US home insurance premiums exceed property taxes in 75% of counties
US home insurance premiums have risen 45% in inflation-adjusted terms over a decade, surpassing property-tax bills in two-thirds of counties, Bloomberg Intelligence reports
Insurance News
EPA to investigate East Palestine train derailment response after safety concerns
The EPA will investigate its response to the 2023 East Palestine train derailment, examining contamination testing, health risks and public safety assurances
Uninsured flood losses could rise by 25% by 2050 for US homeowners
Flood insurance endorsements can provide lower-cost inland flood coverage for US homeowners, with premiums starting around $40-$50 annually, Munich Re US says
UK Civil Service Pension Scheme recovery plan puts Capita under scrutiny
The UK government has imposed a new Civil Service Pension Scheme recovery plan on Capita after missed targets, technology failures and prolonged pension payment delays
Ex-Typhoon Champi threatens Western Alaska with 29-foot Bering Sea waves
Remnants of Typhoon Champi are approaching Western Alaska, bringing a risk of 29-foot seas, coastal flooding and damaging winds after heavy snow and earlier storms
Spain train crash kills 68 and injures 58 as two high-speed trains collide in Toledo
At least 68 people were killed and 58 injured after Renfe AVE and Iryo trains collided near Urda, Spain, as investigators examine a possible signaling failure
Wawanesa General Insurance rebrands as W Insurance in California
Wawanesa General Insurance changes its name to W Insurance, retaining coverage, premiums and policy terms for more than 300,000 California policies
Wawanesa Mutual Insurance launches WSI after completing acquisition of Everest Canada
Wawanesa launches WSI following its acquisition of Everest Canada, retaining specialty underwriting operations with $12.5 bn in assets backing its growth
Canada’s summer 2026 severe weather insured losses exceed C$3.7 bn – CatIQ
Severe weather caused more than C$3.7 bn in insured losses across Canada in summer 2026, the third-costliest on record, driven by storms, floods and wildfires
Istanbul floods cause over $91 mn in insured losses after record rainfall
Istanbul floods generated over 3,000 insurance claims and more than ₺4.5 bn ($91 mn) in insured losses after record rainfall affected six Turkish provinces
NAIC proposes $204 mn budget for 2027 as AI, cybersecurity and regulatory costs rise
The NAIC projects 2027 expenses of $204 mn, up 5.5%, as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and complex insurer investments increase regulatory demands
Minnesota court restores Abdifatah Yusuf verdict in $7.2 mn Medicaid fraud
Minnesota appeals court reverses an acquittal in a $7.2 mn Medicaid fraud case involving Promise Health Service and more than 40,000 fraudulent reimbursement claims
American Airlines flight attendant arrested in $25K elderly fraud case
An American Airlines flight attendant faces fraud and grand theft charges after allegedly using employee travel benefits in a $25,310 sweepstakes scam targeting a 75-year-old woman
Australia warns AI-powered cyberattacks are accelerating as incidents rise
Australia’s 2026 cyber threat report reveals a 20% rise in security incidents and an 80% surge in warnings as AI accelerates cyberattacks and espionage
Queensland storms bring giant hail, flooding and Brisbane Airport delays
Severe Queensland storms bring hailstones up to 7 cm, flash flooding, power outages and Brisbane Airport runway damage, prompting emergency rescues and warnings
USAA will reduce Florida auto insurance rates for 498K policies
Florida regulators approve USAA auto insurance rate cuts averaging 7% for more than 498,000 policies, with reductions reaching 11.2% for some programs
Stolen Social Security numbers sell for $2 on the dark web. How to protect SSNs from identity theft?
