Insurance Journal » Massachusetts http://www.insurancejournal.com Insurance Journal delivers the latest business news for the Property/Casualty insurance industry Wed, 19 Jun 2013 01:12:38 +0000 en-US hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.5.1 PURE Introduces Auto Insurance Option to Massachusetts Drivers http://www.insurancejournal.com/news/east/2013/05/21/292820.htm Tue, 21 May 2013 16:40:38 +0000 http://www.insurancejournal.com/?p=292820 Privilege Underwriters Reciprocal Exchange (PURE), the policyholder-owned property/casualty insurer that exclusively caters to high net worth individuals and families, will begin offering automobile insurance to its membership in Massachusetts. PURE began insuring fine homes, jewelry and art collections, excess liability …

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]]> D.C. Council Holds Hearing on Gun Owner Insurance Proposal http://www.insurancejournal.com/news/east/2013/05/17/292505.htm Fri, 17 May 2013 16:58:46 +0000 http://www.insurancejournal.com/?p=292505 The Council of the District of Columbia held a public hearing Thursday that weighed in on a recent proposal to require liability insurance for all gun owners in Washington, D.C. The bill 20-170, “Firearm Insurance Amendment Act of 2013,” was …

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]]> Gun Liability Insurance Measures Facing Uphill Battle in State Legislatures http://www.insurancejournal.com/news/national/2013/04/12/287975.htm Fri, 12 Apr 2013 05:10:27 +0000 http://www.insurancejournal.com/?p=287975 While lawmakers in most states have introduced measures in their current legislative sessions that address gun control and gun liability issues, their approaches vary widely, largely depending on the area of the country in which their states are located. Legislation …

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]]> Mass. Motorcyclists to Get $2.8M Refunds From Encompass, Amica Mutual http://www.insurancejournal.com/news/east/2012/12/04/272682.htm Tue, 04 Dec 2012 17:15:17 +0000 http://www.insurancejournal.com/?p=272682 Massachusetts motorcycle owners will receive more than $2.8 million in insurance refunds as a result of settlements with two insurance companies that allegedly overcharged thousands of policyholders, according to authorities. The settlement was announced today by Massachusetts Attorney General Martha …

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]]> U.S. Judge Allows Civil Suits in Meningitis Outbreak to Proceed http://www.insurancejournal.com/news/east/2012/11/30/272325.htm Fri, 30 Nov 2012 14:41:42 +0000 http://www.insurancejournal.com/?p=272325 A federal judge in Boston on Wednesday allowed civil suits against the pharmacy at the heart of the deadly U.S. meningitis outbreak to proceed and noted that any criminal case would have priority in gathering evidence.U.S. District Judge Dennis Saylor …

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]]> Mass. Independent Agents Have Over $1B Impact on State Economy: Report http://www.insurancejournal.com/news/east/2012/11/19/271104.htm Mon, 19 Nov 2012 17:59:23 +0000 http://www.insurancejournal.com/?p=271104 Five years ago, Massachusetts introduced its “managed competition” program — and since then, there has been an influx of direct writing and direct response companies coming into Massachusetts and competing with independent insurance agencies. But despite the challenge, independent insurance …

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]]> How to Catch Texting Drivers? Conn., Mass. Get $550K Grant to Find Ways http://www.insurancejournal.com/news/east/2012/10/24/267881.htm Wed, 24 Oct 2012 18:25:37 +0000 http://www.insurancejournal.com/?p=267881 The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), part of the U.S. Transportation Department, said this month it is providing $550,000 to Connecticut and Massachusetts to help them devise anti-texting enforcement techniques and programs. Each state will receive $275,000 to develop …

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]]> Ads for Mass. Senate Hopeful Warren Defend Legal Work in Asbestos Case http://www.insurancejournal.com/news/east/2012/10/10/266206.htm Wed, 10 Oct 2012 17:06:58 +0000 http://www.insurancejournal.com/?p=266206 Democratic Senate hopeful Elizabeth Warren has launched two new television ads responding to criticism by Republican Sen. Scott Brown of her legal work in an asbestos-related case. Brown also released a new ad Monday, faulting Warren’s tax proposals. Warren’s ads …

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]]> WC Billing Company to Pay $1M for Alleged Overcharges in Massachusetts http://www.insurancejournal.com/news/east/2012/10/05/265718.htm Fri, 05 Oct 2012 16:59:47 +0000 http://www.insurancejournal.com/?p=265718 A workers’ comp pharmacy billing company has agreed to pay restitution after allegedly overcharging Massachusetts and a number of cities and towns within the state for prescription drugs through the workers’ comp insurance system. StoneRiver Pharmacy Solutions Inc. has agreed …

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]]> Allstate Agents Returning to Massachusetts After 25 Years http://www.insurancejournal.com/news/east/2012/10/05/265682.htm Fri, 05 Oct 2012 16:26:59 +0000 http://www.insurancejournal.com/?p=265682 Allstate Insurance Co. is reopening brick-and-mortar offices in Massachusetts after a quarter century of absence. Back in 1987, the Northbrook, Ill.-headquartered Allstate closed its offices in Massachusetts and pulled out of the market, citing the state’s strict regulation of auto …

