Coronavirus News

Risk of COVID-19 Exposure on Airlines Drops when Middle Seats Are Empty: Study

The risk of being exposed to the COVID-19 virus on an airline flight drops by as much as half when airlines keep middle seats open, a new study published by the U.S. government concludes, a safety practice the carriers have …

IBM Uncovers More Cyber Attacks on COVID-19 Vaccine Supply Chain

International Business Machines Corp. said on Wednesday its cyber-security unit has uncovered more digital attacks targeting the global COVID-19 vaccine supply chain since the issue was originally flagged late last year. The cloud services provider said it recently found that …

U.S. Recommends Pausing Use of J&J COVID Vaccine over Rare Blood Clots

U.S. federal health agencies on Tuesday recommended pausing use of Johnson & Johnson’s COVID-19 vaccine for at least a few days after six women under age 50 developed rare blood clots after receiving the shot, dealing a fresh setback to …

U.S. P/C Insurers Report 2020 Underwriting Profits Despite Costs of COVID-19: Fitch

Despite considerable operating challenges in 2020 from the global COVID-19 pandemic, U.S. property/casualty (P/C) insurers saw a statutory underwriting profit for the third consecutive year, with an average 99% combined ratio, according to Fitch Ratings in a new report. In …

AM Best Maintains Negative Outlook on UK Non-Life Insurance Market

AM Best is maintaining a negative market segment outlook on the United Kingdom non-life insurance segment, citing economic uncertainty as a key headwind for UK non-life insurers. In addition, COVID-19-related lockdown measures coincided with the country’s exit from the European …

Arizona Governor Signs COVID-19 Liability Shield Bill into Law

Gov. Doug Ducey has signed legislation giving businesses, nursing homes and others a broad shield from lawsuits related to COVID-19, making Arizona the latest state to limit liability after the pandemic. Republican lawmakers approved the legislation in party-line votes in …

How SpottedRisk and TigerRisk Tamed ‘Live Cat’ COVID Event for Entertainment Insureds

In the early months of the pandemic last year, brokers just couldn’t place insurance for the entertainment industry. In late February 2020, underwriters began excluding communicable disease from all of the underlying production insurance policies. No insurer wanted to touch …

1 in 3 COVID Survivors Suffers Neurological or Mental Disorders, Study Finds

One in three COVID-19 survivors in a study of more than 230,000 mostly American patients were diagnosed with a brain or psychiatric disorder within six months, suggesting the pandemic could lead to a wave of mental and neurological problems, scientists …

New Jersey Bill Requiring Insurers Explain BI Policies Lands on Governor’s Desk

A New Jersey bill that requires insurers issuing business interruption policies in the state provide policyholders with a summary of coverage for loss of use and occupancy of a commercial property has passed the state Senate and Assembly. It now …

London Market Insurers’ 2020 Profits Canceled by COVID-19 but Rates Are Rising

Pandemic-related losses in 2020 were substantial for London market insurers and offset most underwriting and investment returns, according to a report published by Fitch Ratings. The main drivers of losses were event cancellations and business interruption policies, with the impact …