Articles by Andrew G. Simpson

Simpson is a freelance writer and editor. He retired as Chief Content Officer for Wells Media Group in July, 2022 after 18 years with the company.

Largest Wholesale Broker, Amwins, to Acquire Rival Worldwide Facilities

The largest wholesale insurance broker, Amwins Group, is getting even larger as it has agreed to acquire Worldwide Facilities, the fourth-largest wholesale insurance broker in the U.S. The addition of Worldwide broadens Amwins’ specialty capabilities and expands its footprint, especially …

Next Insurance to Acquire Affinity Agency AP Intego

Digital commercial insurance company Next Insurance has agreed to acquire AP Intego, a Massachusetts-based digital insurance agency providing small commercial insurance products. Through its platform, AP Intego offers property/casualty insurance including pay-as-you-go workers’ compensation to the small business customers of …

Court Up’holds’ Insurers’ Denial of $6M Crime Claim for Phishing Loss

Real estate software maker RealPage has been denied a $6 million computer crime insurance coverage claim because the stolen funds were not in its possession but were instead being held by a payment processing firm at the time of a …

Federal Flood Insurance Premiums Far From Keeping Up With Expected Losses

If the nearly 4.3 million residential homes (1-4 units) across the country with substantial flood risk were to be insured through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), the NFIP rates would need to increase 4.5 times to cover the risk …

It Could Have Been Worse. COVID-19’s Impact on Workers’ Compensation

While it obviously presented challenges, 2020 is looking like it may not have been such a bad year for workers’ compensation insurers and insureds after all. Insurers took in less premium but paid fewer claims. They managed to achieve one …

Future of the Insurance Industry and Who Owns It: 3 Scenarios From Verisk’s Anquillare

The question is not whether the future of the insurance industry is bright. “Few industries are better positioned for outstanding growth over the next 15 years,” insists Verisk’s Mark Anquillare. Anquillare points to the giant global protection gap between what …

Progressive to Buy Transportation Insurer Protective for $338 Million

The Progressive Corp. is acquiring Indiana-based trucking industry insurer Protective Insurance Corp. in a move that will increase its stake in the commercial lines insurance market. Progressive has agreed to pay $23.30 per share in cash, for a total transaction …

Lloyd’s Construction Specialists Say They Are Ready For U.S. Infrastructure Boom

Construction insurance specialists at Lloyd’s of London are hoping to see more U.S. business from increased government investment in infrastructure projects in 2021. That will be welcome after a period of dealing with requests to step in on U.S. construction …

Federal Judge Sides with Chubb in Denial of Target’s Data Breach Bank Claims

Target Corp. has been denied its $138 million insurance claim against ACE (now Chubb) Insurance companies stemming from a 2013 data breach. A federal judge in Minnesota ruled the retailer had failed to prove that its reimbursement to banks for …

EC Pauses Investigation; CEO Says Aon-Willis Merger Still on Track to Close in 1st Half

The merger of Aon with Willis Towers Watson is on course to close in the first half of 2021, said John Haley, Willis Towers Watson’s chief executive. “In March of last year when we first announced [the merger], we had …