According to a new report from Fitch Ratings, the unpredictable macroeconomic backdrop continues to pose a challenge to US personal lines insurers. Insurers are adjusting pricing and underwriting in response to poor results, but improvement in the auto line may be slow. Profits in auto insurance, which were the highest in at least 25 years… Continue reading U.S. Personal Lines Insurance Results Pressured by Rising Inflation, Costs
Author: Farkas Laura
LIMRA Predicts Steady Growth in Annuity Sales as Number of Retirees Expands
Despite the continued challenges resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, the annuity industry rebounded strongly — with first quarter 2022 seeing total U.S. annuity sales increase 4% to $63.3 billion. LIMRA expects this momentum to continue through the next several years. “The outlook for rising interest rates and fairly level equity markets will have investors continuing… Continue reading LIMRA Predicts Steady Growth in Annuity Sales as Number of Retirees Expands
Tight Labor Market Drives Employers to Boost 2023 Pay Raises
Salary budgets for US employees are expected to rise in 2023, owing primarily to a labor market with more open positions than people to fill them. According to the Salary Budget Planning Report from leading global advisory, broking, and solutions firm WTW, companies are budgeting an overall average increase of 4.1 percent for 2023, compared… Continue reading Tight Labor Market Drives Employers to Boost 2023 Pay Raises
Optis: Insurance Agency M&As Up 16% in First Half 2022
According to OPTIS Partners’ M&A database, there were 427 announced insurance agency mergers and acquisitions in the first half of 2022, up 16 percent from 369 in the same period in 2021. The pace in the first six months of 2022 is 13% higher than the previous first-half five-year average, a period considered to be… Continue reading Optis: Insurance Agency M&As Up 16% in First Half 2022
Federal Judge Temporarily Blocks Administration’s LGBTQ Protections at Work, Schools
A federal judge temporarily halted enforcement of two Biden administration directives protecting LGBTQ people from discrimination in schools and workplaces on Friday, ruling in favor of 20 state attorneys general who claimed in a lawsuit that the guidance violated states’ rights. The move comes amid a wave of conservative measures aimed at restricting LGBTQ rights,… Continue reading Federal Judge Temporarily Blocks Administration’s LGBTQ Protections at Work, Schools
Despite Rate Inadequacy, Texas Windstorm Insurer Committee Urges No Premium Increases
Despite a finding earlier this month that current rates are inadequate for both residential and commercial coverages, an underwriting committee for Texas’ windstorm insurer of last resort voted Monday not to recommend a rate increase for its policyholders. The Texas Windstorm Insurance Association’s Actuarial and Underwriting Committee’s recommendation will now be forwarded to TWIA’s board… Continue reading Despite Rate Inadequacy, Texas Windstorm Insurer Committee Urges No Premium Increases
MLB Settles Wage Lawsuit with Minor Leaguers for $185 Million
Major League Baseball agreed to pay $185 million to minor leaguers to settle a federal lawsuit alleging violations of minimum wage laws, a case that dragged on for eight years without a trial. According to a filing by Brian Kriegler, the players’ damages expert, an early estimate is that approximately 23,000 players could share the… Continue reading MLB Settles Wage Lawsuit with Minor Leaguers for $185 Million
Uber to Pay $2 Million+ to Settle Claims for Overcharging Disabled Riders
The Department of Justice announced on Monday that Uber will pay more than $2 million to settle claims that the company violated the Americans with Disabilities Act by charging fees to passengers with disabilities who take longer than two minutes to get into vehicles. In November, the DOJ filed a lawsuit alleging that Uber began… Continue reading Uber to Pay $2 Million+ to Settle Claims for Overcharging Disabled Riders
More Women Are Entering Trucking Industry Due to Tech Advances, Cultural Changes
The shortage of truck drivers is at an all-time high. By 2030, the industry may need to fill 160,000 positions. Online communities and engineering advancements are encouraging more women to enter the trucking industry. Since the start of the pandemic, approximately 91,000 – or roughly 6% – of the 1.52 million trucking industry workers have… Continue reading More Women Are Entering Trucking Industry Due to Tech Advances, Cultural Changes
As High Inflation Pressures Insurers, Lawsuits Rise
According to experts and new data, rising litigation costs and higher consumer prices in industries such as construction are contributing to a challenging inflation environment for insurance carriers, while claims litigation continues to rise. Though market analysts believe the industry is well-positioned to absorb catastrophic losses, experts warn that inflation will make claims more expensive… Continue reading As High Inflation Pressures Insurers, Lawsuits Rise