Patricia Wells

Zurich North America is making significant changes in its leadership team. Heather Fox has been promoted to lead national accounts, and Peter Caminiti will take on the role of chief underwriting officer. Both changes will take effect on May 15. Heather Fox was previously the chief underwriting officer for U.S. national accounts. In her new … Read more

Written premiums for workers’ compensation insurance in California have stabilized between 2022 and 2024 after experiencing significant fluctuations during the pandemic. However, a new report reveals that the combined ratio, a key measure of insurance profitability, has reached its highest level in 14 years. The Workers’ Compensation Insurance Rating Bureau of California (WCIRB) published its … Read more

More than 200 firefighters worked tirelessly to control a large fire that erupted at a warehouse in west Baltimore. The blaze disrupted Amtrak service and led to the evacuation of dozens of nearby residents. The fire broke out at a multistory mattress warehouse located at the intersection of Edmondson Avenue and Bentalou Street around 7 … Read more

Alphabet’s Waymo is recalling over 1,200 self-driving vehicles due to software issues that could lead to collisions with chains, gates, and other barriers. This decision comes after U.S. auto safety investigators launched a probe into the company’s automated driving systems last year. The recall affects 1,212 vehicles equipped with Waymo’s fifth-generation automated driving software. The … Read more

Maine lawmakers are set to discuss a new bill that would let members of the Mennonite faith self-insure for their motor vehicle insurance. This proposal comes from Representative Steve Foster, who introduced it on behalf of his constituents. The Mennonites believe that traditional insurance goes against their religious principles, which emphasize self-reliance and mutual support … Read more

Centauri Specialty Insurance, based in Sarasota and now part of Arbol’s Lilypad Insurance Holdings, has been fined $100,000 by Florida regulators for using unlicensed adjusters after Hurricane Ian struck in 2022. A review by the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation found that the company employed non-appointed adjusters in 168 cases, which violates state insurance laws. … Read more

A tragic accident occurred early Sunday morning on a Los Angeles area freeway, resulting in one death and 32 injuries. The crash involved a tour bus and a sport utility vehicle (SUV) around 5 a.m. in Hacienda Heights, located about 20 miles east of downtown Los Angeles. According to the California Highway Patrol (CHP), the … Read more

The recent agreement between the United States and China to lower tariffs has brought a sigh of relief to many Chinese exporters who have been struggling since the trade war began. Under this deal, the hefty 145% tariffs imposed by the Trump administration on most Chinese goods will be reduced to 30% by May 14. … Read more

California’s largest homeowners insurer, State Farm, is set to raise rates significantly after suffering major losses from wildfires in Los Angeles. An administrative law judge has recommended that the California Insurance Commissioner approve this interim rate hike, but the final decision still rests with Commissioner Ricardo Lara. The proposed increases are substantial: a 17% rise … Read more

At least 10 people in the U.S. have become ill due to a listeria outbreak linked to ready-to-eat food products. Fresh & Ready Foods LLC, based in San Fernando, California, is recalling several items as federal officials investigate the situation. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced that the outbreak has affected individuals in … Read more