Latest Business Insurance Headlines

All the headlines from our Business Insurance Topic Page, ordered by recency.

U.S. Offers Small Businesses Free Cyber Security Tool

Feb 6 2012 // The U.S. government is making it easier for small businesses to beef up defenses against cyber criminals through a free, online tool. The Small Biz Cyber Planner allows business owners to create customized cyber security...

Employers’ Alert

Feb 6 2012 // Leading employment law firm Seyfarth Shaw LLP has issued its annual Workplace Class Action Litigation Report. The report, written by Seyfarth Shaw partner Gerald L. Maatman Jr., examines 976 class action decisions rendered...

Missouri Senator Delays Workplace Discrimination Vote

Feb 3 2012 // A black senator from St. Louis area who said she was fearful of reversing decades of hard-fought civil rights gains held the Missouri Senate floor for hours on Feb. 1 while vowing to block a vote on legislation changing...

Study: California Workplace Safety Program Only Superficially Enforced

Feb 1 2012 // An occupational safety program that requires California businesses to eliminate workplace hazards only works when it’s adequately enforced. That revelation comes from Santa Monica, Calif.-based think tank RAND Corp.,...

Florida Firefighters Win Workplace Retaliation Claim Against Union, County

Feb 1 2012 // A federal jury has awarded $189,000 to two Tampa Bay area firefighters in a workplace retaliation case. The Tampa Bay Times reported that most of this week’s verdict was assessed against the International Association...

Tougher U.S. Commercial Market Conditions in 2012: Marsh

Jan 25 2012 // U.S. commercial insurance rates are expected to climb across many lines of business in 2012, continuing a trend that began in the second half of 2011, according to a report by insurance broker Marsh. Substantial...

Travelers CEO: Business Insurance Renewal Price Up 10% in December

Jan 25 2012 // Travelers Companies Inc.’s business insurance had renewal premium rate gains of 8 percent for the fourth quarter 2011 and 10 percent for December, said CEO Jay Fishman. He offered his remarks during the company...

Missouri Senate Debates Workplace Discrimination Bill

Jan 25 2012 // Democrats in the Missouri Senate say a bill revising workplace discrimination laws would make it harder for people to prove the claim against employers. Senate Bill 592 would require workers who fight firings or other...

Report: Most Workplace Homicides Happen During Robberies

Jan 25 2012 // What do robberies and healthcare patients have in common? Workplace violence. While the numbers of workplace homicides and injury-causing assaults have fallen since the 1990s, homicides that do occur in the workplace...

Wyoming Governor Backs Workplace Safety Recommendations

Jan 23 2012 // The state’s occupational epidemiologist who spent a year studying the high rate of workplace deaths in Wyoming said his research points to lack of a “culture of safety” in Wyoming. Dr. Timothy Ryan said...

Oklahoma to Require Medical Certification for Some Commercial Drivers

Jan 23 2012 // On Jan. 30, 2012, the Oklahoma Department of Public Safety (DPS) will begin adding medical certification status and medical examiner’s certificate information to commercial driver’s license system (CDLIS)...

Chartis Realigns Global Business Units Amid Departure of Key Executive

Jan 18 2012 // Chartis said it is streamlining its geographic structure to add greater focus on its growth economies initiatives. The move comes amid the departure of Chartis Growth Economies CEO Julio Portalatin, who is leaving the...

Oklahoma to Require Medical Certification for Some Commercial Drivers

Jan 13 2012 // On Jan. 30, 2012, the Oklahoma Department of Public Safety (DPS) will begin adding medical certification status and medical examiner’s certificate information to commercial driver’s license system (CDLIS)...

Five Star Expands Classes for Business Auto Program

Jan 11 2012 // Five Star Specialty Programs has announced a new market for the business auto program, which will provide additional coverage for more classes, including wholesale distributors, retail locations and various...

2012 Commercial Lines Ratings Outlook Negative: A.M. Best

Jan 9 2012 // The rating outlook for U.S. commercial property/casualty insurance remains negative, while the outlook for personal lines is stable, according to a briefing from A.M. Best Co. The ratings firm said it continues to maintain...

Wyoming Governor Backs Workplace Safety Recommendations

Jan 5 2012 // The state’s occupational epidemiologist who spent a year studying the high rate of workplace deaths in Wyoming said his research points to lack of a “culture of safety” in Wyoming. Dr. Timothy Ryan said...

Austin Mutual Names Kirkendall Commercial Lines Underwriting Director

Jan 3 2012 // Minnesota-based Austin Mutual Insurance Co. has promoted Kody Kirkendall to director of commercial lines underwriting. Kirkendall will continue to oversee the agribusiness division underwriting and will add Austin...

Employers Share Employee Benefits Success Stories at Mass. Conference

Dec 29 2011 // New England Employee Benefits Council (NEEBC) held its annual conference earlier this month, giving its Best Benefits Practices awards to six winners. The winners shared their success stories at the NEEBC conference in...

Idaho Economic Developers Want Employer Incentive Fund

Dec 27 2011 // State lawmakers need to create a $5- to $10-million fund that could be used to entice high-paying employers to the state by rewarding them with incentive packages, Idaho economic developers said. The Boise Valley Economic...

Air Force Building in Georgia Clears the Air for Workplace Safety

Dec 22 2011 // A year ago, Building 169 at Robins Air Force Base in Georgia was the epicenter of the base’s troubles with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. An inspection of the building by OSHA investigators found...