EPA Seeks $140M Penalty for Michigan’s Worst Sulfur Dioxide Polluter
When faced with testimony that Zug Island’s EES Coke Battery is one of Michigan’s worst sulfur dioxide polluters, an attorney for the facility said Monday: “So what?” The DTE Energy-owned facility was “permitted to do so,” said Michael Hindelang, attorney …
Yemen’s Houthi Rebels Claim Missile Attack on Dutch-Flagged Ship in Gulf of Aden
Yemen’s Houthi rebels claimed responsibility early on Wednesday for an attack this week that left a Dutch-flagged cargo ship ablaze and adrift in the Gulf of Aden, underlining the range of their weaponry and their campaign targeting shipping over the …
Update: Munich Airport Disruptions Ease After Drones Halt Flights
Flight disruptions eased at Munich International Airport after drone sightings on Thursday led German authorities to suspend operations at the country’s second-biggest hub. Flight operations have been running normally since 5 a.m. local time, airport officials said Friday. Thousands of …
Kansas Sues Snapchat for Deceptive Practices
Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach announced that his office filed a lawsuit in Washington County District Court against social media company, Snap, Inc., the creator of the SnapChat platform. The lawsuit alleges that Snap has engaged in deceptive and unconscionable …
People Moves: USG Names Hernandez as Underwriter in Texas Office
USG Insurance Services, Inc. is pleased to welcome Jeremy Hernandez as an underwriter in its Houston, Texas office. Hernandez will be working under the leadership of Jodi Berger, Executive Vice President: Regional Manager. Hernandez brings with him a broad and …
Louisiana Farm Bureau Approved for Double-Digit Auto Rate Decrease
One of the largest auto insurers in Louisiana is implementing a double-digit rate decrease. Louisiana Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple has approved Louisiana Farm Bureau Casualty Insurance Company’s request for an 11.8% rate decrease, which takes effect Jan. 1, 2026. The …
Viewpoint: Avoid Data Indigestion With Harmonization
Insurance agencies and brokerages are drowning in data. It flows in from clients and prospects, through client servicing teams, and out to carriers, who also send back data for agents and brokers to process. Like many industries, ingesting data efficiently …
Brown & Brown Announces Roles Related to Risk Strategies Integration
Brokerage Brown & Brown announced updates to its retail segment leadership team as part of its ongoing integration efforts following the acquisition of Risk Strategies. The leaders from Risk Strategies listed below will join the existing retail segment leadership team …
Florida Reforms Are Truly Making a Difference, Gallagher Re Report Finds
If Florida’s insurance market needed more indication that 2022 legislative reforms have made a big difference in the cost of doing business in the state, one of the biggest names in reinsurance has provided it. “Clearly, it is time for …
Georgia High Court Sides with Slave Descendants on Island Zoning Changes
Georgia’s highest court on Tuesday sided with Black landowners in a fight over zoning changes that weakened long-standing protections for one of the South’s last Gullah-Geechee communities founded by freed slaves. The state Supreme Court unanimously reversed a lower court …
People Moves: California Commissioner Makes COIN Advisory Board, Curriculum Board Appointments
California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara appointed Veronica Saldaña as the newest member of the California Organized Investment Network advisory board and Jason Meyerson to the curriculum board of the California Department of Insurance. COIN was established in 1996 within the …
People Moves: Protecdiv Promotes DelaCruz to Head of Analytics
Protecdiv Promotes DelaCruz to EVP. Head of Analytics Insurance and reinsurance brokerage Protecdiv, headquartered in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, promoted Cate DelaCruz to executive vice president and head of analytics at Protecdiv. DelaCruz joined Protecdiv as senior director of analytics in May …
Agent Allegedly Duped Customer Into Agency Investment in Third Fraud Charge
For the third time in less that two and one-half years, a western Pennsylvania insurance agent is facing charges regarding fraudulent business practices — this time for deceiving a long-time insurance customer into investing more than $75,000 in his insurance …
AM Best Revises Outlooks to Negative for Golden Bear
AM Best revised the outlook for Golden Bear Insurance Company from stable to negative, while the ratings agency affirmed the carrier’s Financial Strength Rating of A (Excellent) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating of “a” (Excellent). The ratings reflect Stockton, …
Former Adjuster Charged With Creating Then Approving $190K in Fraudulent Claims
A former New Jersey insurance adjuster has been charged with creating and submitting phony claims, approving them himself, and directing nearly $200,000 in payments to bank accounts he controlled. John Philbin, of Clementon, has been charged with insurance fraud and …
Texas to No Longer Issue Commercial Drivers Licenses for Many Immigrants
Texas will no longer issue or renew commercial driver’s licenses to DACA recipients, refugees or people with asylum, the Texas Department of Public Safety announced Monday. Commercial driver’s licenses, or CDLs, are for driving vehicles for business purposes, such as …
Private Equity Firm B.P. Marsh Takes Minority Stake in UK Broker Oneglobal
B.P. Marsh & Partners Plc, the specialist private equity investor, announced it has taken a minority stake in Oneglobal, the London-based retail and wholesale insurance broker, which is majority owned by PE firm J.C. Flowers & Co. The investment will …
September Marks Rare Absence of Hurricane Landfalls in US
September turned out to be a slumber for hurricane watchers. For the first time in a decade, the month of September produced no hurricane landfalls in the United States. Seven of the previous eight years this occurred, no hurricane made …
People Moves: AXA XL Reinsurance Appoints Kopf From Swiss Re as Senior Underwriter Aviation; Aon Promotes Polanco as Iberia Reinsurance Leader
This edition of International People Moves details appointments at AXA XL Reinsurance and Aon. A summary of these new hires follows here. AXA XL Reinsurance Appoints Kopf From Swiss Re as Senior Underwriter Aviation AXA XL Reinsurance announced that Jennifer …
Missouri Insurance Agent Charged With Fraud
Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway announced today that her Office has filed felony charges against a St. Peters insurance agent following an investigation into deceptive practices. Pamela Walsh faces nine counts of Deceptive Business Practices, a Class E felony under …



