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RISK MANAGEMENT

Climate change case to be reheard by Virginia high court

RICHMOND, Va.—The Virginia Supreme Court's decision to rehear a climate change suit has cast uncertainty on what little judicial guidance exists on the issue of insurance coverage in climate change cases.


Should the board have a risk committee?

Boards of financial services companies are required to have risk committees, but there can be value in boards of companies in other industries forming risk committees as well. Before they do, though, there are questions that are worth asking,…


Court rules for insurance company in lead poisoning dispute

RICHMOND, Va.—An insurance company involved in a lead poisoning case in Baltimore is only liable to indemnify its insured for the period of lead exposure covered under the terms of the insurance contract, a federal court has ruled.


Greenhouse gas lawsuit dismissed in Minnesota

ST. PAUL, Minn.—A district court judge in Minnesota last week dismissed a lawsuit seeking to force the state of Minnesota to reduce the state's greenhouse gas emissions.

SPECIALTY RISKS

RIMS, Lockton reports outline best practices to avoid computer data breaches

Practical solutions for protecting computer data include developing a written information security plan, assessing data management requirements and developing a data breach plan, says a report on best practices issued by the Risk & Insurance…


Commenting period on proposed disability rule extended

WASHINGTON—The U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance has agreed to requests and granted a 14-day extension for comments on its proposed disability rule, the office said Tuesday.


FTC warns mobile app marketers providing background checks

WASHINGTON—The Federal Trade Commission has sent letters to marketers that the agency says may be providing criminal background information to employers through the marketers' background screening applications—an activity the FTC says …


OFF BEAT: M.I.A. fingered for fines from Super Bowl salute

Contract indemnification language means M.I.A. will get stuck with any fines NBC incurs for the British singer’s middle-finger salute during Sunday’s Super Bowl halftime show, reports say.

BENEFITS MANAGEMENT

PBGC faces $17 billion in liabilities if AA terminates plans

FORT WORTH, Texas—If American Airlines Inc. terminates its four hugely underfunded pension plans, the responsibility for paying billions of dollars in benefits to plan participants will shift from the airline to the Pension Benefit Guaranty …


GALLERY: PBGC’s biggest losses

If American Airlines terminates its four hugely underfunded pension plans and shifts the promised but unfunded benefit liability to the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corp., it would be the biggest loss in the PBGC’s history.


PBGC updates estimate of funding relief for American Airlines

WASHINGTON—Congress gave American Airlines Inc. an estimated $2.1 billion in pension funding relief over the past six years, nearly double an earlier estimate, the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corp. said Monday.


Arguments made in Supreme Court briefs on health care reform law

WASHINGTON (Reuters)—Congress went beyond its powers by requiring Americans to buy insurance under President Barack Obama's sweeping health care overhaul, opponents told the Supreme Court Monday in arguing the law's centerpiece provision…

INSIGHTS & SOLUTIONS

The Business Insurance Risk Management Summit is a unique, invitation-only conference serving the...
As the U.S. workforce becomes increasingly mobile, the risk landscape for employers is transforming,...

BROKERS & INSURERS

Broker acquisitions pick up as economy improves

Merger and acquisition activity among insurance agents and brokers regained momentum in 2011 with 285 announced transactions.


Integro forms four divisions, reports 21% jump in 2011 revenue

NEW YORK—Integro Ltd. has formed four divisions to better serve its clients, the privately held insurance brokerage said Tuesday.


AIG's Miller named CEO of aircraft manufacturer Hawker Beechcraft

WICHITA, Kan.—American International Group Inc. Chairman Robert S. “Steve” Miller will become CEO of Hawker Beechcraft Inc., effective Tuesday, Hawker Beechcraft announced Tuesday.


PartnerRe, Aspen cite catastrophes for 2011 losses

PEMBROKE, Bermuda—Last year's record catastrophe toll on reinsurers continues to unfold, with two Bermuda-based underwriters reporting losses for 2011.

MID-MARKET EXECUTIVE

Turning patients into health care consumers

Although more midsize employers are encouraging their employees to become more conscientious health care consumers, very little information about the price of medical services was publicly available until recently.


Mid-market financial security best practices

The Principal® 10 Best Companies for Employee Financial Security is a best practices guide that uses real-world examples to illustrate how middle-market employers can maintain benefits, attract and retain employees, manage costs and much more.


InsureZone adds Sequoia Insurance to online commercial rating platform

FORT WORTH, Texas—InsureZone Inc. said Thursday that it has added middle-market underwriter Sequoia Insurance Co. to its online commercial rating platform.


Lawsuit over allegedly stolen Twitter followers can proceed: Court

SAN FRANCISCO—A South Carolina media company's lawsuit against a former employee over allegedly stolen Twitter followers can proceed to trial, a federal judge ruled Monday.

WORKERS COMP

Commercial property/casualty rates up 1% in January: MarketScout

Commercial property/casualty insurance rates increased an average of 1% in January, matching increases posted for December 2011, MarketScout reported Monday.


Workers comp covers temporary worker: Texas Supreme Court

AUSTIN, Texas—A temporary employee who died on the job can't be excluded from an employer's workers compensation policy, the Texas Supreme Court ruled in reversing a $2.7 million liability judgment for the worker's family.


COMMENTARY: Guns play big role in work violence

Guns play big role in work violence


Low claim frequency keeps Virginia workers comp claim costs down

CAMBRIDGE, Mass.—Virginia's workers compensation system has higher medical costs than many states, but low claim frequency has kept down insurance premiums and average claim costs, according to the Workers Compensation Research Institute.

 

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