Articles by Amy O'Connor

O'Connor is the Southeast editor for Insurance Journal and associate editor of MyNewMarkets.com.

Female Entrepreneur Forging Path in Insurtech Space with AI-Powered Chatbot ‘LeO’

Like many people, entrepreneur and former Israeli tech journalist turned insurtech founder Liri Halperin never expected she would end up in the insurance business. But an insurance buying experience almost four years ago made her realize an insurtech opportunity that …

Insurtechs Discovering the Value of Agents

Insurtechs have been making headlines for several years with how they are changing the insurance business and the threat they pose to traditional insurance distribution. But as these fledgling insurance technology firms find their footing, they are realizing the value …

Florida Officials Say Insurers Not Doing Enough to Settle Hurricane Michael Claims

It’s been just over a year since Hurricane Michael made landfall in the Florida Panhandle, devastating the region as a Category 5 storm with 161-mph winds and causing more than $7.2 billion in estimated insured losses, according to the Florida …

State Finds Florida Specialty Insurance Insolvent; 90K Homeowners Lose Coverage

Florida personal lines insurer Florida Specialty Insurance Co. (FSIC) has been ordered into receivership and will be liquidated after state regulators determined the company is insolvent and unable to establish a viable business plan moving forward. The Florida Department of …

Catastrophe Modelers: U.S. Insured Losses from Dorian Could Reach $1.5B in U.S.

Insured loss estimates for Hurricane Dorian will range from $500 million to $1.5 billion, according to catastrophe modeling firms Karen Clark & Co. and RMS. According to KCC, Dorian reached peak intensity of 185 mph while over the Bahamas, one …

A Growing Agency With a Small Business Feel

Florida-based Acentria Insurance has been busy since its founding by industry veteran Kendall McEachern in 2010. The personal and commercial lines agency has acquired several agencies and now has 50 locations and more than 500 employees in the state of …

Fairmatic Bets On Driver-Driven Premium Adjustments to Score in Commercial Auto

Managing general agent (MGA) Fairmatic has introduced a usage-based insurance model that features monthly commercial auto premium adjustments based on an insured’s driving behaviors. Fairmatic’s “performance-priced commercial auto insurance” product is currently available to commercial fleets and on-demand delivery and …

Catastrophe Modelers: U.S. Insured Losses from Dorian Could Reach $1.5B in U.S.

Catastrophe modeling firms Karen Clark & Co. and RMS have released insured loss estimates for Hurricane Dorian, ranging from $500 million to $1.5 billion. According to KCC, Dorian reached peak intensity of 185 mph while over the Bahamas, one of …

NCCI Proposes 5.4% Decrease in Florida Workers’ Comp Rates

Florida businesses will see another workers’ comp rate decrease next year if the latest filing by the National Council on Compensation Insurance (NCCI) is approved by Florida regulators. Carrier results continue to be favorable in the segment thanks to many …

The Aftermath of Hurricane Dorian: Southeast States ‘Dodged a Bullet’

Residents and the insurance industry in Southeast states are feeling relieved after Hurricane Dorian grazed the U.S. coastline last week just days after it caused catastrophic damage in the Bahamas. While the storm was at one point a Category 3 …