INSURANCE NEWS
AI Drives Weather Data Demand Surge for Europe’s Top Forecaster
Europe’s biggest weather forecaster is reporting record demand for its data, as energy traders, insurers, shipping lines and tech companies rush to improve the accuracy of their AI models.In 2024, the number of commercial firms buying licenses to access data …
Vietnam Estimates Property Damage From Typhoon Bualoi at $303 Million
Vietnam’s government said Typhoon Bualoi caused an estimated 8 trillion dong ($303 million) of property damage this week, saying in a preliminary assessment on Wednesday that nearly 170,000 houses were damaged or inundated by flooding. Bualoi made landfall on Monday …
NLRB Withdraws Claims That Apple CEO Violated Workers’ Rights
The US labor board has abandoned its allegations that Apple Inc. Chief Executive Officer Tim Cook violated federal labor law, one of many cases where the agency is adopting a more business-friendly approach under President Donald Trump. In a Sept. …
For Global M&A, Third Quarter Was One of the Best–and Worst –in Recent History
For dealmakers across the world, the third quarter was one of the best and one of the worst in recent history. Megadeals tallied a stunning $1.26 trillion in global mergers and acquisitions during the third quarter – up 40% year …
FEMA, Customs and Border Protection Staff Data Stolen in Breach
A hacker gained access to the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s computer networks for several months earlier this year and stole information about FEMA and US Customs and Border Protection employees, according to an overview of the incident. The Department of …
EEOC Suit Accuses Apple Store of Discrimination Against Jewish Employee
The U.S. agency that enforces workplace anti-discrimination laws sued Apple on Tuesday, claiming the manager of a retail store made antisemitic comments and denied a Jewish employee’s requests for time off before firing him. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission says …
Washington’s Minimum Wage Heading to $17.13 in 2026
Washington’s minimum wage will rise 2.8% next year to $17.13 per hour. The Washington State Department of Labor & Industries announced the increase, which takes effect Jan. 1, 2026. State law requires L&I to calculate the minimum wage for the …
California Governor Signs Order on Economic and Insurance Impact of ‘Climate Crisis’
California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed an executive order he said will help mitigate the impacts and better allocate the costs of natural disasters while stabilizing the insurance market and energy utility sector. The executive order calls for multiple state agencies …
Freimark & Associates and Leavitt Heartland Insurance Partner to Expand Offerings
Employee benefits firm Freimark & Associates has partnered with Leavitt Heartland Insurance, a Leavitt Group affiliate with offices across South Dakota. The partnership expands insurance options for clients of both agencies. Freimark & Associates clients will now have access to …
AM Best Revises Issuer Credits Rating Outlook to Stable for Members of Grinnell Mutual Group
AM Best has revised the outlooks to stable from negative for the Long-Term Issuer Credit Ratings (Long-Term ICR) and affirmed the Financial Strength Rating (FSR) of A (Excellent) and the Long-Term ICRs of “a+” (Excellent) of the members of Grinnell …
Central Texas Floods Reveal Need to Improve Disaster Response in Unincorporated Areas
Rain was already coursing through the usually dry creek near Abraham Stallins’ home in the Texas Hill Country when a flash flood warning lit up his phone. It was just after midnight on July 5, and many neighbors were sleeping, …
Insurance Industry, Others Press Congress to Act on NFIP at Deadline
Organizations representing the insurance, real estate, mortgage banking, financing, and property management industries sent a letter to Congressional leaders calling for quick action to extend the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). The program expires at the end of Sept. 30. …