Latest Rhode Island Headlines
All the headlines from our Rhode Island Topic Page, ordered by recency.
R.I. Enacts Auto Body Repair Bill
Aug 5 2013 // Rhode Island Gov. Lincoln Chafee recently signed into law a bill (HB 5263/SB 465) that would prevent insurers from declaring a vehicle a total loss if the vehicle can be restored to its pre-accident condition at a cost...
HUD OKs First Part of Rhode Island’s Sandy Recovery Plan
Aug 2 2013 // The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has approved the first stage of Rhode Island’s disaster recovery plan following Superstorm Sandy. The initial plan, funded through HUD’s community...
Commentary: R.I. Court’s Ruling on Self-Insured Retentions in Med-Mal Policies
Jul 23 2013 // In a surprising decision, the Rhode Island Supreme Court held that a self-insured retention (SIR) endorsement in a nursing facility’s professional liability policy was void. However, the Court’s ruling is broad...
R.I. Enacts Auto Body Repair Bill; Industry Group Expresses Disappointment
Jul 22 2013 // Rhode Island Gov. Lincoln Chafee recently signed into law a bill (HB 5263/SB 465) that would prevent insurers from declaring a vehicle a total loss if the vehicle can be restored to its pre-accident condition at a cost...
Firm Running R.I. Health Exchange’s Call Center an Affiliate of Health Insurer
Jul 22 2013 // The company that was awarded a $24 million contract to operate the Rhode Island health benefits exchange’s customer service center is an affiliate of one selling plans on the exchange, but state officials say there...
R.I. to Keep Assessment Rate for Workers’ Comp Insurers at 6.75%
Jul 15 2013 // The Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training said it is keeping the assessment rate for workers’ compensation insurers unchanged at 6.75 percent for the coming year. The department said this assessment rate has...
Rhode Island Plans Crackdown on Uninsured Drivers
Jul 12 2013 // Rhode Island officials are planning a crackdown on drivers whose vehicles aren’t insured. Lawmakers have sent a bill to Gov. Lincoln Chafee that would create a system of warnings and fines for uninsured...
Rhode Island Approves 7.4% Workers’ Comp Loss Cost Increase
Jul 10 2013 // The Rhode Island Department of Business Regulation approved this month a 7.4 percent overall voluntary loss cost increase for new and renewal workers’ compensation policies. The change will take effect in August. The...
Insurers’ Group Urges R.I. Governor to Veto Auto Body Legislation
Jul 8 2013 // The Rhode Island Legislature passed legislation before adjournment on July 3 that could impact the pockets of Rhode Islanders when they have to pay for auto body repairs, according to the Property Casualty Insurers...
In R.I., Debate Continues Over 38 Studios Bonds as Insurers Await
Jun 26 2013 // This week, Rhode Island lawmakers are negotiating the final details of the state’s $8.2 billion budget. One controversial part of the discussion has been what Rhode Island should do with the state’s failed...
FEMA: Federal Support for Rhode Island Sandy Recovery Exceeds $39M
Jun 13 2013 // The Federal Emergency Management Agency said Tuesday that more than $39.4 million in support from four federal disaster relief programs is helping Rhode Island recover from Superstorm Sandy’s effects. FEMA said the...
New Position to Target Workers’ Comp Fraud in Rhode Island
Jun 6 2013 // Officials in Rhode Island are creating a new position to prosecute fraud in the state’s unemployment and workers’ compensation program. The state’s Department of Labor and Training announced the new...
R.I. GOP Chair: Default on 38 Studios Bonds, Insurers Will Pay Bondholders
Jun 5 2013 // Rhode Island’s Republican Party chairman has joined the call for the state to default on the money it owes for its failed investment in former Red Sox pitcher Curt Schilling’s bankrupt video game company. Mark...
Protesters Urge R.I. to Default on 38 Studios Debt
Jun 4 2013 // Protesters unhappy with Rhode Island’s failed investment in former Red Sox pitcher Curt Schilling’s video game company urged state leaders last week to default on the money the state owes for the...
R.I. Nightclub Owners Say They Didn’t Know Part-Timers Needed WC Coverage
May 23 2013 // The owners of the Station nightclub say they didn’t know they needed to buy workers’ compensation insurance for the club’s part-time employees. Michael and Jeffrey Derderian are asking Rhode...
R.I. Officials Ask Court Not to Delay WC Fine Against Former Nightclub Owners
May 17 2013 // Rhode Island labor officials have asked the state Supreme Court not to review the $1 million fine levied against the former owners of the Station nightclub. Michael and Jeffrey Derderian are appealing the fine, levied for...
R.I. Bill Considers Allowing Driver’s Licenses for Illegal Immigrants
May 9 2013 // Rhode Island lawmakers reviewed legislation Tuesday that would allow immigrants to obtain driver’s licenses regardless of their legal status — but the controversial idea has already run into opposition from law...
Former R.I. Nightclub Owners Appeal $1M Workers’ Comp Fine in Fire Case
Apr 24 2013 // The owners of a Rhode Island nightclub where 100 people died in a fire are asking the state Supreme Court to overturn a $1 million fine against them for failing to carry workers’ compensation insurance for nearly...
Rhode Island Agency Carey, Richmond & Viking Appoints 2 Account Executives
Apr 8 2013 // Carey, Richmond & Viking Insurance, an independent property/casualty insurance agency with offices in Rhode Island and Massachusetts, announced Lori Lyle and Peter O’Neill have joined the firm as commercial...
R.I. Issues Bulletin Affirming Punitive Damages Not Insurable Under State Law
Apr 2 2013 // Rhode Island’s Insurance Superintendent Joseph Torti III issued a bulletin last week that affirmed that punitive damages are not insurable under the state’s law. “Punitive damages are not insurable under...
