Articles by Frederick L. Pilot

Food Liability Costs Surging in Global Economy: Swiss Re

Liability costs involving food contamination are soaring, and a globalized supply chain has made risk management much more challenging. In a new report, Swiss Re says that the number of annual food recalls have nearly doubled in the U.S. since …

Calif. Considers Ballot Measure to Crack Down on Uninsured Motorists

California Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner is reportedly exploring the possibility of a ballot measure next year designed get uninsured motorists off the state’s roads and highways. Industry sources confirmed the development initially reported in newspaper accounts quoting a consultant who …

State Fund severs ties with group administrator; issues update on audit

California’s State Compensa-tion Insurance Fund has terminated its relationship with Western Insurance Administrators and resumed its relationship with Shasta Builders’ Exchange. “I can confirm we don’t have a business relationship with Western Insurance Administrators any longer,” State Fund Spokeswoman Jennifer …

Calif. State Fund Severs Ties with Group Administrator

California’s State Compensation Insurance Fund has terminated its relationship with Western Insurance Administrators (WIA), State Fund Spokeswoman Jennifer Vargen has confirmed. Based in Long Beach, Calif., WIA previously was the administrator for eight SCIF safety groups and touted it was …

CEA funding structure to be revamped under legislation sent to governor

By a wide margin, California lawmakers have approved a compromise between the California Earthquake Authority’s governing board and its participating homeowner insurers to replace a significant portion of the CEA’s statutory funding set to expire next year. The legislation was …

Schwarzenegger proposal suggests combining workers’ comp with group health coverage

As part of his health care reform plan unveiled in early January, California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger is proposing a “24-Hour coverage” program that would combine the medical treatment component of workers’ compensation with group health coverage. State and local government …

Calif. OAL rules agent-broker relationships case not “precedential”

The California Department of Insurance (CDI) has been handed a procedural setback in its effort to crack down on agents charging broker fees. Last week, the California Office of Administrative Law (OAL) determined that former Insurance Commissioner John Garamendi acted …

Calif. Office of Administrative Law Repeals DOI Agent/Broker “Precedential Decision”

The California Department of Insurance (CDI) has been handed a procedural setback in its effort to crack down on agents charging broker fees. This week, the California Office of Administrative Law (OAL) determined that former Insurance Commissioner John Garamendi acted …

Management shaken up, investigations ensue at Calif. State Fund

California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s administration is continuing its efforts to clean house at the State Compensation Insurance Fund, most recently with a management shakeup. Jeanne Cain, the administration’s appointed president of State Fund’s board of directors, announced that the state-chartered …

On shaky ground?

Two decades since its formation, the West’s only regional catastrophe pool, the California Earthquake Authority, faces financial and management changes that could have significant implications for its future. Those in turn could have implications beyond California, as other states consider …