INSURANCE NEWS
Japan Earthquake Casts Cloud Over Push to Restart Nuclear Plants
The powerful earthquake that hit Japan’s western coast on New Year’s Day has underscored the country’s exposure to natural disasters, casting fresh doubt over a push to bring its nuclear capacity back online. Nuclear power plants dot the coast of …
Court Says Bulk of GEICO’s $2.3 Million Fraud Case Belongs in Arbitration
Insurer GEICO has been dealt a setback in its efforts to get back $2.3 million in what it alleges were fraudulent medical and chiropractic service charges it paid to several clinics under New Jersey’s no-fault insurance law. The U.S. District …
Japan Airline’s Runway Collision Marks Test of How New Carbon Jets Cope in Disaster
Tuesday’s runway collision in Japan marks the first time a modern lightweight airliner has burnt down and is being seen as a test case for how well a new generation of carbon-composite airplanes copes with a catastrophic fire. The Japan …
OpenAI In Talks With Dozens of Publishers to License Content
OpenAI said it’s talking to dozens of publishers about striking deals to license their articles, a broader effort than was previously known as the startup looks for content to train its artificial intelligence models. “We are in the middle of …
SpaceX Sues US Agency That Accused it of Firing Workers Critical of Elon Musk
Rocket and satellite maker SpaceX on Thursday sued a U.S. labor board to block its case accusing the company of illegally firing employees who sent a letter to company executives calling CEO Elon Musk “a distraction and embarrassment.” SpaceX in …
Washington Commissioner’s Fines Included Order to Stop Selling Insurance and $50K Fine
Washington Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler issued several fines for insurers, agents and entities in December, including ordering Zion Health to stop selling insurance illegally in Washington, fining the company $50,000. Kreidler’s office issued an initial cease-and-desist order to Zion in …
People Moves: Stirk to join Marsh as US Chief Growth Officer; Liberty Mutual Grows Cyber Team
Marsh, a business of Marsh McLennan headquartered in New York, hired Andy Stirk as U.S. chief growth officer effective January 16. Stirk is based in New York. With 20 years of insurance industry experience, Stirk rejoins Marsh from Ascot Group, …
People Moves: Church Mutual Names Ogilvie Chief Executive Officer
Church Mutual Insurance Company, headquartered in Merrill, Wis., promoted Alan S. Ogilvie from president to president and chief executive officer. Ogilvie assumed the role from Rich Poirier, who retired after 12 years at Church. Ogilvie previously held positions at Wausau …
People Moves: Bonaventure and Dixon Join Alliant in Louisiana
Alliant Insurance Services, headquartered in Irvine, Calif., hired Stuart Bonaventure and Miles Dixon as vice presidents within its Alliant Americas division. Both are based in Lafayette, La. Before joining Alliant, Bonaventure was a commercial lines producer at BXS. Dixon previously …
Extreme Cold Grips Nordic Countries as Floods Hit Western Europe
Europe experienced stark weather contrasts on Wednesday, with extreme cold and snowstorms disrupting transportation and closing schools in Scandinavia while strong winds and heavy rain in western Europe caused flooding and at least one death. Temperatures fell below minus 40 …
World Insurance Associates Acquires Illinois’ TW Group
World Insurance Associates LLC acquired the business of TW Group, Inc. of Westmont, Illinois on December 31, 2023. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed. TWG was founded in 1946 and provides insurance to individuals and businesses. They specialize in …
Owners of Nebraska Hotel Agree to $100K Settlement to Resolve Disability Discrimination Suit
The owners and operators of a hotel in Omaha, Nebraska, have agreed to pay $100,000 to a former general manager and furnish other relief to settle a disability discrimination lawsuit filed by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), the …