Thu.Aug 01, 2024

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Oil and Gas Power Lines Suspected of Causing Texas Panhandle Wildfires

Insurance Journal

When a spate of wildfires tore across the Texas Panhandle in February and scorched 20,000 acres of Craig Cowden’s ranch near Skellytown, he decided he had had enough.

Liability 289
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Court Addresses Whether Rainwater Accumulation on Roof Constituted “Surface Water”

The Property Insurance Law Observer

In Zurich American Insurance Company v. Medical Properties Trust, Inc. , 2024 WL 3504060 (Mass. Jul. 23, 2024), the Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts held that the term “surface waters,” as used in a limitation contained in commercial property insurance policies, was ambiguous in the context of rainwater accumulating on roofs, thereby finding coverage for the insured.

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Missouri Trucking Company Sued for Refusing to Hire a Deaf Job Applicant

Insurance Journal

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) sued Missouri- based trucking company Transportation Management Group, doing business as Wilson Logistics, for violating federal law when it refused to hire a deaf job applicant because of his disability.

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When Nanoparticles Blow Up— Explosion Hazards of Nanoparticles

CDC: Workers Compensation

This blog is part of a series to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the Nanotechnology Research Center. Click here for additional blogs in the series and on other nanotechnology topics. Engineered nanoparticles are synthesized materials with at least one dimension smaller than 100 nanometers. Reactive nanoparticles pose a special hazard. The heat released by the rapid oxidation of aerosolized combustible nanoparticles increases the temperature and pressure of the suspending gas.

Damage 92
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Massachusetts Businesses With More Than 25 Employees Must Disclose Salary Range

Insurance Journal

Massachusetts businesses with more than 25 employees must disclose salary ranges when posting jobs, under a new bill signed into law Wednesday that puts the commonwealth in line with 10 other states that already require pay transparency.

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Stay safe at home: Expert gas leak safety tips.

Frankenmuth Insurance

Did you know around 125,000 households experience gas leaks each year? Despite its daily importance for heating and cooking, gas can also pose serious safety hazards. That’s why it’s important to stay informed and proactive. Follow our expert-backed gas leak safety tips to protect your home and family. Recognizing the signs of a gas leak: Identify unusual odors.

Agents 72

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MGA Hub Carrier List

Zywave

Simplify your quoting and proposal process with Excess & Surplus insurers all in one tool. Take a look at our latest carrier library as of August 2024.

Insurer 71
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Technology’s Grip on Modern Life Pushing Us Down a Path of Digital Land Mines

Insurance Journal

“Move fast and break things,” a high-tech mantra popularized 20 years ago by Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg, was supposed to be a rallying cry for game-changing innovation.

Cyber 277
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2025 Registration and Training for Marketplace Agents and Brokers

PSM Brokerage

Registration and Training for Marketplace Agents and Brokers Plan year 2025 Marketplace registration and training is now available for new and returning agents and brokers on the Marketplace Learning Management System (MLMS). Plan year 2025 Marketplace training is available in English and Spanish. New Agents and Brokers Agents and brokers who are new to the Marketplace this year, or who did not complete plan year 2024 registration and training, are required to take the full Individual Marketplac

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UK Financial Firms Spur IPO Optimism as Europe Rebound Stutters

Insurance Journal

Potential initial public offerings by a slew of UK financial services firms could drive the next stage of Europe’s recovery after momentum in new listings slowed sharply.

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Shield Insurance Agency is Now Hiring!

Shield Insurance Agency

Shield Insurance Agency is Now Hiring a full-time Insurance Customer Service Rep and Account Manager for our main office in Hudsonville, Michigan. Job description: Insurance Customer Service Rep and Account Manager Job Type: Full-time Salary: Up to $50K per year to start Schedule: 8-hour shift Day shift Monday to Friday Supplemental pay types: Christmas bonus Carrier bonus Education: High school or equivalent (Preferred) P&C License is a big plus Experience: Customer service: 1 year (Require

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Hurricane Could Drain Florida Cat Fund’s Reserves. But That May Be OK, Report Says

Insurance Journal

A report from Moody’s Ratings service contends that one good hurricane this year could wipe out the Florida Cat Fund’s reserves, potentially forcing it to place a small surcharge on Florida insurance premiums to finance more debt.

Premium 274
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Insurer can’t subrogate

Rough Notes

INSURANCE-RELATED COURT CASES Digested from case reports published online COURT DECISIONS Insurer can’t subrogate In 2014, C.H. Yarber Construction entered into an agreement with Profile Properties to lease property in Cheyenne, Wyoming. The leased property contained an office facility, two warehouses, and approximately three-and-a-half acres of fenced yard space encompassing the buildings.

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District of Columbia Sues StubHub Claiming It Inflates Ticket Prices With Deceptive Fees

Insurance Journal

The attorney general for Washington, D.C., sued StubHub on Wednesday, accusing the ticket resale platform of advertising deceptively low prices and then ramping up prices with extra fees.

Claim 264
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What Is a Health Insurance Broker – and What Does a Broker Do?

Word & Brown

A Health Insurance broker – sometimes called an insurance agent – is a licensed professional who works with individuals and businesses to help them shop for and compare insurance policies. You can focus on Health and Life insurance or Property and Casualty (P+C) Insurance, or earn multiple licenses and offer a variety of coverage to your clients. Beyond sales, the life of an insurance broker includes service to customers after the sale related to claims, administration, and annual renewal.

