Insurance Journal » Iowa http://www.insurancejournal.com Insurance Journal delivers the latest business news for the Property/Casualty insurance industry Mon, 20 May 2013 03:45:23 +0000 en-US hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.5.1 Cap Forces Judge to Slash Landmark $240M EEOC Verdict to $1.6M http://www.insurancejournal.com/news/midwest/2013/05/16/292264.htm Thu, 16 May 2013 16:26:18 +0000 http://www.insurancejournal.com/?p=292264 A judge has slashed a landmark $240 million verdict to $1.6 million for 32 mentally disabled workers in Iowa who suffered years of abuse by their caretakers. U.S. Senior Judge Charles Wolle entered judgment against Henry’s Turkey Service of Goldthwaite, …

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]]> Economic Survey Index: Growth Slows in Midwest, Plains States http://www.insurancejournal.com/news/midwest/2013/05/02/290664.htm Thu, 02 May 2013 16:42:53 +0000 http://www.insurancejournal.com/?p=290664 A monthly economic survey index for nine Midwest and Plains states dipped for the second consecutive month in April, but the survey’s organizer said the index indicates slow growth for the region in the coming three to six months. The …

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]]> Rain Prompts Flood Worries in Missouri, Illinois, Iowa http://www.insurancejournal.com/news/midwest/2013/04/18/289127.htm Fri, 19 Apr 2013 02:27:18 +0000 http://www.insurancejournal.com/?p=289127 The Mississippi River, so low for much of the winter that barge traffic was nearly halted, could reach up to 10 feet above flood stage by the middle of next week in parts of Iowa, Illinois and Missouri, National Weather …

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]]> Iowa Lawmakers Say State Could Pay for Flooded Homes http://www.insurancejournal.com/news/midwest/2013/04/17/288711.htm Wed, 17 Apr 2013 16:25:17 +0000 http://www.insurancejournal.com/?p=288711 Some lawmakers say a bill recently passed by the Legislature could leave taxpayers vulnerable if future flooding damages homes surrounding a lake in eastern Iowa. The measure exempts Lake Delhi along the Maquoketa River from a requirement that owners of …

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]]> Missouri Grocery Chain: 2.4 Million Credit, Debit Cards at Risk http://www.insurancejournal.com/news/midwest/2013/04/16/288566.htm Tue, 16 Apr 2013 16:25:44 +0000 http://www.insurancejournal.com/?p=288566 Up to 2.4 million credit cards and debit cards used by customers at Schnucks grocery stores in four states may have been compromised over a three-month period, the suburban St. Louis chain said. Schnucks Markets Inc. for the first time …

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]]> Iowa Hospital Close to Finalizing $2M Bias Lawsuit http://www.insurancejournal.com/news/midwest/2013/04/11/288145.htm Thu, 11 Apr 2013 16:47:07 +0000 http://www.insurancejournal.com/?p=288145 A Waterloo, Iowa, hospital is close to finalizing a $2 million class-action lawsuit that compensates African-Americans who say they were denied jobs and promotions because of their race. Allen Hospital will pay 35 individuals a total of about $1 million …

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]]> South Dakota Firm Barred From Insurance Price-Negotiating http://www.insurancejournal.com/news/midwest/2013/04/11/288134.htm Thu, 11 Apr 2013 16:42:15 +0000 http://www.insurancejournal.com/?p=288134 A company run by a South Dakota state lawmaker that negotiates contracts between chiropractors and insurance companies has agreed to discontinue that portion of its business after federal regulators said it violated antitrust rules. The Justice Department accused Chiropractic Associates …

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]]> Tyson Agrees to $4M Penalty to Resolve EPA Case http://www.insurancejournal.com/news/midwest/2013/04/08/287574.htm Mon, 08 Apr 2013 16:09:57 +0000 http://www.insurancejournal.com/?p=287574 Tyson Foods Inc. will pay roughly $4 million in civil penalties to settle allegations related to eight accidental anhydrous ammonia releases in Midwest states that caused multiple injuries and one death over four years, the U.S. government and the company …

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]]> GEICO to 100 Hire New Employees in Iowa http://www.insurancejournal.com/news/midwest/2013/04/03/287069.htm Wed, 03 Apr 2013 16:42:37 +0000 http://www.insurancejournal.com/?p=287069 GEICO’s Coralville, Iowa, office plans to hire more than 100 new associates by July of this year, the direct-to-consumer insurance company announced. The new associates will fill positions in sales and customer service. Qualified job seekers are encouraged to apply …

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]]> Survey Shows Growth in Midwest Economy http://www.insurancejournal.com/news/midwest/2013/04/03/287025.htm Wed, 03 Apr 2013 15:46:14 +0000 http://www.insurancejournal.com/?p=287025 A monthly economic survey index for nine Midwest and Plains states jumped last month, suggesting improving economic growth for the region over the next three to six months. The Mid-America Business Conditions index hit 58.2 in March, compared with 53.1 …

