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John Elias approved as Insurance Commissioner of New Hampshire

John Elias, the former Assistant Commissioner of Insurance in New Hampshire, was approved in May by the New Hampshire Executive Counsel as Commissioner of Insurance after he was nominated by Governor Chris T. Sununu.  He replaced Commissioner Roger Sevigny who retired after a distinguished career in the position for 16 years. Elias’ experience in the […]

South Dakota underinsured motorist coverage exclusion found unenforceable

Streff v. State Farm Mutual Auto. Ins. Co., 2017 S.D. 83, was decided by the Supreme Court of South Dakota on December 13, 2017, affecting coverage in private passenger automobile policies for underinsured motorist coverage.  The Court held that the government vehicle exclusion with respect to underinsured motorist coverage in private passenger auto policies unenforceable, and that […]

Idaho Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Coverage Election

Effective March 28, 2018, all private passenger automobile insurers in Idaho must use the NEW Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Disclosure found in which includes election/selection form found in Appendix A of the Idaho Administrative Code at IDAPA 18.01.20 Section .016.  Carriers must begin using the new form for all new policies and those existing policies where UM or UIM […]

Andrew Stolfi appointed Oregon Insurance Commissioner

Andrew Stolfi has been appointed as the administrator of the Oregon Division of Financial Regulation.  Stolfi spent six years in Switzerland at the International Association of Insurance Supervisors, most recently serving as chief operating officer and chief counsel.  Before joining the IAIS he served in senior management roles at the Illinois Department of Insurance, including acting […]

The assignment of benefits (AOB) problem: will the Florida Legislature fix it?

The Florida Legislature is planning to take another stab at ending claims abuses blamed for property insurance rate hikes.  Property insurers (homeowners and commercial property insurers alike) are battling the well-financed trial attorneys to bring an end to the manipulative self-serving generation of attorney fees from excessive lawsuits by repair contractors working under an affidavit […]

Marlene Cabride nominated Banking and Insurance Commissioner in New Jersey

Assemblywoman Marlene Cabride, who has served in the New Jersey General Assembly since 2012 (4 terms), has been nominated as the next Department of Banking and Insurance (DOBI) Commissioner.  Replacing current Commissioner Richard Badolato. Upon Senate confirmation, Caride will oversee the state Department of Banking and Insurance, which regulates the state’s banking, insurance, and real […]

Michael Conway is the interim Colorado Insurance Commissioner

Michael Conway has been appointed interim Colorado Insurance Commissioner, which became effective January 1, 2018.  As Insurance Commissioner, Conway will also head the Division of Insurance (DOI), a part of the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA).  Former Colorado Insurance Commissioner Marguerite Salazar, who has been serving in two roles since July 2017, when she […]

Insuring driverless cars – Insurance Innovation

The marriage of technology and insurance product innovation has taken another leap forward as applied to insuring driverless cars. Insurance professionals should stay abreast of developments and educate ourselves on the new technologies for the design and delivery of insurance products. In support of this mission to educate insurance professionals, I am compelled to share […]

Jessica Looman appointed Minnesota Insurance Commissioner

Mike Rothman has announced that he will be stepping down as Commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Commerce effective November 17, 2017. Jessica Looman has been appointed as the new Commissioner. Serving as the Deputy Commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry at the time of this appointment, her role with the DLI […]

Gary Anderson has been appointed Massachusetts Commissioner of Insurance

Gary Anderson has been appointed the Massachusetts Commissioner of Insurance.  He has served as the acting Commissioner of the Division of Insurance since February 24, 2017, and previously served in this role from January 2015 to April 2015.  The Division of Insurance is responsible for regulation of the insurance industry and protection of consumers. Gary […]