Articles by Denise Johnson

More Than 30 New Laws Highlight Record Year for Fraud-Related Legislation

The introduction of new bills slows down during years when legislators tend to be more concerned with reelection. That’s why 2018 was such a surprise, according to Matthew Smith, director of Government Affairs and general counsel for the Coalition Against …

Extreme Market Changes Expected From Autonomous Cars

Though it’s estimated that by 2025 auto insurance premiums will drop by $25 billion as a result of the adoption of driverless cars, the insurance market is expected to recover through new lines of coverage, according to a report by …

Wisconsin Supreme Court Rules a Single Occurrence Applies in Fire Case

In a ruling published this week, Wisconsin’s highest court reversed and remanded a court of appeals decision that found a fire loss constituted multiple occurrences. At issue, was whether a $2 million aggregate limit or $500,000 per occurrence limit applied …

Latest Beef Recall Highlights Growing Magnitude of Foodborne Illnesses

The impact of Arizona beef distributor JBS Tolleson’s recent recall of nearly 7 million pounds of ground beef sold nationwide has yet to be determined. The recall, prompted by 57 cases of salmonella across 16 states, will likely lead to …

Working Through Allocation Issues When Multiple Storms Happen

A nuanced approach is necessary to work through claims involving multiple perils, according to Bob O’Brien, managing director of Marsh’s National Property Claims Practice and Paul McVey, managing director and Marsh’s National chief property claims officer. A recent blog post …

NCCI: ACA Had No Major Impact on Monday Workers’ Comp Claims

A new research brief released by the National Council on Compensation Insurance (NCCI) examines Monday claims –claims of worker injuries thought to be unrelated to their jobs and likely happening on the weekend – and whether the Affordable Care Act …

Industry Expert Shares Thoughts on Virtual Reality Liability Exposures

As more tech companies release virtual reality (VR) products, the impact on insurance is a growing concern. Kevin Quinley, founder and principal of Quinley Risk Associates, said the industry can look to claims and lawsuits involving video games to get …

State Farm Gets OK for Long Range Drone Flights to Assess Hurricane Damage

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) recently granted a waiver to State Farm to allow the insurer the ability to inspect damage caused by Hurricane Florence. The approval, received just last week, allows State Farm to operate drones on longer range …

Industry Expected to Withstand Insured Losses From Florence

Changes in the path and intensity of Hurricane Florence are keeping forecasters, government officials and insurers on their toes. An update by AIR Worldwide yesterday indicated that storm surge heights of 9-13 feet could be expected. “Florence’s slow motion just …

Adjusters Must Avoid Becoming Part of Catastrophe They Investigate

Editor’s Note: This article, previously published in 2012, offers evergreen tips on staying safe while adjusting catastrophe losses. Displaced rats, contaminated flood waters, downed electrical wires and unstable flooring are just some of the dangers encountered by workers assessing Sandy …