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]]> Iowa County Settles Lawsuits Over Strip Searches http://www.insurancejournal.com/news/midwest/2013/03/15/284922.htm Fri, 15 Mar 2013 16:46:24 +0000 http://www.insurancejournal.com/?p=284922 Woodbury County officials in northwest Iowa have decided to pay three women a total of $385,000 to settle their lawsuits over strip searches at the county jail. Woodbury County Board Chairman Larry Clausen said the board settled rather than risk …

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]]> Des Moines, Iowa to Test Cameras in City Vehicles http://www.insurancejournal.com/news/midwest/2013/03/13/284605.htm Wed, 13 Mar 2013 16:49:45 +0000 http://www.insurancejournal.com/?p=284605 The city of Des Moines, Iowa, will be installing surveillance cameras in 125 city vehicles to test whether the technology can hold employees accountable for their driving and reduce the number of accidents. The pilot project is scheduled to begin …

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]]> Court: Iowa Farmers Who Host Tours Can Be Liable http://www.insurancejournal.com/news/midwest/2013/02/19/281736.htm Tue, 19 Feb 2013 17:04:46 +0000 http://www.insurancejournal.com/?p=281736 Farmers who host educational tours for the public are not shielded from personal injury lawsuits under a law meant to promote recreation on private lands, the Iowa Supreme Court ruled. The owners of a dairy farm in northeast Iowa can …

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]]> Iowa House Approves Bill to Limit Sledding Suits http://www.insurancejournal.com/news/midwest/2013/02/19/281476.htm Tue, 19 Feb 2013 06:24:52 +0000 http://www.insurancejournal.com/?p=281476 Lawmakers in the Iowa House have approved a bill designed to limit municipal liability if someone is injured sledding on city property. The measure was approved 55-45 on Fe. 13. It was sponsored by Republican Rep. Chip Baltimore. It wouldn’t …

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]]> Grants Will Pay for Thousands of Smoke Alarms in Iowa http://www.insurancejournal.com/news/midwest/2013/02/13/281148.htm Wed, 13 Feb 2013 16:44:52 +0000 http://www.insurancejournal.com/?p=281148 The state fire marshal plans to join with firefighters from around Iowa to announce two grants totaling nearly $300,000 that will fund the purchase and installation of smoke alarms. State Fire Marshal Ray Reynolds will announce the $245,000 federal smoke …

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]]> Foley Named New Board Member at Holmes Murphy & Associates http://www.insurancejournal.com/news/midwest/2013/01/07/276222.htm Mon, 07 Jan 2013 06:19:44 +0000 http://www.insurancejournal.com/?p=276222 Iowa-based independent broker Holmes Murphy & Associates has named Mike Foley, a senior vice president and shareholder of the company, as its newest board member. During his more than 25 years at Holmes Murphy, Foley has contributed to the success …

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]]> Arthur J. Gallagher Acquires Ahrold Fay Rosenberg of Iowa http://www.insurancejournal.com/news/midwest/2012/12/26/275210.htm Wed, 26 Dec 2012 20:09:23 +0000 http://www.insurancejournal.com/?p=275210 Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. acquired Ahrold Fay Rosenberg in Des Moines, Iowa. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. Ahrold Fay Rosenberg is a retail insurance broker providing retail property/casualty, employee benefits and risk management insurance services as well …

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]]> Issuer Credit Ratings of Grinnell Mutual Reinsurance Co. Downgraded http://www.insurancejournal.com/news/midwest/2012/12/20/274735.htm Thu, 20 Dec 2012 06:23:00 +0000 http://www.insurancejournal.com/?p=274735 A.M. Best Co. has downgraded the issuer credit ratings (ICR) to “a” from “a+” and affirmed the financial strength rating (FSR) of A (Excellent) of Grinnell Mutual Reinsurance Co. (Grinnell) and its subsidiary, Grinnell Select Insurance Co. Both are headquartered …

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]]> SIAA Adds 7 Midwest Agencies in November http://www.insurancejournal.com/news/midwest/2012/12/10/273093.htm Mon, 10 Dec 2012 06:55:52 +0000 http://www.insurancejournal.com/?p=273093 The Strategic Insurance Agency Alliance (SIAA) announced it signed seven additional members in Midwest states in November. They are: The Robertson Company of Muncie, Ind. Burcham Insurance Agency of Cleveland, Ohio Paisano Insurance of Omaha, Neb. Maschoff Insurance Agency of …

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]]> Platinum Supplemental Insurance Creates Worksite Division, Adds Director http://www.insurancejournal.com/news/midwest/2012/12/07/273105.htm Fri, 07 Dec 2012 06:34:42 +0000 http://www.insurancejournal.com/?p=273105 Platinum Supplemental Insurance has introduced a Worksite Division and added Duane Frick of Dubuque, Iowa, as director of worksite development. The new division is designed specifically to help employers add voluntary supplemental insurance to their benefit packages. The launch of …

