Articles by Amy O'Connor

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

Top Florida Stories of 2016: The AOB ‘Insurance Crisis’

Assignment of benefits abuse has become such a well-known problem in the state of Florida this year that it now just goes by the nickname “AOB.” The issue with AOB comes from when a policyholder suffers a loss, such as …

Top Florida Stories of 2016: Workers’ Comp Market in Turmoil

It’s been a tumultuous year for the Florida insurance industry. It would seem the biggest story would be the end of Florida’s hurricane drought as the state got hit by not one, but two hurricanes this year, the first hurricanes …

Florida Supreme Court Rules Against Insurer in Concurrent Loss Case

The Florida Supreme Court has ruled in favor of policyholders seeking coverage on claims where there is the possibility of multiple concurrent losses but at least one of the losses is covered under their policy. Though the decision can have …

North Carolina Surplus Lines Agents Facing Jan. 1 Registration Deadline

Surplus lines agents doing business in North Carolina can now begin registering with the recently established North Carolina Surplus Lines Stamping Office as new rules regarding resident and non-resident surplus lines licenses are set to take effect. As of Jan. …

North Carolina Surplus Lines Association Prepares to Launch New Stamping Office

Surplus lines agents doing business in North Carolina can now begin registering with the recently established North Carolina Surplus Lines Stamping Office as new rules regarding resident and non-resident surplus lines licenses are set to take effect. As of Jan. …

How Challenges Create Opportunity in Program Business

Today’s program administrators continue to face plenty of challenges, including increased competition, high merger and acquisition activity, market pressures for more creative options, and other issues. Those challenges are leading to opportunities as the industry is forced to create and …

North Carolina Surplus Lines Association Prepares to Launch New Stamping Office

Surplus lines agents doing business in North Carolina can now begin registering with the recently established North Carolina Surplus Lines Stamping Office as new rules regarding resident and non-resident surplus lines licenses are set to take effect. As of Jan. …

North Carolina Elects Causey as Insurance Commissioner

North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Wayne Goodwin, a Democrat, was narrowly defeated Nov. 8 by his Republican opponent Mike Causey. Goodwin has served as North Carolina Insurance Commissioner since 2009. Causey, an insurance agency owner, won by nearly 39,000 votes, according …

U.S. Supreme Court Declines to Review Challenge to Florida Workers’ Comp System

The United States Supreme Court has refused to review a Florida case challenging the state’s entire workers’ compensation system, which could be seen as the state’s only reprieve on workers’ comp this year. The Court’s Oct. 31 decision without comment …

Agency Owner Causey Defeats Goodwin in North Carolina Commissioner Race

North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Wayne Goodwin, a Democrat, was narrowly defeated Tuesday by his Republican opponent Mike Causey. Goodwin has served as North Carolina Insurance Commissioner since 2009. Causey, an insurance agency owner, won by nearly 39,000 votes, according to …