Insurance news

• Calm Atlantic Hurricane Season Forecast Due to Cooler Seas, El Nino

  09-04-2015 23:55
  
  The Atlantic Ocean may have one of its quietest hurricane seasons in decades because of cooler water in the Atlantic and an El Nino in the Pacific, Colorado State University forecasters said. William Gray and Phil Klotzbach predict seven named …
  The article Calm Atlantic Hurricane Season Forecast Due to Cooler Seas, El Nino appeared first on Insurance Journal.
  
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• Falling interest rates nudge down S&P 500 pensions

  09-04-2015 22:16
  Hurt by falling interest rates, which inflated the value of plan liabilities, the funded status of pension plans sponsored by S&P 500 companies slipped to 82% as of March 31, down from 83.
  
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• S&P warns of Chicago rating downgrade without pension fix

  09-04-2015 22:14
  (Reuters) — Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services said on Thursday it will likely downgrade Chicago’s A-plus credit rating if the city lacks a plan to “sustainably” fund its pensions by the end of this year.
  
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• The Long-Term Care Insurance Industry Ponders Its Future: Seven Trends To ... - Forbes

  09-04-2015 21:12
  
  Forbes
  The Long-Term Care Insurance Industry Ponders Its Future: Seven Trends To ...
  Forbes
  I recently returned from a few days at the long-term care insurance industry's national conference, held this year in Colorado Springs. The organizers asked me to participate in a panel discussion on policy solutions to the challenges of financing long ...
  
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• California regulator imposes $1.6 billion penalty in natural gas fire

  09-04-2015 20:59
  
  (Reuters) — Pacific Gas & Electric Corp. on Thursday was assessed a $1.6 billion penalty stemming from its deadly 2010 San Bruno natural gas pipeline rupture and fire near San Francisco.
  
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• Ski resort worker's common-law wife entitled to death benefits

  09-04-2015 20:33
  
  The common-law wife of a worker, who died from traumatic injuries sustained in a utility-tractor rollover accident, is entitled to death benefits, the Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court ruled Tuesday.
  
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• Survey finds illegal job interview questions tripping up employers

  09-04-2015 20:04
  
  One in five employers has unknowingly asked an illegal interview question, and at least one in three are unsure about the legality of certain interview questions, says Chicago-based CareerBuilder L.L.C., in a survey released Thursday.
  
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• 10 Most Common and Costliest Small Business Claims

  09-04-2015 19:06
  
  Four out of 10 small businesses are likely to experience a property or general liability claim in the next 10 years, according to an analysis of The Hartford’s small business claims. Topping the list for the most common claim is …
  The article 10 Most Common and Costliest Small Business Claims appeared first on Insurance Journal.
  
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• Patriot National Acquires Hospitality Supportive Systems in Pennsylvania

  09-04-2015 18:58
  
  Fort Lauderdale, Florida-based workers’ compensation services provider Patriot National Inc. announced that it has acquired the assets of Hospitality Supportive Systems (HSS), a Springfield, Pennsylvania-based managing general agent and insurance program administrator to the hospitality industry, and the assets of …
  The article Patriot National Acquires Hospitality Supportive Systems in Pennsylvania appeared first on Insurance Journal.
  
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• Insurer Group: Most Midwesterners not Prepared for Natural Disasters

  09-04-2015 18:57
  
  With more severe thunderstorms and possibly tornadoes in the forecast for portions of the central U.S. today, the Property Casualty Insurers Association of America (PCI) says a recent survey conducted by Harris Poll on behalf of PCI shows that residents in …
  The article Insurer Group: Most Midwesterners not Prepared for Natural Disasters appeared first on Insurance Journal.
  
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• Michigan’s Fremont Insurance Announces Staff Additions, Promotions

  09-04-2015 18:51
  
  Michigan-based Fremont Insurance Co. announced it is both adding and promoting staff to meet increasing demands for commercial lines products. Fremont is strengthening the commercial lines function with the promotion of Debb Koepplinger to territory sales manager, as well as …
  The article Michigan’s Fremont Insurance Announces Staff Additions, Promotions appeared first on Insurance Journal.
  
