Live Insurance News

Insurance Giants in Focus: A Tale of Two Third Quarters

November 6, 2024November 5, 2024 Ester Adams

Spotlight for Insurance Investors As the third-quarter financial results roll in, the spotlight is on two titans of the insurance industry: Berkshire Hathaway and Allstate. Both companies have reported significant figures that reflect their current standing and future prospects in the insurance market. The question arises: Are insurance investors likely to shift their focus, perhaps swayed by Allstate’s recent performance? Berkshire Hathaway: Navigating Setbacks Berkshire Hathaway, renowned for its exceptional insurance underwriting, faced uncharacteristic setbacks this quarter. The company reported more than $1 billion in insurance-related losses, attributed to increased…

Why Allstate Is Dodging Florida and California in Its Expansion Plans

November 4, 2024November 3, 2024 Nordstrom

Allstate’s New Focus Does Not Include California and Florida In a significant strategic move, Allstate is positioning itself to capitalize on growth opportunities in the homeowners insurance market by focusing on lower-risk areas, consciously steering clear of Florida and California. This decision aligns with the company’s commitment to maintaining profitability while navigating the increasing challenges posed by severe weather events and inflation. Navigating the Risk Landscape Allstate’s decision to avoid expanding its homeowners insurance market share in Florida and California stems from the heightened risk of weather-related losses in these…

California, Colorado and Texas Face Billion-Dollar Home Insurance Dilemma

August 27, 2024August 26, 2024 Nordstrom

California’s Growing Wildfire Risk for Home Insurance Market California homeowners face a growing problem: over 1.2 million homes are at moderate or high risk of wildfire damage, with reconstruction costs exceeding $760 billion. According to CoreLogic’s Wildfire Risk Report, this is particularly concerning for those living in the Wildland Urban Interface (WUI), especially in areas like Los Angeles, San Diego, and Riverside. Climate change is a significant factor, with NOAA’s data showing the number of acres burned each year has nearly doubled since the early ’80s. Reconstruction costs for damaged…

Ransomware: To Pay or Not to Pay

August 14, 2024August 13, 2024 David Derigiotis

When one threat actor group is taken down another one appears in its place ready to devastate organizations. The number one cyber threat? Ransomware. By 2031, ransomware will cost victims an annual total of $265 billion. Until recently, the largest ransomware payment was $40 million by CNA Financial to regain control of their systems. Now, Dark Angels—one of the top cyber threat groups to watch—broke the record for the largest ransomware payment by almost double the largest payment at $75 million. With ransomware attacks increasing and becoming more costly, the…

Citizens Insurance in Florida: A Balancing Act for Solvency

August 5, 2024August 4, 2024 Marc

citizens insurance and florida home insurance balance

The Challenge of Solvency for Citizens Insurance Florida’s Citizens Insurance is at a critical juncture. Initially created as the state-backed insurer of last resort, Citizens has evolved into Florida’s largest insurer, currently holding over 1.2 million policies. This is far from its intended goal of 400,000 to 500,000 policies, and the company now faces significant challenges in maintaining financial solvency, particularly with the looming threat of hurricanes. Citizens’ Policy Shortfall: Aiming for 400,000, Holding Over 1.2 Million Citizens Insurance was designed to provide coverage when private insurers could not, yet…

Maryland’s High-Stakes Race to Rebuild Key Bridge by 2028 Despite Legal Battles

July 30, 2024July 29, 2024 Ester Adams

Maryland is set to rebuild the iconic Francis Scott Key Bridge within the next four years, aiming for completion by fall 2028. This ambitious project carries an estimated cost ranging between $1.7 billion and $1.9 billion. The rebuild follows the bridge’s collapse on March 26, caused by a collision with the Dali container ship, leading to extensive damages and raising critical questions about maritime insurance and liability. Key Details of the Key Bridge Rebuild Plan David Broughton, spokesperson for the Maryland Department of Transportation, emphasized the significance of the project.…

State Farm Dominates and Soars to Top of AM Best Rankings with $92.6 Billion in Premiums!

July 25, 2024July 24, 2024 G. Turner

State Farm has once again claimed the top position in AM Best’s rankings of US Property and Casualty (P&C) insurers for 2023, reinforcing its dominance in the market. The company’s total net premiums written (NPW) surged by an impressive 19.1% to $92.6 billion, further widening the gap between itself and its competitors. Dominance in the P&C Sector In the dynamic world of insurance, rankings can be both stable and surprising. Here, we explore the latest shifts among top US Property and Casualty (P&C) insurers, spotlighting substantial changes in Net Premium…