Monthly Archives: <span>May 2015</span>

A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words: But It Could Cost You Much More

When dealing with photographs taken of other people, prudence requires that we consider the legal rights of the subject and the ethics of publishing the photo without their permission. Since the advent of digital photography, photographs have played a big …

Death of Woman Dropped on Head by Ambulance Crew Settled for $1.5M

The family of a woman who suffered a brain hemorrhage and died days after an ambulance crew dropped her on her head has been awarded $1.5 million in a wrongful death lawsuit. The Middlesex Superior Court jury ruled Monday in …

Wildfires Threaten Unprepared Residents’ Homes

As the Northwest braces for what’s expected to be one of the driest summers on record, the latest poll from Seattle-based PEMCO Insurance warns that at least one in three residents who live in the region’s most at-risk areas for …

Smell May Constitute Physical Loss Under Policy

The New Hampshire Supreme Court recently held that a persistent odor could constitute a “physical loss” under a homeowner’s insurance policy as long as the smell distinctly and demonstrably changed the condition of the property. The decision represents an important …

Wearables to be Broadly Adopted by Insurers Within Next 2 Years

Nearly two-thirds of insurers expect wearable technologies to have a significant impact on their industry, according to a survey of more than 200 insurance executives as part of Accenture’s annual Technology Vision report. The insurance industry report, “Accenture Technology Vision …

Allstate Reports 13% Increase in Profits Due to Better Margins, Claims Costs

Allstate Corp., the largest U.S. publicly traded seller of auto and home insurance, said first-quarter profit rose 13 percent as margins improved at the property/liability business and catastrophe losses fell. Net income climbed to $677 million, or $1.53 a share, …

Watchdogs Say Trucking-Friendly Plan Not Concerned With Safety

A multimillion lobbying push by FedEx Corp. and other freight carriers may be about to open U.S. highways to a new generation of bigger truck trailers even as watchdogs warn the price will be roadway carnage. A $55.3 billion transportation …

Tips on Education for Adjusters Going into Management

As claims personnel move into management roles, it’s important for them to understand the organizational structure of their employer as well as understand and align with the company’s mission, according to Marty Frappolli, senior director of Knowledge Resources for The …

Commercial Drone Use Stymied by Slow to Act FAA

As U.S. regulators study how to govern commercial drones, corporate America is plunging ahead on using unmanned aircraft in a bid to speed the process and win concessions on proposed restrictions. Large companies including American International Group Inc., Chevron Corp. …

Willis Launches Forensic Accounting Practice

In response to the increasing number of large scale disasters that result in highly complex claims, Willis Group Holdings plc, the global risk advisory, reinsurance broking, and human capital and benefits firm, launched the new Forensic Accounting & Complex Claims …