Enjoy this weekend and your time off with friends and family over the Labor Day holiday. We’ll be back on Tuesday, September 6, with the Daily NewsFlash.
Author: Farkas Laura
Firefighters Fighting More than Wildfires as Stress Mounts
As fire seasons have become more severe across the West, federal agencies battling the blazes face a new challenge: a workforce suffering from stress, anxiety, and addiction, with insufficient mental-health support. One wildland fire official stated that she spent hours on the phone attempting to prevent a colleague from shooting himself. After a drinking binge,… Continue reading Firefighters Fighting More than Wildfires as Stress Mounts
Higher Cyber Premiums to Help Insurer Performance
According to Fitch Ratings, the cyber insurance market is expanding as premiums rise sharply and insurers remain committed to the market despite losses due to rising claims. The performance of cyber insurers will likely improve as prices rise and underwriting standards tighten, according to Fitch. Nonetheless, the loss experience of the cyber-insurance segment will most… Continue reading Higher Cyber Premiums to Help Insurer Performance
D&O Insurance 1H22 Results Improve, Premium Growth Stalls
According to Fitch Ratings, the U.S. Directors & Officers (D&O) insurance line has experienced some of the most pronounced pricing increases among all commercial lines over the last three years, with shifts in underwriting practices such as lower limits, higher retentions, and more coverage exclusions fostering improvement in financial performance. These trends, however, are fading,… Continue reading D&O Insurance 1H22 Results Improve, Premium Growth Stalls
OSHA Orders Wells Fargo to Pay Exec More than $22M in Retaliation Case
The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration found Wells Fargo violated the whistleblower protection provisions of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act for improperly terminating a Chicago area-based senior manager in the company’s commercial banking segment. The San Francisco-based bank was ordered to pay the employee more than $22 million which includes back wages, interest,… Continue reading OSHA Orders Wells Fargo to Pay Exec More than $22M in Retaliation Case
Another Round of Insurtech Layoffs: Hippo Reduces Workforce by 10%
Hippo, an Israeli-founded insurtech company, has announced the layoff of 70 employees, accounting for approximately 10% of the company’s workforce. The decision was made “to further drive efficiency and increase focus on strategic priorities,” according to the company. The layoffs are effective immediately, and the company says it “expects the majority of the affected employees… Continue reading Another Round of Insurtech Layoffs: Hippo Reduces Workforce by 10%
National Programs Announces Promotions at Orchid Underwriters
Kathy Cody has been named chief executive officer of Orchid Underwriters Agency, and Ross Bowie has been named its president and chief underwriting officer. In addition, Steven Carlsen will transfer his current responsibilities to Kathy and Ross and take on a new role as an executive vice president in National Programs. Orchid Underwriters was acquired… Continue reading National Programs Announces Promotions at Orchid Underwriters
SEC Goes After Insurance Executive for Alleged Fraud
The SEC charged insurance magnate Greg Lindberg and a lieutenant with defrauding insurers out of more than $75 million through a series of undisclosed related-party transactions and advisory fees paid to a Malta entity. “We allege a massive fraudulent scheme involving unique financial structures and various complex investments,” said Osman Nawaz, chief of the Securities… Continue reading SEC Goes After Insurance Executive for Alleged Fraud
CDC Says American Life Expectancy Decreased to 76.1 Years as COVID, Overdoses Increase Mortality Rate
According to preliminary data, life expectancy in the United States fell for the second year in a row in 2021 as Covid-19 and overdoses increased mortality rates. According to data released Wednesday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Americans’ life expectancy fell 0.9 year on average last year, to 76.1 years. It was… Continue reading CDC Says American Life Expectancy Decreased to 76.1 Years as COVID, Overdoses Increase Mortality Rate
Washington Judge Overturned Insurance Rate Credit Scoring Ban
Last month a jduge overturned a Washington state rule prohibiting insurers from using credit scoring to set rates for auto, homeowner and renter insurance. Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler adopted the rule in February, immediately drawing a legal challenge from insurer groups. The rule, which was set to take effect March 4, was paused while the… Continue reading Washington Judge Overturned Insurance Rate Credit Scoring Ban