BP Plc will appoint an independent mediator to oversee damage claims that arise from the giant oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, the London-based energy giant said Wednesday. “We are absolutely committed to a simple, fair claims process that …
A judge has ordered the pretrial merger of at least 40 California state court lawsuits filed against Toyota over cars that have raced out of control, including a case stemming from the fatal crash that sparked the automaker’s recall crisis. …
A.M. Best Co. has affirmed the issuer credit rating (ICR) of “bbb-” of Ironshore Inc. ,based in the Cayman Islands, and the financial strength rating of ‘A-‘ (Excellent) and ICRs of “a-” of its operating subsidiaries. These include Ironshore Insurance …
Wisconsin Gov. Jim Doyle has asked federal agriculture officials to declare a disaster in Langlade and Lincoln counties after a late snowstorm severely damaged the area’s ginseng crop. Four inches of snow fell on May 7, collapsing shade coverings that …
Oregon State University scientists are testing a model of what could be a tsunami-resistant City Hall for Cannon Beach on the Oregon coast. Engineers and seismic experts at the Wave Research Laboratory in Corvallis say they use scale models to …
A number of residents in the suburbs north and east of Seattle, Wash., were shaken awake on May 25 by a small earthquake. The University of Washington reports the Pacific Northwest Seismic Network recorded a 3.4 magnitude quake at 5:21, …
The Arkansas Supreme Court has affirmed a lower court order certifying class action status in a case involving an insurer’s depreciation practices in property claims against “actual cash value” homeowners policies. In Farmers Union Mutual Insurance Company v. Randall and …
Arkansas Gov. Mike Beebe has authorized $1 million from the Governor’s Disaster Fund to provide individual assistance for victims of the tornadoes and floods that began on April 30. The decision comes after Arkansas received word that the Federal Emergency …
A.M. Best Co. has upgraded the issuer credit rating (ICR) to “a+” from “a” and affirmed the financial strength rating of ‘A’ (Excellent) of United Educators Insurance, a Vermont-based Reciprocal Risk Retention Group (UE), with stable outlooks. The ratings reflect …
Oklahoma Gov. Brad Henry says the White House has approved his request for disaster assistance for seven Oklahoma counties recently affected by severe storms. Henry said disaster assistance for individuals and businesses has been approved for Carter, Cleveland, McIntosh, Okfuskee, …