Germania Insurance Places First Cat Bond Through Handshake Re
Germania Insurance announced the placement of its first catastrophe bond, issued through Handshake ReLtd., as part of the company’s broader reinsurance and capital management strategy. The transaction became effective Jan. 1, 2026. The catastrophe bond provides $100 million of per …
The MEMIC Group Closes Acquisition of The Dakota Group
The MEMIC Group announced the successful closing of its acquisition of The Dakota Group, including Risk Administration Services, Inc. and its affiliated service companies. The strategic combination positions MEMIC as the third-largest multi-state workers’ compensation specialist in the United States, …
California Bill Would Require Insurer Claims Handling Plans, And Double Penalties
A bill that promises legislative reform in California to speed up disaster recovery for homeowners and renters through improved insurance coverage and expanded consumer protections was introduced on the anniversary of the Los Angeles wildfires. The Disaster Recovery Reform Act, …
Trump’s Oil Push Widens With Seizure of Russian-Flagged Tanker Linked to Venezuela
The U.S. seized an empty Russian-flagged, Venezuela-linked oil tanker in the Atlantic Ocean on Wednesday as part of President Donald Trump’s aggressive push to dictate oil flows in the Americas and force Venezuela’s socialist government to become an ally. After …
Neglect, Abuse Common at Michigan Nursing Homes, Report Finds
The plea was desperate: Help! Lorena Brown gasped for air on Sept. 12, 2022, turning blue, at the SKLD Muskegon nursing home. Her roommate called for help from a nurse. The response: “Mind your own business.” Using a washcloth, the …
Texas Insurance Commissioner Brown Retiring
Texas Insurance Commissioner Cassie Brown is retiring on Feb. 2 after more than four years overseeing the Texas Department of Insurance. Appointed by the governor, the Texas insurance commissioner oversees the regulation of the $293 billion Texas insurance market, the …
Trump Aims Bumper Aid at US Rice Farmers Facing Bleakest Outlook
The new year may mark the last time Texas farmer LG Raun plants a rice crop. “I guess I’m going to be the one that’s going to screw up the tradition of growing Raun family rice,” said the third-generation producer, …
After Merger with CAC, Baldwin Names Lynch, Two Others to Leadership Roles
The Baldwin Group, formerly Baldwin Risk Partners and based in Tampa, has named new leadership for its insurance advisory solutions section that handles retail property-casualty and benefits brokerage. Publicly traded Baldwin, which just closed a merger with CAC Group, announced …
Three Atlanta Firms Merge, Offering Range of Insurance and Financial Services
Three Atlanta-based firms have merged, expanding insurance and financial services for small and medium-sized businesses, with growth plans for 2026. Partners Risk Services, an independent insurance brokerage in property/casualty, benefits and life products and formerly known as BWT Risk Advisors, …
NRA Sues Charity Arm After Alleged Takeover by LaPierre Allies
The National Rifle Association has sued its charity affiliate, alleging a “disgruntled faction of former NRA directors” has seized the affiliate to turn it into a competitor and misused nearly $160 million in NRA funds. The NRA’s lawsuit against the …
US Wants Venezuelan Oil Flowing Again With Revenues in US Accounts, Wright Says
Energy Secretary Chris Wright said on Wednesday the United States government wants to get Venezuelan oil flowing again, deposit money into U.S.-controlled accounts and create conditions for U.S. oil companies to enter the country. Wright said he was speaking to …
Good Times for US P/C Insurers May Not Last; Auto Challenges Ahead
In their latest report on the U.S. auto insurance market, analysts from S&P Global Market Intelligence predict the strongest overall U.S. property/casualty insurance underwriting results in 18 years for 2025, driven by favorable private passenger auto outcomes. Still, while their …
Trump Won’t Rule Out Military Force to Acquire Greenland
President Donald Trump won’t rule out the use of military force to acquire Greenland, the White House said, escalating tension with Denmark, a fellow NATO member, over a dispute that’s surged back into public view following the ouster of Venezuelan …
Arctic Freeze Deepens Europe’s Travel and Power Strains
A wave of Arctic air blanketed Europe with frigid weather and intense snowfall, snarling travel and triggering power outages in some areas. Northerly winds driven by high pressure systems in the Atlantic and Arctic caused temperatures to plummet Monday and …
Governments, Regulators Increase Scrutiny of Chinese AI Startup DeepSeek
Chinese AI startup DeepSeek, which said in January it had developed an AI model to rival ChatGPT at much lower cost, has come under scrutiny in some countries for its security policies and privacy practices. According to its own privacy …
Nestle Recalls Infant Formula Batches in 25 Countries Over Toxin Risk
Nestle said it was recalling some batches of its infant nutrition products, including SMA, BEBA and NAN formulas, mostly in Europe, due to possible contamination with a toxin that can cause nausea and vomiting. The recall, which began on a …
Viewpoint: The Convergence of Autonomy and Intelligence Is Reshaping Insurance
The adoption of AI in insurance is a mixed bag, marked by ambitious experimentation on one hand and structural hesitation on the other. The intent to deploy AI is high, and the expectations are rising just as quickly. Recent industry …
Private Equity Firms Expected to Unleash Middle-Market M&A Deals, Survey Says
M&A activity is expected to rise among midsize companies as private equity firms become more willing to do deals, according to a Citizens Financial survey of about 400 companies. Executives at middle market companies and private equity firms are optimistic …
People Moves: Doss Assumes Role of VP, Personal Lines Underwriting; The Jacobson Group Hires Pinkham as CEO, Greg and Rick Jacobson Transition to Board
Doss Assumes Role of Vice President, Personal Lines Underwriting Justin Doss assumed the role of vice president, personal lines underwriting at RLI Corp., headquartered in Peoria, Illinois. In this executive role, he will lead underwriting and distribution strategy for RLI’s …
People Moves: W. R. Berkley Makes Executive Appointments; Everest Group Names Habayeb CFO
W.R. Berkley Corp., headquartered in Greenwich, Connecticut, named Lee Iannarone executive vice president. He is succeeded by Stephen Kennedy, who has been named senior vice president and general counsel. Iannarone began his tenure with the company in 2023 as senior …



