Federal Legislation Targets Auto Insurance Fraud With Steep Penalties
Earlier this month, federal legislation was introduced to make motor vehicle collision fraud a federal crime, according to a joint press release by Congresswoman Laura Gillen (D-NY-04) alongside U.S Representatives Troy Nehls (R-TX-22), Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ-05) and Vince Fong (R-CA-20). …
The Body of the Last Victim of Hurricane Helene in Tennessee Has Been Found
The remains of the final missing Tennessee victim from Hurricane Helene were found two years after the storm devastated Appalachian mountain towns with floods that wiped away whole communities. Nancy Tucker, 76, disappeared along with her husband, Jimmy Tucker, when …
EU Says It’s Ready to Get Tough Against Chinese Trade Imbalances
European Union officials insist they need to see a credible effort from China to rebalance its trade relationship with the bloc by next month or they will use all “tools” at their disposal to fix the situation. EU trade chief …
Lemonade $10.5 Million Settlement Over License Number Data Breach Approved
A federal district court in New York has approved a $10.5 million class action settlement by digital insurer Lemonade over its exposing license numbers of as many as 190,644 drivers to third parties through its online auto insurance quote platform. …
Markets/Coverages: Summit Workers’ Comp Enters Maryland and Washington D.C
Workers’ compensation provider Summit has expanded its coverage into Maryland and Washington, D.C. Summit-managed carriers — Bridgefield Casualty Insurance Co., Bridgefield Employers Insurance Co. and Bridgefield Indemnity Insurance Co. — received regulatory approval to begin offering workers’ compensation coverage in …
New York Attorney General Urges AI Whistleblowers to Come Forward
New York Attorney General Letitia James encouraged workers at artificial intelligence companies to confidentially report activity they think is dangerous or illegal to her office. In a Thursday press release, James pointed to an online portal she said whistleblowers could …
Hawai’i Employers’ Mutual Giving $5M Divided to Policyholders
Hawai’i Employers’ Mutual Insurance Company Inc. is returning $5 million to qualifying policyholders this year, a move that the workers’ compensation insurer said marks the 20th consecutive annual dividend declared by its board. This payout also matches the largest dividend …
Ex-Youth Center Counselor Faces Sex Assault Trial in New Hampshire
A sexual assault trial started Monday for a New Hampshire man whose arrest more than seven years ago kicked off one of the biggest youth detention scandals in U.S. history. Former youth counselor Jeffrey Buskey, 60, of Litchfield, faces allegations …
People Moves: Burns & Wilcox Promotes Carvalho to Regional Vice President
Burns & Wilcox promoted Tom Carvalho to regional vice president. The promotion is effective Oct. 1. Carvalho will oversee Burns & Wilcox operations in Portland, Oregon; Seattle, Washington; and San Francisco, Sacramento and Fresno, California. He will report to Rich …
100 Years After Miami Hurricane, Similar Storm Would Top $200B in Losses—Swiss Re
The Atlantic has been pretty quiet so far this season, but one system east of Bermuda could soon develop into a tropical storm, the National Hurricane Center said Thursday. If the storm were to develop into a Category 5 hurricane …
Ag Tech Company to Pay $65K to Settle Discrimination Charges
Lely North America, Inc., an international agricultural technology company headquartered in Pella, Iowa, agreed to resolve a discrimination charge filed with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), the federal agency announced. The EEOC’s charge investigation found that Lely violated …
Insurance Industry Charitable Foundation Names Timmins Southeast Region Chair
The Insurance Industry Charitable Foundation has named Sabrina Timmins, a senior vice president at CNA insurance, as chair of the foundation’s Southeast region. Timmins heads the South regional for Chicago-based CNA, one of the largest commercial insurers in the United …
Inactive Texas Oil and Gas Wells to Go Under Review
A legislative committee will hear from the Texas Railroad Commission on Tuesday as the agency prepares to update its rules for inactive oil and gas wells, now required under state law. The Railroad Commission regulates oil and gas production. It …
People Moves: Alliant Names Black to Midwest Employee Benefits Team; American Ag Points Ealey as VP, International Brand Awareness
Jeff Black has joined Alliant Insurance Services as Senior Vice President within its Employee Benefits Group. The Chicago-based consultant will advise a diverse portfolio of clients on human capital and benefits strategies designed to support growth, organizational transformation, and critical …
Zuckerberg Says AI Labs Have Enough Incentive to Build Safely
Meta Platforms CEO Mark Zuckerberg said on Tuesday that competition and liability give AI companies enough reason to act individually on safety, appearing to break from calls by leaders of top AI firms for a coordinated slowdown in AI development. …
A-Cap Insurers Face South Carolina Claim They’re ‘Financially Hazardous’
Insurers run by Advantage Capital Holdings — and slated for takeover by Oaktree Capital Management — are facing a state regulator’s calls for emergency intervention over claims they’re in a “financially hazardous” position. Atlantic Coast Life Insurance Co. and reinsurance …
Humans Still Matter to Insurance Consumers, Says Big ‘I’ Survey
There is some good news, according to the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America, as the use of artificial intelligence proliferates across the industry. People still prefer people. A survey commissioned by the Big “I” found 87% of consumers …
TV News Helicopter Crash in Los Angeles Kills Three People
Three people were killed and one injured when a TV news helicopter crashed between two commercial buildings in the Chatsworth neighborhood of Los Angeles, the city’s fire department said. The helicopter was providing coverage for KNBC and Telemundo 52, the …
FBI Confirms Data Was Breached in Cyber Attack on Springfield Schools
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has informed Springfield (Massachusetts) Public Schools that the district’s data has been breached as a result of the recent cyberattack that closed schools last week. The breach appears to include staff and student information. …
‘Most Successful’ Hole-in-One Prize Insurance Operator Pleads Guilty to Fraud
The owner and operator of an unlicensed prize insurance provider who for years avoided paying claims, ignored cease and desist orders, and has been convicted of illegal sales or theft more than once has pleaded guilty to fraud. Kevin Kolenda …

