Monthly Archives: <span>February 2015</span>

Malaysia Says U.N. Must Make Conflict Zone Air Risk Reporting Mandatory

Malaysia, which suffered two commercial air disasters last year after one jet disappeared and another was shot down over Ukraine, said on Monday the United Nations must make reporting of risks to airlines over conflict zones mandatory. The International Civil …

Understanding Commercial Property Underwriting and ‘COPE’

Construction, Occupancy, Protection and Exposure (COPE) are the same four basic elements of underwriting data that real property underwriters have used for nearly 300 years. So what are these time-honored elements? The following paragraphs briefly explain each element of COPE. …

Feds: Wisconsin Insurance Agent Ran $10M Ponzi Scheme

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission is alleging a Watertown, Wis., insurance agent ran a $10 million Ponzi scheme out of his agency, ISC Inc. The SEC filed a securities fraud lawsuit against 69-year-old Loren Holzhueter and one of his …

N.Y., Mass. Adopt Certificates of Insurance Law

New York and Massachusetts in January became the latest states to enact laws to prohibit improper use of certificates of insurance. On Jan. 28, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed into law a bill (A.9590/S.6545-A) that would standardize the practice …

Penn. Public Utility Commission Gives Uber 2-Year License, Except in Philly

The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission has given ride-sharing service Uber a two-year experimental license to operate anywhere in the state except Philadelphia, where it has been operating despite a local ban. The company connects passengers with drivers — who use …

Few Claims Reported From Winter Storm Juno

Winter Storm Juno — a blizzard that swept through the Northeast during the last week of January and brought record and near-record snowfalls and high winds — has resulted in relatively few insurance claims so far, according to industry participants. …

Bloomberg: Google Is Developing Competitor to Uber

Uber faces an ever-growing cast of adversaries that includes dubious regulators, litigious drivers, hostile members of the press, and some well-funded rivals. But the most significant threat to the app-based transportation company may be much closer to home: one of …

Judge Seeks Additional Changes in NFL’s $765M Concussion Settlement

The National Football League’s $765 million settlement over concussions came up short a second time as a judge said she wants more changes before she’ll approve it. U.S. District Judge Anita Brody in Philadelphia, in an order the day after …

General Star Upgrades Sexual Abuse & Molestation Coverage

General Star Management Co. has made enhancements to its primary and excess standalone sexual abuse & molestation coverage for eligible applicants. The revised offering is available to all appointed Casualty Division wholesale brokers on a nationwide basis. Eligible exposures include, …

Ratings of Texas-Based Producers Agriculture Insurance Cos. Upgraded

A.M. Best announced it has upgraded the financial strength rating to A+ (Superior) from A (Excellent) and the issuer credit ratings to “aa” from “a” of Producers Agriculture Insurance Co. (Pro Ag) and Producers Lloyds Insurance Co. (Producers Lloyds). Both …