Farmers Insurance seeks 7% rate hike, vows 5% policy growth in wildfire zones
Farmers Insurance plans a 7% rate increase and commits to expanding policies in California wildfire-hit regions while backing the state’s new insurance strategy
Insurance News
Sen. Rick Scott proposes Health Freedom Accounts and cross-state ACA sales
Sen. Rick Scott’s bill would create HSA-style ACA accounts, replace subsidies with direct funding, and let insurers sell ACA plans across state lines
Ontario’s proposed life and health MGA rules trigger pushback over cost and complexity
FSRA’s draft rules for life and health MGAs add fees and broad oversight, prompting warnings they could hurt small advisors and limit consumer access
Florida bill HB 459 pushes mandatory mediation for disputed property claims
HB 459 would require mediation for disputed property insurance claims, creating faster timelines and shifting many cases to administrative hearings
U.S. insurance industry sheds 700 jobs as carriers cut roles
Insurance employment dipped by 700 jobs in September, with steep losses across life, health and P&C carriers while only TPAs added positions
Zurich teams with Quantexa to boost real time fraud detection in UK
Zurich becomes the first UK insurer to deploy Quantexa’s AI platform, pushing real time fraud detection across multiple business lines
Cigna Healthcare rolls out Clearity, a copay-only plan built on AI pricing tools
Cigna Healthcare launched Clearity, a copay-only health plan built to strip out deductibles and coinsurance while showing members what they owe before they ever book a visit
Erie Insurance sued over alleged underpayment in Nashville tornado claim
Yellowbird Oil & Gas says Erie Insurance lowballed its tornado loss, offering $704 on a $141k repair estimate after a 2023 EF2 storm
Travelers hit with $27 mn verdict as Alabama fire dispute escalates
Eighth Circuit backs Maxus in a $27mn fire damage fight, ruling soot and water contamination count as covered physical loss
Michigan pushes major PIP overhaul targeting auto and rideshare insurers
Michigan bill aims to reshape PIP rules, set clearer insurer priorities, and redefine coverage for auto, rideshare, and motorcycle accidents
Allstate hit with class action over alleged illegal Lyft insurance setup
Class action claims Allstate and North Light sold illegal Lyft rideshare coverage with exclusions that blocked valid claims in California
State Farm drops Georgia auto rates another 3%, saving drivers $400 mn yearly
State Farm drops Georgia auto rates another 3%, saving drivers $400 mn yearly as Commissioner King pressures rival insurers to follow
Blue Cross of Idaho clashes with Post Falls micro hospital over billing
Blue Cross of Idaho pushes regulators to probe a Post Falls micro hospital over heavy dispute filings and rising costs for consumers
U.S. workers brace for 7% employer health insurance premium spikes as politics heat up
Employer health premiums jump up to 7% while ACA costs climb, creating a political minefield for both parties ahead of the midterms
Whistleblowers accuse Farm Bureau P&C Insurance of fraud concealment and retaliation
Two ex-investigators sue Farm Bureau, alleging fraud cover ups, retaliation, and long running pressure to hide cases from state regulators
Insurance costs in New York’s affordable housing world keep rocketing
Insurance premiums for NYC’s rent stabilized buildings jumped 150% since 2019, tightening budgets as a proposed rent freeze stirs fears of worsening conditions
Climate risk drives insurance spikes and slams home values nationwide
Insurance premiums soar across disaster zones, pushing homeowners to sell, reshaping markets, and dragging down property values in hurricane and wildfire regions
New York pushes ZIP code insurance data and climate liability bills
Two New York bills seek granular insurance data and new civil actions against climate disaster contributors to curb rising property costs
Florida lawmakers dropped House Bill 459 into the mix
Florida’s House Bill 459 would require mediation for contested property insurance claims, speeding resolutions and trimming court delays
Delaware court narrows workers comp subrogation rights in UIM cases
Delaware’s high court limits workers comp insurers to boardable damages when pursuing subrogation against UIM recoveries
JAB Insurance moves to acquire Columbian Mutual and CLIC amid rehab
JAB Insurance agrees to buy Columbian Mutual and CLIC, offering capital support as both insurers move through state rehabilitation
Florida court clears more than 400 Citizens arbitration cases to resume
