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

Lyft Raises Offer to Drivers to $27M in Contractors V. Employees Suit

Lyft Inc. raised its proposed payout to 163,000 California drivers to $27 million in their lawsuit to be treated as employees rather than contractors. The revised settlement comes after a San Francisco federal judge rejected an earlier $12.5 million offer, …

Massachusetts Mine Operator to Pay $180K to Resolve Safety Violations

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) announced Wednesday a global settlement with Worcester Sand and Gravel Company Inc., of Shrewsbury, Massachusetts, to resolve citations and orders in three separate dockets. An administrative law judge with …

Fry Promoted to Senior VP Specialty Programs at QBE North America

QBE North America said it has promoted Erin Fry to senior vice president and underwriting leader for its Specialty Programs division. Fry will be responsible for the strategic underwriting plan for QBE specialty products delivered through the managing general agency …

Pennsylvania Federal Judge Dismisses Parks Lawsuit Against Tyson Foods

This lawsuit over hot dogs failed to cut the mustard. A federal judge threw out a lawsuit accusing Tyson Foods Inc and its Hillshire Brands unit of infringing a trademark belonging to the maker of Parks’ sausages when they used …

Number of Dog Bite Insurance Claims Falls But Average Claim Rises to $37K

The cost of dog-bite claims for U.S. insurers climbed 16 percent last year on higher medical expenses and larger settlements to resolve court disputes. The average claim increased to $37,214 in 2015 from $32,072 a year earlier, according to the …

Why Independent Agents Went to Capitol Hill to Lobby

Independent insurance agents and brokers from all 50 states convened in Washington, D.C., last month for the Big “I” Legislative Conference. Our members met with almost every U.S. Senate and House office to discuss the association’s top legislative priorities. Here’s …

Usage-Based Auto Insurance, Slow at First, Picking Up Speed

Usage-based auto insurance will explode globally in the next seven years, a new industry analysis asserts. IHS Inc.’s IHS Automotive predicts that 142 million customers will sign up globally for the telematics-infused policies by 2023, up from nearly 12 million …

AIG Chairman Defends Keeping Both Life and P/C Insurance Units

American International Group Inc., which is shrinking under pressure from activist investors, is committed to retaining operations in both life insurance and property/casualty coverage, Chairman Doug Steenland said. “We remain of the view that that is the right long-term position …

Goldman Sachs Says Insurers Need Hedge Funds to Diversity Investments

Mike Siegel, who oversees about $190 billion at Goldman Sachs Group Inc.’s asset-management arm, said insurers should stick with hedge funds even after their recent slump, because the industry needs investing strategies beyond low-yielding bonds. “All asset classes have their …

Generali Forms Global Business Lines & International Unit; de Courtois to Lead

Assicurazioni Generali has formed a new operational division called Global Business Lines & International, which will be led by Frédéric de Courtois who is moving from AXA Italy in September. The new unit incorporates the existing Global Business Lines unit …