Monthly Archives: <span>July 2023</span>

Fire Causes Explosions at Louisiana Chemical Plant

PLAQUEMINE, La. (AP) __ A fire at a Louisiana chemical plant triggered explosions that shook homes several miles away and sent flames and smoke billowing into the air, prompting emergency officials to urge a few hundred nearby residents to shelter …

Alaska Volcano Spews Ash Cloud High Enough to Draw Weather Service Warning for Pilots

An erupting volcano in Alaska’s Aleutian Islands sent a towering cloud of ash into the air Friday, prompting the National Weather Service to issue an inflight warning to pilots. The Shishaldin Volcano began erupting July 11, according to the Alaska …

Higher Reserving Uncertainties Could Sustain Hard Market Conditions: Report

Systemic shocks related to the recent pandemic, the war in Ukraine, natural catastrophe losses and elevated inflation have raised questions about reserve adequacy for property/casualty insurers, according to a Swiss Re report. These recent shocks have pushed up claims and …

Warren Buffett’s PacifiCorp Sued by Oregon Wineries Over Fire Damage

Berkshire Hathaway Inc.’s PacifiCorp was sued by Oregon wineries claiming that smoke from wildfires ignited by the utility’s equipment in 2020 destroyed their grape harvests, resulting in tens of millions of dollars in damages and lost wine sales. The lawsuits …

AAA Is Not Exiting Florida But Will Non-Renew ‘Small Percentage’ of Policies

The Auto Club Insurance Company (AAA) of Florida has announced that it will not renew a “very small percentage” of auto and home insurance package policies in Florida. But, the insurer stressed, it is not leaving the state — it’s …

Liberty Mutual Announces Organizational Changes, Leading to 370 US Job Losses

Liberty Mutual Insurance announced major organizational changes and executive leadership appointments, which are aimed at enhancing its personal and small commercial lines business in long-term strategic markets. Approximately 370 jobs will be lost in the US as a result of …

Reinsurance Broker, Augment, Launches With Access to $100M in Funding

Augment, a new Miami-headquartered reinsurance broker, announced its official launch with access of up to $100 million in funding from Altamont Capital Partners. Over the last decade, the global reinsurance market has been buffeted by significant shifts — among them …

Insurers Reviewing Black Sea Ship Cover After Russia Quits Grain Deal: Sources

Insurers are reviewing whether to freeze cover for any ships willing to sail to Ukraine after Russia on Monday quit a U.N.-backed deal that allows the export of grain through a wartime Black Sea safe corridor, industry sources said. The …

South Carolina Expands Ignition Interlock Law for Drunk Drivers

South Carolina is expanding the number of drunk driving offenders who must install temporary breathalyzers before taking the wheel. Under the new law, anyone convicted of driving under the influence will have to breathe into a device that confirms no …

Death Records Should Be Open to Public, Rules Pennsylvania Court

Autopsy records should be open to the public, a Pennsylvania court ruled in response to the county`s denial of a journalist`s requests for records pertaining to an inmate`s death. The case marks a further easing of the public’s access to …