AM Best: US P&C insurance upgrades exceed downgrades in 2025
AM Best reports more upgrades than downgrades in US P&C insurance, driven by commercial lines while personal lines face pressure
šŗšø US Insurance News
Marsh rolls out BX1 Bermuda facility with $50 mn excess casualty capacity
Marsh introduces BX1 in Bermuda, offering $50 mn excess casualty capacity for US clients with streamlined claims and broader punitive damages cover
Tennessee court denies workersā comp benefits in Kroger back injury case
The Tennessee Court of Workers’ Compensation Claims denied benefits to a grocery employee who alleged a gradual back injury tied to increased job duties
Kansas moves to modernize childrenās health insurance eligibility rules
Kansas lawmakers approved legislation updating income eligibility rules for the Children’s Health Insurance Program, ending a formula tied to federal poverty levels from 2008
Texas Supreme Court allows insurer and contractor to seek recovery from subcontractor
The Texas Supreme Court ruled that a contractor and its insurer can pursue recovery from a subcontractor following a multimillion-dollar workplace injury settlement
California bill proposes statewide rules for wildfire smoke insurance claims
California lawmakers introduced legislation designed to standardize how insurers handle wildfire smoke damage claims. The proposal follows major fires that contaminated thousands of homes
Farmers Insurance sues former Oklahoma agent over alleged client diversion
Farmers Insurance filed a lawsuit accusing a former Oklahoma agent of redirecting customers and policies to competing insurers before leaving the company
Iran-linked cyberattack on Stryker raises geopolitical risk for US companies
A cyberattack that disrupted operations at Stryker is drawing attention from U.S. officials and cybersecurity experts who see the incident as a significant escalation in Iran-linked cyber operations
Steadily launches landlord insurance quoting inside ChatGPT
Steadily introduced a quoting tool available through the ChatGPT platform, allowing landlords to estimate insurance premiums for rental properties without leaving the AI interface
Hawaii insurance regulator urges quick claims after severe storms
The Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs and its Hawaii Insurance Division are urging residents to review insurance coverage and report storm damage quickly after recent high winds
Outdated flood maps drive debt in US National Flood Insurance Program
The National Flood Insurance Program provides flood coverage to households and businesses across the United States
Former Louisiana insurance commissioner Jim Donelon joins Middleberg Riddle Group
Jim Donelon joined Middleberg Riddle Group as of counsel, where he will advise insurers, agencies, producers, and other insurance market participants on regulatory issues
Former NBA player Glen Davis released after serving time in insurance fraud case
Former NBA player Glen Davis was released from prison on March 12 after serving 17 months for his role in a fraud scheme involving the NBA Players’ Health and Welfare Benefit Plan
Oklahoma homeowners insurance market faces lawsuits and rate scrutiny
Homeowners insurance pricing in Oklahoma is drawing growing political, legal, and regulatory attention. Premiums in Oklahoma rank among the highest in the United States
California FAIR Plan expands as insurers withdraw from lower-risk neighborhoods
Californiaās property insurance market shows growing strain as insurers retreat from areas once considered moderate wildfire risk
New York auto insurance reform sparks clash between trial lawyers and Hochul
New Yorkās auto insurance reform debate is escalating as Governor Kathy Hochul presses for legislation aimed at curbing litigation linked to vehicle accidents
RockRose Risk raised $9 mn to expand wildfire insurance brokerage
RockRose Risk raised $9 mn in funding to expand its brokerage platform focused on wildfire-exposed properties. CEO and founder Andrew Engler confirmed the financing
Police officers arrested in U.S. insurance fraud investigations tied to benefits claims
Two officers from the Los Angeles Police Department were arrested Friday on suspicion of unemployment insurance fraud linked to claims
North American re/insurers post 11% ROE as underwriting and investment income stay strong
North American (re)insurers delivered strong profitability in 2025. According to Fitch Ratings, the sector recorded an operating return on common equity of 11%
Active Re completes global retrocession programme and expands cyber underwriting
