California News

Republicans Gain Control in State Houses, Governor Offices

Republicans were not only victorious in the U.S. House but also in state houses across the country. The new GOP power will give the party its largest number of seats in state legislatures since the Great Depression, according to the …

People

J. Michael “Mike” Miley of Indiana-based Gibson Insurance Group was installed as chairman of the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (the Big “I”). Miley began his insurance career in 1973 and joined Gibson Insurance Group in 1983. He …

Seniors in Assisted Living Facilities Lack Personal Liability Insurance

New Product Offers Coverage for Dogs, Scooters and More Senior citizens have a lot to worry about but perhaps one of the most stressful worries they face is the loss of independence. For some seniors, transitioning from living independently to …

New Markets

The following markets were selected from the MyNewMarkets database of 25,000 coverages and programs. To find additional markets, or to submit markets, go to www.MyNewMarkets.com. Hotel/Motel Program Market Detail: Specialty Insurance Agency has expanded its hotel/motel program to California. Program …

Fireman’s Fund Ready to Rally

Company Progressing on Mass Market Strategy Fireman’s Fund’s financials, like other insurance carriers’, got bruised a little in the first half of 2010, following some heavy catastrophe losses. But company President and CEO Mike LaRocco said he’s “very bullish” about …

Georgia’s Hudgens Among New State Insurance Commissioners

The Nov. 2 elections will mean there will soon be a number of new insurance commissioners across the country. Three states – Georgia, California, and Oklahoma-elected new insurance commissioners. Republican state Sen. Ralph T. Hudgens will be the new Georgia …

California City Settles Sexual Harassment Claim Against Cop

The city of Concord, Calif. has agreed to pay $750,000 to settle a sexual harassment lawsuit filed by a former police officer. The City Council voted to pay $250,000 to Lisa Capocci and $500,000 to her attorney, Stan Casper. City …

Calif. Workplace Injuries on Decline

While the recession drove California’s average annual employment down 3.7 percent in 2009, the number of work injuries and illnesses reported by California employers showed an even sharper decline, falling 9.2 percent according to the latest figures from the state. …

Calif. Supreme Court Declines to Take Up Controversial Workers’ Comp Case

The California Supreme Court has declined to review the decision in Milpitas Unified School District v. WCAB (Guzman), a case that is being heavily watched by the workers’ compensation insurance industry. In September, Bradford & Barthel, LLP’s Louis Larres filed …

Calif. Commissioner Sues to Stop Insurers From Investing in Iran

California Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner has announced he is filing a lawsuit challenging a California Office of Administrative Law (OAL) determination, issued last month that his efforts to stop insurers from investing in Iran constituted an “underground regulation.” The commissioner’s …