State and Regional News

Insurers’ Recent Success a Milestone in a Year of Chinese Drywall Litigation

A federal judge in Louisiana recently let 10 insurance companies being sued by Louisiana homeowners over property damage resulting from the installation of defective drywall from China off the hook for coverage from those claims. The early Christmas gift to …

USI Acquires Mastors & Servant in Rhode Island

New York-based USI Holdings has closed on its acquisition of Mastors & Servant Risk Services, a Rhode Island-based brokerage that specializes in commercial property/casualty, bonds and employee benefits insurance for middle-market businesses. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed. Mastors …

TSLA, IIAA Continue Tradition of Giving to Austin Food Bank

The Independent Insurance Agents of Austin and the Texas Surplus Lines Association Inc. joined efforts recently to collect food and money for the Capital Area Food Bank located in Austin, Texas. A total of $300 was collected in cash from …

Wisconsin Settlement with Time Insurance Co. Includes $280K Fine

Wisconsin Insurance Commissioner Sean Dilweg announced a regulatory settlement with Time Insurance Co., a health insurer headquartered in Milwaukee, that includes a forfeiture of $280,000 for failure to correct previously identified problems with company practices in Wisconsin. In addition, the …

Health Insurers Face New Scrutiny Over Price Hikes

U.S. health insurance companies that want to increase premiums by 10 percent or more next year would face tougher government scrutiny under new rules proposed Tuesday. The rules, called for under the sweeping healthcare law passed in March, would require …

Trial Ordered for Tennessee Trooper Claiming Politics Behind Demotion

A federal appeals court has ruled a jury will hear complaints from a Tennessee highway patrolman who claimed discrimination based on his political affiliation. The 6th Circuit Court of Appeals this week reversed a lower court ruling and remanded the …

Louisiana Citizens Receives Rating Upgrade

Louisiana Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon announced that Moody’s Investors Service has upgraded the Louisiana Citizens Property Insurance Corporation (Citizens) Assessment Revenue Bonds to Baa1 from Baa2. The outlook for the company has changed from stable to positive. The rating change …

Ohio Insurance Director Warns of Catalytic Converter Thefts

Ohio Department of Insurance Director Mary Jo Hudson has issued a warning about a recent rash of catalytic converter thefts in Columbus and is encouraging automobile owners to take steps to protect themselves from becoming victims. According to reports, thieves …

Insurance Vital to Alabama Coast Long-Term Plan, Says Commission

Coastal Alabama should seize the BP Gulf oil disaster as an opportunity for “resiliency planning” that will not only help the region recover from the oil damage but also put it in a position to better recover from any future …

Texas November Enforcements Result in Nearly $215K in Fines, Restitution

Enforcement actions taken by the Texas Department of Insurance that became final during November 2010 include 10 license revocations, and fines and restitution totaling $214,632. Copies of Insurance Commissioner Mike Geeslin’s orders may be obtained by contacting TDI’s Public Information …