All About Surety Bonds

Great Lakes’ Warming Brings Higher Winter Temperatures Across Midwest

Fri, 03 Dec 2021 11:47:31 -0600

Winter is just around the corner, but experts say the Great Lakes haven’t gotten the message. After summer and fall evenings that failed to cool sufficiently, surface temperatures in the massive bodies of water are trending above average, the Chicago …

Florida Man and Three Others Sentenced for Millions in Fake Construction Bonds

Fri, 03 Dec 2021 11:39:30 -0600

A federal judge in Miami sentenced four men to at least two years in prison each for a scheme that sold worthless construction bonds for major building projects in 2015. Working under the name of Hampton Investment Fund, CHM Secure …

Michigan Residents Lose Decision over Foul Odor from Sugar Beet Processor

Fri, 03 Dec 2021 11:27:26 -0600

Residents complaining about foul odors from a sugar beet processor in Bay City have a lost a key decision at the Michigan Court of Appeals. Michigan Sugar, which turns beets into sugar, is accused of depriving people from enjoying their …

Oklahoma Pork Plant Faces $27,000 Penalty Over Unsafe Work Conditions

Fri, 03 Dec 2021 11:17:47 -0600

A Guymon, Oklahoma processing and packing facility – operated by one of the nation’s largest pork processors – failed to prevent workers from being exposed to repetitive motion injuries and did not record injuries that needed more than basic first-aid. …

New Texas Blackout Rules Won’t Go Into Effect This Winter

Admin — Fri, 03 Dec 2021 11:07:19 -0600

Regulators of Texas’ oil and gas industry that buckled during February’s deadly freeze moved Tuesday, Nov. 30 toward making some producers more prepared for cold weather, but not in time for this winter as the nation’s power grid monitor warned …

NFP Acquires Connecticut’s Insurance Provider Group

Fri, 03 Dec 2021 09:48:31 -0600

NFP, an insurance broker and consultant that provides property/casualty, corporate benefits, retirement and individual services, acquired the assets of Insurance Provider Group LLC (IPG). The transaction closed on October 6, 2021. Connecticut-based IPG is a property/casualty insurance broker that provides …

People Moves: Burns & Wilcox Names Kaufman President; Arturo Adds Tulsian; Robinett Joins NFP

Fri, 03 Dec 2021 09:44:11 -0600

Daniel J. Kaufman will become president of wholesale broker Burns & Wilcox in January. He previously served as chief operating officer for Burns & Wilcox, the largest subsidiary of H.W. Kaufman Group. He is only the third president in the …

California Judge Weighing in on Legality of Women Board Member Law

Admin — Fri, 03 Dec 2021 09:28:41 -0600

When then-California Gov. Jerry Brown signed the nation’s first law requiring women on boards of publicly traded companies, he suggested it might not survive legal challenges. Three years later, a judge will begin hearing evidence this week in Los Angeles …

Data Hacked for 400K Planned Parenthood Patients in California

Fri, 03 Dec 2021 09:23:24 -0600

The Los Angeles branch of Planned Parenthood was hit by a data breach involving about 400,000 patients, but there is no indication that the information was used “for fraudulent purposes,” the group said. A hacker installed computer malware between Oct. …

Agency in California Opposes Cruise Robotaxi Application, Citing Safety

Admin — Fri, 03 Dec 2021 09:20:40 -0600

San Francisco’s public transit operator has challenged an application by Cruise to charge for robotaxi rides, saying on Wednesday promotional videos from the General Motors Co unit show Cruise passengers illegally hopping in and out of vehicles in the middle …

Sedgwick Acquires Belgian Engineering Consultancy ABESIM B.V.

Fri, 03 Dec 2021 09:13:01 -0600

Sedgwick, a global provider of technology-enabled risk, benefits and integrated business solutions, announced it has acquired ABESIM B.V. in Belgium. Financial details of the transaction were not disclosed. The acquisition of ABESIM will enhance Sedgwick’s existing business in Belgium, EFI …

Jury Selection Begins in Trial Stemming from Workplace Death in Maine

Fri, 03 Dec 2021 08:47:47 -0600

Jury selection got underway Wednesday for the trial of a roofing contractor charged in the death of a worker who fell from a roof because of alleged unsafe working conditions. The trial of Michael Purvis was initially scheduled for March …

Greensill’s Business Model Risks ‘High Level of Harm’; New Rules Needed: UK Watchdog

Admin — Fri, 03 Dec 2021 08:40:11 -0600

The business model used by collapsed supply chain financing firm Greensill Capital is causing a “high level of harm” and tighter rules are needed, Britain’s Financial Conduct Authority said on Friday. The watchdog set out proposals for public consultation to …

