The uptick in GDP has had a positive impact on the insurance industry, according to Laura Favinger, Chief Administrative Officer for the Insurance Information Institute (III). In the first half of 2018, insurance carriers nearly doubled their net income over the same period in 2017. The III sees exposures broadening a bit due to business development, consumer consumption and construction, …

CHICAGO, Nov. 16, 2016 /PRNewswire/ — For the first time in its four year history, the annual Workers’ Compensation Benchmarking Study identifies which claims best practices are generating better outcomes. Findings from the just published 2016 study reflect results from a nationwide survey of 492 claims leaders who report on methods that drive success in their organizations. To date, nearly …

BOCA RATON, Fla., Nov. 1, 2016 /PRNewswire/ — NCCI, the trusted source of information for the US workers compensation system, issued its Workers Compensation 2016 Issues Report: Fall Edition.The NCCI Issues Report is a comprehensive collection of data, research, trends, and insights available to stakeholders, including insurance carriers, regulators, agents, and associations. The publication provides important information for those making decisions …

In a new report, the Council of Insurance Agents and Brokers (CIAB) says Commercial Property-Casualty rates decreased by an average of 3.9 percent in the second quarter of 2016. Carriers appear to be pricing new business aggressively, while trying to hold rates steady on renewals. According to CIAB President & CEO Ken Crerar, The Council is keeping a close eye …

Risk Placement Services (RPS) President Joel Cavaness discusses the company’s acquisition strategy, the effects of El Niño and the Affordable Care Act on the insurance industry, cyber risk and more, during the recent NAPSLO Convention in San Diego. Mr. Cavaness acknowledge the effects of the changing weather patterns on heat, flooding and the types of storm activity the U.S. is …

Doctor MaryRose Reaston, Chief Scientific Officer and Founder of Emerge Diagnostics, discusses developments in the diagnosis of soft tissue injuries, defined as a muscle strain, neck strain rotator cuff tear or back pain – the main cause of many expensive workers compensation claims. Dr. Reaston says Electrodiagnostic Functional Assessment (EFA) Tests are diagnostic tools designed specifically for soft tissue injuries. …

Bijan Bijarchi, a VP at York Risk Services, speaks with WRIN.tv during the 2015 IRMI Energy Risk and Insurance Conference about trends in workers compensation. According to Mr. Bijarchi, “the price of oil has a direct impact on claims in the oil and gas industry and we are seeing a marked increase in claims frequency as a result of lower …

World Risk and Insurance News speaks with Roger Morris from the National Insurance Crime Bureau about developments in workers camp fraud, cybercrime, auto theft and medical fraud.  Among the hot topics he discusses: “Malingering” driving up workers comp fraud in the U.S. Insurance Industry wants NICB to get more involved in cybercrime Vehicle theft is down, though non-traditional theft is …

Roger Morris, Chief Communications Officer at the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) says employees who take advantage of the system are driving up workers compensation costs in the United States. Mr. Morris notes that “malingering” is a major contributor to fraud in workers comp.  Malingering happens when an employee collects indemnity checks and drives up medical costs beyond the period …

World Risk and Insurance News was on-site for the annual Joint Industry Forum, hosted by the Insurance Information Institute.  Here, Dr. Bob Hartwig, President of the Insurance Information Institute, shares his thoughts on the new Congress, the debate over capital standards, technology, and more. III’s Hartwig sees Dodd-Frank, Obamacare and MetLife’s SIFI challenge as key Federal issues in 2015. Will …