Stolen Social Security numbers sell for less than $2 on dark web markets, with research finding 5,885 listings and a median breach disclosure delay of 50 days
Airbnb and Chubb launch parametric weather insurance in 10 European countries
Airbnb and Chubb introduce parametric weather insurance in 10 European countries, offering automatic rainfall-triggered payouts of €50 to €1,000 per day
Typhoon Champi shuts down Taiwan as winds reach 191 kph
Typhoon Champi forces widespread closures in Taiwan, leaving one dead, 163 injured and thousands evacuated as authorities warn of flooding and prolonged winds
Tibet earthquake: Aftershocks, landslides and extreme weather complicate rescue efforts
A magnitude-7 earthquake in Tibet has killed 16 people, injured 76 and destroyed hundreds of homes, prompting mass evacuations and emergency rescue operations
The Hartford (NYSE: HIG) Q3 net income rises 23% to $1.32 bn as core earnings fall
The Hartford reported a 23% rise in Q3 2026 net income to $1.32 bn, while core earnings fell 6% amid higher catastrophe losses and weaker underwriting results
PwC confirms cyber incident as Everest claims 590 GB data breach
PwC confirms a third-party cybersecurity incident involving employee learning records as Everest claims to have stolen 590 GB of HR data and internal files
Winter storm brings snow, heavy rain, insurance and travel risks to seven US states
Winter weather threatens seven US states, with up to 16 inches of snow in Alaska, 55 mph winds and heavy rain across the Northern Plains
Supplemental Security Income November payout: Up to $994 for eligible recipients
Millions of Americans receiving Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits are scheduled to receive payments during the final week
Michigan will launch its $82 mn MiUI unemployment insurance system
Michigan will launch its $82 mn MiUI unemployment system on November 9, replacing aging technology with weekly benefits, mobile access and new employer requirements
Verisk loses appeal over $2.35 bn AccuLynx acquisition as FTC review continues
Delaware’s Supreme Court has upheld an order requiring Verisk to pursue its $2.35 bn AccuLynx acquisition despite prolonged FTC antitrust scrutiny
Freeway Insurance extends NASCAR sponsorship with Spire Motorsports for 2027
Freeway Insurance renews its NASCAR partnership with Spire Motorsports for 2027, backing Daniel Suárez, expanding Truck Series sponsorship and adding Carson Hocevar
Main Street America Insurance refreshes brand and expands commercial focus
Main Street America Insurance has introduced a new brand identity focused on commercial insurance, alongside office consolidation plans and a proposed property sale in Keene
Six Flags Over Georgia reopens after fatal Goliath roller coaster fall
Six Flags Over Georgia has reopened following a fatal fall from its Goliath roller coaster, as investigators examine ride restraints and safety records
US new-vehicle sales forecast to reach 1.33 mn in October 2026
US new-vehicle sales are forecast to rise 0.2% in October 2026, as higher loan payments, declining trade-in equity and weaker global demand pressure the auto market
US employer health insurance premiums exceed $28,000 for family coverage in 2026
US employer health insurance premiums rose 5% in 2026, exceeding $28,000 for family coverage, while nearly half of working-age adults lack adequate coverage
Hurricane Isaias generated more than 55K insurance claims in Florida
Hurricane Isaias has generated nearly $582 mn in Florida insured losses and about 55,000 claims, with US catastrophe loss estimates reaching $4.5 bn
Florida home insurance costs push Gulf Coast retirement budget to $78K
Florida retirees face annual expenses of about $78,000 for a mortgage-free Gulf Coast home, including $6,060 in homeowners insurance and $1,500 in flood coverage
GEICO to refund $10.5 mn to New Jersey auto insurance policyholders
GEICO must refund more than $10.5 mn to over 15,000 New Jersey auto insurance policyholders and pay a $1.2 mn penalty for regulatory violations
Trump’s mortgage executive order targets insurance and refinancing costs
Trump’s new executive order aims to reduce mortgage insurance and refinancing costs, with eligible homeowners potentially saving $500 to $1,500 in closing fees
US health insurance costs set to rise 9.5% in 2027 as coverage declines
US health insurance costs are projected to rise sharply in 2027, with employer expenses exceeding $19,000 per worker and individual coverage enrollment falling 18%
Magnitude 6.9 earthquake strikes Vanuatu, tsunami warning lifted
A magnitude 6.9 earthquake struck off Vanuatu on October 24, 2026, followed by a 6.3 aftershock. Authorities later cancelled a tsunami warning
Severe thunderstorms and flooding hit Australia as major storm system spreads
Severe thunderstorms sweep across Australia, bringing 100 km/h winds, flooding, power outages and giant hail risks across NSW, Queensland and Victoria
Storm Boelo brings winds, flooding and power cuts across UK
Storm Boelo has caused flooding, power outages and widespread travel disruption across the UK, with winds reaching 82mph in Scotland after Storm Austen
DVLA issues October warning to older drivers over licence renewal rules
UK driving licence rules require drivers aged 70 and over to renew every three years, while Northern Ireland introduces new learner and passenger restrictions
