Rising annuity sales driving demand for shorter-duration assets – AllianceBernstein

Rising annuity sales driving demand for shorter-duration assets – AllianceBernstein

“Traditionally, investing assets on behalf of insurance companies was a relatively straightforward matter of matching assets and liabilities. Now, not only are insurers looking to invest in higher-yielding private asset assets, it also makes sense for them to invest more in equity or equity-like structures,” Zhu said, pointing to a recent investment in a “sidecar”…

Donegal Mutual Insurance Company accuses policyholder of forged invoices

Donegal Mutual Insurance Company accuses policyholder of forged invoices

Michael’s Fabrics, LLC, a Baltimore-based retailer specializing in high-end fabrics, purchased a business owners’ insurance policy from Donegal Mutual Insurance Company for the period covering December 16, 2022, to December 16, 2023. The policy, for which the company paid an annual premium of $4,765, included $3,364 for property coverage. Source link

Natural resources firms boost clean energy investment despite risks

Natural resources firms boost clean energy investment despite risks

Clean energy and the net-zero transition The transition to renewable energy sources – such as solar, wind, hydro, and geothermal – is fundamental to achieving net-zero emissions. This shift involves transforming energy production, distribution, storage, and consumption patterns. Source link

Beazley taps Lindsay Shipper to head North American commercial property

Beazley taps Lindsay Shipper to head North American commercial property

For the year ending December 31, 2024, Beazley achieved a record profit before tax of $1.423 billion, marking a 13% increase from the $1.254 billion recorded in 2023. This growth was underpinned by a 10% rise in insurance written premiums, totaling $6.164 billion, up from $5.601 billion in the previous year. Source link

Higher rates not enough to solve wildfire and weather crisis – Hippo

Higher rates not enough to solve wildfire and weather crisis – Hippo

Hippo’s response to wildfire threats Hippo said that it has been expanding partnerships with housing developers to provide homeowners’ insurance, particularly in states like California, where McCathron said it serves as the company’s primary source of new business. The insurer currently has access to about 120,000 new dwellings nationwide, with continued quarterly growth.  Source link

Venbrook partners with C&F to launch international travel medical plans

Venbrook partners with C&F to launch international travel medical plans

Under the new agreement, Venbrook has launched its first international travel practice, which will be led by Curt Carlson as senior vice president and Eric Adair as vice president. Adair will report to Alison Myers (pictured above), executive vice president and head of retail benefits.  Source link

Brown & Brown on shielding employees from financial stress

Brown & Brown on shielding employees from financial stress

Other benefits, such as financial education, salary advances, and employee discount programs, contribute to overall financial security. Flexible work arrangements, while not a direct financial benefit, can also have a significant financial impact by reducing costs related to commuting, childcare, and other expenses. Source link

Court dismisses negligence lawsuit against State Farm over fatal USPS truck crash

Court dismisses negligence lawsuit against State Farm over fatal USPS truck crash

The case, brought by Christian and Abigail Godinez, sought to hold State Farm accountable for the June 13, 2022, crash, arguing that the insurer’s failure to report the nonrenewal of a truck insurance policy had set off a chain of events that led to the collision. The court, however, found that the plaintiffs’ theory of liability was too speculative and dismissed the claim with…

Marsh enhances Cyber Echo, offering more coverage for cyber risks

Marsh enhances Cyber Echo, offering more coverage for cyber risks

Cyber capacity After a period of significant expansion, the cyber insurance market experienced a modest contraction of 2% in 2023, indicating a stabilization following previous rapid growth. This stabilization suggests that, while the market has matured, capacity has remained relatively sufficient to meet demand.​ Source link

Winterize That Second Home To Prevent Damage While You’re Gone

Winterize That Second Home To Prevent Damage While You’re Gone

Do you have a vacation cabin or another property that you use during the summer but leave empty during the winter? If so, you need to winterize your getaway so you don’t find a mess when spring arrives. Winterizing may take a few hours of work, but being thorough can prevent serious problems. These include…

New Jersey bill to require insurers to cover medical care for menopause – report

New Jersey bill to require insurers to cover medical care for menopause – report

Dr. Christmas said hormone replacement therapy is one option for treating night sweats, genitourinary symptoms, or early onset menopause before age 40, as early menopause increases the risk of cardiovascular disease, cognitive decline, and osteoporosis. Hormone therapy is available in the form of pills, patches, creams or gels. The US Food and Drug Administration has…

Should we be accruing it or front-loading it?

