INSURANCE NEWS
Farm Bill Becomes Lightning Rod in Wisconsin Senate Race
MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Wisconsin Republican Senate candidate Eric Hovde has repeatedly defended his self-professed lack of knowledge about the U.S. farm bill in the campaign’s closing days, after first saying in a debate that he is “not an expert” …
AM Best Removes Under Review Status of Iowa’s Pharmacists Mutual
AM Best has removed from under review with negative implications and affirmed the Financial Strength Rating of A- (Excellent) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Ratings of “a-” (Excellent) of Pharmacists Mutual Insurance Company (PMIC) and its wholly owned reinsured subsidiary, …
House Explosion Near Dallas Kills 2
VAN ALSTYNE, Texas (AP) — Investigators suspect a propane leak caused an explosion that leveled a home and killed its two occupants in a community just north of Dallas early Monday morning. First responders received the call at 1:19 a.m. …
Spain Reports 62 Dead After One of Century’s Worst Storms
More than 60 people died as eastern Spain was hit by one of the worst storms in decades on Tuesday night. The storm is “one of the three strongest in the last century in the region of Valencia,” the Spanish …
Former North Carolina Volunteer Fire Chief Charged with Embezzling $155,300
A former volunteer fire chief in North Carolina has been charged with embezzling almost $155,300 from his department by falsifying time sheets. State Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey said in a statement that Brian Jason Edwards, 49, of Granite Falls, was …
UK’s Reeves Raises Employers’ National Insurance Contributions
Finance minister Rachel Reeves said on Wednesday she would raise employers’ social security contributions to 15% from April, a major revenue raiser for a budget the government hopes will kick-start moves to turn around a flagging economy. Britain’s Labour government …
Allstate, Roberto Clemente Agency Settle Racial Bias, Fraud Dispute
The son of the late Major League Baseball Hall of Famer Roberto Clemente and Allstate Insurance Co. have settled their disputes over Allstate’s cancellation of the Clemente Family Agency’s contract and allegations of racial bias. The parties have been in …
FTC Antitrust Merger Rules Issued After Rare, Bipartisan Compromise
A new US antitrust rule requiring companies to give the government more information on their mergers and acquisitions came with a surprise twist: The Federal Trade Commission passed it with a rare 5-0 vote. The agency’s two Republican commissioners, who …
Survey Shows California’s Insurance Crisis Is Impacting Home Sales
Realtors in California are reporting more difficulty selling homes because of the insurance crisis, according to a survey from the California Association of Realtors. The group surveyed its members and found 13% reported a home sale falling out of escrow …
Helene-Caused IV Fluid Shortage to Affect Surgeries for Weeks
Surgery schedules around the country may be washed out for several more weeks while a crucial IV and sterile fluids factory remains shut down for hurricane-related damage. People often plan non-emergency surgeries in the fall and early-winter months when their …
King Risk Partners Acquires Connecticut’s Suzio Insurance
Florida-based insurance broker King Risk Partners reports it has acquired Suzio Insurance Center, Inc., an independent insurance agency based in Meriden, Connecticut. Suzio Insurance Center was started in 1974 by the late Franklin Suzio and is currently headed by James …
Specialist Risk Group Acquires Bloodstock and Livestock Specialist Broker Stonehatch
Specialist Risk Group (SRG), the London-based insurance intermediary, announced the acquisition of Stonehatch, a leading specialist bloodstock and livestock insurance broker. Financial details of the transaction were not disclosed. Founded in 2014 by Chris Williamson, London-headquartered Stonehatch has built a …