Monthly Archives: <span>February 2016</span>

Owned Vehicle Exclusion Defeats Underinsured Motorist Claim

A U.S. district court in Missouri has rejected a policyholder’s strained interpretation of an “owned vehicle exclusion” standard in the underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage of automobile policies. The case, filed January 22, 2006, is entitled Walker v. Progressive Direct Ins.Co., …

Cyber Thieves Make Millions Off High Profile Data Breaches

Cyber thieves who steal credit and debit card numbers are making millions of dollars in profits, fueling a global criminal enterprise marked by the high-profile data breaches of major companies such as Target and Home Depot. Thomas J. Holt, Michigan …

Howard Succeeds Boyle as International Editor for Wells Media

L.S. Howard has been appointed international editor for Insurance Journal and Carrier Management. She is based in London. Howard succeeds Charles E. Boyle, who retired at the end of 2015 after 17 years with the company. Insurance Journal and Carrier …

Researchers Working to Create Devices to Take Down Errant Drones

The drone intruder was roaming around the Rose Bowl Stadium as 94,000 fans cheered, oblivious to the threat. But scientists testing a new security device at the game knew: they detected its radio signals and seized control of the gatecrasher. …

Coast Guard Hearings Will Probe El Faro’s Sinking During Hurricane

The U.S. Coast Guard begins hearings on Tuesday to investigate whether misconduct or negligence were factors in the sinking of the cargo ship El Faro during a hurricane last fall, an accident that left the vessel’s 33 crew members dead. …

Volkswagen Resisted Takata Airbag Recall Initially

Volkswagen resisted U.S. government efforts to recall more cars and trucks to fix potentially deadly Takata airbags – telling safety regulators that a recall isn’t necessary. But the German automaker, already in hot water with the government for cheating on …

Outdated, Broken Police Cruisers Frustrate Officers

Holes in the floorboards. Cracks in fenders and bumpers. Metal that sticks out of torn seats and rips uniforms. Gas gauges that don’t work. Radio equipment that malfunctions. Occasional breakdowns. Peeling paint. And then there’s the time a detective heading …

New Jersey Lawmakers Question $15M Federal Flood Protection Funding

New Jersey lawmakers on Thursday were left scratching their heads wondering why the state got only $15 million in federal flood protection funding. Legislators on the Democrat-controlled Senate oversight committee said they’ll have to wait for the U.S. Housing and …

Road to Recovery Long After Devastating California Wildfire

A real estate agent waits to rebuild her home on the same lot she fled in September, mourning the animals she couldn’t save and the family heirlooms she left behind as one of the most devastating wildfires to hit California …

Impact of Marijuana Laws Suggests Increased Use Seen Among Adults

How has new legislation affected marijuana use in the United States? The best available data suggest that marijuana use is increasing in adults but not teens, with a decrease in marijuana-related arrests but an increase in treatment admissions, according to …