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• Nash farmer, 74, imprisoned for crop insurance fraud - WRAL.com

  09-04-2015 18:48
  
  WRAL.com
  Nash farmer, 74, imprisoned for crop insurance fraud
  WRAL.com
  Spring Hope, N.C. — A 74-year-old Nash County tobacco farmer will spend six months in prison after being convicted of federal crop insurance fraud, U.S. Attorney Thomas G. Walker announced Thursday. Clay Taylor Strickland, of Spring Hope, was ...and more »
  
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• Liberty Mutual to Bring 5K Jobs to North Texas Campus

  09-04-2015 18:46
  
  Liberty Mutual Insurance expects to have 5,000 employees working at its new campus in the Dallas suburb of Plano by the end of 2017. The nation’s third-largest insurer told employees Tuesday about the new campus, the Dallas Morning News reported. …
  The article Liberty Mutual to Bring 5K Jobs to North Texas Campus appeared first on Insurance Journal.
  
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• Midwest Hammered by Severe Storms; More Expected Today

  09-04-2015 18:43
  
  States in the Midwest were slammed on Wednesday by violent storms that produced high winds, hail and tornadoes. The severe weather is expected to continue today. Large and destructive hail have caused the most damage so far, according to the Weather …
  The article Midwest Hammered by Severe Storms; More Expected Today appeared first on Insurance Journal.
  
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• Bell, Smith Top Allstate’s Stormiest Counties in Texas List

  09-04-2015 18:25
  
  Allstate has tallied the top 25 Texas counties affected by severe weather; identifying areas with highest frequencies of wind and hail, and lightning related homeowner property damage claims from 2010 through 2014. Storms in Bell County, Texas, affected more Allstate …
  The article Bell, Smith Top Allstate’s Stormiest Counties in Texas List appeared first on Insurance Journal.
  
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• FAA gives insurance giant AIG approval to replace human inspectors with drones - The Verge

  09-04-2015 18:24
  
  Quartz
  FAA gives insurance giant AIG approval to replace human inspectors with drones
  The Verge
  Every year, in big cities and small town across the US, insurance inspectors scramble up onto the roofs of buildings to check for storm damage and venture into structures ravaged by natural disasters. In the otherwise boring world of processing and ...
  Your insurance company can now use drones to check up on youQuartz
  FAA allows AIG to use drones for insurance inspectionsEngadget
  Drones Will Be Inves
  
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• Quiet Atlantic hurricane season predicted for 2015

  09-04-2015 18:22
  Researchers at Colorado State University have issued a prediction for a well-below-average hurricane season for the Atlantic basin in 2015, forecasting seven named storms and just three hurricanes, the university said Thursday.
  
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• Willis identifies energy sector opportunities

  09-04-2015 18:19
  
  Energy insurers should capitalize on what Willis Group Holdings P.L.C. is calling the most competitive energy insurance market in 15 years, the company said in a statement Thursday.
  
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• AmWINS Brokerage Announces Appointments in New Jersey, New York

  09-04-2015 18:18
  
  AmWINS Brokerage of the Mid Atlantic hired John Carlsen as senior vice president. Carlsen specializes in public entity risks, with an emphasis on CAT/natural disaster exposures. Prior to joining AmWINS, he was executive vice president with NAPCO LLC, where he …
  The article AmWINS Brokerage Announces Appointments in New Jersey, New York appeared first on Insurance Journal.
  
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• Washington Train Company Sues BNSF for at Least $41M

  09-04-2015 18:15
  
  Two top officials of defunct refrigerated rail service Cold Train are suing BNSF Railway in Washington for $41 million for putting them out of business. The lawsuit was filed in federal court in Spokane on Tuesday. Capital Press reported that …
  The article Washington Train Company Sues BNSF for at Least $41M appeared first on Insurance Journal.
  
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• PennDOT: Traffic Deaths in Pennsylvania Hit All-Time Low in 2014

  09-04-2015 18:15
  
  Traffic deaths in Pennsylvania hit an all-time low last year. State transportation officials say car crashes killed 1,195 people in 2014. That’s the lowest number since recordkeeping began 87 years ago. PennDOT statistics released Wednesday show drunk-driving deaths declined 14 …
  The article PennDOT: Traffic Deaths in Pennsylvania Hit All-Time Low in 2014 appeared first on Insurance Journal.
  
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• Washington Sues Highway Builder in $29.4M Suit

  09-04-2015 18:13
  
  The Utah Department of Transportation is suing a company that built a stretch of Timpanogos Highway south of Salt Lake City that has been plagued by problems. The state agency filed a lawsuit last week in Utah state court against the …
  The article Washington Sues Highway Builder in $29.4M Suit appeared first on Insurance Journal.
  
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• Ban on Fracking in Oregon to 2025 Under Consideration by Committee

  09-04-2015 18:11
  
  The oil and gas industry is pushing back on a bill that would ban hydraulic fracturing in Oregon until 2025. The bill sponsor, Democratic Rep. Ken Helm, told a House committee Tuesday the proposal puts the state ahead of the …
  The article Ban on Fracking in Oregon to 2025 Under Consideration by Committee appeared first on Insurance Journal.
  
