West News

Ring in California Paying $5.6M to Customers as Part of Privacy Settlement

The Federal Trade Commission is sending more than $5.6 million in refunds to consumers as part of a settlement with Amazon-owned Ring, which was charged with failing to protect private video footage from outside access. In a 2023 complaint, the …

Freight Train Derailment, Fire Forced Interstate 40 Closure Near Arizona-New Mexico Line

A freight train carrying fuel derailed and caught fire Friday near the Arizona-New Mexico state line, forcing the closure of an interstate highway that serves as a key trucking route. Initial passersby posted video and photos on social media of …

People Moves: Lara Makes Appointments to California Curriculum Board and Insurance Diversity Task Force

California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara made several appointments to the state’s curriculum board and insurance diversity task force. Lara named Aretha Hartley as the newest member of the curriculum board. The curriculum board oversees the development of pre-licensing and continuing …

‘Buffett Got it Wrong’ on California Fire Risk: PG&E CEO

Warren Buffett’s warning that wildfires have turned utilities across the western US into risky investments is mistaken — at least in California, according to the head of the state’s largest electricity provider. “Frankly, I think Buffett got it wrong in …

Family of Nigerian Businessman Killed in Helicopter Crash Sues Charter Company

The family of a Nigerian business leader who died in a Southern California helicopter crash that killed five others in February filed a lawsuit claiming the flight should have been grounded because of treacherous weather. Relatives of Abimbola Ogunbanjo, the …

Orion180 Launches Homeowners Insurance in Arizona

Orion180 is expanding its homeowners insurance services to Arizona under a push by the company into the Western U.S. Orion180 currently operates in Alabama, Arizona, Georgia, Indiana, Mississippi, North Carolina and South Carolina through its two insurance carriers. The company …

Workers’ Comp Rating Bureau of California OKs Higher Pure Premium Rate Filing

The Workers’ Compensation Insurance Rating Bureau of California submitted its Sept. 1, 2024, pure premium rate filing to the California Department of Insurance, proposing advisory rates on average 0.9% above the average approved Sept. 1, 2023 rates. The proposed advisory …

Viewpoint: Insurers Face Added Role in Curbing Workplace Violence With California Law

New legislation aimed at reducing workplace violence in California vastly increases employers’ responsibilities and hands workers’ compensation insurers an unprecedented oversight role that is likely to trigger lawsuits and affect rates and capacity. The Workplace Violence Prevention Bill SB 553, …

PCF Insurance in Utah Secures $400M in Financing

PCF Insurance Services in Utah closed $400 million in incremental debt financing led by Blue Owl. The financing was materially oversubscribed and was upsized from $300 million to $400 million in response to demand from new and existing lenders. The …

Jury Rules BNSF Contributed to 2 Deaths in Montana Town Exposed to Asbestos

A federal jury said BNSF Railway contributed to the deaths of two people who were exposed to asbestos decades ago when tainted mining material was shipped through a Montana town where thousands have been sickened. The jury awarded $4 million …

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