Monthly Archives: <span>January 2016</span>

Losses for Washington from Drought Estimated at $336M

Washington farmers have lost at least $336 million due to the ongoing drought, a figure that is likely to climb as more information becomes available. The Capital Press reported that a state Department of Agriculture report estimated dollar losses for …

Industry Reacts to McCarty Resignation, Contemplates His Next Move

Insurance industry reactions to Florida Insurance Commissioner Kevin McCarty’s decision to resign have been rolling in since the long-time state regulator announced Jan. 5 that he would step down from his position after 12 years in office. “The privilege of …

Louisiana-Based Cunningham Insurance Opens Alexandria Office

The Cunningham Insurance Group announced the opening of its newest property/casualty insurance agency, Wilkerson/Cunningham Insurance, in Alexandria, La. This office joins with offices in Natchitoches and Mansfield, La., to give the group a regional presence in central- and northwest Louisiana. …

Mississippi Town Sued by Environmental Group for Sewage Overflow

Sewage overflows during heavy rains have fouled a poor neighborhood in Centreville, Miss., for years because the city has failed to fix its sewage system, a lawsuit alleges. The lawsuit was filed against Centreville on Jan. 5 in federal court …

McCarty Replacement Rumors Start Swirling; Successor Has ‘Huge Shoes to Fill’

Florida Insurance Commissioner Kevin McCarty’s successor has yet to be announced, but whoever takes over will have his or her work cut out for them when McCarty leaves office after 12 years on May 2. “These are some pretty huge …

Arch Re Expands Underwriting Team in New Jersey

Arch Reinsurance Company has hired John Willemsen and Bill Hopkins as managing directors for its underwriting team in Morristown, New Jersey. Willemsen joins Arch Re with over 30 years of experience, most recently as head of the development of the …

Former Tyson Benefits Manager Sentenced to 28 Months in Federal Prison

A former benefits plan manager for Springdale, Ark.-based Tyson Inc. has been sentenced to 28 months in prison for defrauding the company of more than $550,000. Acting U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Arkansas, Kenneth Elser, announced that under …

Northwest Oklahoma Hit with 3 Quakes of Magnitude 4.0 or More

Three earthquakes capable of causing moderate damage have been recorded in northwestern Oklahoma. The U.S. Geological Survey reports a magnitude 4.7 quake hit just before 10:30 p.m. on Jan. 6 about 20 miles northwest of Fairview and a magnitude 4.8 …

Houston Employee Benefits Firm, Ascende, Joins EPIC

Houston, Texas-based human capital and employee benefits consulting firm, Ascende Inc. (Ascende), has joined forces with national retail insurance brokerage and employee benefits consulting firm, EPIC Insurance Brokers & Consultants. Founded in 1995, Ascende specializes in a variety of human …

New York Legislators Begin Examining Health Republic’s Collapse

Hospitals and doctors told New York senators Wednesday they’ve got $200 million or more in unpaid bills because of last year’s financial failure of the insurance cooperative Health Republic, and they want the state to step in. Other insurers and …