Barbados reinsurer Active Re strengthens capital protection and increases AI adoption across underwriting operations
Gulf war-risk insurance withdrawal raises pressure on marine specialists
Fitch Ratings expects the withdrawal of hull war-risk marine insurance in the Persian Gulf to carry negative credit implications for U.S. property and casualty insurers
Insurance payments platform One Inc appoints fintech veteran Bryan Thompson as CTO
Insurance payments platform One Inc names Bryan Thompson CTO to lead technology strategy, platform development, and enterprise security
U.S. title insurance sectorās operating margin improved to 11.4% in 2025
The U.S. title insurance sectorās operating margin improved to 11.4% in 2025, up from 10.3% in 2024, according to a new Fitch Ratings
Lockton marks one year of crypto insurance premium payments
Independent broker Lockton expands digital-asset premium payments as clients use crypto to fund global insurance programs
Iran conflict unlikely to trigger major insurer rating changes, Fitch says
Fitch says global insurers face manageable earnings pressure from Iran conflict unless escalation damages energy infrastructure or prolongs market volatility
DFCāChubb $20 bn reinsurance plan targets Hormuz shipping risk
U.S. DFC and Chubb launch $20 bn maritime reinsurance framework to support oil and LNG shipping through the Strait of Hormuz
Hormuz war-risk insurance premiums jump 12x as $20 bn US backstop emerges
War-risk rates in the Strait of Hormuz climb to 3% of hull value as DFC launches $20bn reinsurance plan amid tanker strikes
Proposed U.S. GENIUS Act would exclude stablecoins from FDIC insurance
Proposed U.S. legislation would exclude stablecoins from FDIC insurance, preserving $250,000 coverage solely for traditional bank deposits
Louisiana Farm Bureau Casualty Insurance to demutualize in $46.7 mn deal
Southern Farm Bureau Casualty to acquire Louisiana Farm Bureau Mutual for $46.7m, converting it to stock after surplus erosion and heavy losses
Gulf hull war rates may jump 50% as marine insurance cover pulled
Marsh and Aon warn marine hull war premiums in the Gulf could rise 25ā50% as underwriters cancel policies and reprice transits
Morningstar DBRS warns Gulf conflict may tighten reinsurance
Morningstar DBRS says Iran conflict could push reinsurers to raise attachment points, cut capacity and heighten volatility in marine and aviation lines
NFIP shutdown risk exposes gaps in flood insurance cover access
Federal shutdown froze NFIP policy issuance and renewals, disrupting property deals and highlighting need for private flood alternatives
Delaware court says insurers need not defend Meta
Delaware judge rules insurers owe no duty to defend Meta in social media addiction suits, finding alleged conduct was deliberate, not accidental
Iran strikes disrupt flights as war exclusions hit travel insurance cover
Airlines cancel thousands of flights after U.S.-Israel strikes on Iran, but standard travel insurance often excludes war-related disruptions
California bill targets insurer hurdles for rare disease drugs
California lawmakers advance bipartisan bill to bar prior authorization and step therapy for FDA-approved rare disease treatments
Marine insurers halt Gulf war risk cover as premiums near 1%
Marine insurers cancel war risk policies in the Gulf after tanker strikes push premiums toward 1% of hull value and strand 150 vessels
War insurance risk cover pulled as Hormuz conflict jolts shipping
Marine insurers are cancelling war risk cover for vessels operating in the Middle East Gulf as the United StatesāIsraelāIran conflict disrupts tanker traffic
NASCAR driver Kyle Busch settles $8.5 mn suit against Pacific Life
NASCAR driver Kyle Busch resolves $8.5 mn lawsuit alleging Pacific Life and agent misled him on indexed universal life projections
Moodyās: US life insurers post uneven Q4 2025 as rate tailwind fades
Moodyās says US life insurers saw mixed Q4 2025 profits as spreads tightened and claims rose, with steady 2026 outlook and strong PRT demand
S&P sees reinsurance capital steady despite Middle East shock
S&P says reinsurers enter 2026 with strong capital buffers despite expected losses from Middle East conflict across marine, aviation and specialty lines
McKinsey says AI could add $70 bn to insurance revenue
McKinsey outlines how AI, from predictive models to agent systems, is reshaping brokers, MGAs, TPAs and software, with $50 bnā$70 bn revenue upside
Kennedys flags multi-line insurance threat from US-Israel-Iran conflict
