Insurance news

• GM extends ignition-switch win streak with trial victory

  25-08-2016 23:20
  
  The jury of eight women and four men took only about an hour to reach its decision following a three-week trial in Houston.
  
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• How Expanding Medicaid Can Lower Insurance Premiums for All - New York Times

  25-08-2016 20:41 via nytimes.com
  New York Times
  How Expanding Medicaid Can Lower Insurance Premiums for All
  New York Times
  The Obama administration for years has been pleading with states to expand their Medicaid programs and offer health coverage to low-income people. Now it has a further argument in its favor: Expansion of Medicaid could lower insurance prices for ...and more »
  
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• Multiple tornadoes hit Indiana and Ohio Wednesday [photos]

  25-08-2016 19:30
  
  Damage is still being assessed across the Midwest after a series of tornadoes struck Indiana and Ohio Wednesday afternoon and evening.
  
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• Missouri Group Wants Tougher Penalties for Vehicle/Pedestrian Accidents

  25-08-2016 18:49
  
  An organization that advocates for walkers and bicyclists in the St. Louis region is pushing for stiffer penalties for drivers who strike pedestrians. Trailnet wants more to be done to make sober drivers more accountable, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported. …
  
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• A.M. Best Revises Outlook to Positive for Texas-Based State National Group

  25-08-2016 18:45
  
  A.M. Best revised the issuer credit rating (ICR) outlook to positive from stable, and affirmed the financial strength rating (FSR) of A (Excellent) and the ICRs of “a” of State National Insurance Co. Inc. and its subsidiaries, National Specialty Insurance Co. …
  
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• VIDEO: Live from the 2016 WCEC General Session

  25-08-2016 18:42
  
  National Underwriter Property & Casualty presents the awards for Excellence in Workers' Compensation Risk Management at the 71st annual Workers' Compensation Educational Conference.
  
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• Honolulu Paid $9.7M to Settle Police Lawsuits, Report Shows

  25-08-2016 18:31
  
  Honolulu taxpayers are reportedly responsible for paying nearly $10 million to settle dozens of misconduct allegations against police officers and the police department since 2005. City documents obtained by The Honolulu Star-Advertiser for a story published Aug. 22 show the …
  
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• Former Oklahoma Insurance Agents Charged with Exploiting World War II Veteran

  25-08-2016 18:29
  
  Oklahoma officials have charged two former insurance agents with exploitation of an elderly person for fraudulently taking over an 89-year-old man’s financial affairs. The Oklahoma Insurance Department says the two former insurance agents from Oswasso — Sterling Messer, 78, and …
  
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• Former Oklahoma Insurance Agents Charged with Exploiting Elderly Man

  25-08-2016 18:29
  
  Oklahoma officials have charged two former insurance agents with exploitation of an elderly person for fraudulently taking over an 89-year-old man’s financial affairs. The Oklahoma Insurance Department says the two former insurance agents from Oswasso — Sterling Messer, 78, and …
  
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• Court: Out-of-State License Plates Alone Don’t Justify Kansas Search

  25-08-2016 18:27
  
  Law enforcement officials in Kansas cannot stop and search motorists just for having out-of-state license plates from states that have legalized marijuana, a federal appeals court has ruled. The 10th Circuit Court of Appeals reinstated a lawsuit filed by a …
  
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• Singapore becomes first to try out public self-driving taxis

  25-08-2016 18:25
  
  A small group of residents in Singapore can now hail self-driving taxis with their smartphones, in the world’s first public trial of autonomous driving technology.
  
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• Missouri Insurance Department Expects Lower Workers’ Comp Insurance Rates

  25-08-2016 18:19
  
  Missouri insurance regulators say employers in that state should see lower workers’ compensation insurance rates for the third straight year in 2017. The Missouri Department of Insurance says the National Council on Compensation Insurance (NCCI) has proposed an overall decrease of …
  
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• How to formulate an agency exit strategy

  25-08-2016 17:45
  
  You've built a successful business, and now it's time to leave. Here are four steps that will make your exit strategy a lot more smooth.
  