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• California Independent Agents Group Names New Associate Members

  09-04-2015 18:01
  
  The Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of California announced its new 2015 associate members. The new associate members join a list companies that make up the IIABCal membership ranks. They are: Heartland Payment Systems; Pacific Specialty Insurance Co.; Pacific Western …
  The article California Independent Agents Group Names New Associate Members appeared first on Insurance Journal.
  
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• Bill Cutting Taxes For Insurance Companies Signed by Arizona Governor

  09-04-2015 17:48
  
  Arizona is set to reduce taxes for insurance companies under a new bill Gov. Doug Ducey signed into law. The tax cut is expected to mean the loss of more than $44 million to state’s general fund over the next …
  The article Bill Cutting Taxes For Insurance Companies Signed by Arizona Governor appeared first on Insurance Journal.
  
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• Arizona Law Clarifies Medical Marijuana Insurance Requirements

  09-04-2015 17:45
  
  Workers’ compensation carriers and self-insurers will not be required to pay for a patient’s medical marijuana under a new bill Gov. Doug Ducey signed into law. The state’s more than 63,000 holders of medical marijuana cards will still be allowed …
  The article Arizona Law Clarifies Medical Marijuana Insurance Requirements appeared first on Insurance Journal.
  
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• Marriott franchisee reveals cyber breach lasting seven months

  09-04-2015 17:29
  A hotel management company said there has been a suspected seven-months-long cyber breach in the point-of-sale systems at food and beverage outlets at 10 of its hotels, primarily establishments it operates as a franchisee for Marriott International Inc.
  
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• Marriott franchisee reveals cyber breach lasting 7 months

  09-04-2015 17:29
  
  A hotel management company said there has been a suspected seven-months-long cyber breach in the point-of-sale systems at food and beverage outlets at 10 of its hotels, primarily establishments it operates as a franchisee for Marriott International Inc.
  
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• Asian Life Insurance Is Costly for Manulife and Aviva - Wall Street Journal

  09-04-2015 17:05
  
  Wall Street Journal
  Asian Life Insurance Is Costly for Manulife and Aviva
  Wall Street Journal
  There are a few certainties in life: death, taxes and insurers paying big money for access to Asia. The region is home to more than half the world's population, people who are becoming wealthier and living longer but have no welfare safety net and ...
  Manulife, DBS in $1.2 billion insurance deal for AsiaReutersall 111 news articles »
  
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• USI Insurance Services Launches Builder’s Risk Program

  09-04-2015 17:00
  
  USI Insurance Services has launched a new builder’s risk program that provides broader coverage for all project types and sizes, with capacity for frame and renovation projects, including catastrophic perils. This is designed to be an alternative for owners and …
  The article USI Insurance Services Launches Builder’s Risk Program appeared first on Insurance Journal.
  
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• How to run a mock catastrophe

  09-04-2015 17:00
  Trial runs help claims teams become comfortable with the types of decisions they will need to make when a large-scale event occurs.
  
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• Chance of El Nino Now Up to 70%, Says U.S. Climate Center

  09-04-2015 16:35
  
  A U.S. government weather forecaster on Thursday raised its forecast for the chance of El Nino conditions during the Northern Hemisphere summer to 70 percent, up from a 60 percent chance last month, with a 60 percent chance it lasts …
  The article Chance of El Nino Now Up to 70%, Says U.S. Climate Center appeared first on Insurance Journal.
  
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• These are the top 10 property and liability claims for small businesses

  09-04-2015 16:24
  What are the most common property and liability claims for small businesses, and how much do they cost?
  
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• Pet insurance: Is it truly worth it? - FOX CT

  09-04-2015 16:19
  
  FOX CT
  Pet insurance: Is it truly worth it?
  FOX CT
  One of the most common comments veterinarians hear from the pet-owning public is that the cost of caring for a pet is high. Especially in an emergency situation, health care costs can become prohibitive for some pet owners. In the saddest cases, the ...and more »
  
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• IMCA Calls for Nominees for Marketing Innovation Award

  09-04-2015 16:18
  
  The Insurance Marketing & Communications Association (IMCA) is seeking nominations for its 2015 Innovation Torchbearer Award. The award recognizes individuals or organizations that have demonstrated “innovative ideas or initiatives impacting the insurance industry,” according to Mark Friedlander, IMCA president and …
  The article IMCA Calls for Nominees for Marketing Innovation Award appeared first on Insurance Journal.
  