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]]> More than 90,000 Iowa Residents Hit by Data Breach http://www.insurancejournal.com/news/midwest/2012/12/06/273007.htm Thu, 06 Dec 2012 16:37:39 +0000 http://www.insurancejournal.com/?p=273007 Iowa officials say more than 90,000 residents in the state have been affected by a nationwide insurance breach that’s impacted more than a million people. Iowa Attorney General Tom Miller on Dec. 4 announced the data breach’s effect on the …

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]]> Iowa Fire Officials Change Policy on Flood Zone Fires http://www.insurancejournal.com/news/midwest/2012/12/05/272829.htm Wed, 05 Dec 2012 17:26:21 +0000 http://www.insurancejournal.com/?p=272829 Fire officials in Cedar Rapids say they have a different policy for battling fires at buildings vacated by the city’s historic 2008 floods. The Gazette reports Cedar Rapids Fire Department spokesman Greg Buelow says firefighters are expected to keep fires …

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]]> Cedar Falls, Iowa, Cuts Worker Hours to Avoid Health Insurance http://www.insurancejournal.com/news/midwest/2012/11/29/272199.htm Thu, 29 Nov 2012 17:25:04 +0000 http://www.insurancejournal.com/?p=272199 Officials in Cedar Falls, Iowa, plan to reduce dozens of part-time public employees’ hours in order to avoid having to offer them insurance under a requirement of the federal health care overhaul set to take effect in 2014. Cedar Falls …

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]]> Iowa Commissioner Approves Workers’ Comp Rate Hikes http://www.insurancejournal.com/news/midwest/2012/11/08/269952.htm Thu, 08 Nov 2012 16:34:22 +0000 http://www.insurancejournal.com/?p=269952 Iowa’s top insurance regulator has approved a rate filing that increases workers’ compensation premium rates in that state beginning Jan. 1, 2013. Iowa Insurance Commissioner Susan Voss on Nov. 6 issued an order approving an Aug. 9 rate filing submitted …

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]]> Corn Crop Insurance Payout up to $7.50 Per Bushel http://www.insurancejournal.com/news/midwest/2012/11/05/269285.htm Mon, 05 Nov 2012 06:25:04 +0000 http://www.insurancejournal.com/?p=269285 Corn farmers who chose to pay more to insure their crops at harvest prices have gotten some welcome news from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Farmers who bought the more expensive crop insurance option last spring will earn $7.50 per …

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]]> Midwest Farmers Planted Most of Land Flooded in 2011 http://www.insurancejournal.com/news/midwest/2012/10/22/267484.htm Mon, 22 Oct 2012 16:38:59 +0000 http://www.insurancejournal.com/?p=267484 Farmers this spring were able to plant all but a few thousand acres of the land deluged by last year’s flooding along on the Missouri River and the intentional breaching of a Mississippi River levee in southeast Missouri, U.S. Department …

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]]> Iowa on Pace for Slowest Tornado Year in 5 Decades http://www.insurancejournal.com/news/midwest/2012/10/17/266896.htm Wed, 17 Oct 2012 15:51:52 +0000 http://www.insurancejournal.com/?p=266896 Iowa is on pace to see its least active tornado season in nearly 50 years, thanks to the drought. There have been only 16 recorded tornadoes this year, the fewest since 1963, according to State Climatologist Harry Hillaker. Hillaker told …

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]]> Iowa Judge: Texas Firm Must Pay Disabled Workers $1.4M http://www.insurancejournal.com/news/midwest/2012/09/20/263816.htm Thu, 20 Sep 2012 16:33:00 +0000 http://www.insurancejournal.com/?p=263816 A Texas company that profited for decades by supplying mentally disabled workers to an Iowa turkey plant at wages of 41 cents per hour must pay the men $1.37 million in back wages, a federal judge has ruled. The judgment …

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]]> US Bank: Lawsuit in Iowa Fraud Scandal ‘Without Merit’ http://www.insurancejournal.com/news/midwest/2012/09/19/263508.htm Wed, 19 Sep 2012 16:31:27 +0000 http://www.insurancejournal.com/?p=263508 US Bank is rejecting allegations in a lawsuit that claims one of its employees helped Peregrine Financial Group CEO Russ Wasendorf Sr. mislead regulators about his misuse of customer funds. Wasendorf, the founder of the Iowa brokerage, has signed a …

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]]> Feds Appeal Ruling That Would Free Peregrine CEO http://www.insurancejournal.com/news/midwest/2012/09/18/263395.htm Tue, 18 Sep 2012 16:14:34 +0000 http://www.insurancejournal.com/?p=263395 Federal prosecutors have appealed a judge’s order that would free a disgraced U.S. businessman while he awaits sentencing for a $200 million fraud scheme at his brokerage. The U.S. Attorney’s Office in Cedar Rapids filed paperwork asking Chief Judge Linda …

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