The Hilb Group Acquires New Hampshire’s Clark & Lavey Benefits Solutions

Fri, 03 Dec 2021 08:39:10 -0600

The Hilb Group acquired Clark & Lavey Benefits Solutions Inc., increasing its New England presence and bolstering its range of employee benefits offerings nationwide. The transaction became effective November 1, 2021. Based in Merrimack, New Hampshire, Clark & Lavey Benefits …

MCI Lloyd’s Syndicate 1902 Offers ‘Ground-Breaking’ Infectious Disease Liability Cover

Fri, 03 Dec 2021 08:02:54 -0600

Specialist liability underwriter Medical & Commercial International (MCI) announced the launch of a ground-breaking communicable disease liability (CDL) cover. Based on extensive epidemiological research by leading scientists and liability practitioners, MCI said it will be the world’s first and only …

USDA Revises Rules on Crop Insurance for Hemp Producers

Fri, 03 Dec 2021 08:01:42 -0600

The U.S. Department of Agriculture is changing some rules around crop insurance for hemp, including making the insurability requirements more flexible. USDA’s Risk Management Agency (RMA) has also added a new requirement for producers who grow direct-seeded hemp and is …

Severe Australia Floods to Worsen, Raising Costs to Farmers

Admin — Fri, 03 Dec 2021 07:42:53 -0600

Severe flooding episodes across vast swathes of eastern Australia this week show no signs of relenting as costs to farmers continue to mount, with another bout of heavy rain on course to hit the already sodden growing regions over this …

Hundreds of Thousands of Farm Animals Perish in Canada Floods

Admin — Fri, 03 Dec 2021 07:09:33 -0600

Hundreds of thousands of livestock have perished in floodwaters in Canada’s westernmost province, the British Columbia government said Thursday. Back-to-back deluges from atmospheric rivers have damaged major transport routes, forced evacuations and briefly isolated Canada’s biggest port. The agricultural region …

Insured Price Tag for Europe Windstorm Hendrik-Ignatz (Aurore) Estimated at €311M

Fri, 03 Dec 2021 06:42:13 -0600

Initial insured losses for extratropical windstorm “Hendrik-Ignatz,” also known as “Aurore,” are estimated at €311 million ($352 million), according to PERILS, the independent Zurich-based organization that provides industry-wide catastrophe insurance data. The storm, which affected north-western and central Europe from …

Louisiana Lawmakers Offer Insurance Complaints After Ida

Admin — Fri, 03 Dec 2021 02:30:01 -0600

Slow responses to damage claims. Constant switch-ups of insurance adjusters assessing the destruction. Low payment offers forcing people unnecessarily into litigation to get a fair deal. Louisiana lawmakers and others said Wednesday that those are the problems they’re seeing and …

Safety Advocates Are Worried As Teen Truckers Hit the Road

Admin — Fri, 03 Dec 2021 00:16:42 -0600

Dezjion Henson has wanted to be a truck driver his whole life. When he turned 18 last year he jumped at the chance and signed on as an apprentice with Total Transportation of Mississippi, LLC in Richland, Mississippi. “Growing up, …

Cash Found in Condo Collapse to Be Distributed; Trial Could Start in Summer

Fri, 03 Dec 2021 00:06:59 -0600

A Florida judge said that lawsuits over the collapsed condominium tower in Surfside will likely go to trial by summer. But thousands of dollars in cash found in the rubble could be distributed to former residents within weeks. And the …

People: ClearPath Mutual Names Taylor CFO

Fri, 03 Dec 2021 00:03:26 -0600

Jillian Taylor, the former chief financial officer at Lawyers Mutual of Kentucky, has been named CFO at Louisville-based ClearPath Mutual Insurance Co., the company announced. Taylor has 11 years in the industry and 16 years in accounting and finance. Prior …

Insuring Cannabis Summit: What Will the Market Look Like 5 Years from Now?

Don Jergler — Fri, 03 Dec 2021 00:00:54 -0600

This is part of a series of articles from Insurance Journal’s annual Insuring Cannabis Summit on Oct. 14. You can find more articles from the summit at the bottom of this one. The green rush, a term for talent crossing …

U.S. Calls for Outer Space Norms After ‘Irresponsible’ Russia Test

Admin — Fri, 03 Dec 2021 00:00:52 -0600

U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris on Wednesday criticized an “irresponsible” Russian test that endangered the International Space Station with debris, and the Biden administration laid out a new strategy for responsible use of space. Harris convened the inaugural meeting of …

People Moves: Aon Makes Slyfield in California Chief Innovation Officer; Alliant Names O’Malley First Vice President

Fri, 03 Dec 2021 00:00:31 -0600

Aon plc named Jillian Slyfield as the firm’s chief innovation officer. Slyfield, who is based in San Francisco, California, will report to Aon CEO Greg Case and join the Aon executive committee. Slyfield assumes the responsibilities of Tony Goland, who …

