Massachusetts News

Gun Liability Insurance Measures Facing Uphill Battle in State Legislatures

While lawmakers in most states have introduced measures in their current legislative sessions that address gun control and gun liability issues, their approaches vary widely, largely depending on the area of the country in which their states are located. Legislation …

Mass. Motorcyclists to Get $2.8M Refunds From Encompass, Amica Mutual

Massachusetts motorcycle owners will receive more than $2.8 million in insurance refunds as a result of settlements with two insurance companies that allegedly overcharged thousands of policyholders, according to authorities. The settlement was announced today by Massachusetts Attorney General Martha …

U.S. Judge Allows Civil Suits in Meningitis Outbreak to Proceed

A federal judge in Boston on Wednesday allowed civil suits against the pharmacy at the heart of the deadly U.S. meningitis outbreak to proceed and noted that any criminal case would have priority in gathering evidence.U.S. District Judge Dennis Saylor …

Mass. Independent Agents Have Over $1B Impact on State Economy: Report

Five years ago, Massachusetts introduced its “managed competition” program — and since then, there has been an influx of direct writing and direct response companies coming into Massachusetts and competing with independent insurance agencies. But despite the challenge, independent insurance …

How to Catch Texting Drivers? Conn., Mass. Get $550K Grant to Find Ways

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), part of the U.S. Transportation Department, said this month it is providing $550,000 to Connecticut and Massachusetts to help them devise anti-texting enforcement techniques and programs. Each state will receive $275,000 to develop …

Ads for Mass. Senate Hopeful Warren Defend Legal Work in Asbestos Case

Democratic Senate hopeful Elizabeth Warren has launched two new television ads responding to criticism by Republican Sen. Scott Brown of her legal work in an asbestos-related case. Brown also released a new ad Monday, faulting Warren’s tax proposals. Warren’s ads …

WC Billing Company to Pay $1M for Alleged Overcharges in Massachusetts

A workers’ comp pharmacy billing company has agreed to pay restitution after allegedly overcharging Massachusetts and a number of cities and towns within the state for prescription drugs through the workers’ comp insurance system. StoneRiver Pharmacy Solutions Inc. has agreed …

Allstate Agents Returning to Massachusetts After 25 Years

Allstate Insurance Co. is reopening brick-and-mortar offices in Massachusetts after a quarter century of absence. Back in 1987, the Northbrook, Ill.-headquartered Allstate closed its offices in Massachusetts and pulled out of the market, citing the state’s strict regulation of auto …

The City of Northampton, Mass., Faces Steep Flood Control Bill

The city of Northampton, in Massachusetts, is facing an $800,000 bill to upgrade and maintain its storm water and flood control systems to comply with federal regulations. And that may just be the tip of the iceberg. City officials last …

Massachusetts Court Rules on Scope of Independent Contractor Exclusion

A Massachusetts court recently ruled in favor of insurer Lloyd’s in a dispute over a commercial property and general liability policy excluding coverage for independent contractors. The insured, a property development firm called Cable Mills LLC, and its insurance agency …