AM Best: Social Inflation Key Factor in Rise of Loss Severity
Loss severity for many U.S. casualty lines of insurance business has exceeded economic inflation over the past decade, indicating other factors are influencing claims costs for indemnity and expense payments, according to a new AM Best report. According to the …
4 Killed in Yet Another Wrong-Way Highway Crash in Connecticut
A driver going the wrong way on Connecticut’s Merritt Parkway crashed head-on into a minivan early Thursday, killing all four people in the vehicles and closing one side of the highway for nearly seven hours, state police said. State police …
It’s a Matter of When, Not if, a Hurricane Will Hit Florida, Forecasters Say
SANFORD, Fla. (AP) — With the start of hurricane season less than a month away, U.S. officials who predict, prepare for and respond to natural disasters had a message for Floridians on Friday: It’s not a matter of if a …
Two Tornadoes Down Trees on Homes, Kill One Person in Tallahassee
Two confirmed tornadoes and storms packing hurricane-force winds killed at least one woman Friday in Florida as a week of deadly severe weather continued in the South, where uprooted trees crashed onto homes and knocked out electricity to thousands in …
Insurer Bowhead Specialty Seeks About $491M Valuation in IPO
Insurer Bowhead Specialty is targeting a valuation of about $491 million in its initial public offering in the United States, as it joins a slew of companies preparing to list amid a rebound in the capital markets. The company is …
Russia Certifier Steps in After India Drops Safety Cover for Sanctioned Oil Tankers
India’s ship certification agency has withdrawn safety cover issued to Russian oil tankers that have been placed under U.S. sanctions, according to its website, with the vessels instead turning to a domestic provider. Major insurers and ship engine makers have …
Tech Update: WTW, Riskonnect Launch Risk Diagnostic Tool for Workers’ Comp
Insurance broker WTW has formed a partnership with Riskonnect to pilot an analytical delivery tool that connects claims and exposure data through its new offering WTW Risk IQ API (application programming interface). The collaboration between Riskonnect and WTW offers clients …
People Moves: Tokio Marine HCC Expands Product Recall Offering With 2 Hires From AXA XL; London P&I Club’s CEO Gooch to Step Down, Succeeded by Bean
This edition of International People Moves details appointments at Tokio Marine HCC – Specialty Group and The London P&I Club. A summary of these new hires follows here. Tokio Marine HCC Expands Product Recall Offering With 2 Hires From AXA …
Russia Court Suspends Corporate Rights of Alfa Bank Entities, Including Insurance Arm
A Russian court on Monday suspended the corporate rights of the Cyprus-registered holding companies of private lender Alfa Bank and its insurance arm Alfastrakhovanie, according to a court filing. The finance ministry earlier said that “anti-Russia” sanctions against these entities …
PoloWorks Launches Managing General Agent Incubator
PoloWorks, a Lloyd’s and London Market insurance services business, announced the launch of Polo MGA – a managing general agent (MGA) incubator. This new offering provides services to both startup and established MGAs ranging from support with their formation to …
Brazil Braces for More Rain as Historic Flood Damages Mount
The south of Brazil is preparing for the arrival of new rains and colder temperatures that threaten to deepen a crisis created by the historic floods that have deluged the region. As much as 300 millimeters (11.8 inches) of rain …
Suspected Pirate Attack in Gulf of Aden Raises Concerns About Growing Somali Piracy
A European naval force detained six suspected pirates on Friday after they opened fire on an oil tanker traveling through the Gulf of Aden, officials said, likely part of a growing number of piracy attacks emanating from Somalia. The attack …
Western Canada Wildfires Prompt Evacuations, Air Quality Warnings
The season’s first major wildfires have spread to roughly 10,000 hectares (24,710 acres) across Western Canada on Sunday as authorities issued an evacuation order for a community in British Columbia and warned of poor air quality across provinces. In British …
Decayed, Broken Utility Pole Caused Largest Wildfire in Texas History: Report
LUBBOCK — A decayed utility pole that broke, causing power wires to fall on dry grass in the Texas Panhandle, sparked the state’s largest wildfire in history, a Texas House committee confirmed Wednesday. And other poorly maintained power equipment sparked …
Catastrophe Bonds Use Models Underestimating Climate Risks, Investors Say
The risk models that helped drive one of the most lucrative bets of 2023 are increasingly being tested by smaller weather shocks fueled by climate change. Catastrophe bonds and other insurance-linked securities, which powered last year’s highest-returning hedge fund strategy, …
Supreme Court Rules Against Warner Music in Copyright Damages Case
The U.S. Supreme Court on Thursday ruled in favor of a Miami music producer in a legal fight with Warner Music over a song by rapper Flo Rida, finding that there is no time limit for recovering monetary damages in …
Hackers Behind MGM Attack Targeting Financial Sector in New Campaign
The hacking group accused of disrupting casinos and hotels at MGM Resorts International last year is engaged in a new campaign targeting banks and insurance companies, according to cybersecurity researchers. The group, known as Scattered Spider, has targeted 29 companies …
Florida OIR Fines Heritage P&C $1M for Ian Claims Issues
The Florida Office of Insurance Regulation in recent weeks has fined five property and casualty insurers, including Heritage Property & Casualty Insurance Co., which was hit with a $1 million penalty for failing to properly handle hundreds of claims after …
Maryland Governor Signs Online Data Privacy, Child Protection Bills
Maryland Gov. Wes Moore signed two measures into law on Thursday that are aimed at better protecting personal data online from Big Tech, including a bill making Maryland the second state to try to create strong limits on information collected …
Washington AG Says Catholic Church Stonewalling Sex Abuse Investigation
The Catholic church is refusing to cooperate with a Washington state investigation into whether it unlawfully used charitable trust funds to cover up sexual abuse by priests, Attorney General Bob Ferguson said, asking a court to force the Seattle Archdiocese …