Category: Political News

The political arena is ripe with news from the insurance industry – 2012 being a presidential election year, as well as other changes, have made for one of the hottest news topics we have.

Farmers Insurance Escapes Whopping $26M Judgment – Here’s Why It Matters

Live Insurance News
Farmers court ruling insurance law

Oregon Supreme Court Ruling in Bellshaw v. Farmers Insurance Company of Oregon Rewrites the Playbook for Insurer Obligations The Oregon Supreme Court’s April 2025 decision in Bellshaw v. Farmers Insurance Company of Oregon has drawn attention across the insurance industry, raising questions about insurer liability, policyholder rights, and the future of regulatory practices. By reversing a staggering $26.3 million class action judgment against Farmers Insurance, the court defined the scope of insurers’ obligations under Oregon’s “choice-of-shop” insurance law, leaving both insurers and policyholders to grapple with its broader implications. A…

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State Farm Rate Hike Fallout: Californians Brace for Judge’s Decision

H. Cutner
California Insurance news State Farm Hearing Update

Californians on Edge as Judge Weighs State Farm’s Rate Hike Request The courtroom drama around State Farm’s emergency rate hike request might be finished, but the fallout is just beginning. After a high-stakes, three-day hearing in Oakland, the insurer, the California Department of Insurance, and advocacy groups are all waiting on an administrative law judge to decide if the proposed increases will formally take effect. And while this legal tug-of-war plays out, roughly three million California homeowners and policyholders are bracing themselves for what these changes might mean for their…

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Hazing Prevention Matters, But What About Hazing Insurance? Lessons From Northwestern

Angela Linders
Hazing Prevention

Northwestern University Hazing Settlements Reshape Liability Landscape for Higher Education Northwestern University, a prestigious institution often celebrated for its academics and athletics, is now under scrutiny for an unfolding hazing scandal that has rocked its reputation. The university recently entered a provisional settlement resolving claims of hazing, sexual abuse, and racial discrimination among its football players. While the terms of the settlement remain confidential, the ripple effects on the broader landscape of liability insurance for educational institutions are undeniable. For universities and insurers alike, this case serves as a stark…

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Legislative Focus Shines on Insurance Reforms in Washington State

Nordstrom
Insurance Reforms

Senate Bill 5419 Aims to Overhaul Fire Loss Data Collection Washington’s Insurance Commissioner Patty Kuderer has thrown her legislative weight behind Senate Bill 5419, an initiative that proposes shifting the responsibility for collecting fire loss insurance data from the State Fire Marshal to the Office of the Insurance Commissioner (OIC). The bill, approved by the Washington Senate, represents a calculated move to streamline data collection and improve regulatory oversight of fire-related insurance claims. It now awaits scheduled debate in the House of Representatives. “In its current form, the system is…

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Will the $25 Billion Medicare Advantage Boost Benefit Patients or Insurers?

Marc
medicare advantage changes

Medicare Advantage Payments Surge: What It Means for 2026 and Beyond The Medicare Advantage landscape is undergoing a seismic shift with a better-than-expected payment increase announced for 2026. With rates set to climb by 5.06%, translating to a $25 billion boost, industry stakeholders are abuzz with speculation about its far-reaching implications. This announcement is a compilation of technical adjustments and recalibrated growth rates, but what does it mean for you, the taxpayer, and the broader healthcare ecosystem? A 5.06% Increase That Outruns Expectations The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services…

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J&J’s Settlement Drama Exposes Cracks in Liability Insurance Playbooks

Nordstrom
Liability Insurance

J&J’s $10 Billion Settlement Rejected: Ripple Effects on Insurance and Risk Management Johnson & Johnson’s latest attempt to settle over 60,000 lawsuits with a $10 billion bankruptcy plan has hit yet another wall. It’s the third time courts have rejected the healthcare giant’s “Texas two-step” bankruptcy strategy, leaving both legal experts and insurance professionals buzzing. But this isn’t just corporate news; the ruling sends shockwaves through liability insurance and risk management landscapes, raising questions about how companies handle legal exposure in a litigious era. Legal Setback: Understanding the Judge’s Decision…

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From Crisis to Solution: How AB 226 Aims to Transform Wildfire Insurance

H. Cutner
Wildfire Insurance

California Moves to Reinforce FAIR Plan Stability Amid Wildfire Challenges California lawmakers are taking bold steps to protect homeowners and address the state’s wildfire-induced insurance crisis. At the center of these efforts is Assembly Bill (AB) 226, also known as the FAIR Plan Stabilization Act, designed to bolster the state’s insurer of last resort. With unanimous support in the Assembly and growing momentum in the Senate, this bill holds promise for easing the financial strain on an increasingly overburdened insurance market. FAIR Plan’s Crucial Role in High-Risk Areas The FAIR…

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