State and Regional News

Massachusetts Prison Guard Accused of Workers’ Comp Fraud

A former Massachusetts prison guard has pleaded not guilty to charges that he ran long-distance races while collecting worker’s compensation for an on-the-job injury he said made it impossible to do strenuous activities. John Cloutier of Freetown was released on …

New Web-based Atlas Details Hazards of Living on Texas Coast

One of every four Texans lives along the coast; Texas has 16 major ports and more than 3,300 miles of bays and estuaries. Those are just a few facts available in a new a Web-based atlas of the 18-county Texas …

Midwest Pummeled by Storms

A massive storm making its way through a big chunk of the United States brought a bit of everything: strong winds, rain, tornadoes and now even some snow for parts of the Midwest. The storm packed wind gusts of up …

Florida Gubernatorial Candidates Sink, Scott Address Citizens, Safety

Florida Republican Rick Scott says that if he is elected governor he will require state-backed Citizens Property Insurance to stop offering multi-peril policies in order to bring its costs in line with premiums, while Alex Sink, Democratic candidate, supports moving …

Alabama Study: School Bus Seat Belt Money Better Spent at Crossings

School buses are safe enough without seat belts and students in many cases ignore a requirement to wear them, according to a study in Alabama released this week that found the straps would save the life of about one child …

North Carolina Workers’ Compensation Rates Given a Nudge

North Carolina employers’ costs for workers’ compensation will inch up next spring under an agreement reached between the state and insurers. The settlement ordered a 0.6 percent increase for voluntary market loss costs and 4.1 percent increase for the assigned …

Texas Lawmaker Presses on with TWIA Settlement Information Request

Texas State Rep. Larry Taylor (R-Friendswood) has filed a mandamus petition in the 1st Court of Appeals in Houston seeking relief from a temporary stay of his request for information concerning a $189 million settlement between the Texas Windstorm Insurance …

Group: New York City Building Industry Still Slowing

A business group says the economic downturn is still having an effect on New York City’s construction industry — a key driver for commercial insurance spending in the region. The New York Building Congress says construction spending in the city …

Nationwide Tops List of Least-Complained About Insurers in New York

Insurer Nationwide is the least-complained about personal auto insurer in New York’s $10 billion auto insurance market, according to newly released ranking of 167 companies by the state’s Insurance Department. Long Island Insurance Company ranks worst among insurers writing $1 …

North Carolina Sisters Charged with Insurance Fraud

A pair of Durham, North Carolina sisters has been arrested for alleged insurance fraud, according to Insurance Commissioner Wayne Goodwin. Evelyn Lee Navarro, 31, has been charged with one count of embezzlement by an insurance agent. Sophia Georgette Navarro, 25, …