Broker 52
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Wood Pellet Production Boomed in the South to Meet Demand. It’s Come at a Cost

Insurance Journal

GLOSTER, Miss. (AP) — This southern Mississippi town’s expansive wood pellet plant was so close to Shelia Mae Dobbins’ home that she sometimes heard company loudspeakers.

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BNP Paribas in talks to buy Axa’s asset management arm for €5.1bn

Elmore

French bank seeks greater scale for its investment business The post BNP Paribas in talks to buy Axa’s asset management arm for €5.1bn appeared first on Elmore Insurance Brokers.

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Apple Asks Judge to Toss Antitrust Lawsuit

Insurance Journal

Apple on Thursday asked a U.S. judge to dismiss a lawsuit by federal and state antitrust regulators accusing it of illegally monopolizing the smartphone market, saying the case would have a judge redesign its popular iPhone.

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INSURANCE DATA, REIMAGINED

Rough Notes

Using cognitive AI processes, CogniSure gives the insurance industry automated data structuring “[The AI platform can convert] 100-page loss runs into something that an underwriter or broker can make sense of within minutes without somebody manually keying.

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Markets/Coverages: Coalition Introduces Active Cyber Insurance in Germany

Insurance Journal

Coalition, the San Francisco-based cyber managing general agent and cyber-security firm, announced the launch of its Active Cyber Insurance in Germany through its subsidiary, Coalition Insurance Solutions GmbH. Coalition’s offerings became available on Aug. 1, 2024.

Cyber 264
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WHEN SENSITIVITIES RUN HIGH

Rough Notes

Six tactics for giving feedback to the hypersensitive employee [G]eneration Z and millennials … are showing an increased tendency to hypersensitivity, [which] is defined as being triggered by feedback and reacting negatively to criticism. By Kimberly Paterson, CEC Steve is an experienced manager with an impressive track record for developing talent.

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Ardonagh’s Geo Underwriting to Acquire Navigators & General

Insurance Journal

Geo Underwriting, the managing general agency and subsidiary of Ardonagh Advisory, announced it will acquire Navigators & General (N&G) from Zurich UK. Financial details of the deal were not disclosed.

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IMPLEMENTING AI AT YOUR AGENCY

Rough Notes

Six tips for making artificial intelligence work where you do A virtual assistant based in AI … can be used to do tasks such as answering client emails or filing claims, and they are available 24/7.

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Suspected Chinese Hackers Hit Taiwanese Research Center

Insurance Journal

A hacking group believed to be linked to the Chinese government stole passwords and documentsfrom a Taiwanese government-affiliated research center that specializes in computing, cybersecurity researchers at Cisco Systems Inc. said Thursday.

Cyber 264
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LISTENING IS THE NEW SUPERPOWER

Rough Notes

Mastering active listening for unmatched success By truly hearing and understanding your clients, prospects, and underwriters, you build trust, enhance satisfaction, and pave the way for successful relationships. By Carolyn Smith, APR, TRA In the Beyond Insurance Trusted Risk Advisor certification program, the one topic that always sparks lively discussion is active listening.

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Howden to Acquire Allianz UK’s Musical Insurance Book

Insurance Journal

Howden, the global insurance intermediary group, today announces that it has agreed to acquire the Musical Insurance book from Allianz UK and will incorporate its customer base and marketing and operations teams into Howden’s established music scheme, Lark Music.

Insurance 264
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NAVIGATING THE FOUR PILLARS OF BUSINESS RISK

Rough Notes

Helping clients understand and manage risk Effective risk management isn’t just about checking boxes; it’s the backbone of resilience for businesses. It keeps their assets safe, their reputation intact, and their future bright.

Risk 52
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Tennessee DCI Returns $9.5M to Policyholders in Mediated Claims Disputes

Insurance Journal

The Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance so far this year has secured more than $9.5 million for policyholders whose insurance claims had been denied, the department announced this week.

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ESCAPING THE GOOD-RESULTS TRAP

Rough Notes

What’s holding you back? When you’re achieving good results, it’s tempting to not raise the bar on agency standards. By Roger Sitkins During our training and coaching sessions, I always ask participants if they are making more money than they expected.

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Colorado Man Who Aided Former Adjuster in $268K Auto Insurance Fraud Scheme Sentenced

Insurance Journal

A Colorado man who aided a former insurance claims adjuster in an auto insurance claims scheme was sentenced this week. In 2020, Brassfield, 55, of Aurora, reportedly aided former Travelers Insurance employee Colette Palin, 63, of Aurora in committing fraud.

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Social Media Marketing Tips for Insurance Agents

American Agents Alliance

Being accessible through social media is the most effective and efficient way for insurance agents to get noticed, establish connections, and sell policies. 1. Understanding Your Audience As the saying goes, the first rule of any successful salesperson is to know your audience. Insurance agents should do their homework and research their perfect client to understand about preferences but also, what is stopping people from inviting them into their lives and taking action.

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Construction Company in Idaho Airport Hangar Collapse Ignored Safety Standards, OSHA Says

Insurance Journal

Federal safety investigators cited a construction company in the deadly collapse of an Idaho airport hangar, saying it exercised a “blatant disregard” for federal safety standards.

Liability 263
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INSURANCE IS FUN (AND OTHER OXYMORONS)

Rough Notes

Tooting the industry’s horn So, why the bad rap? …People don’t like what they don’t understand, and they don’t understand insurance.

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Insurance Broker Miller Acquires Swiss Reinsurance Capital Advisory Business

Insurance Journal

Miller, the London-based independent specialist re/insurance broker, announced the acquisition of reinsurance capital advisory business 4809 Brokers AG. Financial details were not disclosed.