Latest News & Insights

People Moves: Markel Taps Talbot’s O’Donoghue to Lead Fine Art & Specie for London; Aon’s Global ReSpecialty Team Promotes Mitchell, Hires Floodflash’s Rimmer

This edition of International People Moves details appointments at Markel and Aon. A summary of these new hires follows here. Markel Taps Talbot’s O’Donoghue to Lead Fine Art & Specie for London Operations Markel Insurance, the insurance operation within Markel …

Gov. Newsom Issues Executive Order to Prep Workers, Businesses for AI Disruption

California Gov. Gavin Newsom issued an executive order to attempt to deal with the impacts of artificial intelligence on workers and businesses. Related: Acrisure to Cut 2,250 Employees, Citing Advances in Technology and AI The order directs the state to …

Delay in Calling Police Does Not Wreck UM Claim, WV Supreme Court Says

A West Virginia uninsured motorist policy specified that the policyholder must report an accident to police within 24 hours. But that’s not enough to negate a claim, the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals decided this week. The West Virginia …

Acrisure to Cut 2,250 Employees, Citing Advances in Technology and AI

Acrisure’s CEO told employees that about 2,250 of them won’t be with the company by the end of 2027. The Grand Rapids, Michigan-based global broker is planning to reduce its headcount by about 11%, mostly in the U.S., said a …

These Homeowners Got an Energy-Bill Lifeline. Trump Yanked It Back

In late 2024, Gretchen Holloway was approved for a new federally funded program that promised to cut her $900 utility bills by helping repair her nearly century-old home. For years, the retired teacher in Valley, Alabama, had been trying to …

OSHA Has 6 Inspectors for 60,000 West Virginia Workplaces

When two workers died last month in a violent chemical reaction at Ames Goldsmith Catalyst Refiners near Charleston, federal records showed the facility had previously been cited for safety violations in 2018. But that doesn’t mean inspectors had regularly checked …

New York Issues Cybersecurity Tips for a ‘Heightened Threat’ Climate With AI

Citing a need for the financial services industry to be prepared for increased cybersecurity threats, New York’s regulator has issued new guidance. The guidance from the New York State Department of Financial Services (DFS) identifies risk management and compliance efforts …

Judge Refuses to Delay Civil Trial Over Fatal Baltimore Bridge Collapse

A federal judge on Wednesday refused to postpone a trial that is scheduled to start next month for civil claims stemming from the 2024 collapse of Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge, rejecting a request for a delay by companies involved …

US P/C Insurers Post Biggest Q1 Underwriting Profit in 25 Years

The U.S. property/casualty insurance industry posted another record in the first quarter of 2026, with a combined ratio of 89.5—before policyholder dividends—standing as the best first-quarter underwriting result in at least 25 years. The insight comes from S&P Global Market …

Vermonters to Vote on Equal Protection Amendment to State Constitution

Vermont voters will have the chance to weigh in on another amendment to the state’s constitution this fall. The proposal, which got a final sign-off from the House last Wednesday, is aimed at ensuring all people are treated equally under …

Ebola Outbreak Likely Started Months Ago, Spread Undetected: WHO

The Ebola outbreak probably started months ago in central Africa and spread undetected until a super-spreader event in early May, possibly a funeral, World Health Organization officials said. The rare Bundibugyo strain circulated for “a couple months” before being identified …

Satellite Images Show Persian Gulf Oil Slicks Growing During War

Ecologists are concerned that the war in the Middle East risks creating an environmental disaster, as satellite images show that the number of oil slicks in the Persian Gulf has increased significantly since the beginning of the conflict in the …

Shell in Top Dutch Court Fight Over Call to Slash Emissions

Shell Plc is facing off with climate activists at the top Dutch court over demands for legally enforceable emissions cuts on Europe’s biggest oil and gas company. The Netherlands branch of Friends of the Earth, Milieudefensie, is try to convince …

Ohio Man Sentenced for Causing $860K in Computer Fraud Losses

A 36-year-old Ohio man has been sentenced for computer fraud after causing more than $860,000 in losses, Acting U.S. Attorney John G.E. Marck announced. Maxwell Schultz, Columbus, Ohio, pleaded guilty Nov. 18, 2025. Senior U.S. District Judge Lee H. Rosenthal …

People Moves; Church Mutual Names Kim as CFO, Promotes Schmeltzer to VP of Underwriting, Religious Markets

