EPA Says Water Utilities Need to Do More to Stop More Frequent Cyberattacks
Cyberattacks against water utilities across the country are becoming more frequent and more severe, the Environmental Protection Agency warned Monday as it issued an enforcement alert urging water systems to take immediate actions to protect the nation’s drinking water. About …
Florida Agents Will Soon Need Three Appointments Before Selling Citizens
Starting July 1, Florida insurance agents must have at least three appointments with authorized carriers before they can sell policies for the state-created Citizens Property Insurance Corp. That’s the mandate laid down by Florida House Bill 1503, signed into law …
Bristol Myers, Sanofi Liability in Hawaii Plavix Case Grows to $916 Million
A judge in Hawaii on Tuesday ordered Bristol Myers Squibb and Sanofi to pay more than $916 million to the state for failing to warn non-white patients of health risks from its blood thinner Plavix, up from an earlier judgment …
Doctor, One of Top Prescribers of Opioids in Massachusetts, Is Sentenced
A Massachusetts orthopedic surgeon who prosecutors say was one of the top prescribers of opioid drugs in the state was sentenced in federal court in Boston for his role in a health care fraud scheme. Dr. Olarewaju James Oladipo, of …
People Moves: Strub, Bell Join Alliant Employee Benefits Team
Holden Strub has joined Alliant Insurance Services, headquartered in Irvine, California, as a producer within its employee benefits group. Strub is based out of Alliant’s east region. Before joining Alliant, Strub was a brand account manager for Corestream and an …
These Texans Aren’t Taking Buyouts Despite Repeated Floods
HARRIS COUNTY — After the floodwaters earlier this month just about swallowed two of the six homes that 60-year-old Tom Madigan owns on the San Jacinto River, he didn’t think twice about whether to fix them. He hired people to …
Central US States Brace for Possible Severe Storms: Weather Watch
There is a moderate risk — the second highest — of severe thunderstorms across parts of Iowa, Illinois, Wisconsin and Missouri affecting more than 3.8 million people, the US Storm Prediction Center said. “All severe hazards will be possible including …
Risk Strategies Acquires Indiana’s Silveus
Risk Strategies announced that it has acquired Silveus Insurance Group, Inc (Silveus). The Indiana-based broker dates back to 1940 and is the country’s largest independent specialty provider of crop insurance. Terms of the deal were not provided. Based in Warsaw, …
BASF to Pay $316 million to Settle PFAS ‘Forever Chemicals’ Lawsuit
German chemical company BASF said on Tuesday it reached a $316.5 million settlement with some U.S. public water systems that claimed toxic “forever chemicals” in firefighting foam made by the company contaminated their water supplies. The money provided by the …
Auto Insurers’ Digital Channels ‘Remarkably Resilient’, Finds J.D. Power Study
Auto insurance websites and apps are doing a good job of delivering foundational functional capabilities, bringing in more customers than agents and call centers. But far fewer are providing the type of value-added services that set them apart. With auto …
Child Is Among 3 Killed When Amtrak Train Hit Pickup Truck in Upstate New York
A child was among the three victims killed when a passenger train hit a pickup truck, officials said. The northbound Amtrak train hit a Dodge truck Friday evening in North Tonawanda, New York, a small town along the Niagara River …
Canada Plans Harsher Laws, Equipment Bans to Fight Car Theft
Canada’s government is banning key-programming machines and other equipment used to steal cars, while implementing harsher penalties to combat a rising number of auto thefts across the country. Minister of Justice Arif Virani unveiled a national plan to combat car …
California Court to Weigh Fate of Law Treating App-Based Drivers as Contractors
California’s top state court on Tuesday will consider a labor union’s challenge to a ballot measure allowing app-based services such as Uber and Lyft to classify drivers in the state as independent contractors rather than as employees with more benefits. …
Markets/Coverages: MGA OpenRoad Enters Collector Vehicle Insurance Market
Managing general agency Open Road Insurance announced its entry into the marketplace for collector vehicle auto insurance with its first license in Texas, and plans to launch in other U.S. states later this summer. National Interstate Insurance Company, a member …
Triple-I and NICB Partner to Help Consumers Fight Contractor Fraud
The Insurance Information Institute (Triple-I) and the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) are marking May 20-24 as Contractor Fraud Awareness Week (CFAW) to highlight how homeowners can protect themselves from dishonest contractors. “For many homeowners who are victims of contractor …
Massachusetts Appeals Court Upholds Restaurants’ COVID-19 Insurance Denial
In a ruling against an upscale restaurant chain, a Massachusetts Appeals Court has followed the recipe the state’s high court set forth in 2022 in ruling that the COVID-19 virus does not trigger business interruption insurance because it does not …
Liberty Co. Adds Ayers Brackfield Insurance in Tennessee
The Liberty Co. insurance brokers, based in Gainesville, Florida, continues its expansion with the addition of Ayers Brackfield Insurance in Knoxville, Tennessee. ABI, in business since 1992, has operated in 18 states, offering personal and commercial lines of insurance products, …
Cyberattacks Over Work Email Most Used; Ransomware Hits Victims Hard: Arctic Wolf
Business email compromise is now the top method of cyberattack, according to a survey from cybersecurity firm Arctic Wolf. Of the 1,000 surveyed senior IT and cybersecurity decisionmakers from organizations in more than 15 countries, 70% said they were targets …
People Moves: CFC Canada Taps Marsh’s Della Mora as CEO, Opens 1st Canada Office
CFC, the London-based specialist managing general agent, announced the appointment of Kate Della Mora to the newly created role of CEO, CFC Canada. Della Mora’s appointment coincides with the launch of CFC’s first office on the ground in Canada, based …
Aon’s NFP Acquires UK-Based Consultant HELPGB
NFP, an Aon company and international insurance brokerage and consulting firm, announced it has acquired HELPGB, a human resources and health and safety consulting business. Financial details of the deal were not disclosed. Clark Hunter, director of HELPGB, will remain …