Latest Business Insurance Headlines

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

U.S. Commercial Insurance Rates Rise Again Q3; Showing Signs of Stability

Dec 21 2020 // For the second quarter in a row, U.S. commercial lines insurers enjoyed average rate hikes that neared 10% but the rocket ship rate hike trend might be moderating. “While commercial insurance prices continued to rise...

COVID, Economy, Social Inflation Warrant Negative Commercial Lines Outlook: A.M. Best

Dec 21 2020 // U.S. commercial lines insurers will continue to be tarnished by an A.M. Best negative outlook, thanks to COVID-19 economic uncertainty, social inflation and other challenges. A.M. Best first revised its outlook for the...

Missouri Employers Mutual Names Smith VP, Claims; Expands Executive Team

Dec 17 2020 // Tim Smith has joined Missouri Employers Mutual (MEM) as vice president of Claims. He will provide executive-level leadership to claims outcomes, strategy and initiatives. Smith comes to MEM from NORCAL Mutual Insurance Co....

OSHA Updates Targeted Workplaces Inspection Program

Dec 17 2020 // The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is updating its inspection program that targets its enforcement resources to establishments with the highest rates of injuries and illnesses. The Site-Specific...

Trump EEOC Rule Aims to Slow Workplace Discrimination Lawsuits

Dec 14 2020 // The leader of the U.S. workplace anti-discrimination agency is pursuing a policy shift that could slow litigation against companies long after President-Elect Joe Biden takes office. Janet Dhillon, the chair of the Equal...

Free Shots, Cash Bonus, Firing. Employers Weigh How to Get Employees Vaccinated

Dec 11 2020 // U.S. workers could soon face choices such as free COVID-19 shots and a cash bonus if all get immunized, or those unwilling to be vaccinated get reassigned or even lose their jobs. Those options are being studied by...

COVID, Economy, Social Inflation Warrant Negative Commercial Lines Outlook: A.M. Best

Dec 11 2020 // U.S. commercial lines insurers will continue to be tarnished by an A.M. Best negative outlook, thanks to COVID-19 economic uncertainty, social inflation and other challenges. A.M. Best first revised its outlook for the...

NOW Insurance, Targeting Small Business, Professionals, Closes on $2.5M Seed Round

Dec 10 2020 // Houston-based NOW Insurance, an AI-enabled insurance platform aimed at matching small business owners and professionals with commercial insurance coverage plans, has secured another $1.25 million in seed funding led by The...

28% of Michigan Small-to Mid-Sized Business Leaders Satisfied with Economy: Survey

Dec 9 2020 // A survey funded by the by Accident Fund Insurance Company of America and the Michigan Business Network shows that most leaders of small-to mid-sized businesses in the state continue to be wary about the economy. The latest...

Middle Market Firms May Be Untapped Telematics Opportunity

Dec 9 2020 // Middle market business owners may be more interested in vehicle telematics insurance products than their agents realize. Approximately 14 percent of agents surveyed for insurer Nationwide responded that they don’t...

Former Fidelity Investments’ Employee Claims Discriminatory, Hostile Workplace

Dec 9 2020 // A former female employee of Fidelity Investments has sued the company for discrimination and a hostile workplace where women were allegedly disparaged and racially insensitive comments were made, according to a...

Texas Windstorm Insurer to File for 5% Residential, Commercial Rate Hike

Dec 8 2020 // The board of directors of Texas’ insurer of last resort for wind and hail for properties along the Texas coast has directed its staff to file a rate increase of 5% for both residential and commercial policies with...

U.S. Commercial Insurance Rates Rise Again in Q3 But Show Signs of Stabilizing

Dec 8 2020 // For the second quarter in a row, U.S. commercial lines insurers enjoyed average rate hikes that neared 10 percent but the rocket ship rate hike trend might be moderating “While commercial insurance prices continued...

Transit Worker Can Be Compensated, Cannot Sue Employer for Assault Injuries

Dec 4 2020 // A District of Columbia appeals court held that a Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) worker cannot sue his employer after requesting compensation under the Virginia Workers’ Compensation Act for an...

Small Business Insurtech Huckleberry to Offer Pandemic Business Interruption Plan

Dec 3 2020 // Huckleberry, a small business insurance purchasing platform, has launched a new offering designed for small businesses impacted by pandemic-related stressors and costs. The Pandemic Business Interruption plan will be...

U.S. Employers Have Right to Mandate COVID-19 Vaccine. But Will They?

Dec 3 2020 // Private U.S. companies have the right under the law to require employees to get vaccinated against COVID-19, but are unlikely to do so because of the risks of legal and cultural backlash, experts said. Companies are still...

California Will Provide $500M in Virus Aid for Small Businesses

Dec 2 2020 // California will provide temporary tax relief and $500 million in aid to small businesses struggling because of coronavirus outbreak restrictions, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced Monday. The tax measures include a three-month...

Louisiana Virus Aid Funds Run Low with Small Business, Local Requests Unmet

Nov 24 2020 // Louisiana will run out of federal coronavirus money before it pays out grants to all eligible small businesses and local government agencies seeking dollars from COVID-19 aid programs created by Gov. John Bel Edwards and...

Chief Actuary Antonello to Be Next CEO of Employers Holdings

Nov 20 2020 // Small business workers’ compensation insurance specialist Employers Holdings Inc. has named Katherine H. Antonello as its president and chief executive officer. She will take over upon the retirement of Douglas D....

Texas Automobile Insurance Plan’s 4.8% Commercial Auto Rate Hike Approved

Nov 16 2020 // The Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) has approved the request by the Texas Automobile Insurance Plan Association (TAIPA) for a 4.8% increase in commercial auto rates, with an effective date of March 1, 2021. TAIPA...