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 Potentially Raises Exposures for 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 |
Greek Firms Scan Computer Systems as Iran War Raises Cyberattack Risks, Sources Say
Greek shipowners and other companies are scanning their computer systems for evidence of cyberattacks after advice from the National Cybersecurity Authority, two sources said on Wednesday following incidents that have been linked to the Iran war. The authority last week …
POSTED MARCH 18, 2026 11:57 AM |
JD Power: Homeowners Claims Satisfaction Rises as Repair Times Improve
A combination of faster repair and payment cycle times, along with enhanced digital capabilities, has helped drive significant improvements in the overall customer experience with the property claims process in the United States. JD Power reported those findings while announcing …
POSTED MARCH 18, 2026 9:29 AM |
Gulf Banks Face $307 Billion Deposit Flight Risk if War Worsens, S&P Says
Gulf banks could face domestic deposit outflows of $307 billion if the Middle East conflict deepens, S&P Global Ratings said. An S&P report said it had seen no evidence of major outflows of foreign or local funding from banks in …
POSTED MARCH 18, 2026 5:30 AM |
Iran War Cost Spike Straining Farmers Ahead of Midterm Elections
US farmers, long one of Donald Trump’s most loyal constituencies, are increasingly worried by the Iran war as soaring fertilizer and fuel prices hammer them just as they are about to start planting crops for the year. “Is the war …
POSTED MARCH 18, 2026 5:23 AM |
SEC’s Top Cop Resigns After Just Six Months on the Job
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s enforcement director has resigned just over six months after she started on the job, the SEC said on Monday, a sudden departure for an agency that has changed dramatically under Republican leaders. Former military …
POSTED MARCH 18, 2026 5:11 AM |
Onex CEO Le Blanc Channels Buffett With Big Bet on Insurance
Onex Corp. made a big bet on an insurance startup, and it didn’t take long for the losses to mount. First there was the pandemic, then a deep freeze in Texas. In 2022, Hurricane Ian ripped across the Caribbean and …
POSTED MARCH 18, 2026 5:05 AM |
Germany Seeks Doubling of AI Data Centers by 2030
Germany plans to encourage investments in data centers to at least double domestic capacity and to boost artificial intelligence data processing at least fourfold by 2030, the government said on Tuesday. In a bid to catch up with the dominant …
POSTED MARCH 18, 2026 5:04 AM |
Hormuz Reopening Looks Unlikely Without a Ceasefire in Iran War
US President Donald Trump is desperate to reopen the Strait of Hormuz to ease a growing global energy crisis. He won’t achieve that easily without a ceasefire in the war on Iran. Iran’s sporadic attacks on vessels and the threat …
POSTED MARCH 18, 2026 5:02 AM |
Major Offshore Wind Farm Trump Tried to Halt Finishes Construction
Construction is finished on a major Massachusetts offshore wind farm, the first project to reach this stage during President Donald Trump’s time in office. Offshore construction was completed Friday night on Vineyard Wind with the installation of the final blades, …
POSTED MARCH 18, 2026 5:00 AM |
LA County Metro Buses Will Warn Against Workers’ Comp Fraud
Los Angeles County buses will soon be large, rolling warnings against workers’ compensation fraud. L.A. County District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman announced the launch of a countywide LA Metro bus advertisement campaign in which buses will bear warnings that lying …
POSTED MARCH 18, 2026 5:00 AM |