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.

Schiavone Takes Over Allianz Global Specialty’s Alternative Risk Team; Coppola to Head Financial Lines

Paul Schiavone has been appointed as global head of Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty’s Alternative Risk Transfer (ART) business, taking over from Bill Guffey who is leaving Allianz for other opportunities after 15 years at the company. Laura Coppola takes …

House Passes Flood Insurance Program Extension with Reforms

The House of Representatives on Tuesday voted 237-189 to pass the 21st Century Flood Reform Act (H.R. 2874) – a package of seven bills that reauthorizes the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) until 2022 and introduces various reforms. The fate …

Insurance Agents Regained Organic Growth Momentum in Q2: Reagan

Insurance agencies and brokerage firms reported that their organic growth rebounded to 4.6 percent in the second quarter of 2017, a reversal from the 3.9 percent reported in the first quarter, which was the weakest growth rate since 2011. Several …

Best Areas in U.S. to Live to Avoid Natural Disasters

Tired of living with hurricanes, tornadoes or floods? Head to Portland, Salt Lake City or Providence. Or California. Yes, California. Portland, Oregon is the safest place to live to avoid hazardous weather; three of the other safest places are in …

Progressive’s Flo Turned Into Chatbot

Convinced that Americans are dying to speak with its human TV spokes-icon Flo, Progressive Insurance is bringing a Flo Chatbot experience to Facebook Messenger. This tool, enhanced by artificial intelligence and quoting technology, is now available for all Messenger users …

Citing ‘Social Good,’ Insurer Lemonade Adds Restrictions to Firearms Coverage

Online home and rental insurer Lemonade has said it is limiting its coverage for gun owners as part of its commitment to “make insurance into a social good.” Citing the recent Las Vegas mass shooting, Lemonade CEO Daniel Schreiber blogged: …

AmWINS Acquiring 15 Insurance Programs from Willis Towers Watson

Specialty broker AmWINS Group reports it has agreed to acquire 15 insurance programs from broker Willis Towers Watson. Among the programs being acquired by AmWINS are MountainGuard, which provides underwriting, claims and loss control services to the majority of ski …

Insurtech CoverWallet Secures $18.5 Million to Expand Small Business Insurance Platform

Digital business insurance agency CoverWallet said it has closed a $18.5 million Series B funding round led by Foundation Capital with participation from existing investors Union Square Ventures, Index Ventures, CV Starr and Two Sigma Ventures. The firm uses analytics …

P/C Insurer Software Provider Guidewire to Acquire Data Science Firm Cyence

Guidewire Software Inc., a provider of core operations software to property/casualty insurers, has agreed to acquire Cyence, a data science and risk analytics software company. Guidewire will pay approximately $275 million in cash and stock. Cyence applies data science and …

Insurtech Slice Raises $11.6M; Will Offer Its On-Demand Platform to Other Carriers

Slice Labs Inc., a company offering an on-demand insurance platform for rideshare and homeshare risks in the United States, has announced a Series A investment of $11.6 million led by XL Innovate, with participation from Horizons Ventures, Munich Re / …