A Florida court lifted the block on 400+ Citizens arbitration cases, backing DOAH’s authority and rejecting a broad injunction
OptumRx, arm of UnitedHealth, joins new bid to block Iowa PBM law after partial injunction
OptumRx challenges Iowa’s PBM law, arguing uneven enforcement and seeking to extend an existing injunction across all affected parties
MS&AD buys 18% of Barings for $1.44 bn to expand global asset reach
MS&AD takes an 18% stake in MassMutual’s Barings for $1.44bn, adding global scale, new capital, and deeper asset management ties
AIG posts Q3 2025 results: $8.7 bn gross premiums, net income $519 mn
AIG reports strong Q3 with $1.2bn AATI, major strategic deals, better underwriting, higher ROE, and $1.5bn returned to shareholders
China’s insurers push AI, NEV data partnerships and chase new nonlife growth
AM Best’s James Chan says China’s insurers lean on AI, stricter rules and NEV data partnerships as motor, health, liability and green sectors expand
AIG appoints Jon Hancock as CEO of General Insurance
Jon Hancock becomes AIG’s General Insurance CEO as John Neal withdraws, reshaping leadership across underwriting, claims and global commercial lines
Families push to revive Tylenol autism suits as appeals court weighs Trump remarks
Families seek to restore 500+ Tylenol autism lawsuits, citing Trump’s public claims, as Kenvue defends expert rulings and prepares for a $40bn takeover
State Farm’s 27% Illinois rate hike sparks backlash and fresh oversight calls
State Farm’s 27% homeowners rate increase in Illinois triggers political pushback, expert warnings on rising storm risk, and renewed regulatory pressure
Fifth Circuit ruling narrows insurer liability in fatal overdose workplace case
Fifth Circuit reverses a $575k award, ruling a worker’s fatal fentanyl overdose broke causation and did not extend insurer liability
Westlake’s $278 mn chlorine spill fight reshapes key property insurance coverage
Westlake’s $278mn chlorine spill case forces major insurers to defend exclusions as a West Virginia appeals court issues a mixed, high-impact ruling
Rail sabotage in Poland raises insurers’ fears over Europe’s infrastructure
A blast on a key Polish rail corridor sparks security worries and signals rising insurer exposure as Europe’s logistics network faces hybrid threats
Instant payouts redefine loyalty as insurers face a speed-first marketplace
Digital expectations and rising catastrophes push insurers toward instant payouts, where payment speed now dictates loyalty and long term retention
Citizens loses top spot as Florida’s private insurers retake the property market
Citizens sheds 900k+ policies as private insurers return, signaling rare stability in Florida’s long-troubled property insurance market
Affordable Care Act costs to surge in 2025 as credits lapse, risking sicker pools
Millions risk higher ACA premiums as pandemic era subsidies expire, pushing consumers toward cheaper plans and shrinking enrollment among healthier buyers
MS&AD to buy 18% of Barings in $1.44 bn deal to deepen asset partnership
MS&AD will acquire 18% of Barings from MassMutual in a $1.44bn deal, adding growth capital and expanding global investment capabilities
AXA partners with Old Mutual and EHS to expand international health cover in Africa
AXA teams with Old Mutual Kenya and EHS to grow East Africa’s IPMI market through local underwriting, exclusive distribution and portfolio transfers
Colorado pushes Pinnacol Assurance privatization plan to unlock $400 mn for budget
Gov. Polis renews his push to privatize Pinnacol Assurance, arguing the shift could free $400mn and fix structural limits hurting Colorado employers
Michigan’s HB 5281 bill targets litigation funding with new caps, disclosure rules
Michigan’s HB 5281 would regulate litigation funding with disclosures, registration and a 36% cap, aiming to reduce legal system abuse and insurance costs
Manulife, Mahindra form $400 mn life insurance joint venture to target India’s rural market
Manulife and Mahindra launch a 50-50 life insurance venture with up to $400mn in capital to expand reach across India’s fast growing rural segments
Rising healthcare costs overtake retention as top priority for U.S. hospitals – Aon’s survey
Aon’s 2025 survey shows U.S. hospitals rank healthcare cost spikes above retention, as PEPY spend jumps and benefit strategies rapidly evolve
Volt Underwriting enters ports and terminals market with $15 mn capacity
Volt Underwriting launches a $15mn ports and terminals line backed by Tokio Marine Kiln, expanding its global energy focused MGA platform
