West News

Washington Commissioner Fines Airbnb for Acting as Unauthorized Insurer

Washington Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler fined Airbnb $20,000 for acting as an unauthorized insurer in the state. Kreidler also ordered the vacation rental company to obtain a surplus lines insurance policy to continue offering its Host Damage Protection program in …

Damage from New Mexico Sinkhole Being Assessed

Authorities were assessing the damage after a sinkhole developed on a New Mexico bridge, resulting in the rescue of two pedestrians. Los Lunas police said the city’s Main Street bridge over the Rio Grande remained closed due to the sinkhole …

California Workers’ Comp Written Premium was 14% Above 2021

The Workers’ Compensation Insurance Rating Bureau of California issued its Quarterly Experience Report, an update on California statewide insurer experience valued as of Dec. 31, 2022. Highlights of the report include: California written premium in 2022 was 14% above that …

People Moves: Crest Hires Weaver as Benefits Consultant in Colorado

Crest Insurance of Fort Collins welcomes Jason Weaver to their team as an employee benefits consultant. Weaver previously worked as a benefits specialist at Pinnacle Financial Services and founded and operated Mountain Plains Benefits. In 2019, he joined Colorado Insurance …

Youth Lawsuit Challenging Montana’s Pro-Fossil Fuel Policies Heading to Trial

A Montana judge said a climate change lawsuit from young people challenging the state’s pro-fossil fuel policies will proceed to trial despite efforts by the state to derail the case. The upcoming trial in Helena would be the first of …

5.5M Earthquake, Large Aftershock Hit Northern

Earthquakes have rattled a large area of Northern California this week, but only minor damage was immediately reported. A magnitude 5.5 quake centered in the Sierra Nevada’s Lake Almanor resort region struck at 4:19 p.m. Thursday and a magnitude 5.2 …

Report Examines California Workers’ Comp Medical Dispute Resolution

A new report shows the number of independent medical reviews in California used to resolve medical disputes hit a record low in 2022 as prescription drug disputes continued to decline. The report from the California Workers’ Compensation Institute also shows …

Montana Governor Signs Reform Package Aimed at Lowering Insurance Costs

Montana Governor Greg Gianforte approved three legal reform measures intended to provide consumer protections and disclosures and reduce frivolous lawsuits with the ultimate goal of lowering costs and increasing the availability of insurance. “We applaud Gov. Gianforte and the Montana …

New Mexico Officials Say FEMA Delays Create Mistrust Among Wildfire Victims

Members of New Mexico’s congressional delegation are criticizing federal emergency managers for missing deadlines as residents seek recovery assistance following the largest wildfire in the state’s recorded history. It has been a year since the U.S. Forest Service sparked the …

Washington Irrigation District Facing Fines for Worker Safety Issues

A South Central Washington irrigation district is facing stiff fines for not protecting workers from the dangers of trenching the second time this year. The Sunnyside Valley Irrigation District is tasked with delivering irrigation water to landowners in Yakima and …

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