Latest USA Headlines
All the headlines from our USA Topic Page, ordered by recency.
Insurer Downgrades Jumped in 2018 But Were Still Outnumbered by Upgrades: A.M. Best
Sep 3 2018 // Catastrophic weather events in 2017 helped spur an increase in rating downgrades for the U.S. property/casualty (P/C) industry during the first half of 2018, according to an A.M. Best report. But the report also notes that...
Former Illinois Insurance Broker Sentenced to Prison, Must Repay Nearly $1M
Sep 3 2018 // The former owner of multiple property/casualty insurance operations in northern Illinois has been sentenced to more than four years in prison and ordered to pay nearly $1 million in restitution for insurance fraud. U.S....
Prosecutors: Possible Negligence in Missouri Duck Boat Sinking
Aug 31 2018 // The U.S. Coast Guard has found probable cause that the sinking of a tourist boat on a Missouri lake last month that killed 17 people “resulted from the misconduct, negligence, or inattention to the duties” by...
ILS Issuance in H1 Tops $7B, Reflecting Capital Markets’ Re/Insurance Appetite: Swiss Re
Aug 31 2018 // The first half of 2018 aptly demonstrated that the insurance-linked securities (ILS) market has an undiminished appetite to provide re/insurance protection – despite last year’s expensive insured natural...
Justice Department Supports Case Alleging Harvard Bias in Admissions
Aug 31 2018 // The U.S. Justice Department on Thursday backed a lawsuit accusing Harvard University of discriminating against Asian-American applicants, throwing its support behind a case that could impact the use of race-based college...
Calm August No Guarantee of Hurricane-Free September
Aug 31 2018 // Where are all the big Atlantic storms? A year ago, Hurricane Harvey made landfall in Texas, kicking off a parade of destructive storms that made 2017 the costliest Atlantic season ever. So far in 2018, the region has been...
Court Asked to Force EPA Reversal of Monsanto Weedkiller Approval
Aug 31 2018 // Environmental groups argued in federal appeals court on Wednesday the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency failed to analyze the risks Bayer AG Monsanto’s dicamba-based weed killer posed to nearby crops before...
Judge Says FEMA Can End Motel Payments for Hurricane Maria Evacuees
Aug 30 2018 // A federal judge on Thursday rejected a request to block the U.S. government from cutting off aid to hundreds of Puerto Rican families who fled the hurricane-ravaged island in 2017 and are living in hotels and motels across...
Santander Bank Settles Auto Finance, Insurance Claims
Aug 30 2018 // A unit of European lender Banco Santander SA has agreed to settle claims by a U.S. consumer watchdog that it misled drivers about the costs of loans and the coverage of related insurance policies, said three people with...
India Government Recommends J&J Pay Compensation for Recalled Hip Implants
Aug 29 2018 // A government panel has recommended that Johnson & Johnson (J&J) pay compensation of at least $28,500 to each Indian patient who suffered from artificial hip implants the U.S. healthcare firm recalled eight years...
P/C Insurance Industry Delivered Improved Results in First Half
Aug 29 2018 // Mid-year results for U.S. property/casualty insurers and reinsurers show they are on the mend following a trying 2017, according to Fitch Ratings. Operating performance moderately improved for P/C (re)insurers during the...
Goldman Sachs Wants Whistleblower’s Claims Sent to Arbitration
Aug 28 2018 // Goldman Sachs Group Inc. says claims by a former executive that the bank retaliated against him for blowing the whistle on its failure to comply with anti-money-laundering policies should be heard outside of court or...
Ban on Publishing Blueprints for 3-D Guns Extended by Judge
Aug 28 2018 // A U.S. judge extended a ban on publishing blueprints for 3-D printed guns online, handing a procedural victory to states and gun-control groups that argue the practice will make it easy for criminals and terrorists to get...
Serial Arsonist Arrested for Torching RVs at Florida Dealership
Aug 28 2018 // A serial Florida arsonist has been arrested and charged with 10 counts of 2nd degree arson in Palm Beach County for setting fires to $300,000 worth of RVs, according to a statement from Florida CFO and State Fire Marshal...
Louisiana Company to Pay $165K Resolve Disability Discrimination Suit
Aug 27 2018 // An Allemands, Louisiana-based provider of marine transportation services will pay $165,000 to settle a disability discrimination lawsuit brought by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). The EEOC said...
Argo Names Duncan to Lead U.S. Specialty Programs
Aug 27 2018 // Specialty insurer Argo Group has appointed Marsh Duncan to serve as senior vice president U.S. Specialty Programs, effective immediately. In this role, Duncan will lead the company’s strategy to offer customized...
Canada Should Require Stronger Rail Cars for Crude Before 2025 Deadline: Official
Aug 27 2018 // Canada ought to require stronger tank cars for transporting flammable liquids sooner than the current deadline in 2025, Transportation Safety Board Chair Kathy Fox said on Thursday, noting that crude-by-rail shipments are...
China’s Giant Ping An Insurance Sues U.S. Broker Over Use of Name
Aug 24 2018 // China’s giant Ping An Insurance Group is suing a California-based wholesale brokerage over its use of the name Ping An. The Chinese financial services firm is demanding that Ping An Insurance Center...
In Harvey’s Wake: 68 Dead; Damage Costs in the Billions
Aug 24 2018 // Hurricane Harvey slammed into Texas last August as a powerful Category 4 storm, killing dozens of people and causing billions of dollars in damage. Though its fiercest winds quickly dissipated, the storm hovered for days...
Big Insurers Still Taking a Pass on Marijuana Profits
Aug 24 2018 // Marijuana is already a multibillion-dollar business in the U.S. that’s drawing attention from some lawmakers eager for tax revenue and investors looking for profits. So far, however, some of the biggest insurers are...
