Archive for July 2016

By Andrew G. Simpson U.S. antitrust enforcers roundly rejected a pair of proposed deals that would consolidate the nation’s five biggest health insurers into just three. The Justice Department filed an antitrust lawsuit to stop Anthem Inc.’s merger with Cigna Corp. in federal court … Read More Read more here:: Insurance Journal       

By Andrew G. Simpson MetLife Inc., the New York-based insurer that traces its roots to the 1860s, said it’s come up with a new name for a U.S. retail unit that’s slated for separation. The business will be known as Brighthouse Financial once it’s … Read More Read more here:: Insurance Journal       

By Don Jergler The case of a Utah man who contracted the Zika virus after caring for his infected father raised new questions for health experts who said Tuesday that the investigation could guide new research into the way the disease spreads. The … Read More Read more here:: Insurance Journal       

The University of Oregon has agreed to pay $425,000 to settle a lawsuit brought by two former employees over allegations that the school retaliated against them for speaking out about a student’s therapy records being accessed. The Register-Guard reported UO … Read More Read more here:: Insurance Journal       

By Stephanie K. Jones A disaster emergency proclamation has been issued for three Iowa counties pummeled in weekend storms. The proclamation issued by Gov. Terry Branstad lets state resources be used in storm recovery in Benton, Humboldt and Wright counties. The storms damaged apartment … Read More Read more here:: Insurance Journal       

By Stephanie K. Jones Dallas-based Ascend Insurance Brokerage President and CEO Paul Bassman has closed on the acquisition of the company, purchasing the business from James Chippendale, who founded Ascend in 2001. Ascend specializes in the entertainment business and has placed coverage for hundreds of clients, … Read More Read more here:: Insurance Journal       

By Andrew G. Simpson Cybersecurity is the biggest concern for companies evaluating risk in the nascent self-driving vehicle industry, according to a survey conducted by Munich Re. The world’s second-biggest reinsurer found that 55 percent of corporate risk managers surveyed named cybersecurity as their … Read More Read more here:: Insurance Journal       

By Andrew G. Simpson Maine’s Clark Insurance has added four employees in its Portland office. Nicholas Jobin of Westbook has been hired as an associate Aacount manager in the Business Insurance Services Department. Jobin is a graduate of St. Joseph’s College of Maine. Dana … Read More Read more here:: Insurance Journal       

By L.S. Howard As internet-connected and, eventually, driverless vehicles roll off production lines, traditional motor insurers need to adapt to ward off competition from car manufacturers. Insurers have struggled for years to make a profit from motor insurance due to intense competition … Read More Read more here:: Insurance Journal