National Flood Insurance Program extended to Jan 2026 as pressure mounts to overhaul FEMA operations
Congress extends NFIP to Jan 2026, triggering renewed calls to reform FEMA and pursue long term flood insurance stability beyond short lived funding deals
Pennsylvania Insurance Department pushes back on Smucker’s ACA claims with district data
Pennsylvania Insurance officials counter Rep. Smucker’s ACA remarks, citing sharp 2026 premium hikes and detailed Pennie data for District 11
Penn Mutual Life Insurance seeks to shift liability in Montana premium financing dispute
Penn Mutual says funeral directors lost millions due to flawed legal advice tied to life policies and premium financing arranged by attorney Janette Jones
Indiana court dismisses Cantor’s $25 mn fidelity bond case over jurisdiction
Indiana’s appeals court tossed Cantor’s $25mn fidelity bond suit, ruling nonresident insurers lacked the minimum contacts required for state jurisdiction
Wisconsin weighs workers’ comp bill boosting insurance payouts and tightening rules
Wisconsin lawmakers review AB 651, a workers’ comp bill raising payouts, revising claims rules, and updating evidence, limits, and first responder coverage
Geico loses bid to dismiss $69.7 mn South Carolina business tax lawsuit
A federal judge refused Geico’s motion to dismiss a $69.7mn suit over unpaid business license taxes and penalties owed to South Carolina municipalities
Swiss Re reports a net income of $4 bn for the 9M 2025
Swiss Re lifts Q3 net income to $1.43bn, accelerates L/H fixes, and stays bullish on 2025 despite noisy portfolios and tougher pricing
Allianz lifts 2025 outlook after €13 bn profit and record Q3 results
Allianz posts record Q3 gains, €13.1bn nine month profit, and raises its 2025 operating target to €17bn as P/C and L/H units drive growth
Chubb launches AI optimisation engine to boost embedded insurance sales
Chubb just rolled out an AI-powered optimisation engine inside Chubb Studio, its digital platform for embedded insurance
Hiscox ordered to release records in $6.8 mn Dwolla fraud coverage fight
A U.S. court ordered Hiscox to hand over claims and underwriting records in a $6.8mn dispute over Dwolla’s denied computer fraud insurance claim
IAG handles 10,000+ weather claims after major hailstorms in Australia
IAG processes over 10,000 claims after severe hail and storm damage across Queensland, NSW, and Victoria, activating major recovery operations
Lloyd Smucker disputes Pennsylvania’s statement on ACA insurance premium spikes
Rep. Lloyd Smucker disputes Pennsylvania Insurance Department’s statement on ACA premium spikes, demanding transparency over tax credit assumptions
Louisiana’s insurance regulator eyes standardised discounts for fortified roof homes
Louisiana’s insurance regulator plans benchmark discounts for 10,000 Fortified roofs as data grows, cutting average premiums by 22%
Aon launches digital Claims Copilot to enhance global claims outcomes
Aon debuts Claims Copilot, an AI-ready digital platform unifying analytics, automation, and advocacy to streamline global claims and improve client results
Moody’s estimates $3–5 bn insured losses in Jamaica from Hurricane Melissa
Moody’s RMS pegs Jamaica’s insured losses from Hurricane Melissa at $3–5 bn, with total economic losses possibly exceeding the island’s $20 bn GDP
Liberty Mutual posts $2.22 bn Q3 profit as combined ratio hits 84.7%
Liberty Mutual’s Q3 net income rose to $2.22 bn with a combined ratio of 84.7%, driven by strong underwriting and a sharp fall in catastrophe losses
Fitch warns Solvency II capital cuts may weaken EU insurers’ credit
Fitch says EU plans to ease Solvency II rules could raise insurers’ risk-taking and understate spread risk, posing mild pressure on credit quality
Howden to acquire Evelyn Partners’ employee benefits consultancy EPFS
Howden will acquire Evelyn Partners Financial Services to boost its UK employee benefits and corporate health division, pending regulatory approval in 2026
Aerospace and defense M&A reached 532 deals in 2025, as business aviation attracts private equity, family offices, and growth investors
Global insurance M&A stabilised, as insurers and brokers took a more strategic approach to acquisitions amid falling interest rates and a realignment of strategic priorities
Insurance brokers push debt-financed acquisitions amid slowing growth, Fitch warns credit risks rise but strong cash flow keeps leverage tolerable
Major deals have led global M&A activity in 2024, showing increasing confidence among dealmakers despite geopolitical and economic challenges