INSURANCE NEWS
Transgender Teacher, Maryland School District Settle Lawsuit
UPPER MARLBORO, Md. (AP) — A transgender teacher who said she was harassed by students, parents and colleagues has settled a lawsuit with a Maryland school district with an agreement that includes policy changes and training. Attorneys for Jennifer Eller …
Connecticut Regulates ‘Defense Within Limits’ Provisions by Insurers
Connecticut’s insurance regulator has provided commercial insurers with updated guidance on “defense within limits” policy provisions including the lines of insurance on which they may be included and the consumer disclosure required. The guidance from the Connecticut Insurance Department (CID) …
Federal Court Finds Iowa Ag-Gag Law Unconstitutional
A federal judge has struck down the third attempt by the Iowa Legislature to stop animal welfare groups from secretly filming livestock abuse, finding once again that the law passed last year violates free speech rights in the U.S. Constitution. …
Manufacturer Fined $2.5 Million for Clean Air Act Violations at Louisiana Mill
Packaging Corporation of America (PCA) has agreed to pay $2.5 million in civil penalties to resolve allegations that it violated the Clean Air Act’s General Duty Clause and Risk Management Program Regulations at its containerboard production mill in DeRidder, Louisiana. …
Big I’s Symington Promoted to EVP Before Taking Over as CEO Next Year
Charles Symington has been appointed to the role of executive vice president at the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (the Big I), effective Oct. 1. Symington joined the Big I in 2004 on the government affairs staff. Since …
Illinois Candymaker Faces $201,000 in Proposed Fines for Unsafe Workplace Exposure
A federal workplace safety inspection found a Chicago, Illinois-area candy manufacturer’s long history of violations for machine safety requirements continues after the company exposed workers to amputation hazards and failed to utilize lockout procedures for the third time in five …
Report: Oil Spills Dropped Dramatically Last Decade
Oil and natural gas spills from tankers and pipelines in U.S. waters dropped dramatically from the last decade of the 1990s to the one from 2010 through 2019, according to a federal report Wednesday. The amounts spilled and dumped in …
Insurers Ask Court to Seize Japanese Vessel in New York to Cover $39M in Cargo Losses
More than 30 insurers that have paid an estimated $39 million in lost cargo claims and cargo owners without insurance have asked the courts to seize and sell the Japanese vessel ONE Apus to cover their claims. The insurers say …
Alaska Landslide Damages 3 Homes, Destroys Pickup
A landslide triggered by record rainfall significantly damaged three homes, prompted the evacuation of about a dozen residents and caused power outages in downtown Juneau, Alaska’s capital city. Geological assessment teams determined that favorable weather has returned the threat level …
Citizens’ Early Estimate Sees $3.8B in Losses from Ian; Florida OIR Suspends Use and File
Hurricane Ian continued to churn through central Florida Thursday morning, leaving widespread flooding and wind damage in its wake. It was too early to know the extent of property insurance claims from the storm, although a few analysts and officials …
People Moves: Canopius Names WTW’s Maitra as Group Head of Sustainability; Gallagher Re Hires Bangs and Swindell for Asia Pacific
This edition of International People Moves details appointments at Canopius and Gallagher Re. A summary of these new hires follows here. Canopius Names WTW’s Maitra as Group Head of Sustainability Canopius Group, the global specialty re/insurer, announced the appointment of …
Specialty MGA Optio Launches MGA and Broking Operations in Dubai
Optio Group, the London-based specialty managing general agent (MGA), announced it will launch an MGA and reinsurance broker in Dubai, subject to final approvals from the UAE regulatory authorities. Both businesses are expected to be operational by Jan. 1, 2023, …