UK Supreme Court issues ruling on controversial asbestos liability case

The United Kingdom Supreme Court has issued a ruling on a controversial case concerning asbestos in workplaces. The issue arose in 2008, when a number of people came forward to seek reparations after being diagnosed with mesothelioma, a type of lung cancer connected with inhaling asbestos and other fibrous materials. The country’s appeals courts struggled to determine whether liability lied with employers for exposing workers to dangerous conditions or if liability began when a victim started exhibiting symptoms of illness. Despite the conflict, the High Court ruled in 2008 that…

Read More

Total SA natural gas leak births insurance nightmare as the industry tackles yet another man-made environmental disaster

Trouble is brewing in the North Sea where a major natural gas leak is causing problems for Total SA, a multinational oil company. The leak began at one of the companies abandoned platforms, dubbed the “well of hell” by environmentalists. Total is claiming that it will take at least six months to shut off the flow of natural gas due to high pressures within the reservoir beneath the platform. The company now faces serious backlash from the insurance industry for being at the heart of yet another man-made environmental disaster.…

Read More

GEICO announces cheaper commercial auto insurance rates for businesses in Texas

Business owners in Texas may now have a commercial auto insurance policy available to them at a lower rate, as GEICO announced that they have made this new coverage available in the state. According to the director of commercial lines at GEICO, Kushwant Singh, his company is happy to be able to provide this new coverage to Texas businesses. He added that his company is recognized for providing cheap auto insurance coverage, but that “more and more business owners in Texas are discovering how much they can save with us…

Read More

Hartford Financial Services Group to focus on P&C insurance and group benefits

Hartford Financial Services Group (HIG) has announced that it will be leaving its annuity business in order to concentrate on its property and casualty insurance and group benefits businesses, as well as its mutual funds business. This announcement follows closely behind the advice that had been offered in February by John Paulson, a hedge fund manager, when he encouraged Hartford to spin off its business for property and casualty insurance. Hartford’s response had been that it would look over the plan that had been submitted by Paulson, but cautioned that…

Read More

Commercial Insurance Expert John Elbl Appointed Vice President in AIR Worldwide’s Business Development Group

BOSTON, March 20, 2012 – AIR Worldwide (AIR) today announced that John Elbl has been appointed vice president in AIR’s Business Development Group. He joins AIR after 13 years with Zurich Insurance Company, most recently as global head of catastrophe modeling. In his new role, Elbl will assist with service and support for AIR’s commercial insurer clients, as well as aid in developing AIR software and models to better meet the needs of commercial insurers. “John brings extensive experience working with companies to interpret analysis results, optimize modeling workflows, and…

Read More