IMF, World Bank Launch ‘Bangkok Blueprint’ to Fight Cyber Fraud
The International Monetary Fund and World Bank on Oct. 14 released a framework for tackling cyber-enabled fraud, as the Thai government underlined the mounting cost of online scams that have roiled the region. The framework, known as the Bangkok Blueprint …
Missouri Sues E-Commerce Giant Temu Over Aggressive Data Collection Practices
Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway has filed a suit against Temu, an e-commerce platform based largely in China, alleging the company uses aggressive and misleading data collection practices that harm Missouri residents’ privacy. Temu incorporates misleading pricing, false statements about …
Frankenmuth Now Writing Commercial Insurance in Virginia
Super regional carrier Frankenmuth Insurance announced that it began expanding into Virginia late last year. Frankenmuth is now writing all commercial insurance lines for small businesses, mid-sized companies, and large commercial accounts in the state, through a select group of …
Porch to Acquire Allied Trust in $200M Deal
Porch Insurance Group announced it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Allied Trust’s insurance carrier and managing general agency. The acquisition is expected to add approximately $200 million of Reciprocal Written Premium and approximately $25 million of Adjusted …
XPT Specialty Launches Texas Homeowners Binding Authority Program
XPT Specialty launched its Texas Homeowners Binding Authority program, which gives retail partners in-house authority to place homeowners and dwelling coverage. The program is designed for primary, secondary, seasonal and rental homes across Texas. Targeting well-maintained risks, the program offers …
Oklahoma Home Improvement Company Fined $150K for Sexual Harassment
An Oklahoma home improvement and design company will pay $150,000 to three former employees and provide other relief to settle a sexual harassment and retaliation lawsuit filed by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), the federal agency announced today. …
People Moves: WTW Names Beaton Dir. of ICT Underwriting; Parametrix Hires Stephens to Lead US Underwriting; Gaffigan Heads Lockton US Casualty
WTW appointed Darrel Beaton as director of underwriting within the company’s Insurance Consulting and Technology (ICT) business. WTW’s ICT business is a global leader in P/C, life, and health insurance software and advisory services. Beaton joins WTW from Effectus Insurance, …
AI Models May Soon Self-Replicate Across Smart-Home Devices, Anthropic Warns
Anthropic said small AI models could be months away from self-replicating across internet-connected devices, raising the possibility of AI botnets spreading quickly, fighting takedown attempts and even breaking into data centers to turbocharge their growth. Last month, Anthropic CEO Dario …
CVS Settles Justice Department Case Over Opioid Prescriptions for $315M
CVS Health has agreed to pay $315 million to resolve allegations that the pharmacy chain operator unlawfully filled medically unnecessary prescriptions for addictive opioid painkillers, the US Justice Department said on Oct. 13. The settlement resolves a case the department …
Florida Supreme Court Approves Board Certification in Insurance Law
Lawyers on both sides of the insurance aisle will soon be able to say they are “board-certified” in insurance coverage law, after the Florida Supreme Court approved the new certification last week. The court made only minor changes to a …
NYC Restaurants Shut Off Air Conditioning, Close on Sundays as Costs Surge
New York City restaurants are running out of ways to outrun inflation. CakeBurgers, an East Harlem eatery that serves hamburgers and cakes shaped like hamburgers, turned off its air conditioning — even as temperatures in the city this summer routinely …
Napa Wildfire Study Eyes Funding Prevention, Improving Insurance Availability
A new report looks into how to put more resources into prevention before a wildfire strikes, maintain resilience and direct new investment where it can deliver the greatest value using Napa, California as a case study. The Napa County wildfire …
Eastern States’ Grocers Shut Online Systems After Cyberattack
Popular grocery stores owned by Ahold Delhaize in New England, MidAtlantic and Southeastern states are open but online orders and systems have been shut down after a cybersecurity incident. The Netherlands-based company said taking its website and apps offline is …
The Hartford Completes Deal for Equitable’s Employee Benefits Book
The Hartford on Oct. 13 said it completed its buy of Equitable’s employee benefits business to bolster the insurer’s growth in the small and midsized employer segment. The move will bring in about $500 million in premium in non-medical benefits, …
Edison Drops on Willful Misconduct Allegations in Eaton Fire Case
Edison International shares fell over 3% on Tuesday after short seller Muddy Waters said it had uncovered new information suggesting the utility acted with “conscious” or “willful” disregard in the Eaton Fire. Related: Southern California Edison Chief Warns Wildfire Impasse …
FAA Tells US Airlines to Exercise Caution in Saudi Arabia Flights, Citing Safety Risks
The Federal Aviation Administration told US airlines to exercise caution when flying to or over Saudi Arabia, citing safety threats tied to ongoing military activities and navigation system interference. The FAA Notice to Airmen, which lasts until December 10, follows …
Etude Launches E&S Carrier with $100M Surplus
Etude launched Etude Specialty Insurance Company, a technology-driven excess and surplus lines carrier for commercial property and casualty. Etude Specialty is domiciled in Nebraska, has more than $100 million of surplus, and will write in all 50 states. Etude also …
Iran Escalates Attacks on Ships, Threatening Oil Export Recovery
Iranian attacks on ships crossing the Strait of Hormuz have surged, potentially threatening the recent recovery in Persian Gulf oil exports. People working in the shipping industry said there were signs that the flow of cargoes through the waterway may …
RT FLEX Expands Across Property, Casualty, Construction, and Executive and Professional Liability Lines
Chicago-based RT Specialty and Ryan Alternative Risk, the wholesale brokerage and alternative risk divisions of Ryan Specialty, have expanded RT FLEX, a proprietary follow-line facility that gives RT Specialty brokers access to additional capacity across a broad range of specialty …
SpaceX Plan to Launch 456 Starships a Year in Texas Under Review
SpaceX is proposing to increase the number of Starship launches and landings it conducts out of its Starbase facility in South Texas to hundreds of flights each year, a plan currently being reviewed by the US government. The US Federal …
Insurance Journal delivers the latest business news for the Property/Casualty insurance industry
Subscribe to Insurance Journal feed

