Patricia Wells

Auto insurance rates in the U.S. have been on a rollercoaster ride, but recent trends show a slowdown in price increases. By the end of 2024, the growth in auto insurance premiums dropped to less than 2%, a significant decline from the staggering 13% rise seen at the beginning of the year. This shift has … Read more

At AM Specialty Insurance Co. in Dallas, Texas, Nishad Lad is leading a significant change in how the company processes claims. As the head of data and software development, he is introducing new technologies aimed at improving efficiency and accuracy in claims handling. Lad and his team have rolled out a new tool called the … Read more

Texas Mutual Insurance Company is set to distribute a significant $330 million in general dividends to its policyholders in 2025. This decision comes after a unanimous vote by the company’s board of directors. As the leading provider of workers’ compensation insurance in Texas, Texas Mutual has now committed to distributing over $1 billion in general … Read more

Voters in Alaska, Missouri, and Nebraska made a strong statement last year when they supported measures to require paid sick leave for workers. However, some lawmakers in these states are now pushing to roll back these benefits, citing concerns from businesses about the potential costs. The move to change the laws is seen as an … Read more

Hawaii lawmakers have recently passed a controversial bill aimed at improving Hawaiian Electric Co.’s credit rating. This decision comes despite strong pushback from key committee chairs in both the House and Senate. The bill introduces a new fee for HECO customers, which is intended to fund necessary investments for wildfire prevention. The main point of … Read more

The Trump administration has taken legal action against Michigan and Hawaii, aiming to prevent these states from suing oil companies for damages related to climate change. This move comes shortly after the U.S. Supreme Court dismissed a Republican effort to block similar lawsuits from several Democratic-led states. The federal government argues that these lawsuits interfere … Read more

Bennett Enterprises Inc., which operates Ralphie’s Sports Eatery in Kenton, Ohio, has agreed to pay $125,000 to settle a lawsuit involving race and disability discrimination. This lawsuit was filed by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). The case centers around a biracial woman who worked as a server at Ralphie’s. She reported a hostile … Read more

Republicans in the U.S. House of Representatives have taken a significant step toward repealing a federal waiver that allows California to ban gasoline-powered cars by 2035. This policy has faced criticism from various groups, including automakers and fuel producers, as well as from former President Donald Trump. On Thursday, the House voted 246-164 in favor … Read more

SiriusPoint and Howden have made significant new appointments as part of their growth strategies. Eleanor Gibson has been named the international chief underwriting officer at SiriusPoint, while April McLaughlin will lead Howden Re in Miami. Eleanor Gibson will join SiriusPoint on May 6, 2025. Based in London, she will report to Rob Gibbs, the president … Read more

Independent insurance agents often find themselves spending an excessive amount of time drafting emails. A recent study revealed that small business employees, on average, dedicate over 10 hours a week to writing emails. This time-consuming task can hinder productivity, especially when agents need to reach out to clients for policy updates or marketing campaigns. To … Read more