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]]> The City of Northampton, Mass., Faces Steep Flood Control Bill http://www.insurancejournal.com/news/east/2012/10/02/265078.htm Tue, 02 Oct 2012 16:58:50 +0000 http://www.insurancejournal.com/?p=265078 The city of Northampton, in Massachusetts, is facing an $800,000 bill to upgrade and maintain its storm water and flood control systems to comply with federal regulations. And that may just be the tip of the iceberg. City officials last …

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]]> Massachusetts Court Rules on Scope of Independent Contractor Exclusion http://www.insurancejournal.com/news/east/2012/09/25/264328.htm Tue, 25 Sep 2012 19:32:05 +0000 http://www.insurancejournal.com/?p=264328 A Massachusetts court recently ruled in favor of insurer Lloyd’s in a dispute over a commercial property and general liability policy excluding coverage for independent contractors. The insured, a property development firm called Cable Mills LLC, and its insurance agency …

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]]> Met P&C to Pay $345K in Restitution to Massachusetts Consumers http://www.insurancejournal.com/news/east/2012/09/24/264082.htm Mon, 24 Sep 2012 16:07:59 +0000 http://www.insurancejournal.com/?p=264082 An auto insurance company will pay close to $345,000 in restitution to Massachusetts consumers and an additional $50,000 to the state as the result of an investigation alleging that policyholders with clean driving records were subject to improper non-renewal. Massachusetts …

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]]> Liberty Mutual Inducted Into NAMIC’s ‘Century Club’ http://www.insurancejournal.com/news/east/2012/09/18/263418.htm Tue, 18 Sep 2012 16:58:58 +0000 http://www.insurancejournal.com/?p=263418 Liberty Mutual Insurance of Boston, Mass., which was founded in 1912, is joining the National Association of Mutual Insurance Companies’ (NAMIC) “Century Club” in recognition of 100 years of serving their policyholders. Liberty Mutual got its start 100 years ago …

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]]> Mass. Woman Charged With 46 Counts of Motor Vehicle Insurance Fraud http://www.insurancejournal.com/news/east/2012/09/17/263306.htm Mon, 17 Sep 2012 17:13:47 +0000 http://www.insurancejournal.com/?p=263306 A Rockland, Mass., woman has been indicted in connection with a scheme to fraudulently collect insurance payments of more than $28,000. The Massachusetts attorney general’s office announced last Friday that Olga O’Connor Rich, 41, has been charged with motor vehicle …

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]]> New Massachusetts Fire Safety Rule Takes Effect http://www.insurancejournal.com/news/east/2012/09/06/262113.htm Thu, 06 Sep 2012 16:43:35 +0000 http://www.insurancejournal.com/?p=262113 A new fire safety rule is taking effect in Massachusetts.State Fire Marshal Stephen Coan says that, starting September, there’s a ban on wood landscaping mulch within 18 inches of the base of wood- or vinyl-sided buildings. Small residential buildings with …

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]]> Massachusetts Strikes Down 18.8% Workers’ Comp Rate Hike Proposal http://www.insurancejournal.com/news/east/2012/08/31/261440.htm Fri, 31 Aug 2012 16:40:04 +0000 Young Ha http://www.insurancejournal.com/?p=261440 Massachusetts Division of Insurance announced Thursday that it has rejected a request to raise the state’s workers’ compensation rates by 18.8 percent.Massachusetts regulators’ decision to strike down the request and keep the rates unchanged came after a five-month public comment …

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]]> Mass. Embraces ‘Disclosure, Apology, Offer’ Approach for Med Mal Cases http://www.insurancejournal.com/news/east/2012/08/07/258509.htm Tue, 07 Aug 2012 16:22:05 +0000 http://www.insurancejournal.com/?p=258509 A newly enacted law in Massachusetts will adopt the “Disclosure, Apology, and Offer” approach to help resolve malpractice cases. The healthcare cost control bill — recently passed by the Massachusetts legislature and signed by Gov. Deval Patrick on August 6 …

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]]> Mass. Healthcare Cost Containment Measure Aims to Save Up to $200B http://www.insurancejournal.com/news/east/2012/08/02/258043.htm Thu, 02 Aug 2012 14:50:11 +0000 http://www.insurancejournal.com/?p=258043 Massachusetts lawmakers have given final approval to a bill designed to save up to $200 billion in health care costs over the next 15 years. Legislative leaders say the bill will help guarantee the future of the state’s landmark health …

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]]> Mass. Regulators Offer Advice to Drivers Who Are at Fault in Accidents http://www.insurancejournal.com/news/east/2012/08/01/257967.htm Wed, 01 Aug 2012 19:20:26 +0000 http://www.insurancejournal.com/?p=257967 The Massachusetts Division of Insurance recently published a guideline for drivers who are found to be at fault in an auto accident.The guideline, in a frequently-asked-questions format, covers topics including: the insurance coverage for at-fault drivers in auto accidents; premium …

