New York plans to strengthen its laws in response to the diminished authority of the CFPB.

New York is taking steps to enhance consumer protections with new legislation aimed at curbing unfair business practices. Attorney General Letitia James has proposed the FAIR Business Practices Act, which is currently being supported in the state legislature by Senator Leroy Comrie and Assemblymember Micah Lasher. This new law aims to update New York’s consumer … Read more

Update: State Farm and Consumer Group Prepare for Upcoming Decision by California Insurance Commissioner

California’s insurance commissioner, Ricardo Lara, is facing a significant decision regarding State Farm’s request for emergency rate increases. This comes after both State Farm executives and consumer advocates recently presented their arguments in letters to Lara. In a recent update, Lara provisionally approved State Farm’s request for a rate increase of 22%. However, this approval … Read more

Increasing annuity sales are fueling the demand for shorter-duration assets, according to AllianceBernstein.

A significant shift in investment strategies is changing the insurance landscape, driven by a surge in annuity sales. According to a recent report by Bloomberg, this trend is reshaping how insurance companies approach their investments, particularly as demand for shorter-duration, less liquid assets rises. The research organization LIMRA revealed in an October report that sales … Read more

California approves State Farm’s 22% increase in insurance rates with stipulations.

California homeowners are facing a significant change as State Farm has received preliminary approval to raise home insurance premiums by an average of 22%. This decision impacts nearly one million homeowners in the state and comes amid an ongoing insurance crisis fueled by severe wildfires. California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara announced the rate hike on … Read more

Brave Software, a competitor to Google Search, has filed a lawsuit against News Corp. to protect its rights to ‘fair use.’

Brave Software has filed a lawsuit against News Corp in a San Francisco federal court. This legal move comes after News Corp sent Brave a cease-and-desist letter, threatening to sue over what they claim is the unauthorized use of their copyrighted articles from the Wall Street Journal and New York Post. Brave argues that indexing … Read more

Personnel Changes: SAN Appoints Sakraida as Regional VP; Washington Takes on Role of Pro-Praxis VP

Michael Sakraida has been appointed as the new regional vice president for Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Maine at Satellite Agency Network Group, Inc. (SAN). Headquartered in Hampton, New Hampshire, SAN is known for its focus on supporting independent insurance agencies. Sakraida brings over 15 years of experience in the insurance industry to his new role. … Read more

Maryland Regulator Takes Measures Against Erie Insurance Regarding Discrimination Allegations

Maryland’s insurance regulator has reached a settlement with Erie Insurance Group, ending a long-standing dispute over the company’s practices in urban areas, especially in Baltimore City. The Maryland Insurance Administration (MIA) conducted a market conduct examination that began in 2021 and revealed unlawful practices by Erie, which affected the number of policies written and renewed … Read more

As the Chips Race releases ‘forever chemicals,’ startups are stepping up to eliminate them.

The semiconductor industry, crucial for artificial intelligence advancements, faces a significant environmental challenge. It is a major contributor to pollution through the use of harmful chemicals known as PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances. These chemicals are notorious for their persistence in the environment and have been linked to serious health issues, including cancer and … Read more