Articles by Stephanie K. Jones

Oklahoma Workers’ Comp Report Shows Big Drop in Premium Costs Since 2013

Oklahoma’s workers’ compensation system seems to have benefited from reforms that were initiated in 2013, at least in terms of premium costs for businesses. By the end of 2016, employers in Oklahoma had seen a 30 percent reduction in workers’ …

Fraud Following Catastrophes an Unwelcome Trend, Oklahoma’s Doak Says

In testimony on Capitol Hill in early August, Oklahoma Insurance Commissioner John Doak told federal lawmakers that fraud across all lines of insurance costs the industry an estimated $80 million to $100 million annually. Testifying on insurance fraud issues at …

Insurance Fraud Following Catastrophes an Unwelcome Trend, Oklahoma’s Doak Tells U.S. Senators

In testimony on Capitol Hill in early August, Oklahoma Insurance Commissioner John Doak told federal lawmakers that fraud across all lines of insurance costs the industry an estimated $80 million to $100 million annually. Testifying on insurance fraud issues at …

Oklahoma, Other Energy States Slam California Over Insurer Investment Rules

Oklahoma’s attorney general on June 19 sent a letter to California’s insurance commissioner threatening legal action if that state continues with its policy of requiring insurance companies to publicly disclose investments in fossil fuels. Oklahoma Insurance Commissioner John Doak followed …

Texas Supreme Court Takes on Issue of ‘Fully Adversarial Trial’

Texas’ high court justices recently ruled that a judgment against an insured defendant is not enforceable against that defendant’s insurer if the judgment was reached outside of a “fully adversarial trial.” The underlying case in Great American Insurance Company, et …

Michigan Court Sides with Westfield Insurance in ‘Employee/Contractor’ Case

The Michigan Court of Appeals has reversed the ruling of a trial court in a case involving whether a commercial insurer or a personal insurer is responsible for paying no-fault personal injury protection benefits when a worker is injured in …

How Whirlpool Risk Manager Addresses Issues Before They Become Problems

A big part of risk management is acting to prevent problems before they happen — whether it involves the health and safety of employees, outside market forces, or mergers and acquisitions, according to the risk manager for one of the …

Protecting Unions Is a Labor of Love for Union Insurance Group

It can be pretty tough keeping an independent insurance agency up and running successfully long-term if you’re just in it for the money, according to the leader of a Chicago-based agency that is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year. “You’ve …

Oklahoma AG Threatens California Commissioner on Insurer Fossil Fuel Rules

Oklahoma’s attorney general has sent a letter to California’s insurance commissioner threatening legal action if that state continues with its policy of requiring insurance companies to publicly disclose investments in fossil fuels. Oklahoma’s Attorney General Mike Hunter maintains that California …

Michigan Court Rules for Westfield Insurance in ‘Employee v. Contractor’ Case

The Michigan Court of Appeals has reversed the ruling of a trial court in a case involving whether a commercial insurer or a personal insurer is responsible for paying no-fault personal injury protection benefits when a worker is injured in …