Latest Trends Headlines

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

Update: South Africa’s Deadliest Floods in 6 Decades Claim More Than 300 Lives

Apr 14 2022 // South Africa declared floods that killed more than 300 people in the eastern KwaZulu-Natal province a disaster, enabling the government to free up funds to assist with reconstruction in the area. The heaviest rainfall in...

This Year’s Hurricane Season Likely to Be Wetter, Just Like 2020, Study Finds

Apr 13 2022 // Climate change made the 2020 Atlantic hurricane season noticeably wetter, and it will likely make this season rainier, too, scientists said. Human-caused climate change made the entire season drop about 5% more rain....

PFAS, Microplastics, Baby Food: Emerging Casualty Risks Keep Coming

Apr 8 2022 // There is no longer a need to ponder the “next asbestos” because the current litigation environment and the recent pace of additions to the list of emerging risks and trends in casualty insurance is enough to...

Rates Up Again in Q1 as Signs May Point to ‘Stronger Increases’: MarketScout

Apr 7 2022 // During the first quarter 2022 buyers of commercial insurance saw average rate increases across all lines of 6%, according to MarketScout’s Market Barometer. The average increase remained consistent compared to the...

Rising Interest Rates: 2 Steps to Avoid Extra Expense

Apr 7 2022 // This post is part of a series sponsored by InsurBanc. It’s amazing how the world has changed during the first quarter of 2022. Globally, there is unrest that is both heartbreaking and nerve-wracking. Domestically, we...

Florida insurance market needs strong medicine

Apr 7 2022 // If the Florida homeowners’ insurance market were in a medical exam, the diagnosis would find the patient in dangerously poor condition. The patient’s vital signs—its financial results—are troubling. What is...

Boy Scouts Abuse Settlement Attacked for Preventing Future Lawsuits

Apr 7 2022 // The Boy Scouts of America’s sexual abuse compensation fund should be rejected, a small group of victims say, because the proposal has the same legal flaw that ended a similar plan by bankrupt opioid maker Purdue...

AM Best Revises Outlook for South Carolina-based Greenville Casualty

Apr 6 2022 // The AM Best rating firm has revised its outlook for South Carolina-based Greenville Casualty Insurance Co., from positive to stable. The insurer’s financial strength rating remained the same at “B...

Arizona Auto Insurance Rates Rising on Heels of COVID

Apr 4 2022 // As if spiraling gas prices weren’t enough, motorists across Arizona and the nation are paying more for auto insurance as repair costs and more crowded roads push premium rates higher. After giving customers premium...

Young Agents: What Do You Think? Take This Survey.

Apr 1 2022 // Are you a young insurance agent, 40 years old or younger? Do you know a young insurance agent? Insurance Journal is searching for young insurance agents to participate in this year’s Young Insurance Agents Opinion...

Fitch Downgrades California Earthquake Authority’s Ratings; Outlook Stable

Apr 1 2022 // Fitch Ratings downgraded California Earthquake Authority’s Issuer Default Rating and revenue bond ratings to ‘A-‘ from ‘A’. The Rating Outlook is Stable. The rating action follows the vote of...

Marsh McLennan Commits to Net-Zero Across Operations by 2050

Apr 1 2022 // Marsh McLennan announced its commitment to set and execute low-carbon transition strategies that chart a path to net-zero across its operations by 2050 and reduce its emissions by 50 percent by 2030. The company will also...

Insurers: NAIC’s Move to Amend Climate Disclosure Survey Too Quick

Mar 30 2022 // The National Association of Insurance Commissioners is moving to amend its climate disclosure survey – and insurers may not like it. The Climate Risk Disclosure Survey is a voluntary risk management tool for state...

Jet Leasing Firms Tally Up Losses Stemming From Russia-Ukraine War

Mar 30 2022 // Aircraft leasing firms are tallying up losses stemming from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, according to the head of Avolon Holdings Ltd., one of the biggest players in the industry. Lessors are in dialogue with...

Hearing on Florida Citizens’ Near-Max Rate Increases Set for March 31

Mar 25 2022 // The Florida Office of Insurance Regulation will hold a hearing on Thursday, March 31, to examine a request by Citizens Property Insurance Corp. for a near-maximum rate increase for most of its policies. Citizens, limited...

Planning, the Pandemic and Price Increases

Mar 23 2022 // This post is part of a series sponsored by Old Republic Surety. Here’s valuable advice you can share with your construction clients, particularly those who require performance bonds. Although this article was written...

Connectivity Advancements and 4 Other Tech Trends Transforming the Insurance Industry

Mar 23 2022 // This post is part of a series sponsored by AgentSync. The insurance world isn’t moving at the speed of light quite yet, but technology is still bound to transform the ways insurance agents and carriers do business...

Authentication Firm Okta Says Up to 366 Customers Potentially Hit by Hack

Mar 23 2022 // Shares in Okta Inc fell 9% on Wednesday after the U.S. digital authentication firm said hundreds of its customers may have been affected by a security breach involving hacking group Lapsus$. The breach sparked concern as...

Arizona Auto Insurance Rates Rising on Heels of COVID

Mar 22 2022 // As if spiraling gas prices weren’t enough, motorists across Arizona and the nation are paying more for auto insurance as repair costs and more crowded roads push premium rates higher. After giving customers premium...

Inflation Outpacing Premium Increases for Auto and Homeowners Lines

Mar 21 2022 // US Insurers — already hammered by extraordinary losses caused by natural disasters — are failing to raise premiums at a pace that matches the inflation rate, according to the American Property Casualty...