Yearly Archives: <span>2018</span>

Sulphuric Acid Leak at Vedanta India Copper Smelter Could Damage Environment

Vedanta Ltd. said on Wednesday a sulphuric acid leak from a tank at its southern Indian copper smelter was severe and inaction could lead to serious environmental consequences. The district administration had said on Sunday the leak was minor, and …

Catastrophes Pushed Homeowners Insurers’ Combined Ratio Above 107 in 2017

After four years of sub-100 combined ratios for the U.S. homeowners insurers, the segment saw its combined ratio deteriorate to 107.1 in 2017 as a result of numerous catastrophes, according to an A.M. Best report. The new Best’s Market Segment …

Boston to Sue Drug Companies Over Opioids Epidemic

Boston is retaining a law firm to sue pharmaceutical companies for damages from the deadly opioid epidemic. Democratic Mayor Marty Walsh announced Tuesday he’s tapped Motley Rice and expects the South Carolina law firm will file litigation by the fall. …

Small Businesses That Ignore Lessons from Cyber Attack Likely to Suffer Another: Hiscox

While 47 percent of small businesses suffered at least one cyber attack in the past year, only 35 percent of them took action following a cyber security incident to mitigate against another. Forty-four percent of small businesses that reported a …

The Hilb Group Adds Massachusetts’ BAR Insurance Brokerage

The Hilb Group LLC (THG) has added Needham, Mass.-based BAR Insurance Brokerage Inc. (BAR). The transaction became effective June 1, 2018. BAR is an employee benefits firm that provides a range of group benefits products and services to its customers. …

Opioid Makers Endure Setback as Judge Lets New York Lawsuit Proceed

Purdue Pharma LP, Johnson & Johnson and other opioid makers faced one of the first extensive reviews of their legal defenses to claims they violated consumer-protection laws and created a public nuisance with the sale of the pain killers. They …

Correction: Safety Agency Orders Firm to Stop Selling Tesla Warning Reduction Feature

Correction: An earlier headline on this article incorrectly identified the product as Tesla’s. It is not; it is made by an aftermarket firm. Tesla supports the move to end sales of the product. Insurance Journal regrets the error. The Autopilot …

Hurricane-Proof Home Building Available But Pricey, Slow to Be Adopted

In a private waterfront resort on the northern tip of Key Largo, nestled between tropical forest and the Caribbean, Eric Soulavy is marketing luxury for the age of climate change: Coastal homes that are all but hurricane proof. The Florida-based …

A Few More Thoughts About Assignments of Benefits

I last wrote about assignments of benefits (AOB) back in January. You didn’t read that one? I’m shocked, but I’ll be ok. Here’s the link to my thoughts about assignments of benefits. You don’t even have to leave this page …

Tokio Marine to Acquire Thai, Indonesian Operations of IAG for $390M

Tokio Marine Holdings Inc. announced on June 19 it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Thailand and Indonesia insurance businesses of Insurance Australia Group Ltd. (IAG) for approximately A$525 million (42.8 billion Yen; $390 million) in cash. The …