Rising health insurance costs strain small US businesses

Rising health insurance costs strain small US businesses

Health insurance premiums in the US ​In 2024, the United States experienced a significant increase in health insurance premiums. The average annual premiums rose by 6%, reaching $8,951 for single coverage and $25,572 for family coverage. This uptick was primarily driven by escalating medical costs and heightened utilization of healthcare services. Source link

New Jersey proposes tighter rules on life insurance reserves to match national standards

New Jersey proposes tighter rules on life insurance reserves to match national standards

The proposal, introduced by the Department of Banking and Insurance, calls for the adoption of the NAIC Term and Universal Life Insurance Reserve Financing Model Regulation #787, known within the industry as the XXX/AXXX Model Regulation. The move would bring uniformity and greater transparency to reserve financing, an area that has historically presented regulatory challenges. Source link

Montana bill to redirect insurance tax to property

Montana bill to redirect insurance tax to property

The legislation also amends the fee structure applied to insurers and insurance professionals operating in the state, including adjustments to licensing fees for producers, adjusters, consultants, viatical settlement brokers, and rental car entity producers. While the primary fee structure remains largely unchanged, the reallocation of tax revenue may signal a shifting focus from direct insurance…

Texas bill would create state-run insurance pool for prescribed burn managers

Texas bill would create state-run insurance pool for prescribed burn managers

At the heart of the proposal is a state-administered insurance pool, funded through a combination of legislative appropriations (capped at $25 million), fees from participating managers, and interest income. Liability coverage would be limited exclusively to prescribed burns conducted by certified individuals, with exclusions for workers’ compensation, automobile liability, and other professional liabilities. Source link

Litigation, cyber risks dominate D&O insurance decisions: Willis report

Litigation, cyber risks dominate D&O insurance decisions: Willis report

For the first time since 2018, civil litigation and third-party claims re-emerged among the top seven concerns, with 63% of respondents identifying them as significant D&O risks. Smaller companies, with revenues under $50 million, and mid-sized firms generating between $1 billion and $5 billion, were more likely to cite litigation as a major issue.   Source…

Litigation, cyber risks dominate D&O insurance decision: Willis report

Litigation, cyber risks dominate D&O insurance decision: Willis report

For the first time since 2018, civil litigation and third-party claims re-emerged among the top seven concerns, with 63% of respondents identifying them as significant D&O risks. Smaller companies, with revenues under $50 million, and mid-sized firms generating between $1 billion and $5 billion, were more likely to cite litigation as a major issue.   Source…

NAIC says new RBC task force to convene at spring meeting

NAIC says new RBC task force to convene at spring meeting

The ACLI has supported a transparent, data-driven approach to RBC processes, Haughawout said, adding that the task force is well-positioned to advance this effort. She also noted that the task force’s first organization call had more than 300 participants, reflecting significant interest in its work.  Source link

Nature – a big factor in risk management, report says

Nature – a big factor in risk management, report says

More than 1,400 companies, representing $7 trillion in market value, have also signed on to Business for Nature’s Call to Action. Additionally, over 500 organizations are aligning with the Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD), which provides a framework for assessing and reporting nature risks.   Source link

Steadfast Group’s new broker offering in New Zealand

Steadfast Group’s new broker offering in New Zealand

Steadfast Group, Australasia’s largest brokerage network, with a presence in the US, has expanded its client trading platform in New Zealand to include personal lines. A media release today said Ando Insurance Group (Ando) is the first insurer partner and is offering home, contents and car insurance. Source link

Small restaurants, big risks: The coverage gaps that could shut them down

Small restaurants, big risks: The coverage gaps that could shut them down

For small restaurants, the margin for error is razor-thin. Small restaurants have always had plenty to worry about – fires in the kitchen, workplace injuries, liability claims, and the ever-present risk of a foodborne illness shutting them down overnight. Unlike large chains with corporate backing, independent restaurants don’t have the financial cushion to absorb major…

Nat-cat protection gap has grown 65% over the past five years: Zurich

Nat-cat protection gap has grown 65% over the past five years: Zurich

Regressive actions worsening the nat-cat protection gap While governments, companies, and individuals are taking action on the protection gap, risk management has been inconsistent, Mantero said. He cited high population growth rates in catastrophe-prone areas in the United States, such as Florida, where Hurricane Ian dealt significant inland flooding and damage to communities in 2022….

Natural catastrophe protection gap surged over the past five years: Zurich

Natural catastrophe protection gap surged over the past five years: Zurich

Regressive actions worsening the nat-cat protection gap While governments, companies, and individuals are taking action on the protection gap, risk management has been inconsistent, Mantero said. He cited high population growth rates in catastrophe-prone areas in the United States, such as Florida, where Hurricane Ian dealt significant inland flooding and damage to communities in 2022….

Can a lienholder dispute an insurer’s valuation of a totaled car?

Can a lienholder dispute an insurer’s valuation of a totaled car?

In a decision issued on March 14, 2025, the Arizona Court of Appeals reversed a lower court’s ruling in favor of Date Street Capital, LLC, a lienholder and loss payee on the policy. The court held that Date Street, while entitled to receive insurance proceeds as specified in the policy, has no contractual right to…

Sierra Financial gains approval to acquire Preferred Security Life

Sierra Financial gains approval to acquire Preferred Security Life

The company’s subsidiaries include Sierra Mortgage Capital, a nationwide closed loan mortgage conduit acquiring first lien residential whole loans; Sierra Lending Group, a retail residential mortgage originator serving the Texas market; Sierra Lending Corporation, which offers similar mortgage products in California; and Sierra Insurance Services, a Houston-based insurance agency specializing in life insurance.  Source link

Proposed Florida bill could increase insurance litigation costs

Proposed Florida bill could increase insurance litigation costs

He cautioned that if the bill becomes law, insurers will have to reassess risk pricing in Florida, and reinsurers are likely to follow suit. He added that these changes would ultimately impact policyholders through higher premiums, calling the bill a reversal of recent reforms. Source link

No additional oversight needed for Georgia’s insurance affiliate agreements – commissioner

No additional oversight needed for Georgia’s insurance affiliate agreements – commissioner

P&C insurance affiliates P&C insurers in the United States often operate through complex affiliate structures, encompassing various subsidiaries and affiliated entities which are meant to diversify risk, optimize tax strategies, and comply with state-specific regulations. Source link

Liberty Mutual legal dispute over construction bonds dismissed without prejudice

Liberty Mutual legal dispute over construction bonds dismissed without prejudice

Given the lack of a present, quantifiable obligation from LPCiminelli to the Debtor, the court determined that the Debtor could not establish a right to payment under the bonds at this time. Therefore, the court granted Liberty Mutual’s motion, denied the Debtor’s cross-motion, and dismissed the complaint without prejudice. Source link

Most insurance companies will “fail the AI test”: Lemonade CEO

Most insurance companies will “fail the AI test”: Lemonade CEO

“The only way for AI to be successful in the organization, beyond being a tool that people use to write things and query, is if you prepare for it,” Schreiber said. “AI, like people, needs to be trained. It needs feedback. It needs to be managed. It needs people looking over its shoulder and saying…