Articles by Amy O'Connor

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

Renters’ Insurance and Millennials: If You Make it Simple, They Will Come

There’s a new website aimed at changing the way millennials deal with buying insurance – but it’s focused on a widely under-served segment of the insurance market – renters’ insurance. Launched by two young insurance agents Tom Austin and Zachary …

Brown & Brown Florida Office Denies EEOC Allegations of Pregnancy Discrimination

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has filed suit against national insurance brokerage firm Brown & Brown, based in Daytona Beach, Fla., over allegations it violated the Civil Rights Act by rescinding a job offer to a pregnant woman. …

As Active Shooter Incidents Increase, Industry Addresses Coverage ‘Gray Area’

There’s a new insurance market emerging in light of a disturbing reality in today’s world – active shooter risks. The new coverage is meant to address a gray area in insurance policies that may leave insureds vulnerable to claims in …

North Carolina Tackles Insurance Rate Evasion Fraud, Updates Captive Laws

North Carolina has made several changes encompassing fraud, captives and flood insurance regulations to its state insurance laws. New legislation, House Bill 287, was approved June 30 by state lawmakers and signed into law July 6 by Gov. Pat McCrory. …

Citizens Implements Review Program for Florida Water Loss Claims

Florida’s insurer of last resort, Citizens, has expanded its efforts to curb increasing water loss claims with a new Water Mitigation Estimate Review Program. Citizens Chief Claims Officer Jay Adams said the new program will provide Citizens with “certified and …

N.C. Tackles Insurance Rate Evasion Fraud, Captive Insurance

North Carolina has made several changes encompassing fraud, captives and flood insurance regulations to its state insurance laws. The legislation, House Bill 287, was approved June 30 by state lawmakers and signed into law July 6 by Gov. Pat McCrory. …

Citizens Implements $1.8M Estimate Review Program for Florida Water Loss Claims

Florida’s insurer of last resort, Citizens, has expanded its efforts to curb increasing water loss claims with a new Water Mitigation Estimate Review Program. Citizens Chief Claims Officer Jay Adams said the new program will provide Citizens with “certified and …

Changing Political Risk Landscape: Religious Extremists, Cyberterrorism Cause Concerns

In a short period of time, the political risk market has experienced a significant shift in exposures, with new potential threats and different territories now threatened by attacks from religious extremists. Christof Bentele, head of Global Crisis Management at Allianz …

South Carolina Workers’ Comp Loss Costs Going Up, New Filing Requirements Take Effect

New requirements regarding the implementation of changes in workers’ compensation loss costs have been passed by the South Carolina Legislature, and the insurance department is reminding insurers to ensure they follow the new filing rules as loss cost increases will …

South Carolina Workers’ Comp Loss Costs Going Up, New Filing Requirements Take Effect

New requirements regarding the implementation of changes in workers’ compensation loss costs have been passed by the South Carolina Legislature, and the insurance department is reminding insurers to ensure they follow the new filing rules as loss cost increases will …