Articles by Kenneth J. St. Onge

Pennsylvania Ponders Election for Insurance Commissioner

A bill that would make the Pennsylvania insurance commissioner an elected position has been introduced in the state’s House of Representatives. Legislation sponsored by Rep Neal Goodman, a Democrat from Mahanoy City, would change the insurance commissioner’s job from an …

Pennsylvania Ponders Election for Insurance Commissioner

A bill that would make the Pennsylvania insurance commissioner an elected position has been introduced in the state’s House of Representatives. Legislation sponsored by Rep Neal Goodman, a Democrat from Mahanoy City, would change the insurance commissioner’s job from an …

Pennsylvania Considers Tort Reform, Again

Pennsylvania lawmakers are once again eyeing a tort reform package — a resurrection of the “Fair Share” act — that many in the insurance industry say would rein in what critics say is a legal system abused by plaintiffs’ lawyers. …

From Bad to Worse

When people think unpleasant events are over, they remember them as being less painful or annoying than when they expect them to happen again. That is due to the power of expectation, a power that helps people brace for the …

Agreement Leaves Massachusetts Workers’ Comp Rates Flat

The organization that files workers’ comp rates in Massachusetts has agreed to leave premiums flat through next year, following an agreement with the state’s attorney general that blocked a proposed increase of 6.6 percent. The Workers’ Compensation Rating and Inspection …

New York Lawmakers Propose Easing Some Insurance Regulations

The New York Senate Committee on Insurance has begun hearing on legislation that would extend insurance agents’ license renewals, allow multiple rating plans for personal lines insurers and clarify laws about insurance surcharges from car accidents — bills that will …

Pennsylvania Considers Tort Reform

Pennsylvania lawmakers are once again eyeing a tort reform package — a resurrection of the “Fair Share” act — that many in the insurance industry say would help put downward pressure on premiums and rein in what critics say is …

New York Lawmakers Consider Extending Agents’ Licenses, Other Issues

The New York Senate Committee on Insurance is scheduled to hear bills this afternoon that would extend insurance agents’ license renewals, allow multiple rating plans for personal lines insurers and clarify laws about insurance surcharges from car accidents. One bill …

Massachusetts Allows for Terrorism Exclusion in Commercial Insurance

Commercial property insurers in Massachusetts will be allowed to exclude terrorism coverage from commercial fire insurance policies under a new law signed by Gov. Deval Patrick. The law modifies the standard fire insurance policy to allow insurers to exclude coverage …

New York Agents Praise Regulators’ New Opinion on Refunding Bounced Check Fees

New York insurance agents are lauding a new legal opinion from state regulators that will allow producers to recover any money lost when clients bounce checks. The Independent Insurance Agent and Brokers of New York (IIABNY) said the opinion by …