Landry and Temple trade blows over Louisiana auto insurance woes

Landry and Temple trade blows over Louisiana auto insurance woes

“With this reform package, we are directly addressing the cost drivers within our legal system, such as medical billing transparency, comparative fault, and general damages,” Temple said. “These are measures that we know will make a significant difference and begin to lower costs for families and businesses.” Source link

Hawaii to reopen hurricane relief fund after two decades of inactivity

Hawaii to reopen hurricane relief fund after two decades of inactivity

The fund operated effectively throughout the 1990s, insuring approximately 155,000 policyholders statewide by 1999. However, as private insurers gradually returned to the market, the HHRF ceased issuing new policies in December 2000 and became dormant by 2002. Despite its inactivity, the fund maintained a reserve balance to ensure readiness in the event of future market…

State Farm agrees to reduce proposed interim rate increase for California homeowners

State Farm agrees to reduce proposed interim rate increase for California homeowners

David Appel, an economist serving as a consultant for State Farm General, said denying the rate request could affect the company’s ability to continue operating in the California market. He recommended allowing the increase on an interim basis, with a full rate hearing to follow to evaluate whether the emergency adjustment was warranted. Source link

Colorado launches insurer of last resort — report

Colorado launches insurer of last resort — report

Eligibility for a policy requires applicants to have been declined by three admitted insurers. Coverage includes essential perils such as fire and lightning, with limits of up to $750,000 for residential properties and $5 million for commercial buildings. Some additional coverages, including wind and hail, may be purchased. All policies are issued on an actual…

Novatae Risk Group acquires Ajax Specialty Insurance

Novatae Risk Group acquires Ajax Specialty Insurance

Ajax operates as a wholesale broker with a focus on management and professional liability lines, including Directors and Officers (D&O), Errors and Omissions (E&O) and Technology/Cyber Liability. The firm was founded in 2012 by Andy Bierbaum, who was later joined by Karen Kutger as co-owner and partner in 2018. Source link

Insurance moves at WTW, BHSI, Hub and Zurich North America

Insurance moves at WTW, BHSI, Hub and Zurich North America

Spinelli will oversee claims within Willis’ Alternative Asset Insurance Solutions (AAIS) division, managing claims for representations and warranties, tax, and contingent risks. He brings 15 years of experience in insurance and litigation, including prior roles at VALE Insurance Partners and Liberty Global Transaction Solutions, as well as a background in underwriting and commercial litigation. Spinelli…

Mental health is the next frontier for workers’ compensation

Mental health is the next frontier for workers’ compensation

“Originally, workers’ compensation was fundamentally about traumatic injuries in the workplace,” says Mark Walls, Chief Marketing Officer at Safety National, and Founder at Work Comp Analysis Group. Walls, who has over two decades of experience in the workers’ compensation field, adding that “over time, you saw that start to change as occupational diseases came into…

AI in insurance praised, but consumers still aren’t convinced – GlobalData

AI in insurance praised, but consumers still aren’t convinced – GlobalData

“Insurers must prioritise transparency in AI-driven decisions, particularly among those who perceive bias in the tools, such as providing negative claim outcomes. Some consumers will have data privacy concerns, while others will simply just prefer interacting with a human,” she said. Source link

Alabama lawmakers push to extend coastal insurance study

Alabama lawmakers push to extend coastal insurance study

The frequency and severity of these natural disasters have led to increased home insurance premiums in Alabama. Reports indicate that the average annual home insurance rate in Atlantic and Gulf Coast states, including Alabama, was $2,994 in 2024, which is 26% higher than the 2023 national average of $2,377. Source link

The industry’s biggest hiring threat isn’t AI – it’s irrelevance

The industry’s biggest hiring threat isn’t AI – it’s irrelevance

But it’s not just a matter of replacing warm bodies. The new talent needed – underwriters, data analysts, risk managers – must be as digitally fluent as they are technically trained. As insurers adopt AI, predictive modeling, and automation tools to stay competitive, the bar for new hires has risen. Source link

Possible lawsuit pressures Tesla to remove collision alerts from safety score program

Possible lawsuit pressures Tesla to remove collision alerts from safety score program

Advancements in vehicle technology, including the integration of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), have influenced collision claim frequencies and severities. While ADAS features aim to reduce accidents, the complexity and cost of repairing these systems can lead to higher claim costs when collisions occur. Source link

China’s “national team” rallies insurers as Trump’s tariff war escalates

China’s “national team” rallies insurers as Trump’s tariff war escalates

In response, Central Huijin Investment Ltd., a unit of China’s sovereign wealth fund, said it has sufficient liquidity and smooth funding channels to serve as a market stabiliser. The People’s Bank of China followed with an announcement that it would make refinancing tools available to Central Huijin to support its liquidity needs. Source link

Energy insurance market softening as capacity reaches record highs: Willis

Energy insurance market softening as capacity reaches record highs: Willis

The upstream market, which has seen a 5% growth in capacity, is benefiting from a quiet year for losses. This growth continues to fuel soft market conditions. Insurers are under pressure to expand their market share, which has led to reductions in rates and an increasing willingness among underwriters to take on leadership roles, further…

Proposed tariffs could add bn to auto claims

Proposed tariffs could add $60bn to auto claims

While higher tariffs might not translate directly to increased repair bills, Sampson pointed to indirect consequences such as supply chain disruptions, price swings and delays as potential drivers of cost volatility. “For insurers, that translates into greater uncertainty around claims severity, reinsurance pricing and asset planning,” he said. Source link

Will updated wildfire hazard maps affect insurance rates or coverage?

Will updated wildfire hazard maps affect insurance rates or coverage?

The maps evaluate hazard rather than risk, according to the fire marshal, using a method similar to flood zone mapping. They estimate the likelihood of wildfire based on factors such as topography, vegetation, wind patterns, ember production and movement, climate conditions, and fire history, without predicting specific outcomes. Source link

Bain Capital to buy 9.9% stake in Lincoln Financial for 5 million

Bain Capital to buy 9.9% stake in Lincoln Financial for $825 million

“This transaction is about growth and opportunity,” said Ellen Cooper, chairman, president and CEO of Lincoln Financial Group, during a conference call. “Our partnership with Bain Capital will provide us a competitive advantage as we leverage their cross-platform asset management capabilities and deploy additional capital created through their investment to support enhanced profitable growth.” Source…

Energy insurance market softens as capacity reaches record highs: Willis

Energy insurance market softens as capacity reaches record highs: Willis

The upstream market, which has seen a 5% growth in capacity, is benefiting from a quiet year for losses. This growth continues to fuel soft market conditions. Insurers are under pressure to expand their market share, which has led to reductions in rates and an increasing willingness among underwriters to take on leadership roles, further…

These insurance businesses have been hit the hardest by the stock market crash

These insurance businesses have been hit the hardest by the stock market crash

Life and specialty insurance follow Lastly, the life and specialty insurance segments fell 15.7% and 12.4%, respectively, in the first five days following the tariff announcement, according to Yahoo Finance data. Despite both sectors seeing momentary spikes upwards, they remain 15.7% and 12% below pre-tariff levels, respectively. Source link

Small Business Tips: Central Article Roundup

Small Business Tips: Central Article Roundup

Running a small business comes with big responsibilities—from protecting your property and employees to understanding the fine print in your insurance policies. At Central Insurance, we’re committed to helping business owners navigate these challenges with confidence. In this roundup, we’ve gathered our most valuable small business resources to help you understand your coverage, manage risks,…