Articles by Insurance Journal Staff Reports

Tyco, TIG Insurance Agree to Settle ‘Forever Chemicals’ Fire Foam Litigation

Three months after Tyco Fire Products agreed to pay $750 million to communities with groundwater affected by so-called “forever chemicals” found in fire-stopping foam, Tyco has reached a tentative settlement with one of its insurance companies. “…We write jointly on …

Penn National Can’t Avoid Asbestos Coverage Payout, SC Supreme Court Says

Pennsylvania National Mutual Casualty Insurance Co. cannot escape the long tail of asbestos, and must cover part of the litigation losses for an asbestos installation company that went out of business more than 30 years ago, the South Carolina Supreme …

FEMA Gives SW Florida a Few More Months on Flood Insurance Discounts

Communities in southwest Florida will continue to enjoy discounts on National Flood Insurance, at least for now, after federal authorities granted a temporary reprieve to punitive actions taken over inappropriate rebuilding in floodplains. “The Village of Estero was notified July …

Minnesota Workers’ Comp System Stable Despite COVID-19 Impact

Workers’ compensation claim rates and benefits paid in Minnesota continue to be stable or follow their long-term downward trajectories, a new Department of Labor and Industry (DLI) report shows. The 2024 Minnesota Workers’ Compensation System Report presents trend data regarding …

Florida Tax Watch Calls for Renewed Tax Breaks for Home Hardening Efforts

Florida Tax Watch, a nonprofit government watchdog in operation for 45 years, is urging state lawmakers to expand wind-mitigation tax breaks for homeowners struggling with higher insurance premiums. The group this week posted an analysis of the Florida property insurance …

Oxendine Asks Judge to Go Easy on Sentencing. Former Commissioners Weigh In

Federal prosecutors want former Georgia Insurance Commissioner John Oxendine to serve 44 months in prison and pay $700,000 in restitution after his guilty plea to health care fraud conspiracy. But Oxendine is urging the judge to reduce the penalty. “Mr. …

Three Charged With Helping Agents Cheat on Florida Insurance License Exams

Three Miami people, two of them licensed insurance agents, have been charged with operating an unauthorized insurance agent licensing school and taking license examinations in applicants’ place. At least five agents’ licenses have been suspended because of the investigation. Rainer …

Paper Links Social Learning and Flood Insurance Uptake

Short but severe flooding that followed hurricanes Harvey and Irma in 2017 triggered a nationwide increase in flood insurance take-up driven by a county’s social network proximity to flooded areas, says a new academic paper. The authors’ study tapped the …

Increased NFIP Discounts Coming to East Baton Rouge

In Louisiana, East Baton Rouge Parish residents and business owners will be eligible for an increased discount on their flood insurance premiums this fall. According to a press release from the City of Baton Rouge, beginning Oct. 1, homeowners and …

Kansas Storm Claims Total $442 Million for 2023

Kansas storm claims totaled nearly half a billion dollars in 2023. According to numbers shared by the state’s department of insurance, 147,710 claims totaling $442.8 million were paid last year. The Kansas Department of Insurance collected this data from all …