Monthly Archives: <span>January 2018</span>

A.M. Best: Ratings Outlooks Negative for Texas-Based Standard Casualty

A.M. Best has revised the outlooks to negative from stable and affirmed the Financial Strength Rating of A- (Excellent) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating of “a-” of Standard Casualty Co. (Standard Casualty), based in New Braunfels, Texas. Standard Casualty …

Oil from Sunken Iran Tanker Diffuses into 4 Separate Slicks

Oil from an Iranian tanker that sank in the East China Sea has diffused into four separate slicks, covering a combined area of just over 100 square kms (39 square miles), Chinese authorites said late on Wednesday. Earlier satellite imaging …

Legislative Panel Backs Proposal to Ban Dicamba Herbicide in Arkansas

Arkansas lawmakers recommended regulators move forward on Jan. 16 with efforts to ban an herbicide that farmers in several states say has drifted onto their crops and caused damage, advancing the prohibition despite a lawsuit by a maker of the …

Truck Leaks Natural Gas, Causes $2M in Damage in Kansas Fire

Authorities have determined the cause of a fire that caused more than $2 million in damage and losses at a truck maintenance facility in southwest Wichita, Kansas. Wichita fire Lt. Jose Ocadiz says employees were doing mechanical work Monday on …

Woman Paralyzed by Chicago Bus Shelter Collapse Settles for $115M

Attorneys for a woman partially paralyzed by a collapsed bus shelter at Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport say she will receive a $115 million settlement from the city and its insurer. Jurors in August found the city liable for injuries to …

Michigan Businesses Likely to Get a Break on Jobless Fund Tax

Michigan officials say state businesses are expected to pay less into a fund providing temporary benefits to eligible jobless residents. The Talent Investment Agency said in a release that unemployment insurance tax rates are projected to decrease an average 4.5 …

Silent Cyber Included in Willis Re’s Cyber Risk Portfolio Modeling Tool PRISM-Re

Willis Re, the reinsurance business of Willis Towers Watson, the global advisory and broking company, has upgraded its cyber risk portfolio modeling tool PRISM-ReTM to include “silent cyber.” Willis Re defines “silent cyber” as potential cyber-related losses resulting from insurance …

Lowdown on Construction – A Report to Share

One of the easiest ways to remain connected with your network of referral sources, your clients, and prospects, is to share a piece of meaningful content. This week’s Lowdown directs you to a report you can share with your network …

Business, Political Leaders List Cyber Attacks, Geopolitical Tensions as Top Concerns: WEF Survey

The threat of large-scale cyber attacks and a “deteriorating geopolitical landscape” since the election of U.S. President Donald Trump have jumped to the top of the global elite’s list of concerns, the World Economic Forum said ahead of its annual …

S. Africa Mobile Phone Firm Cell C Seeks M&A to Expand into Insurance

Cell C Pty Ltd. is seeking acquisitions that will help transform South Africa’s third-biggest mobile-phone company into a full-service telecommunications provider offering internet and financial services as well as traditional calls and texts. The wireless carrier is working on two …