Category: Recent Headlines

Making Return-to-work Plans Amid the Latest Pandemic Surge

Recent spikes in COVID-19 and lagging vaccination rates in some areas have raised concerns about how to proceed as many companies work to transition employees back to the office or hybrid arrangements this…

Tesla Autopilot to Face Investigation After Series of Crashes

Tesla and its Autopilot feature are set to be investigated by the US government after it was accused of causing almost a dozen crashes involving emergency vehicles. The National Highway Traffic Safety…

Data breaches increased 38% in Q2

During the second quarter of 2021, data breaches increased 38% in the U.S. compared with the prior quarter, according to the Identity Theft Resource Center (ITRC). If the volume of breaches continues on its…

Drought, Heat in Western US Foretell Severe Wildfire Losses for 2021

With record-breaking heat and drought conditions sweeping the western United States, the 2021 wildfire season will likely produce another devastating year of wildfire losses, according to a recent report from A.M. Best….

Storming the Capitol: Insurance’s role in covering invasions past and present

History provides a great opportunity to learn from past mistakes to avoid repeating them today. Consider this semi-fictitious account of another invasion of the Capitol. Benjamin Franklin organized the oldest property insurance company…

The Road Ahead for Semi-autonomous Vehicle Crash Liability

Semi-autonomous vehicles, which allow drivers to supervise and take control of the vehicle, are becoming more common. But before we fully accept the inherent risks and realities linked to the idea that semi-autonomous…

Commercial Insurance Prices Hit Highest Average Increase Since 2003

U.S. commercial insurance price increases hit their highest level since 2003 in the fourth quarter of 2020, with the average across all lines up over 10%, according to Willis Towers Watson’s Commercial…

‘Bad actors are out there’: Cyber experts have long warned of an attack on water supply systems

The announcement of a Feb. 5 cyberattack on a public drinking water supply in Florida, an event that could have been much worse, illustrates the gaps in critical infrastructure cybersecurity and the…

Businesses Struggling in Pandemic Sue Insurers, With Mixed Results

This article is being republished as part of the WSJ.com articles that also appeared in the U.S. print edition of The Wall Street Journal (December 30, 2020). Chef Matthew Kelly is one…

Pandemic Driving Trends to Translate into Fewer On-The-Job Auto Accidents

Costs related to on-the-job motor vehicle accidents (MVA) are expected to drop as workers drive less frequently due to the COVID-19 pandemic, according to an analysis produced by the National Council on…