Articles by Jim Sams

Sams is editor of ClaimsJournal.com, the online resource and daily newsletter for property/casualty insurance claims professionals. ClaimsJournal is a member of the Wells Media Group. Sams can be reached at jsams@wellsmedia.com

Bad Driving, Inflation Among Factors Pushing Increase in Auto Loss Ratios

US auto insurers are coping with the largest direct loss ratio in 20 years because of factors that include historic inflation, a deterioration in driving behavior and sky-high jury awards, the American Property and Casualty Insurance Association says in a …

Arizona Court: PTSD Claimant Missed Statute of Limitations for Bad Faith Claim

John C. France’s workers’ compensation claim cleared the way for Arizona first responders to receive workers’ compensation benefits for post-traumatic stress syndrome. But the former Gila County Sheriff’s Office sergeant cannot pursue a bad faith claim against the Arizona Counties …

Florida High Court: Settlement Stands, Even Though Comp Insurer Named on Check

Adam Sounders agreed to settle his personal-injury lawsuit against a trucking company for $500,000, but pulled out of the deal when he received a settlement check that included a workers’ compensation lien holder as a payee. A Florida jury rewarded …

Nebraska Court: Contractors with Assigned Benefits Can’t File Bad-Faith Claims

A restoration contractor that had been assigned benefits by a policyholder cannot pursue a bad faith claim against an insurer because it was not a party to the insurance contract, the Nebraska Supreme Court ruled Friday in two separate cases. …

NCCI: Almost One Quarter of COVID Claimants Suffer Prolonged Symptoms

Nearly a quarter of workers’ compensation claimants who were treated for COVID-19 experienced persistent symptoms or a relapse months later, according to a new study by the National Council on Compensation Insurance. The researchers found workers who were hospitalized for …

Federal Judge Dismisses Multiple Pennsylvania COVID-19 Claims

A Western Pennsylvania federal district judge has dismissed eight cases seeking payment for COVID-19 business interruption coverage from several insurers including Cincinnati Insurance, Travelers Insurance and Hartford. Financial Services. Citing the district’s court’s own previous ruling in 30 cases against …

Illinois Court: UIM Coverage Extends to Bicyclists, Pedestrians

Auto insurance carriers must pay uninsured motorist benefits to insureds who are injured by motor vehicles while walking or bicycling, even if their policies explicitly provide coverage only to occupants of insured automobiles, an Illinois Appellate Court panel ruled. The …

Alligators, Broken Infrastructure, Wreckage Greet Claims Adjusters in SW Florida

Damaged infrastructure created new obstacles for claims adjusters responding to Hurricane Ian, along with widespread flooding, damaged cell phone towers and even an occasional alligator. Sedgwick Executive Vice President Danny Miller said his company is using boats to send claims …

Amended Complaint: Texas Public Adjuster Losses Nearly $8 Million

A public adjuster who is accused of pocketing insurance payouts intended for policyholders took a total of $7.9 million from 14 customers, including four churches, according to an amended complaint filed by the Texas Department of Insurance. The Texas State …

Illinois Court: Insurers Cannot Exclude UIM Coverage for Bicyclists and Pedestrians

Auto insurance carriers must pay uninsured motorist benefits to insureds who are injured by motor vehicles while walking or bicycling, even if their policies explicitly provide coverage only to occupants of insured automobiles, an Illinois Appellate Court panel ruled. The …