Kennedys warns escalating US, Israel and Iran hostilities threaten simultaneous losses across political violence, marine, aviation, energy and trade credit lines
California family accused of staging Porsche crash for $39K in insurance claims
Pasadena trio charged with felony insurance fraud after alleged staged Porsche crash netted $38,932 in claims, say California regulators
Trump weighs tanker insurance plan as oil surges on Iran strikes
Trump reviews options to curb oil spike after Iran strikes, including federal tanker insurance and possible SPR use as Hormuz shipments stall
California auto insurance rates in 2026 jump over 30% since 2023
California drivers face auto premium hikes exceeding 30% in two years, driven by repair costs, heavier vehicles and inflation pressures
Aetna fined $550k in Pennsylvania mental health insurance parity case
Pennsylvania Insurance Department orders Aetna to pay $550,000 penalty and reimburse members with interest after mental health parity violations
Georgia advances insurance reform bills as Kemp signs budget with $2 bn
Georgia House sends insurance cost bills to Senate as Gov. Kemp signs amended budget with $2 bn in tax relief and public worker bonuses
Iowa House backs bill ending prior auth for mental health crisis care
Iowa lawmakers approve measure barring insurers from requiring prior authorization for mental health crisis stabilization service
Texas businesses sue over Historically Underutilized Business program overhaul
Four companies and a trade group challenge Texas comptrollerās emergency rules that narrowed the Historically Underutilized Business program
EEOC sues Mid-Michigan Home Health over race bias
EEOC files Title VII lawsuit alleging Mid-Michigan Home Health denied assignments and fired Black CNA in Michigan due to race
Louisiana Department of Insurance partners with NICB to target litigation funding ads
Louisiana Insurance Department teams with NICB and 4WARN to curb third-party litigation funding ads steering policyholders into costly lawsuits
CMS backs catastrophic health insurance plans with high deductibles
CMS proposes expanding multi-year catastrophic plans and HSA use on ACA exchanges, prompting debate over coverage gaps and financial risk
Nebraska bill targets Alzheimerās insurance coverage gaps
Nebraska proposal would require insurers to cover FDA-approved Alzheimerās tests and treatments, aiming to reduce step therapy barriers and out-of-pocket costs
Arkansas Insurance Department updates gold card appeal rules under Act 511
Arkansas Insurance Department issues Bulletin 4-2026 detailing new independent review timelines for insurer and PBM gold card rescission appeals
California bill targets wildfire non-renewals, adds 6-month notice
California lawmakers propose requiring insurers to give six monthsā notice and specific reasons before dropping homeowners over wildfire risk
Louisiana auto insurance premiums fall 5.8% as 2025 rates stabilize
Louisiana insurance rates dip 0.4% overall in 2025, driven by a 5.8% drop in private passenger auto, while homeowners premiums rise at a slower pace
Connecticut weighs LTCI tax relief as insurance premiums surge
Connecticut lawmakers propose tax deductions and hearing rules for long-term care insurance hikes as seniors report premium increases of 50% to 400%
Nevada state workers push back on projected PEBP insurance increases
Nevada state workers and retirees push back on projected PEBP insurance increases, warning of staffing losses as deficit estimates and premium models face scrutiny
Apartment fire highlights renters insurance gap in North Carolina
Camden Westwood Apartments fire displaces 70 residents, underscoring low renters insurance uptake and replacement cost risks for tenants
Progressive issues $1 bn in Florida auto insurance refunds
Progressive returns nearly $1bn to Florida drivers after litigation reform and lower loss costs, with average rebates around $300 per policyholder
New US-Canada tariffs raise auto, property, trade credit and business interruption exposures as insurers assess higher repair and supply chain costs
US insurance sector outlook for 2025-2026: capital strength, social inflation risks, P&C returns peak, Florida reforms, life insurance resilience and alt capital trends
Teen drivers face crash rates nearly 4x higher than adults. Safer vehicle choices and smart insurance decisions can lower risk and costs for families
AM Best keeps a stable outlook for commercial lines, citing strong results, rising investment income and tech-driven underwriting amid stress in liability and auto