Patricia Wells

The acting head of FEMA, David Richardson, defended the agency’s handling of the recent devastating floods in central Texas, which claimed at least 136 lives. Speaking to a House committee, he rejected criticism that federal response efforts were slow or disorganized. Richardson said the coordination between federal and state agencies worked well, calling it “a … Read more

Wildfires have swept through parts of Turkey and Cyprus, leaving at least twelve people dead and causing widespread damage. The fires, driven by soaring temperatures and strong winds, hit Turkey’s Eskisehir province hardest, where ten forest workers and rescue volunteers lost their lives after being trapped by flames. Fourteen others were injured and taken to … Read more

The California FAIR Plan has raised its coverage limits for commercial properties and introduced a new high-value policy to help businesses that struggle to find insurance elsewhere. This move targets businesses like condominiums, farms, and wineries that cannot get coverage from the regular or excess insurance markets. Under the new rules, the FAIR Plan now … Read more

Last month, a tragic shooting shook northern Idaho when a man opened fire on firefighters before taking his own life. The suspect, 20-year-old Wess Roley, killed two battalion chiefs and wounded another firefighter in what authorities now say was a planned attack. Roley had recently tried to join the fire department but became frustrated when … Read more

Pharmacists Mutual Insurance Company has welcomed Matthew Mosher to its Board of Directors. Mosher, who used to be the President and CEO of AM Best Rating Services, brings a wealth of experience in insurance and leadership to the Iowa-based insurer. During his time at AM Best, Mosher was known for advancing insurance analytics and leading … Read more

Alliant Insurance Services has welcomed Stephanie Beach as Senior Vice President in its employee benefits division, based in Austin, Texas. Beach brings over 25 years of experience working with mid- to large-sized employers, helping them design health and welfare benefit plans that fit their unique needs. Throughout her career, Stephanie has focused on creating benefit … Read more

The Kentucky Department of Insurance has unveiled new rules for its Strengthen Kentucky Homes wind-mitigation grant program. These guidelines, based on legislation passed this year, aim to help homeowners protect their properties against stronger and more frequent storms. The program sets clear requirements for who can get the grants, how the grants will be handled, … Read more

A worker tragically lost their life at a Twinsburg, Ohio facility after Clean Harbors Environmental Services Inc. failed to follow key safety rules. The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) stepped in and found that the company didn’t properly ventilate a confined space filled with organic chemical residue. This lack of … Read more

For many homeowners, sudden big jumps in insurance premiums are a tough pill to swallow. When extreme weather events like hailstorms or wildfires hit hard, insurance companies often raise rates sharply to cover those costs. This kind of rate shock can leave customers feeling frustrated and blindsided. It also puts insurers under pressure from regulators … Read more

The California Department of Insurance (CDI) has given the green light to the state’s first wildfire catastrophe model, signaling a big change in how property insurance rates will be set. Developed by Verisk’s Extreme Event Solutions, this new tool helps insurers assess wildfire risks more accurately as part of California’s effort to fix its growing … Read more