IJ: Weekly Reader Picks

Top 10 for the Past Week

A Guide to Homeowners’ Liability for Injury to Trick or Treaters

Oct 31, 2014 — Halloween pranks. Google this phrase and more than 5 million results link you to a myriad of ways to “mess with peoples’ minds” on Halloween. Some of the recommended pranks require a higher education to …

The Hartford Offers Lump-Sum Pension Buyouts to 13,500 Former Workers

Oct 28, 2014 — Hartford Financial Services Group Inc. is working to reduce its retirement obligations by paying former employees to give up their pensions. Last month, the insurer offered voluntary lump-sum payments to about 13,500 …

Top 10 Market Conduct Issues for P/C Insurers

Oct 28, 2014 — A review of state insurance regulators’ examinations of U.S. property/casualty insurers shows that claims-handling, underwriting and producer requirements continue to be the top criticisms. According to compliance and …

Supreme Court Considers Taking Obamacare Tax Credit Case

Oct 30, 2014 — The fate of President Barack Obama’s healthcare law is again in the hands of the U.S. Supreme Court. Two years after upholding the law by a single vote, the justices are weighing whether to hear a Republican-backed …

Space Station Supply Rocket That Exploded Insured for $50 Million

Oct 29, 2014 — Authorities on Wednesday started investigating what made an unmanned U.S. supply rocket explode in a fireball moments after lifting off from a launch pad in Virginia, destroying supplies and equipment bound for the … 

Florida Arrests 5 in Alleged Insurance Fraud Scheme

Oct 31, 2014 — Florida Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater announced the arrests of attorneys, chiropractors and clinic employees involved in an organized personal injury protection (PIP) fraud scheme. Atwater said the five arrests …

NTSB: Southwest Pilot Took Controls From Co-Pilot Before NYC Crash

Oct 30, 2014 — The co-pilot of a Southwest Airlines Co. plane that crash landed at New York’s LaGuardia Airport in July 2013 said the captain put her hand on his as he was controlling the throttles and reduced the plane’s power. …

Biggest Obstacle to Cyber Insurance Sales Is Customer Education

Oct 28, 2014 — The biggest challenge in selling cyber insurance is educating businesses about the need for cyber coverage, according to a new survey. The survey of insurance professionals found that among carriers offering cyber …

Judge Slashes $9 Billion Damages Award Against Drugmakers by 99%

Oct 28, 2014 — Takeda Pharmaceutical Co. and Eli Lilly & Co. won a more than a 99 percent cut in a $9 billion punitive damages award over claims the drugmakers hid the cancer risks of their Actos diabetes medicine. Jurors properly …

Anchor P&C Is Newest Florida Homeowners Insurance Carrier

Oct 30, 2014 — Anchor Property and Casualty Insurance Co. became licensed by the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation (OIR) on Oct. 28 to write homeowners insurance business in the state. At the same time, the company has been …