Latest New Jersey Headlines

All the headlines from our New Jersey Topic Page, ordered by recency.

Lawsuit Focuses on Flood Insurance Claims, Classification of Basement

Dec 21 2012 // A recently filed class action lawsuit in New Jersey is alleging “improper handling” of certain flood insurance claims arising out of Hurricane Irene in 2011 and Superstorm Sandy in 2012. The lawsuit focuses on...

Senate Republicans Move to Cut Sandy Aid to $24 Billion

Dec 20 2012 // U.S. Senate Republicans sought to slash a $60.4 billion aid bill to cover reconstruction after Superstorm Sandy, proposing on Wednesday to fund only $23.8 billion in immediate disaster relief while assessing longer-term...

Senate Begins Debating $60 Billion Sandy Relief Bill

Dec 19 2012 // The U.S. Senate on Monday began debating a $60.4 billion aid bill to rebuild communities devastated by Superstorm Sandy amid criticism by conservative groups who said the measure was loaded with wasteful, non-disaster...

New Jersey OKs 8.3% Hike in Workers’ Comp Rates

Dec 18 2012 // The New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance has approved an 8.3 percent increase in manual rates and rating values applicable to New Jersey workers compensation and employers liability insurance effective January 1,...

N.J. Regulators Offer Tips on Managing Settlement Process Post-Sandy

Dec 18 2012 // New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance Acting Commissioner Ken Kobylowski is offering advice to consumers in an effort to help explain the Sandy claims process. The regulator said that so far, more than 458,000 New...

Ex-Insurance Broker Gets 15 Years for Swindling N.J. City School Board

Dec 12 2012 // An insurance broker already headed to prison for funneling bribes to a former Toms River, N.J., school superintendent now faces an additional sentence for swindling the city of Perth Amboy in New Jersey. A state judge in...

Commentary: Lessons From Recent Decisions on Bad Faith Litigation

Dec 12 2012 // A rising tide of first-party bad faith decisions is defining the contours of the bad faith cause of action. Recently, three courts have found first-party insurance companies liable for bad faith claims handling. However,...

U.S. SEC Charges N.J.-based Consultant with Fraud in Chinese Reverse Mergers

Dec 12 2012 // U.S. securities regulators charged a New Jersey-based consultant on Tuesday with defrauding investors in the China-based companies he helped make public through a backdoor method known as a “reverse...

N.J.-Based Cumberland Insurance Group Promotes 3 Assistant VPs

Dec 11 2012 // The Cumberland Insurance Group, a mutual insurance company based in Bridgeton, N.J., announced three promotions. The company said Glenn Watkins was promoted from assistant vice president to vice president. Watkins has been...

N.J. Couple Charged With Allegedly Pocketing $1.8M in D&O Premiums

Dec 11 2012 // A Central New Jersey couple that ran a now-defunct insurance brokerage firm has been charged with allegedly conspiring to steal nearly $1.8 million by failing to remit insurance premiums to eight insurers. The 27-count...

FEMA Likely to Expand Flood Zones Along N.J. Coast in Wake of Sandy

Dec 9 2012 // The federal government is poised to expand flood zones and push for increases in building elevations along the New Jersey coast in the wake of flooding from Hurricane Sandy. The Federal Emergency Management Agency was...

New Jersey Gov. Christie Vetoes State-Run Health Exchange Bill

Dec 7 2012 // New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie vetoed legislation establishing a state-run health insurance exchange Thursday, blaming the federal government for failing to provide the answers he said he needs to make a fiscally sound...

Ex-N.J. Brokerage Exec Who Stole Millions Faces Lengthy Prison Term

Dec 6 2012 // A former New Jersey insurance brokerage controller who pleaded guilty to stealing several million dollars is awaiting sentencing scheduled for Dec. 19. Under the plea agreement, the state will recommend that Kelly Roetto,...

New Jersey Lawmaker Seeks to Cap Public Adjuster Fees in Wake of Sandy

Dec 5 2012 // A leading New Jersey lawmaker is planning to introduce a bill that would cap how much a public adjuster can charge a homeowner for insurance claim assistance for certain emergencies. Assembly Speaker Pro Tempore Jerry...

New Jersey Governor Christie Seeks 100% FEMA Reimbursement for Sandy

Dec 4 2012 // New Jersey Governor Chris Christie is asking the federal government to reimburse the state for 100 percent of emergency costs for at least 90 days after Superstorm Sandy swept ashore on Oct. 29. Gov. Christie addressing a...

N.J.-Based Crum & Forster Names VP of Fidelity Practice

Dec 3 2012 // New Jersey-based Crum & Forster appointed Joseph Prystupa as vice president in its management and professional services division (MAPS) overseeing the fidelity and crime practice. In his new role, Prystupa will help...

Hurricane Center Seeks to Improve Storm Surge Warnings

Nov 30 2012 // Friday marks the end of an Atlantic-Caribbean hurricane season where the greatest devastation was caused by water rather than wind, U.S. National Hurricane Center Director Rick Knabb said. Accordingly, the center is...

White House Request for Sandy Aid Expected to Include Flood Insurance Funds

Nov 28 2012 // The White House is expected in the coming days to send Congress a multibillion dollar request to fund recovery from Superstorm Sandy, which caused an estimated $71 billion in damages in New York and New...

New York, New Jersey Put $71 Billion Price Tag on Sandy

Nov 26 2012 // New York state and New Jersey need at least $71.3 billion to recover from the devastation wrought by Superstorm Sandy and prevent similar damage from future storms, according to their latest estimates. The total, which...

New Jersey Shore Towns to Get New Flood Maps by 2013

Nov 26 2012 // Some residents of New Jersey’s coastal towns may soon be required to purchase flood insurance, and not just because of the recent devastation wrought by Hurricane Sandy. By next year, the Federal Emergency Management...