National News

The Hartford Acquires Sharing Economy Insurance Specialist Y-Risk

The Hartford has purchased Y-Risk, a managing general underwriter that specializes in serving sharing and on-demand economy risks, from Allstar Financial Group, an Atlanta-based holding company with multiple specialty managing general agencies across the country. Unionville, Connecticut-based Y-Risk’s customer mix …

9 Month Results Show U.S. P/C Insurance Pivot to Big Profit: A.M. Best

The U.S. property/casualty insurance industry’s net underwriting income has so far swung from a massive loss in 2017 to substantial profit, according to an A.M. Best report. Carriers booked $3.5 billion in net underwriting income for the first nine months …

Marriott Starwood Data Breach Highlights Silent Cyber Risk in Acquisitions

Marriott International’s $13.6 billion purchase of Starwood Hotel & Resorts was a bet that its popular loyalty program would bring more travelers to its Courtyards and Residence Inns. It turns out Marriott was also buying a massive security risk. A …

Actuaries Face Uncertainty Amid Encroachment by Data Scientists

Riley Howsden has one of those hip jobs everyone loves to hate. He works at L.A.-based video game producer Riot Games, where business attire includes hoodies, the food comes free and his job entails deducing what kinds of products gamers …

VW Investors’ $48M Diesel Settlement Receives Preliminary OK

A U.S. judge in California has granted preliminary approval to a $48 million settlement for investors who said Volkswagen AG made false and misleading statements over its excess diesel emissions. Lawyers for the investors, who include police and other municipal …

Expert Sees a ‘Strong Need’ for Insurance for Cannabis Industry

There’s “still a really strong need” for specialty insurance to cover cannabis businesses as well as medical professionals prescribing cannabis, according to an attorney who specializes in the sector. Ian Stewart, a partner in Wilson Elser and chair of the …

AXA XL Adds Cybersecurity Services to Cyber Insurance Program

AXA XL, a division of AXA, has added complimentary proactive cybersecurity services for its primary cyber & technology insurance clients to improve their cybersecurity preparedness. During their first cyber insurance policy year, AXA XL’s cyber clients can choose one of …

Marriott Starwood Assessing Impact of 4-Year Long Data Breach

Marriott International said on Friday hackers stole about 500 million records from its Starwood Hotels reservation system in an attack that began four years ago, exposing personal data of customers including some payment card numbers. Shares of the company were …

CVS Says It Closed on Deal to Buy Aetna But Judge Balks

In an unusual move on Thursday, a federal judge raised the prospect of not approving CVS Health Corp.’s deal to buy insurer Aetna Inc., which closed earlier this week, during a routine portion of the legal process. Judge Richard Leon …

AXIS Consolidates 4 Businesses Into Single Global Cyber and Technology Unit

AXIS Insurance said it is merging its U.S. Cyber, Technology, Media and Miscellaneous Professional Liability businesses into one major division to better address “borderless risks.” Dan Trueman has been appointed as global head of the division, dubbed the Global Cyber …

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