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 …
Volkswagen, Porsche Recall Over 500,000 Vehicles With Rearview Camera Glitch
Problems with the rearview mirror have forced Porsche and now parent company Volkswagen to recall over half a million vehicles collectively in the United States, where the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration announced the latest round of measures on Tuesday. …
Relief But Questions on Agents’ Duties to Insureds After Florida Court Ruling
Florida insurance agents and brokers can breathe at least a little easier after a state appeals court effectively reversed hefty damages in a case that had threatened to expand agents’ duties to insureds as well as their liability in coverage …
New Jerseyans Get $86 Million in Medical Debt Relief
New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy announced that more than 53,000 residents will see a combined $86 million in medical bills abolished as a result of the state’s ongoing partnership with national nonprofit Undue Medical Debt. This marks the state’s sixth …
New York Regulates Consumer Litigation Financing
New York State has a new law that regulates the industry that provides consumers with funds for living expenses while their legal cases are in process in exchange for a share of any settlement or judgment. Under such contracts, consumers …
MAPFRE Accuses AAA of Violating Long-Time Exclusive Marketing Agreement
The biggest auto insurer in Massachusetts is at odds with the AAA Northeast division it says is violating an exclusive 20-year joint marketing agreement that is worth $200 million a year in premiums to the insurer. In a lawsuit in …
Southern California Aerospace Firm to Pay $1.5M to Resolve False Claims Act Allegations
An aerospace and defense electronics company based in Chatsworth, California, agreed to pay $1.5 million to resolve allegations that it violated the False Claims Act by supplying aircraft parts to the military that did not meet contract specifications. Teledyne RISI …
Their Homes Survived The LA Wildfires; A Year Later They Fear Living in Them
“DANGER: Lead Work Area” reads a sign on a front door of an Altadena home. “May damage fertility or the unborn child. Causes damage to the central nervous system.” Block after block there are reminders that contaminants still linger. House …
JPMorgan, Citi Extending Mortgage Relief for LA Wildfire Victims
California Gov. Gavin Newsom said a group of major banks have agreed to extend mortgage relief for Los Angeles wildfire victims, as the area struggles to rebuild one year after the devastating blazes. Wells Fargo & Co., JPMorgan Chase & …
Trucordia Acquires First Texas Agency
Trucordia announced the acquisition of the First Texas Agency business, based in Houston, Texas. With a commitment to guiding clients with education about insurance solutions, First Texas Agency builds strong client relationships throughout the Houston area and beyond. Helfer & …
Houston Homeowners Win Hurricane Harvey Appeal Against Feds
A federal appeals court has ruled that the government is liable for damage to homes that flooded upstream of the Addicks and Barker dams after Hurricane Harvey unleashed more than 50 inches of rainfall on the Houston region in 2017. …
People Moves: Novatae Group Names Juergens as CFO
Novatae Risk Group, the wholesale insurance business of World Insurance Associates, announced that Walter Juergens has joined the company as its new chief financial officer. In this role, Juergens will be responsible for all aspects of the company’s financial management, …
Illinois USPS Employee Indicted for Alleged Workers’ Comp Fraud
A United States Postal Service employee has been indicted on federal fraud charges for allegedly collecting augmented workers’ compensation benefits to which she was not entitled, the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Illinois announced last month. Graciela Venegas, 66, …
Illinois Hospital System Sued for Religious Discrimination
Advocate Aurora Health, an Illinois-based hospital system, violated federal law when it refused to accommodate a nurse’s religious beliefs and fired her for failing to receive a COVID-19 vaccination, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) charged in a lawsuit …
Inszone Acquires Texas’ Bierschwale-Rees Insurance
Inszone Insurance Services announced its further expansion in Texas through the acquisition of Bierschwale-Rees Insurance, a long-established independent insurance agency based in Fredericksburg, Texas. Bierschwale-Rees Insurance traces its roots to 1903, making it one of the oldest continuously operating insurance …
Insurance Payments Now at $22.4B From LA Wildfires One Year Ago
Insurers have paid more than $22.4 billion on tens of thousands of claims from the Los Angles wildfires that broke out a year ago on Jan. 7. The claims data, which comes from the California Department of Insurance, shows the …
Ryan Specialty Underwriting Managers Rebrands Leopanthera as Ryan Financial Lines
Ryan Specialty Underwriting Managers (RSUM), the underwriting management division of Ryan Specialty, announced the rebranding of Leopanthera to Ryan Financial Lines, effective January 1, 2026. A London-based Lloyd’s coverholder, Leopanthera specializes in underwriting diversified financial lines on a worldwide basis. …



