Washington Senate Democrats have approved a bill that would permanently change unemployment laws to pay additional benefits to seasonal workers. The measure, which passed on a 25-22 vote, reverses the state’s move toward “four-quarter averaging” in which unemployment benefits are …
The Professional Insurance Agents (PIA) Western Alliance has formed the PIA Western Alliance Community Foundation, a partnership formed by the member-agents and independent insurers, to invest in local communities. Insurers and agents representing the nine Western Alliance states –Alaska, Arizona, …
ERISAMetropolitan Life Insurance v. Parker (Arizona Ninth Circuit Court, Feb. 2, 2006) Ruling: At issue in this case was that although the insurer declared that it owed various proceeds under an Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA)-governed life insurance policy, …
Suhr Risk Services of California has named Patricia Coutermarsh chief operations officer. In that role, she will oversee operations from Suhr’s three Northern California branches, ensuring quality service delivery to all of its clients worldwide. Coutermarsh succeeds retiring company Chief …
Washington state officials have amended and approved legislation that would create an insurance anti-fraud unit in the insurance commissioner’s office, according to the Property Casualty Insurers Association of America’s (PCI) Northwest Regional Manager Kenton Brine. “The Washington House Financial Institutions …
Steven M. Goldman was sworn in as Acting Commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance on March 1, 2006. Prior to his nomination by Governor Jon S. Corzine, Goldman was a senior member and 22-year veteran of …
A group of advocates for free enterprise and limited government that includes former federal independent counsel Kenneth Starr is challenging the constitutionality of the Sarbanes Oxley Act and its provisions that govern the accounting of public companies. The Free Enterprise …
Specialty broker Ames & Gough announced the election of Dan Knise as its new president and chief executive officer. Ames & Gough is an insurance broker and risk management consultant specializing in serving architects, engineers, law firms and managed care …
Jim Donelon became Louisiana’s Commissioner of Insurance on Feb. 16 following the retirement of J. Robert Wooley. Donelon previously served as the insurance department’s Executive Counsel and Chief Deputy Commissioner. The 61-year-old Donelon is a native of New Orleans and …
Six new employees of Washington’s Department of Labor and Industries (L&I) are canvassing the state for contractors and electricians who are ignoring registration and licensing laws and gaining an unfair competitive advantage. “Legitimate contractors and electricians who provide protection to …
