INSURANCE NEWS

U. of Michigan Faces Federal Scrutiny Over Chinese Scientists’ Smuggling of Biological Materials

The University of Michigan is under federal scrutiny after two Chinese scientists linked to the school were separately charged with smuggling biological materials into the United States. The Education Department on Tuesday opened an investigation into the university’s foreign funding, …
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US Farm Agency Ends Program to Support Small Businesses

The U.S. Department of Agriculture said on Tuesday it would cut funding for a national network of centers that have supported thousands of small- and mid-sized farm and food businesses. The cuts are another hit to farmers from President Donald …
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New Book Proposes Four-Prong Legal Strategy to Negate Nuclear Verdicts

Leaders at one of the largest national insurance defense firms believe they have identified the causes of nuclear verdicts—and developed a comprehensive litigation strategy that negates them. A new book about that strategy and the data behind it will be …
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ECB Stress Test to Ask Banks Which Geopolitical Risks Would Hurt

The European Central Bank’s next stress test will ask lenders to come up with hypothetical situations in which risks like trade disruptions or wars could hit their financial strength. The exam next year will “assess which firm-specific geopolitical risk scenarios …
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Helvetia, Baloise Said To Tap McKinsey For Merger Help

Helvetia Holding AG and Baloise Holding AG hired strategy consultant McKinsey for advice on Europe’s biggest insurance deal this year, according to people familiar with the matter. McKinsey is set to earn tens of millions of Swiss francs from the …
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Viewpoint: US Life Reinsurance Driven by Insurers Seeking Growth, Capital Optimization

Strategic partnerships between re/insurers and alternative investment managers, the use of offshore platforms, and a fourth consecutive record year of annuity sales led to continued reinsurance growth in the U.S. in 2024. Fitch Ratings expects the prevalence of offshore reinsurance …
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2 Dead in New Jersey After Floodwaters Carry Away Vehicle During Northeast Downpours

Two people in New Jersey were killed after their vehicle was swept up in floodwaters during a storm that moved across the U.S. Northeast overnight, authorities said Tuesday. Gov. Phil Murphy, a Democrat, noted the deaths occurred in the northern …
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High Temperatures, Wildfire Smoke May Trigger Protections for Washington Workers

Worker safety regulators in Washington are warning businesses that temperatures and wildfire smoke are making for hazardous conditions for outdoor workers. The Washington State Department of Labor & Industries issued a notice to employers and workers about which weather conditions …
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Louisiana Insurers Must Disclose Prior Policy Premiums Under Controversial New Law

Under a new state law, Louisiana insurers will be required to give mandatory disclosure of prior policy premium when issuing a renewal policy to a policyholder. Louisiana Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple sent an advisory letter to insurers this week notifying …
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California Surplus Lines Take-up Soars as Brokers Work to Find Coverage for Clients

The best way to tell that the California homeowners insurance market has been a bear is to see where buyers facing higher rates and lack of options in traditional markets are going for alternatives. One choice is the surplus lines …
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State Farm Implements 27% Rate Increase for Illinois Homeowners

State Farm is implementing a significant rate hike for Illinois homeowners, citing more frequent severe weather events and rising home replacement costs that are driving up the cost and frequency of claims. The rate hike has drawn the ire of …
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Diageo Calls Tequila Purity Allegation ‘Baseless’ as Lawsuit Proceeds

Diageo on Monday filed an initial response to a lawsuit accusing the spirits giant of misleading U.S. consumers about the purity of some of its popular tequila brands, calling the claim “baseless.” The company, which also owns whisky brands such …
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