National News

New York Approves AXA Acquisition of XL Group

France’s AXA Group moved a step closer to closing on its acquisition of XL Group as Nw York insurance regulators have given their approval of the deal. New York’s Department of Financial Services (DFS) on Friday announced it had approved …

6 Small Businesses Share Disaster Recovery Stories

As small business owners in Hawaii and California clean up following Hurricane Lane and wildfires, they’ll find there’s no one formula for recovery. The same disaster can devastate businesses in divergent ways – a hurricane might tear the roof off …

Markel to Acquire Insurance-Linked Securities Manager Nephila

Specialty insurer Markel Corp. has agreed to acquire all of the outstanding shares of Nephila Holdings, a standalone insurance-linked securities manager. Nephila, has more than $12 billion of assets under management for over 300 investors. Its revenue is primarily from …

A.M. Best Upgrades Ratings of PURE Group

A.M. Best has upgraded the Financial Strength Rating (FSR) to A (Excellent) from A- (Excellent) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Ratings to “a” from “a-” for both members of the PURE Group of Insurance Companies (PURE). The members, both domiciled …

SIAA Promotes Tombarelli and Holmes, Expands Their Roles

National independent agency alliance SIAA (Strategic Insurance Agency Alliance) has promoted two executives, Steve Tombarelli and Jeff Holmes, and expanded their roles. Tombarelli is now senior vice president, Business Expansion & Innovation. He will retain overall responsibility for the commercial …

Shareholder Suit Alleges Pizza Chain Papa John’s Hid Executives’ Misbehavior

Papa John’s International Inc. founder John Schnatter will be questioned by the pizza chain’s lawyers about his demand for internal files related to directors’ handling of his ouster from the company. Schnatter sued last month in Delaware Chancery Court for …

Foremost Auto Insurance Business Being Rebranded to Bristol West

Foremost Insurance Group, a member of the Farmers Insurance Group, said the Foremost automobile insurance book of business will be rebranded as Bristol West. The company said this rebranding will be phased in over the next several months and completed …

Justice Department Supports Case Alleging Harvard Bias in Admissions

The U.S. Justice Department on Thursday backed a lawsuit accusing Harvard University of discriminating against Asian-American applicants, throwing its support behind a case that could impact the use of race-based college admissions. The department, which has been investigating Harvard for …

Calm August No Guarantee of Hurricane-Free September

Where are all the big Atlantic storms? A year ago, Hurricane Harvey made landfall in Texas, kicking off a parade of destructive storms that made 2017 the costliest Atlantic season ever. So far in 2018, the region has been oddly …

Court Asked to Force EPA Reversal of Monsanto Weedkiller Approval

Environmental groups argued in federal appeals court on Wednesday the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency failed to analyze the risks Bayer AG Monsanto’s dicamba-based weed killer posed to nearby crops before approving it in 2016. The groups, which filed a lawsuit …

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