Patricia Wells

Homeowners insurance rates have been on the rise, especially in states like Texas. However, a recent report brings some good news for homeowners. For the first time in five years, the U.S. homeowners insurance market has reported a combined ratio of less than 100. This means that the industry is starting to improve financially. In … Read more

Commercial property and casualty insurance premiums have seen a notable shift in the first quarter of 2025, according to a recent survey by The Council of Insurance Agents & Brokers (CIAB). Premiums across all account sizes rose by 4.2%, which is a significant decrease from the 22% increase observed in the previous quarter. This marks … Read more

Insurance companies are facing scrutiny over how they report their financial health, particularly regarding the combined ratio. This metric, which combines loss and expense ratios, has become a focal point of discussion among industry leaders. Many executives, including CFOs, often cite a combined ratio over 100 as a sign of financial trouble. However, this raises … Read more

The Honolulu Police Department is facing scrutiny after a lawsuit from the American Civil Liberties Union of Hawaii. The lawsuit claims that police are arresting sober drivers in a push to increase DUI arrests. This has raised serious concerns about the department’s practices and the potential for wrongful arrests. According to the lawsuit, many drivers … Read more

Recent cyber incidents highlight the growing risks associated with third-party vendors, particularly in the technology sector. These risks have resulted in a surge of cyber insurance claims, primarily due to data breaches and increasingly, ransomware attacks. The impact of these incidents can be severe, affecting not just the vendors but also their clients, leading to … Read more

Premium renewal rates for commercial insurance have shown mixed results in early 2025, according to the latest Ivans Index report. While most major lines of insurance saw year-over-year increases, workers’ compensation is the exception. The report, which tracks premium renewal rates, indicates a general decline in rates compared to the previous quarter, with the notable … Read more

After losing their biggest market for exports due to trade tensions, U.S. farmers are looking to President Trump for support in boosting biofuels. This comes as they face the possibility of having their crops go unsold and stored away. The administration plans to announce how much biofuel will be blended into fossil fuels for the … Read more

CVS and Express Scripts have taken legal action against a new Arkansas law that prohibits pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) from owning or operating pharmacies in the state. This law, signed by Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders just over a month ago, is the first of its kind in the United States. The law aims to protect … Read more

Wildfires in Alberta are endangering about 5% of Canada’s crude oil production. A significant fire near Cold Lake is creeping closer to major oil sites, threatening the daily output of around 245,000 barrels. Currently, there are 26 uncontrolled fires in Alberta, a sharp rise from just four earlier in the week. The blaze near Cold … Read more

The European Commission is gearing up to propose a new climate target for the EU in July. This plan aims to address growing concerns about Europe’s environmental goals. EU climate commissioner Wopke Hoekstra announced that the proposal will be unveiled on July 2 during a meeting with representatives from EU countries. The new target seeks … Read more