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• M.J. Kelly Co.-Texas Adds Fonseca as Marketing Representative

  25-08-2016 17:39
  
  Wholesale broker and managing general agent, M. J. Kelly Company-Texas, has added Vicky Fonseca as marketing representative in Fort Worth. The company also announced the retirement of Robert Grace. Fonseca is an insurance industry veteran who will assist producers in …
  
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• Berkshire’s Jain tells Gen Re staff to fix ‘problem’ with costs

  25-08-2016 17:24
  
  Jain sent a memo to employees detailing five areas, including compensation and sales channels, where changes should be made.
  
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• Jamsa Joins Generali Global Assistance Digital Protection Services

  25-08-2016 16:50
  
  Generali Global Assistance has named Julie Jamsa as vice president, Service Delivery, for the company’s Identity and Digital Protection Services Global unit. GGA recently launched Iris OnWatch, an identity protection platform that provides prevention, monitoring, alerts and resolution. Jamsa will …
  
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• As Economy Improves, More Employees Look Elsewhere

  25-08-2016 16:37
  
  As the economy continues to improve, so do the chances of employees looking for new job opportunities in 2016. A new survey from global recruiter and retirement advisor Aon Hewitt finds 52 percent of employees are open to leaving their …
  
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• Marsh & McLennan Launches Asia Pacific Risk Center in Singapore

  25-08-2016 16:19
  
  Marsh & McLennan Cos. and the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB) announced the launch of the Asia Pacific Risk Center (APRC) in Singapore, which aims to analyze key risks facing industries and governments in Asia, ultimately helping the region’s decision …
  
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• New Jersey Supreme Court Rules Paralyzed Waterpark Visitor Can Proceed with Gross Negligence Suit

  25-08-2016 15:55
  
  A New Jersey waterpark visitor who was partially paralyzed in a 2010 accident while on a ride that simulates surfing can proceed with a lawsuit, the state Supreme Court ruled this week. Roy Steinberg and his wife claim employees at …
  
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• Starr Companies Expands with Nashville, Pittsburgh Offices, Leaders

  25-08-2016 15:44
  
  Starr Companies, a New York based global insurance and financial services organization, is continuing to expand its field operations throughout the U.S. with the addition of new offices and leadership. Most recently, the firm announced the opening of two branch locations …
  
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• AAA Cautions: Not All Automatic Braking Systems Are Alike

  25-08-2016 15:41
  
  While most American believe that automatic braking systems are designed to work without human intervention, not all work that way. The hi-tech braking systems vary in design and performance, according to the automobile club AAA. While some braking systems slow …
  
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• Norwegian Insurer Eyes First Sale of Industry’s Riskiest Bonds

  25-08-2016 15:35
  
  Gjensidige Forsikring ASA is on track to become the first insurer to issue a new type of bond that will become the industry’s riskiest debt. The Norwegian company may sell as much as 1 billion kroner ($120 million) of so-called …
  
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• New Day Underwriting Managers of New Jersey Hires Giquinto to Real Estate Group

  25-08-2016 15:05
  
  New Day Underwriting Managers LLC, a Hamilton, N.J., based specialty intermediary of environmental and construction related professional liability insurance, has hired Cara Giquinto as a senior account manager in its real estate group. In this role, Giquinto will work with …
  
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• New Jersey Catholic School Settles Sexual Abuse Allegations for $1.9M

  25-08-2016 15:04
  
  A Catholic school in New Jersey has settled allegations of child sexual abuse for $1.9 million. The agreement between Bergen Catholic High School in Oradell and 21 former students who said they were sexually abused by staff at the all …
  
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• World’s Longest Aircraft, Airlander 10, Crash-Lands After Test Flight in England

  25-08-2016 15:03
  
  The world’s longest aircraft, the Airlander 10 airship, has crash-landed after a test flight in Bedfordshire, central England, its British manufacturer Hybrid Air Vehicles said on Wednesday. The airship, which is bigger than the size of six double-decker buses, sustained …
  
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• Rhode Island Fire Marshal’s Office Offering $5K Reward for Information on July Arson Fires

  25-08-2016 15:03
  
  East Providence, R.I., police and the Rhode Island State Fire Marshal’s Office are offering a $5,000 reward for information that leads to the conviction of whoever was responsible for two arson fires last month. Det. Lt. Raymond Blinn said both of …
  