Should we be accruing it or front-loading it?

“Do most employers front-load or accrue time off benefits?” This question comes up a lot when I’m working with an organization to update its handbook and employment policies. Time off is one of those areas where employers have a lot of flexibility to customize their offerings*, and sometimes when we have a choice, we want…

Senate bill seeks to extend NFIP through 2026

Senate bill seeks to extend NFIP through 2026

The most recent short-term extension, passed in December 2024, is set to expire at midnight on March 14 unless Congress passes this legislation or another extension through the government funding resolution. The House of Representatives approved the continuing resolution on March 11, but the Senate had not yet voted on the measure. Source link

Resolutions for a Secure Future in Personal and Commercial Insurance

Resolutions for a Secure Future in Personal and Commercial Insurance

As we step into 2024, it’s paramount to set resolutions that prioritize financial well-being and risk management. Whether you’re safeguarding your home and family or securing your business assets, here are key insurance resolutions for both personal and commercial fronts. 1. Review and Update Policies Regularly: Stay proactive by reviewing your insurance policies annually. Ensure…

Citizens Property Insurance potentially on the hook over water damage

Citizens Property Insurance potentially on the hook over water damage

The homeowners countered with their own expert – a licensed engineer – who had personally inspected the property and reviewed photographs, reports, and other records. The engineer acknowledged the possibility that the leak began unnoticed before July 2019, but crucially, he argued that there was no clear evidence of damage before October 2018, when the…

Policyholders sue Penn Mutual Life Insurance

Policyholders sue Penn Mutual Life Insurance

The lawsuit claims Penn Mutual agents promoted “tax-advantage strategies” tied to life insurance and related products, which were ultimately “shams” with benefits described as “illusory and/or illegal.” Policyholders allegedly suffered financial losses through premium payments, loan interest, and other costs, while agents profited from commissions, bonuses, and fees. Source link

Insurance rates—-What is really going on with these premiums and why they seem to be increasing!

Insurance rates—-What is really going on with these premiums and why they seem to be increasing!

This is a question we continuously get asked at CH Insurance. Clients with a good loss history, timely payments, excellent credit, and very good policies and procedures. All across the landscape consumers are feeling the pinch of their insurance carriers in both Commercial and Personal Insurance. There are many factors that are continuing to drive…

A Guide for Small Business Owners

A Guide for Small Business Owners

As small business owners, staying updated with the latest regulations and compliance standards is crucial for the smooth operation of your business. A significant update that demands your attention is the change in the federal independent contractor test by the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL). Effective March 11, 2024, this new rule has far-reaching implications…

Howden close to finalizing Risk Strategies deal – report

Howden close to finalizing Risk Strategies deal – report

Mubadala, the Abu Dhabi-based sovereign investment fund, and Hg Capital, an existing Howden shareholder, are expected to contribute around $2 billion (£1.5bn) each in equity. The new investment would value Howden at approximately $20 billion, implying a combined valuation of around $30 billion for the group. Source link

Four Cornerstones of CH Your go-to partner commercial insurance

Four Cornerstones of CH Your go-to partner commercial insurance

“Everything we’re about here at CH rests on Four Cornerstones,” says Joe Convertino Jr., President of CH Insurance. “Clients and Carrier Partners can always rest easy knowing we’re in their corner. And these four cornerstones are the foundation for that promise.” Today, CH is excited to share the first of four. Every day, every way,…

California approves State Farm’s 22% insurance rate hike with conditions

California approves State Farm’s 22% insurance rate hike with conditions

The California Department of Insurance has been under pressure to stabilize the market, introducing new rules that allow insurers to factor in future climate risks when setting rates. However, these regulations have yet to take full effect, leaving insurers frustrated with a system that, they argue, does not allow them to charge premiums that reflect actual risk….

Second Cornerstone: Collaboration

Second Cornerstone: Collaboration

At CH Insurance, COLLABORATION stands at the forefront of our values, a key part of the team’s foundation. “It supports everything we do,” explains Joe Convertino, Jr., President of CH Insurance. “Both our clients and carrier partners can trust that no matter what, we’re in their corner. This commitment to leveraging our collective talents and…