Hurricane Vance nears Mexico as Typhoon Champi threatens Taiwan and Japan
Hurricane Vance could reach Category 3 strength near Mexico, while Typhoon Champi threatens Taiwan and Japan after reaching 185 mph winds
Insurtech Root expands car insurance coverage to Wyoming, reaching 38 US states
Root Insurance has launched in Wyoming, expanding its auto insurance operations to 38 states covering 81% of the US population as it targets nationwide growth by 2027
US health insurance brokers sue HHS over ACA marketplace registration freeze
The NABIP has sued HHS over an ACA broker registration freeze that could prevent nearly 19,000 agents from participating in 2027 marketplace enrollment
FEMA launches online flood insurance purchases through Floodsmart.gov
FEMA has introduced online purchasing for National Flood Insurance Program policies through Floodsmart.gov, expanding digital access across nearly 22,700 US communities
UnitedHealthcare and Humana cut Medicare Advantage plans for 1 mn
UnitedHealthcare and Humana are ending Medicare Advantage plans affecting nearly 1 mn members in 2027 as insurers reduce costs, restrict networks and revise benefits
New York arrests 16 in $500K auto insurance fraud crackdown
New York authorities arrested 16 people in alleged auto insurance fraud schemes involving nearly $500,000 in attempted claims, as the state targets staged crashes
US Social Security Administration cleans 50 mn records in fraud crackdown
The Social Security Administration has corrected nearly 50 mn SSN records, updating death and citizenship data to strengthen identity verification and prevent fraud
Critical PHP vulnerabilities trigger global security alerts and website shutdowns
Two critical PHP vulnerabilities discovered using AI have prompted emergency security updates, government warnings and website shutdowns across multiple countries
Prudential Financial sells Brazil and Mexico insurance units to CNP for $4 bn
Prudential Financial agrees to sell its Brazil and Mexico insurance businesses to CNP Assurances for $4.025 bn, with completion expected in 2027
86% of insurance BPO buyers seek AI-driven contract changes
An ISG study finds 86% of insurance outsourcing buyers want revised contracts as AI changes operating costs, service expectations and risk controls
Texas lieutenant governor race tightens as Vikki Goodwin challenges Dan Patrick
Texas Democrat Vikki Goodwin challenges Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick in 2026, despite a 38-fold campaign funding gap, with healthcare and education central to the race
Aon forecasts Asia-Pacific medical costs to rise 9.7% in 2027
Aon’s 2027 report forecasts 9.7% medical cost growth across Asia-Pacific, down from 11.3% in 2026, as employers face continued health insurance cost pressures
Porch Group to acquire Allied Trust for $200 mn, expand insurance business
Porch Group agrees to acquire Allied Trust for $200 mn, adding $200 mn in reciprocal written premiums and expanding its insurance operations into Louisiana
Hurricane Isaias triggers 46,500 insurance claims and $582 mn in Florida – OIR
Hurricane Isaias has generated $582 mn in insured losses and more than 46,500 claims in Florida, with Santa Rosa and Escambia counties hardest hit
Hurricane Isaias privately insured losses estimated at $3 bn by KCC
Karen Clark & Company estimates $3 bn in privately insured losses from Hurricane Isaias after the Category 2 storm struck Florida’s Gulf Coast in October 2026
Oklahoma insurance election focuses on $5,533 home insurance costs
Oklahoma’s 2026 insurance commissioner candidates propose different solutions to the nation’s highest home insurance premiums, averaging $5,533 annually.
Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance enters Poland, appoints Carsten Keune
Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance expands into Poland and appoints Carsten Keune as Country Manager to lead growth across Central and Eastern Europe
Clyde & Co hires insurance litigation partner Greg Worden in Seattle
Clyde & Co appoints Greg Worden as insurance litigation partner in Seattle, expanding its coverage, bad faith and appellate capabilities in the Pacific Northwest
Billionaire Mark Cuban says healthcare costs threaten more US jobs than AI
Mark Cuban warns that rising health insurance costs, reaching $30,000 per family annually, could drive more US layoffs and hiring freezes than artificial intelligence
Liberty Mutual launches Liberty Biberty as new insurance brand mascot
Liberty Mutual introduces Liberty Biberty, its first new mascot in eight years, expanding its insurance advertising strategy across TV, streaming and social media
New tanker attacks in the Persian Gulf and Strait of Hormuz highlight marine war-risk insurance exposure as oil prices rebound amid uncertainty over Iran
Artificial intelligence systems can improve diagnostic accuracy and healthcare efficiency without necessarily reducing disparities between patient groups
Insurtech MGAs are prioritizing underwriting profitability, AI automation and specialty insurance expertise as carriers and reinsurers demand sustainable performance
Beinsure examines the latest global insurance brokerage market data for 2025-2026, financial results of the largest brokers, market concentration, M&A trends