Articles by Don Jergler

Ridesharing Firm Uber Says New Insurance Policy Covers ‘App Gap’

Ridesharing company Uber on Friday said it has new insurance to cover a gap between personal and commercial policies when drivers are using the app-based ridesharing service, while the company’s CEO said the San Franciscso-based firm is also working with …

To Judicial ‘Hellholes’ and Back

California isn’t just a warm place to live, which is often the case even in winter, but it turns out the state is considered a “judicial hellhole.” The American Tort Reform Foundation issued its annual “Judicial Hellholes” report last month, …

Insurance Media CEO, an Ex-Cop, Pulls Man From Burning Wreck

There may be no such thing as a retired cop; it’s more like they are “off duty.” It’s a mindset that many former police officers and emergency response professionals seem to share. After spending 16 years as a police officer …

Executive: Worry About Affordable Care Act’s Impact on Workers’ Comp

Like many, Steve Festa, chief claims officer for Reno, Nev.-based EMPLOYERS, has some serious concerns about just how the Affordable Care Act will affect the insurance industry. And Festa’s biggest concern is how this sweeping healthcare reform will impact workers’ …

Passing of Torch at California Workers’ Compensation Institute

Workers’ compensation wonk Alex Swedlow will become the fourth president of the California Workers’ Compensation Institute in 50 years following the announced retirement on Monday of J. Michael Nolan as president of the group. Nolan’s retirement is effective May 1. …

Profile: Workers’ Comp Fraud Expert Takes Old School Approach

When a Southern California family was convicted of workers’ compensation insurance premium fraud, it wasn’t due to sophisticated software, a supercomputer or even high-tech surveillance techniques. It was the result of good old-fashioned detective work, according to Maryann Lazernik, who …

California’s Governor Record ‘Solid’ on Insurance Legislation

Gov. Jerry Brown saw over a dozen bills related in some way to insurance come across his desk, with a bill to approve driverless cars, a bill to overhaul California’s workers’ compensation system among them. He’s signed or vetoed most …

Wildfires Pose Risk to Quarter-Million Western U.S. Homes

More than three-quarters of a million homes in the Western U.S. have a high risk of wildfire damage, according to a report released by Santa Ana, Calif.-based CoreLogic. CoreLogic’s Wildfire Hazard Risk Report identifies more than 740,000 residences across 13 …

California Insurance Commissioner’s Annual Report Details Consumer Protection

The California Department of Insurance has issued California Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones’ annual report for 2011 that details CDI’s progress on its “ambitious consumer and business protection agenda.” The report, released each year around August, details the work of the …

California Workers’ Comp Losses, Expenses Reach Over $12B

A report issued last week by the California Workers’ Compensation Institute shows workers’ comp insurers’ loss and expense payments rose to nearly $12.5 billion in 2011, an increase of over $1 billion. The report, compiled from statistics from the Workers’ …