US GDP Could Take a Big Hit From Climate Change by 2100, Study Shows
A working paper from the U.S. Congressional Budget Office recently estimated the distribution of changes in gross domestic product in the year 2100 resulting from changes in temperature. And it could be bad, really bad—or hopefully not so bad, if …
ZestyAI: More Than $2 Trillion in US Homes at High Risk of Wildfires
While Western wildfires have dominated disaster news for decades, new analysis using artificial intelligence shows millions of homes across the country—even in the swampy Southeast—are at risk for wildfires. New data analysis from ZestyAI found that $2.15 trillion worth of …
BIPA Litigation May Subside but Don’t Sleep on Compliance
Reforms in 2024 to Illinois’ Biometric Information Privacy Act may have slowed the frequency and severity of litigation, but there remain significant consequences for violation of the law. Insurance Journal was able to ask expert Jason M. Rosenthal of Chicago-based …
CFPB Drops Lawsuits Against Capital One, Rocket Unit
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau dropped a slew of Biden-era lawsuits against lenders as the nominee to lead the agency pledged to “right size” the watchdog under President Trump. The CFPB dismissed cases against Capital One Financial Corp., a unit …
Florida’s Baldwin Group Reports $20M Q4 Loss, Universal Earned $6M Profit
Two major, publicly traded Florida insurance companies reported fourth-quarter earnings, with the Baldwin Insurance Group, Inc. (BWIN) noting a loss of $20.2 million in its fourth quarter. On a per-share basis, the Tampa-based insurance agency and brokerage said it had …
Selectsys Acquires Expert Insured, with AI for Carriers, MGAs
Tennessee-based Selectsys, an insurtech specializing in business process outsourcing for insurers, has acquired Expert Insured, an artificial intelligence-led insurance management system for wholesalers, carriers and managing general agents. Terms were not disclosed. With headquarters in Boston, Expert Insured also has …
Connecticut Lawmakers Ban Use of Foreign-Made Drones by State, Local Agencies
HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — Connecticut lawmakers passed emergency legislation this week prohibiting state agencies and municipalities from purchasing or using Chinese and Russian drones while also imposing restrictions on where drones can be operated in the state. The bill comes …
Florida’s Bad-Faith Claims Reform Law Not Retroactive, Appeals Court Says
A Florida appeals court has re-affirmed a major state Supreme Court decision, helping to answer lingering questions about whether the 2022 bad-faith litigation reform law can be applied retroactively. The answer is “no,” Florida’s 1st District Court of Appeals said …
Washington Man Pleads Guilty to Insurance Fraud for Carpet-Cleaning Claim
A carpet-cleaning claim and a fake theft of a Hyundai has led to guilty pleas for two people for insurance fraud in Washington. Seattle resident Jason Weisfeld of Federal Way, Washington, and Fedaa Shakir, both pleaded guilty to submitting false …
Tesla Sets Sights on Waymo, Uber in California Ridesharing Bid
Tesla Inc. is seeking approval to offer ride-hailing services in California, a key step by Elon Musk’s company to begin carrying paying customers while its traditional car-selling business falters. The electric vehicle manufacturer applied late last year for what’s known …
Newsom Leans on Veteran Republican to Push $40 Billion California Fire Aid
California Gov. Gavin Newsom is enlisting veteran Republican lawmaker Ken Calvert to help push his $40 billion wildfire aid request through Congress and secure President Donald Trump’s backing for rebuilding efforts. Calvert, 71, a longtime member of the powerful House …
Norfolk Southern Wins Dismissal of Bondholder Lawsuit Over Ohio Train Drailment
A federal judge on Thursday dismissed a lawsuit accusing Norfolk Southern NSC.N of causing hundreds of millions of dollars of losses for bondholders by concealing safety risks prior to the February 2023 derailment in East Palestine, Ohio of a train …
AXA CEO Says Prevention Needed to Keep Home Insurance Affordable
A leading insurance executive said the best way to keep price increases in check for property insurance in regions exposed to climate change is to mitigate the impact of natural disasters. Prevention needs to become “a mandatory part” of insurance …
Templar Specialty Expanding Executive and Professional Liability Insurance Offerings
Templar Specialty announced that it is now expanding its executive and professional liability insurance offerings to include excess and A-side Directors & Officers coverage to public companies. This follows the success of Templar Specialty’s Executive and Professional Shield, a suite …
Texas Panhandle Town Grapples with Recovery One Year After Devastating Wildfire
Past the terracotta canyons and sloping hills in the Texas Panhandle is a colorful, small town center. A vibrant mural of the town’s name greets visitors, the yellow and blue paint from a historic motel can be seen in the …
US Soldier Linked to AT&T Hack Accused of Contacting Spy Agency
A 21-year-old US soldier accused of trying to sell AT&T call records of Donald Trump’s family members also attempted to pawn off sensitive data to a foreign intelligence organization, according to court documents. Cameron Wagenius pleaded guilty earlier this year …
Why People Rebuild in Appalachia’s Flood-Ravaged Areas Despite Risks
On Valentine’s Day 2025, heavy rains started to fall in parts of rural Appalachia. Over the course of a few days, residents in eastern Kentucky watched as river levels rose and surpassed flood levels. Emergency teams conducted over 1,000 water …
Philadelphia Tests Bullet-Resistant Glass to Protect City Bus Drivers
Philadelphia’s public transit system is moving forward with plans to test-run bullet-resistant glass enclosures for drivers on city buses, joining other cities hoping to provide more protection for drivers who often face violence and harassment from passengers. Law enforcement officers …
Inszone Acquires South Dakota’s Kouri & Associates
Inszone Insurance Services announced the acquisition of Kouri & Associates Inc., a Sioux Falls-based agency with a legacy dating back to 1970. This latest acquisition strengthens Inszone’s footprint in the Midwest and ensures Kouri & Associates’ clients gain access to …
Higginbotham Acquires EZ CERT from Program Insurance Group
Higginbotham announced an association with Program Insurance Group of Georgetown, Texas — also known as the home of EZ CERT, a nationally-deployed insurance certificate tracking service for franchisors and franchisees. Through the association, Higginbotham will acquire EZ CERT. EZ CERT …