Latest Claims Headlines

All the headlines from our Claims Topic Page, ordered by recency.

Sen. Schumer Seeks N.Y. Nuke Workers’ Compensation

Sep 23 2004 // Standing with former nuclear workers from western New York, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.) took the federal government to task for not processing claims of 525 former nuclear workers or their survivors, and...

U.S. Human Services Chief Thompson Hopes ‘Early Offers’ Pilot Will Reduce Medical Error Litigation

Sep 22 2004 // Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Tommy G. Thompson has announced an “Early Offers” pilot program aimed at encouraging settlements of patients claiming to have been injured by medical mistakes. HHS...

A Hurricane Season of Discontent; Lessons Learned in 2004

Sep 22 2004 // Prior to 2004, Florida had gone for five years without a significant hurricane. So it is of little surprise that the onslaught of this year’s three major hurricanes has caught all of us in the insurance industry a...

Endurance Estimates Frances’ Losses at $20 Million

Sep 21 2004 // Bermuda-based Endurance Specialty Holdings Ltd. reported that estimated potential claims from Hurricane Frances, after-taxes and net of reinsurance and reinstatement premiums, are expected to be $20 million or less. The...

BOSTON DIOCESE FACES MORE CLAIMS:

Sep 20 2004 // The Archdiocese of Boston has received at least 140 new reports of sexual abuse by priests, but said it will not negotiate the claims until it resolves disputes with its insurers over payment of last year’s $85...

Fiduciary Liability: The Most Misunderstood of Management Exposures

Sep 20 2004 // In the early 1960s, life in the United States was lived at a slower pace. Transportation and communication required more time (and patience) and employees were more inclined to trust employers on issues relating to...

Thermography: Claims Adjudication’s Science of the Future

Sep 20 2004 // Millions of dollars worth of building defect litigation is going on today, and water intrusion, which often causes mold to grow, is one of the major issues. Infrared (IR) thermography, the non-destructive diagnostic...

Frances May Bring More Claims Than Charley, But Lower Severity

Sep 20 2004 // Preliminary reports from insurers indicate that Hurricane Frances will produce significantly more claims than Hurricane Charley, but the average claim will not be as high, according to the Des Plaines, Ill.-based Property...

Adding Value in the Workers’ Comp Market Through Technical Analysis

Sep 20 2004 // If insurance brokers want to add value and differentiate themselves from their competitors in this hardening workers’ compensation marketplace, they should pay attention to the intricacies of how experience...

Safeco Estimates Losses from Hurricane Frances

Sep 20 2004 // Seattle-based Safeco announced that its pretax catastrophe losses stemming from Hurricane Frances are estimated at $28 million. This figure represents the estimated losses both from claims received through Sept. 20, 2004...

PCI Claims Hurricane Ivan Proves Need for Tougher Fla. Building Code

Sep 20 2004 // Last month’s decision by the Florida Building Commission to add more stringent wind provisions to the Florida Building Code was reportedly especially perceptive in the wake of three – and possibly four –...

Going Paperless – Is it for the Independent Agency’

Sep 20 2004 // All Agencies Can Benefit from a Paperless Environment Many independent insurance agents and brokers are used to the concept of “paperless processing” since most of the insurance companies they represent utilize...

How Contractors Can Get a Grip on Workers’ Comp Costs

Sep 20 2004 // Small contractors struggling with workers’ compensation coverage may feel like they’re using a one-pound hammer to knock in a nine-inch nail—swing all you want, you won’t get very far. The nail is...

Ivan Not Finished With U.S.; I.I.I. Reports on Florida Hurricane Damage

Sep 18 2004 // While he lost his hurricane designation several days ago, what was Hurricane Ivan continued to bring misery to the United States, spawning more tornadoes and drenching areas from Georgia up through Pennsylvania in the last...

CII Conference to Focus on FSA Claims Regulations

Sep 17 2004 // The U.K.’s Chartered Insurance Institute announced that its newly-formed Faculty of Claims is to host a session at the UK Insurance and Financial Services Conference, which will be held at the International...

PCI: Ivan Will Test Louisiana’s New High-Risk Pool, But Insurers Should Be Able to Meet Claims

Sep 16 2004 // While Louisiana’s new insurance high-risk pool reportedly hasn’t had enough time to build up a financial cushion to absorb the potential effects of Hurricane Ivan, other reforms in place should enable insurers...

Texas AG Reaches Refund Settlements with Progressive, Old American County Mutual

Sep 16 2004 // Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott announced court-approved settlements with two major auto insurers that he says will result in refund more than $3.4 million to Texas policyholders who paid more out of pocket on claims...

Safeco Team Deployed for Hurricane Ivan

Sep 16 2004 // Seattle-based Safeco’s National Catastrophe Team is deploying additional claims professionals to Alabama and surrounding states to aide customers recovering from Hurricane Ivan. Safeco claims professionals are...

Industry-Backed Study Claims TRIA Extension Would Strengthen U.S. Economy

Sep 15 2004 // A study, commissioned by the American Insurance Association, Financial Services Roundtable, National Association of Mutual Insurance Companies, National Council on Compensation Insurance, Property Casualty Insurers...

Vilsack Signs Bill to Allow Apportionment of Iowa Workers’ Comp Claims

Sep 14 2004 // In a one-day special session, the Iowa Legislature passed a controversial economic stimulus package and reforms that insurers have argued will help reduce workers compensation costs. Gov. Tom Vilsack, a Democrat, signed...