Patricia Wells

Allied Stone Inc., a company based in Dallas, Texas, and its President, Jia “Jerry” Lim, have agreed to pay $12.4 million to settle claims that they cheated the U.S. government on import duties. The company and Lim were accused of intentionally avoiding antidumping and countervailing duties on quartz surface products imported from China over more … Read more

U.S. excess and surplus (E&S) insurers continue to see strong growth, with direct written premiums rising for the seventh year in a row. According to Fitch Ratings, these premiums grew by 11% in 2024. While that’s a bit slower than the 15% jump seen in 2023, it’s still notably higher than the 8% growth reported … Read more

California Attorney General Rob Bonta has joined a group of 20 attorneys general in urging a federal appeals court to uphold a ruling that allows an employee to sue Liberty University for sex-based discrimination. The case involves Ellenor Zinski, a transgender woman who says she was fired after Liberty University found out about her gender … Read more

Rhode Island is moving forward with a new law that will require all school buses to have video systems. These cameras are meant to catch drivers who illegally pass stopped school buses, helping keep students, bus drivers, and aides safe. Governor Dan McKee signed the legislation into law today during a ceremony at Pleasant View … Read more

Starting soon, insurance companies that offer auto liability coverage in Missouri will need to register with the state’s new uninsured motorist program. This comes as part of the Missouri Insurance Verification System, or MOIVS, which aims to make it easier to check in real time if drivers have the required insurance. The Missouri Department of … Read more

Brotherhood Mutual Insurance Company, known for providing property and casualty insurance to Christian ministries, has introduced a new brand called Brotherhood Works. This new brand brings together and expands a variety of services aimed at helping ministry staff and volunteers with their day-to-day needs. Brotherhood Works offers a wide range of tools, including payroll and … Read more

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of Justice have reached a $10,000 settlement with Homeworks Construction Inc. over alleged lead paint violations in South Bend, Indiana. The company was accused of carrying out renovations on 17 homes built before 1978 without following federal rules aimed at preventing lead exposure. Since 2018, Homeworks … Read more

The Oklahoma Insurance Department is set to bring together insurance professionals and leaders for its third annual Oklahoma Insurance Day on November 19, 2025. The event will take place at the Sheraton Oklahoma City Downtown Hotel and aims to foster connections and conversations around key issues shaping the state’s insurance industry. Oklahoma Insurance Day offers … Read more

Governor Greg Abbott has issued a new executive order that keeps THC products mostly legal in Texas but restricts their sale to minors. The order, announced Wednesday, directs the Texas Department of State Health Services and the Alcoholic Beverage Commission to ban sales of THC products to anyone under 18. These agencies must also review … Read more

SageSure, a managing general underwriter known for its focus on catastrophe coverage, is making a move into the Florida insurance market by acquiring Olympus Insurance’s managing general agent. This deal involves several players, including carrier partners and holding companies, and was announced earlier this week. At the same time, Valence Insurance Holdings—the parent company of … Read more