Hurricane Watch Posted on Hawaii’s Big Island as Nolo Approaches
A hurricane watch has been issued for Hawaii’s Big Island as Tropical Storm Nolo strengthens south of the island chain. Nolo, with top winds of 40 miles (64 kilometers) per hour was 500 miles south of Honolulu and on a …
Online Insurance Marketplace Insurify Blocks Meta’s Personal AI Agent Muse
Early this year, Insurify caused a stir when it began what was thought to be the first insurance app with ChatGPT’s Open AI. In fact, the news momentarily shook the S&P 500 Insurance index. On Sept. 23, the online insurance …
People Moves: Taylor Returns to Plymouth Rock Assurance as President and CEO
Boston-based Plymouth Rock Assurance Corp. named Chris Taylor as president and chief executive officer. He will lead Plymouth Rock’s Independent Agency Group, effective October 12. Taylor brings personal lines leadership experience to the role, most recently as vice president and …
This Week’s Northeast Disruption Puts Spotlight on Aging Air Traffic System
Communications failures that snarled hundreds of flights across the Northeast on Monday have put the spotlight back on the aging systems that air traffic controllers rely on in the U.S. Congress already handed the Federal Aviation Administration $12.5 billion last …
New Zealand Says China Is its Most Persistent State-Backed Cyber Threat
New Zealand’s cyber security agency said China was the country’s most persistent and capable state-backed cyber threat, as foreign actors targeted government agencies and organizations in sectors including health, education and information technology. The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), part …
Northeast Expecting Torrential Rains, Flood Risk as Coastal Storm Builds
A powerful coastal storm is building off the Northeast, threatening to bring torrential rain across parts of eastern Massachusetts and raising flood risks to New York City, New Jersey and Washington, DC into the weekend. The Nor’easter system is forecast …
Grid Operator E.ON Warns of Growing Risk of Attacks on Energy Infrastructure
Companies must prepare for successful attacks on critical power infrastructure as both physical and cyber threats continue to increase, the CEO of E.ON, Europe’s largest operator of energy grids, said on Thursday. “Attacks on our grids are increasing significantly,” Leonhard …
Indian Insurance and Bank Stocks Erase $14 Billion on Fee Cap Plan
PB Fintech Ltd. led a slide in shares of Indian insurers, distributors and lenders on Thursday, after the insurance regulator proposed caps on commissions and tighter management expenses. Temasek-backed platform operator PB Fintech sank a record 36%, the biggest slide …
OpenAI Agent Hacked Australian Government Health Website
An OpenAI model hacked an Australian government website earlier this year, marking one of the first known cyberattacks by artificial intelligence on a government database. The AI system gained unauthorized access to files on a website for reporting healthcare statistics, …
Tesla’s Automated Driving System Often Misreads Speed Limits: Belgian Safety Group
Tesla’s FSD automated-driving system frequently exceeded speed limits and attempted to overtake cyclists on streets where it’s prohibited, a road-safety advocacy group said, citing tests it conducted in Belgium. The Belgian group Johanna.be – which advocates for pedestrian and cyclist …
UN Chief Calls for AI Pact to Prevent Rise of Killer Robots
The secretary general of the United Nations stepped up his calls for regulation of AI to avert a dystopian future of rampant corporate power and killer robots. Antonio Guterres used his final address to world leaders at the UN General …
Markets/Coverages: CFC Begins Affirmative AI for Intellectual Property; CRC Specialty Launches Insurisk Cyber
CFC announced the launch of affirmative AI coverage within its intellectual property policy. AI is transforming how businesses create, develop and commercialize intellectual property. However, the legal framework governing the relationship between AI and IP remains fragmented and continues to …
People Moves: Huntington T. Block Appoints Schaffer Senior VP of Fine Art; Zern to Oversee Howden US Health and Benefits
Huntington T. Block Appoints Schaffer as Senior VP of Fine Art Insurance Huntington T. Block Insurance Agency Inc., the oldest and largest insurance broker dedicated to fine art and musical instrument insurance in the U.S. and a subsidiary of Aon …
Ex-Google Safety Chief Warns AI Could Harm Children More Than Social Media
The founder of the trust and safety team at Alphabet’s Google this week called for a slowdown in AI development, warning that the tech industry was repeating the same mistakes from the social media era, potentially causing even greater harm …
Independent Agencies Total About 37,000 in 2026, a Decrease From 2024
The number of independent insurance agencies fell slightly from 39,000 in 2024 to 37,000 in 2026. Good news is that most independent agencies reported profitability across both personal and commercial lines, with significantly fewer agencies reporting revenue decreases compared to …
Florida’s Commercial Clearinghouse Plan Hits a Snag, With OIR and Board Concerns
The push for a clearinghouse for Citizens Property Insurance commercial policies appears to have hit a snag with little time to spare before a January deadline mandated by Florida statute. “I looked at the numbers and the numbers make no …
People Moves: Alliant Insurance Services Adds Esarey to LA Employee Benefits Team
Barrett Esarey joined Alliant Insurance Services as vice president within its employee benefits group. Based in Los Angeles, California, Esarey serves a national client base, helping employers develop strategic benefits programs that address evolving workforce needs and support long-term business …
Corgi Insurance in California Expands Trucking Program to Cover Tow Trucks
San Francisco-based Corgi Insurance is expanding its trucking insurance program to include towing and tow-truck businesses. Tow trucks spend much of their time on the road, but their core exposure comes from transporting, handling and storing other people’s vehicles. Corgi’s …
FBI Investigating Hackers’ Claims of Stealing Employee Data
The Federal Bureau of Investigation is probing hackers’ claims that they broke into the bureau’s systems and stole thousands of current and former employees’ data, the bureau said in a statement Sept. 23. A group known as ShinyHunters claimed responsibility …
Florida Farm Manager the Latest to Plead Guilty in Crop Insurance Fraud Probe
A southwest Florida farm manager could soon face years in prison and more than $3 million in restitution after he pleaded guilty to crop insurance fraud at one of Florida’s highest-profile farm operations. Mark Frisbie, 60, of Punta Gorda, pleaded …