Church Mutual announced several leadership appointments to support its continued growth and operational focus. The company announced Daniel Kim has joined the company as senior vice president and chief financial officer, reporting to president and CEO Alan Ogilvie. Kim brings …

US Finalizes Easement for Dakota Access Crude Oil Pipeline

The US Army Corps of Engineers finalized an easement for a stretch of the Dakota Access pipeline that passes under a North Dakota lake, ending a years-long environmental review of the hotly contested oil conduit. The record of decision issued …

Rainy April Delays Corpus Christi’s Projected Water Crisis by 3 Months

A projection for when Corpus Christi expects to reach a water crisis was pushed back by three months after a wet April brought enough rain to delay an emergency but too little to quench a brutal drought. The city was …

Arkansas Lawsuit Alleges Discrimination by White Nationalist Group in Land Sale

A real estate broker says an organization denied her the opportunity to purchase land in an Arkansas development because of her Jewish ancestry, and because she has a Black husband and biracial children, according to a lawsuit filed Wednesday in …

People Moves: Howden Names Jimenez Leader of US Aviation Practice; Liberty Promotes Hyatt to Head NA Distribution, Client Engagement

Howden, the global insurance broking group, launched its new U.S. Aviation Practice, led by Julio Jimenez, aviation practice leader. Jimenez is a seasoned leader whose ability to build and inspire teams is matched by his experience and expertise across the …

Markets/Coverages: Canopius Insures Cyber-Triggered Spoilage of Perishable Stock

Canopius Group, the London-based specialty and property/casualty re/insurer, announced the launch of a spoilage product, a cyber-triggered spoilage cover designed to protect businesses when a cyber incident renders their perishable stock unsellable. When cyber incidents impact the systems that manage …

Airbus, Air France Found Guilty of Manslaughter Over 2009 Atlantic Crash

A French appeals court found Airbus and Air France guilty of corporate manslaughter on Thursday over the Rio-Paris plane crash, but a 17-year legal battle over the country’s worst aviation disaster is set to continue. “Justice has absolutely been done,” …

Meta Settles First Case Over School Costs Tied to Youth Mental Health: Court Filing

Meta Platforms on May 21 settled the first case set for trial seeking to make social media companies cover the costs that school districts say they have incurred to combat a mental health crisis allegedly fueled by platforms. The agreement …

Shareholders Press Big Tech Over AI Energy Use and Climate Goals

Activist investors are pushing technology companies to explain how they’re reconciling surging electricity demand for AI with their climate commitments. Shareholders at Amazon.com Inc. voted on a proposal asking the firm to disclose more information. Voting is open for shareholders …

Reaction Muted After Former Staffer Details Texts From NC Insurance Commissioner

Reaction to allegations that North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey sent suggestive texts to a staff member over several years has been muted. Causey declined to comment to Insurance Journal a day after the Raleigh News & Observer reported that …

People Moves: Commissioner Kuderer to Chair NAIC’s Child Care Insurance Group

Washington Insurance Commissioner Patty Kuderer has been selected to chair the National Association of Insurance Commissioners’ new Child Care Insurance Working Group. The new working group will explore possible solutions and make recommendations for state insurance regulators to use with …

What to Know About Midair Collision Between Navy Jets at Idaho Air Show

After the two Navy jets collided in midair, the planes sandwiched together, all four crew members were able to eject and deploy their parachutes, floating down to safety as the aircraft careened into a field, exploding into a fireball. The …

‘Decisive Sign of a Softened Market’: Premiums Decrease Across All Accounts

For the first time since the third quarter 2017, respondents to a recent quarterly survey said average premiums decreased across all account sizes. During the first three months of 2026, The Council of Insurance Agents & Brokers (CIAB)’s market survey …

One of World’s Largest Energy Storage Plants Launches in South Dakota

This small city in rural northeastern South Dakota has established itself as an energy hub for the entire Great Plains region, and that reputation has received a big boost by landing what will be among the world’s largest energy storage …

Markets/Coverages: MGA Rokstone Launches Cargo Stock-Only Cover for Inventory Risk

Rokstone, the international specialty re/insurance MGA, announced the launch of a cargo stock-only program, supported by US$25 million of capacity, to support brokers and their clients with smarter, more flexible coverage and competitive premiums. One of just a handful of …

AM Best Revises Outlooks to Stable for Missouri Valley Mutual

AM Best has revised the outlooks to stable from negative and affirmed the Financial Strength Rating of B+ (Good) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating of “bbb-” (Good) of Missouri Valley Mutual Insurance Company (MVMIC) based in Burke, South Dakota. …