Trump’s Trade War Is Making US Farmers Anxious About Demand Risk
Josh Yoder, a fifth-generation farmer in Ohio, has been watching gyrations in the crop markets as Donald Trump moved to dramatically escalate his trade war with China this week. Yoder is still an ardent Trump supporter, but he’s also getting …
Arizona Reported 15% Decrease in Vehicle Thefts in 2024
The Arizona Automobile Theft Authority reported that Arizona vehicle thefts decreased by 15% in 2024, marking a second straight year of decline. Data compiled by the AATA’s Auto Crime Tracking shows that Arizona had 17,010 vehicles reported stolen in 2024, …
Brown & Brown Charges Former VP With Poaching Clients, Breaching Agreements
Florida-headquartered Brown & Brown, one of the largest insurance brokerages in the country, this week filed a federal lawsuit against a former vice president, charging him with secretly setting up a competing business and poaching clients. The lawsuit in the …
Lawsuit Alleging Environmental Racism in Louisiana Parish Allowed to Proceed
A civil rights lawsuit alleging a south Louisiana parish engaged in racist land-use policies by placing polluting industries in majority-Black communities can move forward, a federal appellate court says. On Thursday, the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in New …
Cleanup Underway in Keystone Oil Pipeline Spill in North Dakota
Trucks and workers started cleaning up the Keystone oil pipeline spill in rural North Dakota, though its cause and the project timing is unclear. The pipeline ruptured Tuesday morning in southeastern North Dakota and was shut down within two minutes …
Amish Communities Quickly Repair Tornado Damage in Michigan and Indiana
No contractors, no repair estimates, no haggling with the insurance company: After a tornado struck an Amish community in Michigan, the work was underway even before the National Weather Service could assess the damage. Meteorologists make site visits to determine …
Update: UN Shipping Agency Strikes Deal on Fuel Emissions, CO2 Fees
Countries at the U.N. shipping agency struck a deal on Friday on a global fuel emissions standard for the maritime sector, which will impose an emissions fee on ships that breach it and reward vessels burning cleaner fuels. The U.S. …
Arthur J. Gallagher Completes Buy of Woodruff Sawyer
Just over a month since insurance brokerage Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. said it had a definitive agreement in place to buy Woodruff Sawyer for $1.2 billion, the deal is closed. Gallagher said April 10 that the acquisition of San …
Novatae Risk Buys Up Ajax Specialty Insurance in Atlanta
Dallas-based Novatae Risk Management, part of World Insurance Associates, has purchased Ajax Specialty Insurance, a wholesaler based in Atlanta. Andy Bierbaum is the owner of Ajax. He founded the company in 2012 and in 2018 brought in co-owner and partner …
Markets/Coverages: Cyber MGA Resilience Launches Tech E&O Cover in UK and EU
Resilience, the specialist in cyber risk solutions, announced the introduction of coverage for technology errors and omissions (tech E&O) in the UK and Europe, supported through a new partnership with Accredited Insurances. Resilience now offers tech E&O coverage for clients …
Hopes of ‘Brexit Benefit’ From Tariffs in UK Were Short-Lived
The US has decided – again – to upend the global trading system. With the latest raft of tariffs just beginning to kick in, and after a week in which markets worldwide fell precipitously, the Trump administration announced that it …
NYC Tourist Helicopter Crashes in Hudson River, Killing Six
A sightseeing helicopter crashed into the Hudson River on Thursday, killing all six people on board, the latest in a string of incidents in recent months that has rattled confidence in US aviation safety. “At this time, all six victims …
Sweden Ousts Top Financial Services Regulator After Public Outcry
Sweden ousted the country’s chief financial regulator amid a controversy over an apparent conflict of interest. Daniel Barr, head of the Financial Supervisory Authority, will leave his position on June 19 to work at another government office, according to a …
Sarah Palin, New York Times to Face Off in Defamation Retrial
Sarah Palin and the New York Times are headed back to a courtroom where the former Alaska governor and Republican vice presidential candidate will try convincing a second jury the newspaper defamed her in an editorial about gun control. A …
People Moves: Willis Names Spinelli Head of Transactional Claims; Amadori Joins Zurich From Markel to Head Management Liability; BHSI’s New Casualty Leaders
Willis, a WTW business headquartered in New York City, appointed Dom Spinelli as head of transactional insurance claims for North America. He leads the claims function within Willis’ Alternative Asset Insurance Solutions (AAIS) industry vertical division, overseeing the entire life …
Buffett’s Duracell Sued by BASF Over Lithium Battery Secrets
Billionaire investor Warren Buffett’s Duracell battery maker was accused by chemical producer BASF SE of stealing trade secrets about lithium ion battery technology. BASF, the world’s biggest chemical maker by revenue, claims in a lawsuit that Duracell, owned by Buffett’s …
People Moves: World Insurance Names Robinson SE Revenue Leader
James “Jay” Robinson, formerly with Aon, has joined World Insurance Associates as Southeast division revenue leader, the brokerage announced. Robinson has more than 20 years of experience in the insurance industry and recently was senior vice president and sales director …
Pennsylvania Approves Workers’ Compensation Loss Costs Drop of 8.67%
The Pennsylvania Insurance Department (PID) has approved a workers’ compensation filing with an 8.67% reduction in loss costs. New or renewal policies issued on or after April 1, 2025 will be subject to the new loss costs. Because loss costs …
Utah Insurance Department Warns of Phony Policies Sold on Social Media
The Utah Insurance Department’s Fraud Division is warning consumers about an increase in fake auto insurance policies being marketed to the Hispanic community using WhatsApp. The department has not identified the sellers, but they believe them to be located outside …
California’s Effort to Hold Oil Companies Liable for Natural Disasters Stalls
California lawmakers have blocked a bill to make oil and gas companies liable for damage to homes from natural disasters caused by climate change, warning it could raise gas prices. The bill would have allowed victims of natural disasters, including …