Monthly Archives: <span>June 2024</span>

California Workers’ Comp Med-Legal Costs up Sharply Under New Fee Schedule

Payments for medical-legal evaluations and reports used to resolve medical disputes in California worker injury claims rose more than expected since a new Med-Legal Fee Schedule (MLFS) took effect in 2021, according to a new study. The study by the …

Vertafore Report Highlights Agency Recruitment, Hard Market Challenges

Independent insurance agencies are struggling to find qualified job candidates, and nearly a third of agents surveyed for a recent Vertafore report said they’re finding that “young people just aren’t that interested in insurance.” Vertafore’s annual insurance workforce survey report …

Fisker to Recall Over 12,000 Ocean Vehicles

Electric-vehicle firm Fisker is recalling more than 12,000 Ocean vehicles to fix an issue where exterior door handles can stick and fail to open, the company said on Friday, marking its third recall this month. The U.S. National Highway Traffic …

Australia Approves ANZ’s $3.3B Buyout of Suncorp; Deal Will Help With Insurance Focus

Australia on Friday gave the go-ahead for ANZ Group’s A$4.9 billion ($3.26 billion) buyout of Suncorp’s banking business, clearing the deal to proceed after almost two years of scrutiny by financial regulators and treasury. Treasurer Jim Chalmers said the deal …

People Moves: Gallagher Re Appoints Rudden as Head of Green Solutions; Markel Taps BHSI’s Gebran as Head of Casualty in MENA Region

This edition of International People Moves details appointments at Gallagher Re and Markel. A summary of these new hires follows here. Gallagher Re Appoints Rudden as Head of Green Solutions Gallagher Re announced the appointment of Richard Rudden as head …

Claimants for Deadly Mariana Dam Collapse File Injunction Against BHP, Vale

Lawyers representing claimants taking legal action over Brazil’s worst environmental disaster filed an injunction this week against miners BHP and Vale for “trying to derail” a potential 36 billion-pound ($46 billion) London lawsuit. More than 720,000 Brazilians, including 46 local …

BMS Australia Launches Agriculture Business

BMS Australia, the London-based specialist insurance and reinsurance broker, announced the launch of its Agriculture business with Ceri Martin appointed to lead the division. The establishment of this new business is part of BMS’ global strategy to deepen its expertise …

Insurers Seek Subrogation Against Norfolk Southern Over Ohio Train Derailment

Four insurance companies filed a subrogation lawsuit against Norfolk Southern in federal court last week, alleging the rail carrier’s negligence led to the 2023 East Palestine, Ohio train derailment and subsequent fire, explosion and release of toxic chemicals. Erie Insurance …

As Rates Rise, Majority of Homeowners Say Insurance Industry Is in Crisis: Survey

Homeowners are cutting back on dining out, travel, groceries and even medication to afford their soaring property insurance premiums. One in 10 are considering relocating to an area with lower premiums. Within the last five years, homeowners’ insurance premiums have …

Guidance and Insurance Implications for the CDK Global Cyberattack

On June 18 and 19, 2024, CDK Global (CDK), a leading provider of cloud-based software to auto dealerships in North America, fell victim to a two-tiered cyberattack. 15,000 dealerships are potentially impacted, with multiple departments affected, including sales, financing and …