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]]> Mass. AG to Seek Fines Against Utility for Outages After Storms http://www.insurancejournal.com/news/east/2012/07/27/257472.htm Fri, 27 Jul 2012 16:59:03 +0000 http://www.insurancejournal.com/?p=257472 National Grid could be facing more than $16 million in fines connected to its response to two major power outages last year. Attorney General Martha Coakley announced Thursday that her office is recommending penalties against the utility for its inadequate …

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]]> In Massachusetts Senate Race, Health Care Still Hot Topic http://www.insurancejournal.com/news/east/2012/07/16/255798.htm Mon, 16 Jul 2012 16:00:43 +0000 http://www.insurancejournal.com/?p=255798 In Massachusetts’ contentious U.S. Senate race, few issues divide the two candidates more sharply than the health care law signed by President Barack Obama and upheld by the Supreme Court. Republican Scott Brown ran for the Senate in 2010 vowing …

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]]> Massachusetts Businessman Fights AT&T Over $1M Phone Bill http://www.insurancejournal.com/news/east/2012/07/10/255083.htm Tue, 10 Jul 2012 17:00:04 +0000 http://www.insurancejournal.com/?p=255083 A U.S. businessman is engaged in a legal battle with AT&T Inc. over what he calls a fraudulent million-dollar phone bill. Michael Smith, of Ipswich, Massachusetts, says in 2009 someone hacked into his small manufacturing company’s phone system and made …

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]]> Emerson College in Boston to Pay $250K for Alleged Asbestos Violations http://www.insurancejournal.com/news/east/2012/07/09/254830.htm Mon, 09 Jul 2012 16:22:24 +0000 http://www.insurancejournal.com/?p=254830 Emerson College and Suffolk Construction Company Inc. in Massachusetts will each pay $250,000 in civil penalties to resolve alleged violations of the state’s air pollution prevention statute and asbestos regulation, state officials announced July 6. According to the complaint, filed …

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]]> Massachusetts Lawmakers Working on Healthcare Cost Containment Bill http://www.insurancejournal.com/news/east/2012/07/06/254727.htm Fri, 06 Jul 2012 16:51:46 +0000 http://www.insurancejournal.com/?p=254727 Massachusetts state lawmakers working to reconcile House and Senate versions of health care cost containment legislation say they are “optimistic” that they will reach a deal. Rep. Steven Walsh says “progress is being made every day” on the compromise legislation, …

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]]> Former Claims Manager Indicted for Fraud Scheme in Massachusetts http://www.insurancejournal.com/news/east/2012/07/03/254336.htm Tue, 03 Jul 2012 16:23:19 +0000 http://www.insurancejournal.com/?p=254336 Massachusetts officials said two men — including a former claims manager — have been indicted in connection with a scheme to fraudulently collect an insurance payment of more than $23,000. “We allege that these defendants conspired to defraud an insurance …

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]]> Mass. Seeks Executive Pay Data From Insurers Domiciled in State http://www.insurancejournal.com/news/east/2012/06/28/253509.htm Thu, 28 Jun 2012 16:39:50 +0000 http://www.insurancejournal.com/?p=253509 The Massachusetts Division of Insurance is undertaking a detailed examination of executive compensation at insurance carriers domiciled in the state.The regulators said last week they have sent letters to some 88 insurers, requesting information on how the companies determine compensations. …

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]]> Insurers Paid $200M to Victims of June 1, 2011 Massachusetts Tornadoes http://www.insurancejournal.com/news/east/2012/05/23/248585.htm Wed, 23 May 2012 15:56:41 +0000 http://www.insurancejournal.com/?p=248585 Massachusetts officials said that insurers so far paid out $200 million in claims related to devastating tornadoes in western and central Massachusetts that occurred on June 1, 2011. The Massachusetts Insurance Division said in its new report that the top …

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]]> Mass. AG Coakley Seeks to Close Loophole in State’s Drunk-Driving Law http://www.insurancejournal.com/news/east/2012/05/21/248355.htm Mon, 21 May 2012 16:43:57 +0000 http://www.insurancejournal.com/?p=248355 Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley and state lawmakers are seeking to close a loophole in the state’s drunk-driving law (Melanie’s Law) that was brought to light in a recent court decision. Responding to a Supreme Judicial Court decision issued last …

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]]> Massachusetts Drivers See Insurance Rates Rise http://www.insurancejournal.com/news/east/2012/05/16/247703.htm Wed, 16 May 2012 16:31:01 +0000 http://www.insurancejournal.com/?p=247703 Massachusetts drivers are starting to see higher auto insurance rates, four years after they tumbled when the state opened the market to more competition. Many of the state’s largest auto insurers have raised rates in each of the past two …

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