INSURANCE NEWS
CFPB Prepares Final Lending Rule to Narrow Civil Rights Protections
The U.S. federal watchdog agency for consumer finance expects to finalize new regulations proposed in November that would narrow key civil-rights-era antidiscrimination requirements for lenders, according to a government website. The new policy from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau would …
FBI Calls Breach of Sensitive Agency Networks a ‘Major Incident’
The Federal Bureau of Investigation has concluded that last month’s breach of the networks it uses to manage wiretaps and other surveillance work qualifies as a “major incident,” signaling the severity of an intrusion that had already prompted the agency …
People Moves: Liberty Mutual Restructures Leadership of GRS, LMI
Liberty Mutual Insurance late last week announced a new leadership structure across the company’s Global Risk Solutions (GRS) and Liberty Mutual Investments (LMI) businesses. Vlad Barbalat has been appointed president, Global Risk & Capital Solutions, and will continue to serve …
Hands-Free Driving Systems Do Not Improve Safety, NTSB Says
The systems that allow drivers to take their hands off the wheel are convenient but don’t improve safety because people are often too reliant on them and end up paying more attention to their cellphones and infotainment screens than to …
After ‘Two Clocks’ Workers’ Comp Court Ruling, Will Florida Claims Be Reopened?
A Florida appeals court decision, reinterpreting a 32-year-old workers’ compensation statute, could now mean a longer statute of limitations on many injury claims and may lead to the reopening of many cases around the state. The lead claimants’ attorney in …
Reinsurance Rates Continued Softening During April Renewals, Despite Iran War
Reinsurance rates continued to soften during the April 1 renewals despite the unstable geopolitical landscape and uncertain economic outlook, according to major reinsurance brokers. “The orderly completion of the renewal, with no structural disruption, disciplined capacity and cedent-friendly pricing outcomes, …
Toymaker Hasbro Reports Cybersecurity Incident
Pawtucket, Rhode Island-based toymaker Hasbro, Inc. reported it is investigating a cybersecurity incident after identifying unauthorized access to its network on March 28. The company said it has taken certain systems offline and launched an investigation with the assistance of …
Mississippi Lawmakers Revive Wind-Mitigation Program with $15,000 Grants
Mississippi will soon become the latest state to provide wind-mitigation grants for homeowners if the governor signs bills approved by lawmakers this week. Senate Bill 2049 revives a 20-year-old retrofit plan and creates the Strengthen Mississippi Homes Program, providing grants …
Georgia Boards Owe $3M to Military Spouses With Out-of-State Licenses
The state of Georgia must pay some 5,000 military service members and their spouses a total of $3 million to settle charges that state boards failed to recognize out-of-state professional licenses. The U.S. Department of Justice announced this week that …
US Exempts Gulf of Mexico Drillers From Endangered Species Rules
A committee of senior officials in President Donald Trump’s administration voted on Tuesday to exempt the Gulf of Mexico oil and gas industry from a federal law meant to protect endangered species including whales, birds and sea turtles. The decision, …
Kroger Houston Division Faces Lawsuit for Disability Discrimination
Kroger Texas L.P. – Houston Division, operator of Kroger grocery store #300 in Houston’s Clear Lake/NASA area, violated federal employment law when it failed to accommodate and then fired an employee because of her disability, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity …
Texas Woman Loses Wrongful Arrest Lawsuit in Controversial Abortion Case
A Trump-appointed federal judge in South Texas this week dismissed a lawsuit filed by a woman in the Rio Grande Valley who alleged that her rights were violated after prosecutors charged her with murder in a controversial case that made …