INSURANCE NEWS
Higginbotham Acquires Houston’s Iscential
Higginbotham has acquired Houston, Texas-based Iscential, an independent insurance agency, risk management and financial services firm and . one of the largest writers of Nationwide property and casualty insurance in the country. This strategic move allows access to enhanced services …
Texas Governor Issues Widespread Disaster Declaration Due to Wildfires
Gov. Greg Abbott has issued a wildfire disaster declaration for about 75% of Texas counties, allowing them to use all available state resources to respond to any new fires as the state continues to bake under triple-digit temperatures. The declaration …
Political Operatives Ordered to Pay $50,000 in Restitution for Fraudulent Charity in Ohio Train Derailment Case
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) – Three men who have worked as Republican political operatives agreed to pay more than $50,000 in restitution and penalties in Ohio for their roles in operating a phony charity that collected cash purportedly to help victims …
Wisconsin Corn Mill to Pay $940K Settlement Over Fatal Explosion
MADISON, Wis. (AP) – A milling company has agreed to pay $940,000 to settle a lawsuit alleging multiple violations at a plant that was the scene of a fatal explosion in 2017, state Justice Department officials announced Wednesday. The Justice …
ChatGPT-Wary Universities Scramble to Prepare for New School Year
ChatGPT set the academic world ablaze after it was introduced in November, when the AI chatbot suddenly gave students a hard-to-detect shortcut for completing essays and assignments. Nine months later, as a new school year nears, many universities are still …
Two Dead After Plane Strikes Power Line in North Carolina
Two people died when a small plane struck a power line and crashed into a western North Carolina lake, a city official said. The crash occurred about 11:30 a.m. Sunday on Lake Hickory, said Sarah Killian, a spokesperson for the …
Montana Clinic Files for Bankruptcy After $6M False Asbestos Claims Ruling
A health clinic in a Montana town plagued by deadly asbestos contamination has filed for bankruptcy protection after a judge ordered it to pay the government almost $6 million in penalties and damages for submitting hundreds of false claims for …
More Signs of Life in Florida: New Insurers in Market, More Citizens Takeouts
Florida’s property insurance market is showing more signs of life, with another company requesting a large takeout order from Citizens Property Insurance and two new companies entering the arena. Tampa-based HCI Group’s CEO Paresh Patel said in an earnings call …
What Sparks US Wildfires: Power Lines, Burning Trash and Lightning
The fast-moving fire that ripped through Maui’s historic town of Lahaina killed more than 90 people, making it the deadliest US wildfire in more than a century. The cause of the blaze is still under investigation, but power equipment in …
Clorox Takes Down Some IT Systems After ‘Unauthorized Activity’
Clorox Co. has taken some of its information technology systems offline after identifying “unauthorized activity” in its computer networks that has disrupted some business operations. The incident is expected to continue to affect some parts of the business operations, the …
Don’t Forget About Continuing Ed for Transportation Insurance Professionals
In the fast-paced and ever-changing world of insurance, staying up-to-date with industry trends, regulations, and best practices is paramount. For insurance professionals serving the transportation industry, this is even more crucial due to the sector’s unique challenges and complexities. That’s …
Increased Vehicle Sales, Search for Lower Rates Boost Auto Insurance Shopping
Auto insurance shopping rates rose 12% year-over-year in the second quarter of 2023, according to a new TransUnion report. While vehicle sales played a role in the increase, TransUnion said in a press release that the search for lower insurance …