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• Rhode Island Fire Marshal Offers $5K Reward for Information on July Arson Fires

  25-08-2016 15:03
  
  East Providence, R.I., police and the Rhode Island State Fire Marshal’s Office are offering a $5,000 reward for information that leads to the conviction of whoever was responsible for two arson fires last month. Det. Lt. Raymond Blinn said both of …
  
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• New Arizona Pot Dispensary Licenses Draw Hundreds of Applicants

  25-08-2016 14:00
  
  Arizona officials say they received hundreds of applications for roughly 30 new licenses for medical marijuana dispensaries. The Department of Health Services says it has processed 750 applications and that it anticipates awarding 31 dispensary licenses after reviewing those applications that are …
  
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• Las Vegas Scaffolding Collapse Kills Construction Worker

  25-08-2016 14:00
  
  Officials say a Las Vegas construction worker has died after a scaffolding collapse. Las Vegas Fire & Rescue says the scaffolding collapsed at a Tivoli Village construction site on Monday afternoon. One man fell with the scaffolding and was pronounced …
  
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• First Driverless ‘Robo-Taxi’ Hits Singapore’s Streets in Limited Public Trial

  25-08-2016 13:50
  
  The first driverless taxi began work on Thursday in a limited public trial on the streets of Singapore. Developer nuTonomy invited a select group of people to download their app and ride for free in its “robo-taxi” in a western …
  
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• Back-to-school (risk) basics

  25-08-2016 13:30
  
  An extraordinary array of property and liability risks confronts the parents of children away at boarding school or college.
  
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• Destructive California wildfires continue to ravage the West Coast [photos]

  25-08-2016 13:00
  
  The level of destruction from California wildfires is so bad that officials don't yet have a total count of destroyed homes.
  
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• How Monsanto’s Climate Unit Is Changing Risk Profile of Farmers

  25-08-2016 12:30
  
  It caught my eye when Monsanto Co. subsidiary Climate Corp. announced last week it was creating the “Industry’s First In-Field Sensor Network” and “the first Centralized Platform” digital agricultural technology development. The company said that its new sensor network will …
  
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• New Zealand Claims World’s First Pizza Delivery by Drone

  25-08-2016 09:50
  
  New Zealand led the world when it gave women the vote and introduced inflation targeting. Now it’s claiming another world-first: pizza delivery by drone. Domino’s Pizza Enterprises Ltd. has joined forces with U.S.-based self-proclaimed “flying robot” operator Flirtey for the …
  
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• XL Catlin Names Chow as Senior U/W, Political Risk & Trade Credit, Asia Pacific

  25-08-2016 09:41
  
  XL Catlin’s insurance operations announced the appointment of Bonnie Chow as senior underwriter, Political Risk and Trade Credit insurance for Asia Pacific. She will be based in Sydney. Chow has over 20 years’ experience in the insurance and banking industries, …
  
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• Hylant Names Timmel as VP for Cyber, Technology Risk Practice

  25-08-2016 07:50
  
  Ohio-based insurance brokerage firm, Hylant, named Spencer Timmel to the newly created position of vice president, Cyber & Technology Risk Practice leader. Spencer speaks regularly on network security and privacy liability topics. He has shared his insights with the United …
  
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• Fitbit Did Not Steal Jawbone’s Trade Secrets, Trade Judge Rules

  25-08-2016 07:30
  
  Fitbit Inc. did not steal rival Jawbone’s trade secrets, a U.S. International Trade Commission judge ruled on Tuesday, dashing Jawbone’s hopes of securing an import ban against Fitbit’s wearable fitness tracking devices. The judge, Dee Lord, said that there had …
  
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• Uber Opposes Employee Status But Offers Its Freelance Drivers Retirement App

  25-08-2016 07:00
  
  They may not have a 401(k) plan, but drivers working through Uber Technologies Inc.’s platform will soon be able to open a retirement account right in the app. And in traditional Silicon Valley style, the ride-hailing company is partnering with another startup to do it. …
  
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• Opioid Overdoses in Florida County Jump 75% in 2016

  25-08-2016 06:50
  
  Firefighters in Palm Beach County, Fla., have been responding to an average of five opioid-related overdoses every day this year. The Palm Beach Post reports that county firefighters are handling 75 percent more opioid-related overdoses than they did during the …
  