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• Some Wisconsin state workers can't talk about climate change

  09-04-2015 15:38
  Discussing climate change is out of bounds for workers at a state agency in Wisconsin. So is any work related to climate change—even responding to e-mails about the topic.
  
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• AT&T agrees to pay FCC $25M in customer information breach

  09-04-2015 15:22
  AT&T agreed to pay $25 million after an investigation found call-center workers improperly disclosed personal data on almost 280,000 customers.
  
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• Business Travelers Driving Uber Growth

  09-04-2015 15:16
  
  Business travelers are bypassing the taxi queue with greater frequency, choosing instead ride-hailing services like Uber Technologies. A new report by expense management system provider Certify shows that 47 percent of the ground transportation rides by its users in March …
  The article Business Travelers Driving Uber Growth appeared first on Insurance Journal.
  
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• Could Malaysia Air team be close to finding missing jet?

  09-04-2015 15:15
  The search for Malaysian Airline’s Flight 370 is winding down with no answers about the fate of the 239 people on board.
  
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• Comp reporting plan would increase employer burden

  09-04-2015 15:07
  
  The Social Security Administration's proposal that workers compensation benefits be reported annually to the agency would increase insurers' and employers' paperwork and costs.
  
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• Comp reporting plan would boost employer burden

  09-04-2015 15:07
  The Social Security Administration’s proposal that workers compensation benefits be reported annually to the agency would increase insurers’ and employers’ paperwork and costs.
  
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• Europe windstorms Mike, Niklas cost insurers at least $1B

  09-04-2015 15:04
  Windstorms Mike and Niklas, which swept across Europe last month, probably cost insurers more than $1 billion.
  
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• U.K. auto insurer eyes potential IPO

  09-04-2015 14:56
  Hastings Insurance Group increased its customer base by 20% in 2014, boosting profitability and setting the U.K. car insurer on track for a potential initial public offering this year.
  
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• What if there was a megadisaster?

  09-04-2015 14:33
  Modeling allows insurers to see a "what if" scenario to determine what resources would be needed to respond.
  
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• Insurers Tracking Fitness: Too Accurate for Fitness?

  09-04-2015 14:27
  
  Someday soon, Big Brother may be watching you. Only his name will be “John Hancock.” The insurer is rolling out a program in the U.S. similar to ones already deployed in other parts of the world, where your life insurer tracks …
  The article Insurers Tracking Fitness: Too Accurate for Fitness? appeared first on Insurance Journal.
  
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• Insurers Tracking Fitness: Too Accurate for Comfort?

  09-04-2015 14:27
  
  Someday soon, Big Brother may be watching you. Only his name will be “John Hancock.” The insurer is rolling out a program in the U.S. similar to ones already deployed in other parts of the world, where your life insurer tracks …
  The article Insurers Tracking Fitness: Too Accurate for Comfort? appeared first on Insurance Journal.
  
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• Hastings Weighs IPO as U.K. Car Insurer Gains Market Share

  09-04-2015 14:26
  
  Hastings Insurance Group increased its customer base by 20 percent in 2014, boosting profitability and setting the U.K. car insurer on track for a potential initial public offering this year. Hastings, which generates 90 percent of its business from price-comparison …
  The article Hastings Weighs IPO as U.K. Car Insurer Gains Market Share appeared first on Insurance Journal.
  
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• Ex-Massey Mine CEO: ‘I Don’t Want to Go to 100 Funerals’

  09-04-2015 14:16
  
  Former Massey Energy Co. Chief Executive Officer Donald Blankenship, facing criminal trial over an April 2010 explosion that killed 29 miners, said the year before that he feared a disaster with 100 deaths. “I don’t want to go to 100 …
  The article Ex-Massey Mine CEO: ‘I Don’t Want to Go to 100 Funerals’ appeared first on Insurance Journal.
  
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• AXA Strategic Ventures Invests in ‘Big Data’ Startup Company, Evercontact

  09-04-2015 14:12
  
  AXA Strategic Ventures* has made a $1 million investment in the French tech startup company Evercontact, a cloud service that extracts contact information in emails and shares and updates them automatically. With more than 100,000 users, Evercontact is the only …
  The article AXA Strategic Ventures Invests in ‘Big Data’ Startup Company, Evercontact appeared first on Insurance Journal.
  
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• Russian insurers unwilling to cover Kerch bridge construction due to sanctions

  09-04-2015 13:55
  
  No insurer in Russia is willing to provide liability insurance for construction of the Kerch bridge, Banki.ru reports.
  
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