Latest Washington Headlines
All the headlines from our Washington Topic Page, ordered by recency.
Washington Workers’ Comp Initiative Qualifies for Ballot
Jul 15 2010 // An initiative to eliminate Washington’s workers’ compensation insurance monopoly and allow private insurers to offer coverage for workplace injuries has qualified for the November ballot. Secretary of State Sam...
Wash. Court Dumps Notice for Malpractice Lawsuits
Jul 8 2010 // The Washington state Supreme Court said it’s unconstitutional to require 90 days notice before suing a doctor, marking the second time in less than a year the court has rejected a legislative attempt to reform...
Washington Agents Advised to Update Listing on OIC Web Site
Jul 7 2010 // Washington agents and brokers are being advised to update the licensing business address with the Office of the Insurance Commissioner. In October, the OIC will launch a new search feature on its Web site to help consumers...
Non-Resident Blogger Can Be Sued in Florida Over Defamation
Jul 5 2010 // The Florida Supreme Court has ruled that a non-resident blogger can be sued in the state for posting allegedly defamatory comments about a Florida company on her out-of-state Web site. In a unanimous opinion, the court...
Bad Weather Hinders BP Oil Cleanup; Oil Invades More Wetlands
Jul 2 2010 // Tropical storm Alex slowed oil spill clean-up and containment work in the Gulf of Mexico and drove more petroleum into fragile Gulf wetlands and beaches Thursday, with any permanent fix to BP Plc’s ruptured deep-sea...
Washington Closer to Eliminating Workers’ Comp Insurance Monopoly
Jul 2 2010 // A campaign to end the state’s monopoly on workers’ compensation insurance appears to have enough support to qualify for the November ballot, adding to a busy initiative season in Washington politics. Initiative...
Special Reuters Report: Oil Spill a Gusher for Lawyers; Litigation May Take Years
Jun 30 2010 // BP payout should far exceed what Exxon spent on Valdez The company’s $20 billion fund may not be enough Accountability may take years if not decades to assess Many federal laws allow civil, criminal liability From a...
Surplus Line Association of Wash. Administers Flood Insurance Program
Jun 29 2010 // Washington State Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler and more than two dozen insurance companies have launched a new program to help Green River Valley businesses struggling to find flood coverage. The “Washington...
Democratic Governors Defend Healthcare Overhaul
Jun 25 2010 // A small group of Democratic governors this week launched a counter-attack over the federal healthcare overhaul, firing back against legal challenges from nearly two dozen state attorneys general who are seeking to overturn...
CNA Opens New Branch in Washington, D.C.
Jun 22 2010 // CNA has opened a new branch office in Washington, D.C., a move aimed at extending the insurer’s geographic footprint and bringing it closer to its agents, brokers and customers. George Agyen, Mid-Atlantic Zone...
NSU Named One of Washington’s ‘Best Companies to Work For’
Jun 22 2010 // National Specialty Underwriters Inc. (NSU) of Bellevue, Wash., was named one of Washington’s 2010 Best Companies to Work For. Seattle Business magazine chose 100 finalists in their search for Washington’s Best...
Non-Resident Blogger Can Be Sued in Florida Over Defamation
Jun 18 2010 // The Florida Supreme Court has ruled that a non-resident blogger can be sued in the state for posting allegedly defamatory comments about a Florida company on her out-of-state Web site. In a unanimous opinion, the court...
BP Cherry Point Will Not Appeal Refinery Citation
Jun 3 2010 // Washington’s Department of Labor and Industries (L&I) has confirmed that the BP Cherry Point petroleum refinery will not appeal a citation issued earlier in May against the company for 13 serious safety...
Washington’s Berend Named FloodSmart Agent of the Year
May 28 2010 // Brian Berend, of Brian Berend Agency in Auburn, Wash., has been named FloodSmart Agent of the Year for 2010. The FloodSmart Award recognizes an agent who has made an outstanding effort to promote the National Flood...
U.S. Trade Chief Urges China to Lower Barriers
May 25 2010 // Potential Chinese moves to lower trade barriers could be as important as exchange rate reforms in easing economic strains with the United States, Washington’s top trade negotiator said as the two powers entered a...
Concern over China’s Protectionism at 10 Year High Says U.S. Chamber
May 24 2010 // Concern among U.S. companies that China is backtracking on opening its economy are at a 10-year high, the head of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce said on Monday. Chamber President and Chief Executive Thomas Donohue said...
Business Moves
May 17 2010 // Security Planning, CSIPros Salt Lake City-based Security Planning & Insurance Corp., an insurance carrier in the childcare industry, launched Charter School Insurance Professionals (CSIPros), an insurance company to...
Wash. Judge: Insurer Can Be Held Liable for Agent’s Actions
May 3 2010 // In a ruling that’s being closely watched by some insurers, a Thurston County, Wash., judge has affirmed that the state insurance commissioner may hold an insurance company liable for the actions of the...
ACE Adds High Net Worth Policies in Washington State
Apr 22 2010 // ACE Private Risk Services, part of the ACE Group, announced that it has expanded the availability of its ACE Platinum Portfolio policy to Washington state. In addition, Shannon Detroit has been appointed territory manager...
Prostar Insurance Agency Opens Office in Washington
Apr 14 2010 // Prostar Insurance Agency, of Bellevue, Wash., has opened a new office in Gig Harbor, Wash., a few miles south of its main branch. The company also has appointed Frank Rodriguez as the newest agent to join Prostar, bringing...
