Latest Legislation Headlines

All the headlines from our Legislation Topic Page, ordered by recency.

Mo. Water Park Accident Leads to Bill Requiring Insurance

Dec 31 2007 // A state lawmaker is proposing legislation that would impose new regulations on for-profit private water parks, including the need for at least $1 million in liability insurance.The move comes after a Joplin boy drowned...

Mass Toy Recalls – a Manufacturers’ Nightmare

Dec 31 2007 // Although this year’s presents have long been opened, those who supply them have concerns that just won’t go away. “In the run-up to Christmas, there can have been few more worrying issues for toy...

No-Fault Auto Insurance Requirement Back in Force in Florida Jan. 1

Dec 31 2007 // Florida drivers will have personal injury protection coverage added to their policies Jan. 1 as the state returns to a no-fault system after a three month break.Most people won’t have to do anything to comply with...

Top Insurance Stories in 2007

Dec 31 2007 // The debate over climate change captured the world’s attention, including the insurance industry’s, in 2007, while major hurricanes spared the United States’ coastline. The soft market took hold of...

Top Insurance Stories in 2007 in the West

Dec 31 2007 // While 2007 was a surprisingly calm year for hurricanes, that doesn’t mean Mother Nature didn’t have a tantrum or two. In 2007, the West faced its share of disasters, with freezes, floods and fires making news...

Top Insurance Stories in 2007 in East

Dec 31 2007 // New leaders tackled old issues and the region battled fire and rain.1. No day at the beach Insurance markets for coastal properties continued to challenge insurers, agents, policymakers and property owners, despite an...

Conn. Insurance Chief Seeks ‘Mints on Pillow’ Treatment for Public

Dec 28 2007 // Connecticut consumers dealing with the state’s insurance regulatory agency should be left feeling they were given “mints on their pillow,” according to the no-nonsense man in charge.Insurance Commissioner...

Minn. Judge Rules American Family Not Required to Cover School Shooter

Dec 27 2007 // A federal judge has ruled that American Family Insurance has no obligation to cover John Jason McLaughlin in the wrongful death lawsuit filed against him by the parents of the two Rocori students he killed in...

Bond Insurer ACA Financial Submits to Maryland Regulatory Control

Dec 27 2007 // In more fallout from the troubled credit market, ACA Capital Holdings Inc. has agreed to let the Maryland Insurance Administration and Commissioner Ralph S. Tyler assume control of much of its bond insurance division, ACA...

Judge Orders W. Va. Malpractice Claims to Proceed Amid Bankruptcy

Dec 27 2007 // Eight lawsuits alleging medical malpractice by a former West Virginia doctor can continue toward trial while he settles his debts in bankruptcy court, a judge has ordered.Dr. John A. King consented to the rulings issued...

Florida Rejects Travelers’ Homeowners Insurance Rate Increase

Dec 27 2007 // A proposed 4.6 percent average statewide increase for homeowners insurance by The Travelers Companies Inc., was rejected last week by Florida’s insurance commissioner.Kevin McCarty notified Travelers that its request...

Scathing Audit: Calif. Workers’ Comp Insurer Needs Significant Reforms

Dec 23 2007 // California’s State Compensation Insurance Fund “has weak corporate governance, inadequate internal controls in various areas and a general inability to plan for the long-term,” according to an operational...

From Med Mal Caps to RICO Violations, No Headline Shortage in 2007

Dec 23 2007 // Severe summer storms that ransacked the Midwest, a court ruling that could negatively impact the medical malpractice insurance market in Illinois and RICO allegations in Minnesota were just a few of the news stories that...

Natural Disasters, Fires, Floods, Fair Conduct Fueled Insurance Industry Discussions in 2007

Dec 23 2007 // While 2007 was surprisingly calm year for hurricanes, that doesn’t mean Mother Nature didn’t have a tantrum or two. In the past year, the West faced its share of disasters, with freezes, floods and fires making...

West Va. Privatization of Workers’ Compensation Not all Smooth Sailing

Dec 23 2007 // The latest power struggle between W.Va. Gov. Joe Manchin’s administration and lawmakers spilled out into the open recently.Led by House Judiciary Chairwoman Carrie Webster, several legislative leaders quizzed...

Agents Wish for More Stability, But Predict Soft Market Will Continue in 2008

Dec 23 2007 // In 2007, buyers of insurance reaped in the rewards of a soft insurance market. But for agents and brokers the soft market meant lower premiums, lower commissions and a battle to retain renewal business. Will 2008 bring...

On the Radar for 2008

Dec 23 2007 // It’s that time of year — predictions about everything from the economy to politics run rampant with a new year. Predicting the future is never easy. But there are some issues facing the independent agency system in...

No Day at the Beach

Dec 23 2007 // Insurance markets for coastal properties continued to challenge insurers, agents, policymakers and property owners, despite an inactive hurricane season. For the most part, while policymakers debated, private markets went...

2007: Climate Change Dominates Debate While Soft Market Hits Entire P/C Market

Dec 23 2007 // The debate over climate change captured the world’s attention, including the insurance industry’s, in 2007, while major hurricanes spared the United States’ coastline. The soft market took hold of...

Survey of Analysts Projects Healthy Underwriting Profits

Dec 23 2007 // Next year may go down on record as one of the best insurance industry underwriting performances in the past 80 years, according to an industry survey of Wall Street stock analysts and industry professionals.Analysts expect...