Monthly Archives: <span>March 2025</span>

Cascading Extreme Weather Events Unleash Billions in Damages Globally

First came a dry spell that parched the land, then a spark, followed by some wind. Suddenly, swaths of South Carolina were consumed by voracious flames. More than 100 fires ignited in the state last weekend — an unusually high …

Washington Timber Company Fined $114K for Child Labor Violations

A Washington timber company was fined $114,300 for reportedly violating state and federal child labor regulations. The violations involve a 17-year-old worker, who was reportedly injured while working on one of MVR Timber Cutting Company’s logging operations. The Washington State …

Honolulu Allowing Some Developers to OK Their Own Projects

More than a year after the Honolulu City Council created a program to reduce the city’s backlog of building permit applications, the city’s permitting department director said she’s close to starting the program. The delay, said Department of Planning and …

How Much Do Independent Insurance Agents Make?

This post is part of a series sponsored by Darkhorse Insurance. Before venturing into independent insurance sales, it’s crucial to consider the variable earnings potential, which is influenced by a range of factors. Let’s explore some of the key factors …

Maryland Report Says Many Workers Misclassified, Costing $59M in Workers’ Comp

Worker misclassification in Maryland is widespread, leaving thousands of workers without injury protection and depriving insurance companies of more than $58 million in workers’ compensation premiums each year, according to a report from a state task force. Maryland’s Joint Enforcement …

New York Fines Three Dozen Auto Insurers $20M for Slow Reporting on Policies. Insurers Say There’s More to the Story

The New York State Department of Financial Services in February issued more than $20 million in fines against three dozen auto insurers – for failing to timely report new and terminated auto insurance policies. But insurance companies and advocacy groups …

AM Best Revises Outlook to Negative for Michigan’s Hastings

AM Best has revised the outlook to negative from stable for the Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating (Long-Term ICR) and affirmed the Financial Strength Rating (FSR) of A (Excellent) and the Long-Term ICR of “a+” (Excellent) of Hastings Insurance Company based …

Ex-Ohio Police Officer Sentenced for Starting Arson Fires

A former Ohio fire department administrator and police officer was sentenced in federal court here to 18 months in prison for starting dozens of arson fires in Wayne National Forest. James A. Bartels, 52, of Rio Grande, Ohio, started 26 …

Court Rules Against Michigan Gardener Whose Organic Lawn Was Destroyed

A Michigan court struck down a large chunk of an $88,550 verdict for a Detroit-area organic gardener whose beloved clover lawn was destroyed by a man spraying herbicide — at the wrong address. Marilyn Mack reported depression, anxiety and random …

Small, Medium-Sized Firms Lacking in ‘Continuity’ Planning: Survey

Mid- and small-market businesses (SMBs) face a lot of the same big-picture challenges, but how they prioritize risk, spending, and solutions varies widely. According to Nationwide’s latest risk management survey, mid-market business owners are most concerned about economic and financial …