Viewpoint: Driving Sustainable Underwriting Performance With Data and Discipline
International insurance markets are entering a new phase of the cycle. Rates have become increasingly competitive across the majority of businesses classes for some time, with recent market reports estimating that rates declined 4% in the fourth quarter of 2025 …
POSTED MARCH 19, 2026 7:39 AM |
EU Moves to Ban AI That Creates Nonconsensual Sexual Images
Artificial intelligence tools that can be used to create nonconsensual sexual images may be banned in the European Union, following outcry after users used Elon Musk’s Grok service to generate thousands of undressed pictures of women and children. The European …
POSTED MARCH 19, 2026 6:00 AM |
Countries Propose Safe Corridor to Free 20,000 Seafarers Stranded in Gulf
A proposal from the UN’s shipping agency on Wednesday calls for a safe maritime corridor to free some 20,000 seafarers stranded in the Gulf by war in Iran. Hundreds of vessels have dropped anchor since Tehran threatened to attack ships …
POSTED MARCH 19, 2026 5:47 AM |
US Vehicle Thefts Declined Nearly 25% Last Year: NICB
Prevention efforts are making a substantial dent in vehicle thefts across the nation, according to newly released data by the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB). The non-profit organization dedicated to preventing and combating insurance crime found that vehicle thefts declined …
POSTED MARCH 19, 2026 5:41 AM |
EU Sanctions Chinese and Iranian Companies for Cyberattacks
The European Union on Monday imposed sanctions against two China-based and one Iranian company for cyberattacks against EU member states. The EU listed China-based Integrity Technology Group and Anxun Information Technology, and Iranian company Emennet Pasargad. China’s foreign ministry said …
POSTED MARCH 19, 2026 5:29 AM |
Tesla Is Sued by Survivor of Deadly Cybertruck Crash
Tesla Inc. was sued by the sole survivor of a 2024 Cybertruck crash in California that killed three college students who were unable to escape the burning vehicle, the latest in a growing body of litigation faulting the automaker’s electrically …
POSTED MARCH 19, 2026 5:11 AM |
Florida’s Home Hardening Grant Plan is Massive, Popular—and Broken, Critics Say
Florida’s $833 million My Safe Florida Home mitigation program is as popular as ever, providing grants for homeowners to harden their homes and install new roofs. But it’s wasteful, is a tax-dollar giveaway, and has some glaring issues that do …
POSTED MARCH 19, 2026 5:01 AM |
Arizona Cardiology Group Paying $4.75M Over Unnecessary Vein Procedure Allegations
A cardiology business and three physicians in Arizona were ordered to pay $4.75 million to resolve allegations they performed medically unnecessary vein ablations. Tri-City Cardiology, P.C., a physician group based in the metro area of Phoenix, and three physicians, are …
POSTED MARCH 19, 2026 5:00 AM |
Does Workers’ Compensation Cover Injury Caused by Performing a ‘Common Courtesy’?
An employee has been awarded workers’ compensation benefits after being injured when performing a “common courtesy” even though her employer maintains what she did was outside the course and scope of her employment. The Virginia Workers’ Compensation Commission (VWCC) has …
POSTED MARCH 19, 2026 5:00 AM |
California Weighs Crackdown on Social Media for Kids Under 16
The home of the world’s highest-flying social media companies is considering a measure to clip their wings. A bipartisan bill in California would establish a minimum age requirement for social media accounts, curtailing the access of minors to platforms such …
POSTED MARCH 19, 2026 5:00 AM |
Viewpoint: AI Paradox in Cyber Insurance—When Fear Drives Markets More Than Reality
The cyber insurance market is experiencing a fascinating paradox. Small business owners are increasingly worried about AI. So much so that artificial intelligence has become the second biggest reason they’re buying cyber insurance. Yet these concerns aren’t actually shaking up …
POSTED MARCH 18, 2026 8:37 PM |
No Sprinklers in TN Explosives Plant Building Where Blast Killed 16, Investigators Say
A building where explosives were manufactured in Tennessee was not outfitted with a sprinkler system or fire protection system before a massive explosion killed 16 workers in October, the U.S. Chemical Safety Board said this week. It’s not clear if …
POSTED MARCH 18, 2026 4:56 PM |
AM Best Withdraws Credit Ratings of Texas’ Cadence Indemnity
