Top Story News

Investors Eye Windfall From Denied COVID-19 Insurance Claims

A growing market niche where investors profit from others’ legal troubles is getting a boost from Covid. Distressed-investing funds and litigation-finance boutiques are likely to be spoiled for choice after a landmark U.K. court ruling last month rejected pleas from …

Irish Regulator Presses Insurers to Pay COVID-19 Claims Following Court Ruling

Ireland’s central bank governor told insurers to urgently honor and pay valid claims related to COVID-19 disruption, following a successful test case in court last week, or risk facing legal action by the regulator. Ireland’s High Court ruled on Feb. …

Amazon Sues New York Over COVID Workplace Safety, Firing Lawsuit

Amazon.com Inc. on Friday sued New York’s attorney general to stop the state from filing its own lawsuit over the online retailer’s early response to COVID-19, including its firing of activist Christian Smalls. In a complaint in Brooklyn federal court, …

It Could Have Been Worse. An Update on COVID-19 Impact on Workers’ Compensation.

While it obviously presented challenges, 2020 is looking like it may not have been such a bad year for workers’ compensation insurers and insureds after all. Insurers took in less premium but paid fewer claims. They managed to one of …

3 Ways COVID-19 Will Continue to Impact Insurance Industry in 2021

The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic will be felt by the insurance industry and its customers well into 2021 as consumers and businesses continue to face economic challenges, according to a new survey by consumer credit reporting firm TransUnion. Insurance …

Workers’ Compensation Underwriters Under the Gun to Understand Pandemic Data

Workers’ compensation underwriters are about to be tested in the marketplace like never before. While the current situation is not all because of the pandemic, the pandemic has “put gas on a fire that was already burning,” according to a …

Olympic Officials Unveil Rules on Masks, Singing, Transport for COVID-19 Games

Olympic officials on Wednesday unveiled the first of many COVID-19 rules for the Tokyo Games this summer, banning singing and chanting during events and mandating participants to wear masks at “all times” except when eating, sleeping or outdoors. The measures, …

As Insurers Exit Coal Underwriting, They May Find It’s Good for Stock Valuations

As far as climate groups like the Sunrise Project are concerned, getting insurers out of the coal underwriting business is the most important thing they can do. No more insurance, no more coal. It’s something Sunrise has been pushing for …

Repair Your Damaged Reputations, AM Best Tells UK Insurers

While most of the COVID-related problems that plagued UK commercial property insurers will abate after the March anniversary of lockdowns, battles with reinsurers and damaged reputations are lingering impacts, AM Best said. In a commentary report, “UK Commercial Property Insurers—Looking …

House Committee to Probe Tyson, Smithfield, OSHA Over Covid Outbreaks

A Democratic-led House panel is launching a probe into coronavirus outbreaks at meatpacking plants and whether the Occupational Safety and Health Administration adequately enforced worker safety rules. Representative James Clyburn, who chairs the House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis, …