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• North Carolina Town to Expand Traffic Cameras After Collecting $1.3M in Fines

  25-08-2016 06:34
  
  One of the few North Carolina cities using red-light cameras plans to expand their use after local schools collected $1.3 million in 13 months from thousands of ticketed drivers. The Fayetteville Observer reported that city officials plan to install the …
  
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• Brown & Brown Florida Office Denies EEOC Allegations of Pregnancy Discrimination

  25-08-2016 06:19
  
  The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has filed sued against national insurance brokerage firm Brown & Brown, based in Daytona Beach, Fla., over allegations it violated the Civil Rights Act by rescinding a job offer to a pregnant woman. …
  
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• Brown: Treasurer tackles insurance companies' dirty little secret - Chicago Sun-Times

  25-08-2016 02:55 via chicago.suntimes.com
  
  Chicago Sun-Times
  Brown: Treasurer tackles insurance companies' dirty little secret
  Chicago Sun-Times
  Nine years after Chicago psychologist Dr. Terra Thomas died in an Indiana car crash, an employee of the Illinois state treasurer's office reached out to her two surviving sons this spring with some shocking news. Thomas had left them a newly-discovered ...and more »
  
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• Missouri Non-Renews Insurance License of Northern Illinois Agency Owner, Again

  25-08-2016 02:19
  
  The Missouri Department of Insurance has once again refused to renew the non-resident producer license of the owner of an Illinois managing general agency that has been able to continue operations despite having his license revoked or non-renewed previously in both …
  
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• Pima County's health insurance marketplace down to 2 providers - Arizona Daily Star

  25-08-2016 01:45 via tucson.com
  
  Pima County's health insurance marketplace down to 2 providers
  Arizona Daily Star
  Volunteer Katharine Weiss makes phone calls at a table with a can of soda adorned with a “Get Covered America” sticker. prev. next. Fewer insurers and higher rates are expected on the federal health insurance marketplace, where more than 150,000 ...and more »
  
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• Fewer options, higher rates on Illinois health insurance exchange - Chicago Sun-Times

  25-08-2016 01:40 via chicago.suntimes.com
  
  Chicago Sun-Times
  Fewer options, higher rates on Illinois health insurance exchange
  Chicago Sun-Times
  Premiums could rise by 43 percent on average in 2017 for Illinois residents who buy health insurance on the state exchange, regulators announced Wednesday. The announcement by the state Department of Insurance comes as the agency reported new ...and more »
  
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• Health Insurance Costs to Increase for State Workers, Teachers - KARK

  25-08-2016 01:36 via arkansasmatters.com
  
  KARK
  Health Insurance Costs to Increase for State Workers, Teachers
  KARK
  LITTLE ROCK, Ark., - The cost of health insurance for public school teachers and state employees will be going up next year under a plan recently approved by the state Employee Benefits Division. There were some frustrated lawmakers at the Capitol ...and more »
  
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• Obama Administration Seeks to Ease Concerns Over Health-Insurance Spikes -- 3rd Update - Nasdaq

  25-08-2016 01:01 via nasdaq.com
  
  Obama Administration Seeks to Ease Concerns Over Health-Insurance Spikes -- 3rd Update
  Nasdaq
  WASHINGTON -- The first handful of states have released approved 2017 rates for people who buy health insurance on their own and the results so far are consistent with what many expected: There are significant increases in premiums for next year.and more »
  
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• West Virginia Begins Demolition of Flood-Ravaged Homes, Plans Town Recoveries

  25-08-2016 00:39
  
  The West Virginia Army National Guard over the weekend began tearing down homes ruined by floods in June. Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin wants those communities to rebuild with a long-term focus on diversifying their economies. Maj. Gen. James Hoyer told …
  
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• Trail Tenders seek insurance - Danbury News Times

  25-08-2016 00:27 via newstimes.com
  
  Trail Tenders seek insurance
  Danbury News Times
  REDDING — Volunteers who maintain the town's 60-plus miles of trails are taking a hiatus while officials decide how to cover their medical expenses if they're injured while at work using shovels and chain saws. Leaders of the 50 or so Trail Tenders ...and more »
  
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