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

Slew of Cannabis-Related Bills Filed in Advance of 2021 Texas Legislature

Marijuana seems to be on the minds of Texas legislators judging from the many cannabis-related bills that have been filed so far in advance of the Texas legislative session that begins in January. Many of the filed bills advocate for …

Florida’s Altmaier to Assume NAIC Presidency for 2021

The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) will have officers for 2021. The newly-elected officers will assume their duties on Jan. 1, 2021. Members of the association of regulators elected these leaders for the new year: President: Florida Insurance Commissioner …

Sompo Acquires Diversified Crop Insurance, Forms AgriSompo North America

Sompo International Holdings Ltd. (SIH), a Bermuda-based specialty provider of property/casualty insurance and reinsurance, has acquired Lenexa, Kan.-based Diversified Crop Insurance Services (DCIS), a subsidiary of CGB Enterprises Inc. (CGB). DCIS and ARMtech, Sompo International’s existing U.S. federally sponsored multi-peril …

Drunk Driving Convictions, Related Offenses Down in Wisconsin

Yearly convictions for drunken driving and other related offenses dropped by nearly 18,000 in Wisconsin between 2004 and 2018, according to a report from the state Legislative Reference Bureau. Alcohol-related fatal crashes have also declined in Wisconsin in the past …

AM Best Upgrades Capital Insurance Group in California

Monterey, Calif.-based Capital Insurance Group has been upgraded by AM Best. CIG received a rating of A (Excellent) from A- (Excellent). AM Best stated: “Concurrently, AM Best has upgraded the FSR to A (Excellent) from A- (Excellent) and the Long-Term …

Cross-Border Workers in Gibraltar to Retain Free Movement with Spain After Brexit

MADRID – Cross-border workers who commute between Gibraltar and Spain will be exempt from border controls after Brexit even if no agreement on free movement is reached with Britain, Spanish Foreign Minister Arancha Gonzalez Laya said on Monday. Madrid and …

Earthquake Confirmed in Northern California

A magnitude 3.9 earthquake rattled parts of Northern California on Sunday morning, the U.S. Geological Survey confirmed. The earthquake was reported at 6:44 a.m. about 14 miles from Chico. The quake was felt 25 miles away in Paradise, a town …

Papadopoulo Promoted to President, Chief Underwriting Officer of Arch Capital Group

Arch Capital Group Ltd. (ACGL) announced that Nicolas Papadopoulo will be promoted to the position of president and chief underwriting officer, effective Jan. 1, 2021. Papadopoulo joined Arch in 2001 and currently serves as chairman and CEO of Arch Worldwide …

Cyber Attacks Cost Russian Companies and Citizens $49B in 2020: Sberbank

MOSCOW – Cyber attacks have cost Russian companies and citizens up to 3.6 trillion roubles ($49 billion) this year, the country’s largest lender Sberbank said. Russia has encouraged its citizens to switch to bank cards and limit cash use to …

Insurance Journal’s Most Noteworthy Topics of 2020: International

COVID-19 and mergers and acquistions were just two of noteworthy topics of 2020 covered by the International section of Insurance Journal. Other notable topics included business moves — from startups and existing companies — and natural and manmade catastrophes. We …