AM Best has downgraded the Financial Strength Rating to B- (Fair) from B++ (Good) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating to “bb-” (Fair) from “bbb+” (Good) of Texas-domiciled Cadence Indemnity Inc, a single parent captive of The Sullivan Brothers Family …
POSTED MARCH 18, 2026 4:46 PM |
Iran War Could Raise Exposures for Global Terrorism, Political Violence Underwriters
The Iran war is likely to raise uncertainty in the global terrorism and political violence insurance markets, particularly in the United States and Europe, according to credit ratings agency Morningstar DBRS, in a commentary on the war. While the insurance …
POSTED MARCH 18, 2026 4:42 PM |
People Moves: Clyde & Co Tabs Mortimer to Lead Indiana Office; Old Republic Announces Senior Management Changes at BITCO
Global law firm Clyde & Co has announced the opening of a new office in Highland, Indiana, expanding its US footprint and further strengthening its North American trial and defense practice. The new office will be led by Renee Mortimer, …
POSTED MARCH 18, 2026 4:33 PM |
Amazon Delivery Service Company Settles Disability Discrimination Suit
ALM Freight, LLC, an Amazon delivery service company, agreed to pay $47,000 and LMDmax Corp., ALM’s employment agency, agreed to pay $60,000 to settle a disability discrimination lawsuit filed by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), the federal agency …
POSTED MARCH 18, 2026 4:20 PM |
Corpus Christi Water Emergency Could Be Two Months Away
Corpus Christi leaders on Tuesday unveiled new projections suggesting that the city could be just two months away from triggering emergency water measures. At a marathon city council meeting that stretched for 10 hours, Nick Winkelmann, interim chief operating officer …
POSTED MARCH 18, 2026 4:15 PM |
Florida Contractor Charged With Avoiding $1M in Workers’ Comp Premiums
Florida authorities have charged a contractor with underreporting payroll and avoiding more than $1 million in workers’ compensation insurance premiums. Jacques G. Denomme, of Port St. Lucie, was arrested in Martin County and released on bond earlier this month, after …
POSTED MARCH 18, 2026 3:33 PM |
Markets/Coverages: Marsh Risk Launches Facility for US Excess Casualty Capacity; CRC Specialty Enhances Insurisk to Meet Needs of Data Centers
Marsh Risk, a business of Marsh, announced the launch of BX1, a new Bermuda-domiciled insurance facility designed to provide US-based clients with an excess casualty insurance solution offering a unified block of $50 million capacity, placement certainty, and superior policy …
POSTED MARCH 18, 2026 3:26 PM |
Florida Lawmakers Vote to Drop Building Permits on Projects of $7,500 or Less
Legislation that would have waived building permits for jobs valued at up to $7,500 failed to pass the Florida House this year, but the key clause found its way into another bill that is now awaiting the governor’s signature. “A …
POSTED MARCH 18, 2026 2:44 PM |
Trump Again Vows to Block Wind Turbines During His Presidency
US President Donald Trump said he wanted to have no wind turbines built during his presidency, reiterating his distaste for the renewable energy source after his administration has made multiple moves to thwart its development. “I’m proudly telling you that …
POSTED MARCH 18, 2026 2:26 PM |
US Home Insurance Prices Set to Keep Rising With Severe Weather
US home insurance premiums are set to rise for a fifth straight year in 2026 as insurers grapple with losses from extreme weather and high rebuilding costs. The average annual premium is projected to increase 4% to about $3,057 this …
POSTED MARCH 18, 2026 2:15 PM |
Proscecutor Drops Charges Against Teen in Georgia Prank Gone Wrong
A Georgia prosecutor has decided to drop charges against a teenager who police say was driving the truck that struck and killed a beloved high school teacher when a prank turned deadly, the teen’s lawyer said. The victim’s family had …
POSTED MARCH 18, 2026 1:52 PM |
Iran Warns Gulf Nations of Major Response After Gas Field Strike
Iran warned countries around the Persian Gulf that a number of energy assets are now “legitimate targets” after Israel attacked its giant South Pars gas field, sending further shockwaves through oil and gas markets. Facilities in Qatar, Saudi Arabia and …
POSTED MARCH 18, 2026 1:49 PM |
Rikers Island Corrections Officer Cops to Falsifying Workers’ Compensation Claims
A corrections officer at the Rikers Island jail complex pled guilty yesterday to receiving more than $370,000 in workers’ compensation benefits based on fake injury claims, according to federal prosecutors. U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York Jay …
POSTED MARCH 18, 2026 12:31 PM |