Monthly Archives: <span>April 2020</span>

FBI Says Foreign Government Hackers Target Coronavirus Treatment Research

A senior FBI cybersecurity official said on Thursday that foreign government hackers have broken into institutions conducting research into treatments for COVID-19, the sometimes fatal respiratory illness caused by the new coronavirus. Federal Bureau of Investigation Deputy Assistant Director Tonya …

As Attacks Rise, Paladin Offers Cybersecurity Platform Free to Insurance Agencies

Paladin Cyber is offering independent agents and brokers throughout the U.S. free one-year enrollment in its Paladin Shield cybersecurity platform. The offer is in response to more employees working at home and a sharp rise in cyber attacks related to …

Chubb CEO Greenberg Warns Retroactive Measures Would ‘Bankrupt’ Insurance Industry

Chubb Ltd. Chief Executive Officer Evan Greenberg has a stark warning for policy makers pushing insurers to pay out some uncovered business-interruption losses. “The insurance industry is a fundamental part of the economic plumbing of this country,” Greenberg said in …

Rising Sea Levels Could Double Extreme Flooding Events on Coastline, Report States

“Sea-level rise will radically redefine the coastline of the 21st century.” That’s from a new study that shows rising sea levels could lead to extreme flooding events in some U.S. coastal areas doubling every five years. The study published on …

Arkansas Insurance Dept. to Consumers: Contact Agents About COVID-19 Premium Relief

The Arkansas Insurance Department is advising auto insurance consumers to contact their insurance agents as to whether their auto insurance carrier is offering premium relief in light of the COVID-19 health crisis. AID has posted a list of insurers that …

Wisconsin’s Church Mutual Promotes 6 in Leadership Positions

Church Mutual Insurance Co. S.I., based in Merrill, Wisconsin, has promoted six individuals into new leadership roles. Jeff Steffen has been promoted to senior vice president – chief financial officer. Steffen has a proven track record of leadership success within …

Officials: Harmful Firefighting Foam Chemicals Found in More Wisconsin Wells

Wisconsin state officials say additional private wells around Marinette and Peshtigo have elevated levels of harmful chemicals which may be linked to a firefighting foam manufacturer. Johnson Controls and its subsidiary, Tyco Fire Products in Marinette, have been directed to …

Damage to Iowa Ag Industry from Virus Will Be Huge, Economists Say

A group of agriculture economists said on April 15 the coronavirus pandemic will cause billions of dollars in damage to Iowa’s crop and livestock industries. In a report released from Iowa State University’s Center for Agricultural and Rural Development, the …

Regulator: Thousands of Oil Wells Idled in North Dakota

A top state oil regulator estimates that North Dakota producers have idled thousands of wells — amounting to more than a quarter of the oil wells in the state — as the U.S. oil industry crashed during the coronavirus outbreak. …

Tokio Marine HCC in Houston Names AIG’s Pastor Chief Actuary

Tokio Marine HCC has appointed Nick Pastor as senior vice president and chief actuary. Based in Houston, Pastor reports to Tom Weist, Tokio Marine HCC’s co-chief financial officer. Pastor has more than 25 years of actuarial experience. Most recently, he …