egregious misconduct” after a jury awarded him $3.2 million in a race bias case, and asked for a third trial so he can seek more …

Posted: May 11, 2023

California Insurance Wholesalers Association (CIWA) Prepares for Star-Studded Summer Forum Event in...

VIP Speakers include Marcus Allen (NFL) and Annika Sorenstam (LPGA) FAIRFIELD, CA, May 3, 2023 – The California Insurance Wholesalers Association (CIWA), a professional trade association focused on California E&S insurance wholesalers, carriers a...

Posted: May 11, 2023

3 Companies Fined for Millions of Fake Comments to FCC Opposing Net Neutrality

New York officials reported they have secured $615,000 from three companies that supplied millions of fake public comments to influence a 2017 proceeding by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to repeal net neutrality rules. New York Attorney...

Posted: May 11, 2023

Medic on New Mexico Movie Set Shooting Gets $1.15M Partial Settlement

A New Mexico judge has approved a $1.15 million settlement between a medic who worked on the “Rust” film set and one of several defendants she accused of negligence in the fatal 2021 shooting of a cinematographer by Alec Baldwin …

Posted: May 11, 2023

EU Lawmakers Warn of Hungary, Poland Spyware Abuses

European Union lawmakers investigating the use of Pegasus spyware against opposition politicians and journalists on May 9 raised deep concern about abuses in Hungary and Poland and lamented a lack of cooperation with their inquiry. The spyware develo...

Posted: May 10, 2023

People Moves: Chubb Appoints Homan to Lead International P/C Division

Chubb Appoints Homan to Lead International Property and Casualty Division Chubb today announced that Mark Homan has been appointed division president, international property and casualty for overseas general insurance, the company’s internation...

Posted: May 10, 2023

Carolina-based ECM Solutions Merges with IMA Financial Group

ECM Solutions, known as the largest privately owned independent agency in the Carolinas, has agreed to merge with IMA Financial Group, a major North American insurance brokerage. ECM, which has 80 associates and offices in Charlotte, North Carolina,...

Posted: May 10, 2023

People Moves: Powers Insurance & Risk Management Promotes Jaboor to IT Associate

Powers Insurance & Risk Management Promotes Jaboor Powers Insurance & Risk Management has promoted Drew Jaboor to IT associate. Jaboor will assist with onboarding new employees, perform ongoing system training for all employees, and maintain...

Posted: May 10, 2023

Storm Tears Roofs Off Buildings in Northern Missouri

TRENTON, Mo. (AP) – Severe storms tore the roofs off several buildings in northern Missouri and pelted the region with softball-sized hail. Grundy County Emergency Manager Glen Briggs told KSHB television that several buildings in Trenton, abou...

Posted: May 10, 2023

Alera Group Acquires Texas-Based Sheridan

Alera Group, a national insurance and wealth services firm, announced the acquisition of Austin, Texas-based Sheridan Insurance Group, a team of experienced professional liability specialists helping meet the insurance and risk management needs of th...

Posted: May 10, 2023

Hobby Lobby to Settle $50K Disability Discrimination Suit at Kansas Store

Hobby Lobby Stores, Inc., a national arts and crafts retailer, will pay $50,000 to resolve a disability discrimination lawsuit filed by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), the federal agency announced. According to the EEOC&#8217...

Posted: May 10, 2023

New Hampshire Begins Search for Insurance Commissioner as Nicolopoulos to Exit

New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu announced that Insurance Commissioner Christopher Nicolopoulos will not be seeking reappointment upon the conclusion of his term. Nicolopoulos began serving a five-year term in February 2020. Sununu said a search f...

Posted: May 10, 2023

Hyundai and Kia Thefts Keep Rising Despite Security Fix

Nearly three months ago, Hyundai and Kia unveiled software that was designed to thwart an epidemic of thefts of their vehicles, caused by a security flaw that was exposed on TikTok and other social media sites. So far, it hasn’t …

Posted: May 10, 2023

Cyber Hack to Cost UK Outsourcer Capita Up to $25M

British outsourcing company Capita warned it would take a 15 million pound to 20 million pound ($25 million) hit after its systems were hacked in a cyber incident earlier this year. Capita, which provides business support services to government and &...

Posted: May 10, 2023

Antitrust Enforcers Are Chilling Big Mergers

The US government’s aggressive stance on antitrust is chilling merger activity among the country’s biggest companies, with some deals never making it past the boardroom as executives fear lengthy and expensive approval processes. US enfor...

Posted: May 10, 2023

Philip Morris Must Pay $37M to Cancer Victim, Massachusetts High Court Rules

Tobacco company Philip Morris USA must pay $37 million to a Massachusetts woman who developed cancer from smoking Marlboro Lights cigarettes, the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court has ruled in a unanimous decision. The state’s high court fou...

Posted: May 10, 2023

Florida Could Study Use of Radioactive Gypsum on Roads if Bill Signed

Florida may study whether a radioactive waste byproduct of fertilizer production can be used to help build roads under a bill passed by the Legislature. The proposal, which awaits a signature from Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis, would task the state &#...

Posted: May 10, 2023