Facebook Whistleblower Tells Congress ‘Time Is of Essence’ in Social Media Law Reform

Admin — Fri, 03 Dec 2021 00:00:13 -0600

Ex-Facebook employee and whistleblower Frances Haugen implored lawmakers Wednesday to avert the usual congressional stalemates as they weigh proposals to curb abuses on social media platforms by limiting the companies’ free-speech protections against legal liability. Still, Haugen urged caution in …

Climate Report: ‘Low- to No-Snow’ Will Worsen Water Shortages in U.S. West

Don Jergler — Thu, 02 Dec 2021 12:46:00 -0600

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change this week distributed the final draft of the Working Group III contribution to the Sixth Assessment Report to governments, in one of the final stages of preparations before IPCC member countries consider this report …

14 Insurers Pressing Lawsuit vs. Park Service After Gatlinburg Wildfires

Thu, 02 Dec 2021 11:51:15 -0600

Fourteen insurance companies are pressing ahead with a lawsuit against the federal government, alleging that the National Park Service did little to stop 2016 wildfires that destroyed dozens of homes and businesses in and around Gatlinburg, Tennessee. The suit, led …

Louisiana Insurers Face $100 Million Assessment Fee after Ida-Related Insolvencies

Ezra Amacher — Thu, 02 Dec 2021 11:33:48 -0600

Louisiana property and casualty insurers will be assessed $100 million to cover the cost of two regional insurance companies facing insolvency due to losses from Hurricane Ida. The Louisiana Insurance Guaranty Association board voted Nov. 30 to assess admitted insurers …

SFAA has updated its Small Business Loan Step by Step Guidance https://cdn.ymaws.com/www.surety.org/resource/resmgr/govrel-pub/SBA-2020-04-24.pdf …. Additional COVID-19 resources can be found at https://www.surety.org/page/COVID pic.twitter.com/bXunH6jBW

(@SuretyFidelity) — Tue, 19 May 2020 08:18:57 -0500

SFAA has updated its Small Business Loan Step by Step Guidance https://cdn.ymaws.com/www.surety.org/resource/resmgr/govrel-pub/SBA-2020-04-24.pdf …. Additional COVID-19 resources can be found at https://www.surety.org/page/COVID pic.twitter.com/bXunH6jBWE

SFAA and NASBP commend DOD for taking Action to Provide Common-Sense Solution for Execution of Surety Bonds During the COVID-19 Pandemic. Order Will Provide a Safe Working Environment and Allow Critical Infrastructure Projects to Move Forward - https://c

(@SuretyFidelity) — Tue, 05 May 2020 20:18:43 -0500

SFAA and NASBP commend DOD for taking Action to Provide Common-Sense Solution for Execution of Surety Bonds During the COVID-19 Pandemic. Order Will Provide a Safe Working Environment and Allow Critical Infrastructure Projects to Move Forward - https://cdn.ymaws.com/www.surety.org/resource/resmgr/news/NR-2020-05-05.pdf … pic.twitter.com/V5DPtfRORh

Check out the most recent updates to the Small Business CARES Act Guide from SFAA. Congress passed the Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act that adds $310 billion in funding for the SBA Paycheck Performance Program (PPP). https://c

(@SuretyFidelity) — Fri, 24 Apr 2020 08:11:27 -0500

Check out the most recent updates to the Small Business CARES Act Guide from SFAA. Congress passed the Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act that adds $310 billion in funding for the SBA Paycheck Performance Program (PPP). https://cdn.ymaws.com/www.surety.org/resource/resmgr/govrel-pub/SBA-2020-04-23.pdf … pic.twitter.com/LVziK7pcUl

SFAA issues Advisory Paper compiling best practices titled: COVID-19 - Cyber Criminals Exploiting Company Teleworking Platforms to Access Sensitive Data. https://cdn.ymaws.com/www.surety.org/resource/resmgr/covid/SFAA_CyberAdvisory.pdf …pic.twitter.com/M

(@SuretyFidelity) — Tue, 14 Apr 2020 07:58:11 -0500

SFAA issues Advisory Paper compiling best practices titled: COVID-19 - Cyber Criminals Exploiting Company Teleworking Platforms to Access Sensitive Data. https://cdn.ymaws.com/www.surety.org/resource/resmgr/covid/SFAA_CyberAdvisory.pdf … pic.twitter.com/MBnZ9Lbot8

Please find SFAA and NASBP's press release below, highlighting the need for federal, state and local officials, to take emergency action to expand the acceptance of electronic bonds during the COVID-19 pandemic. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/s

(@SuretyFidelity) — Sat, 11 Apr 2020 09:52:21 -0500

Please find SFAA and NASBP's press release below, highlighting the need for federal, state and local officials, to take emergency action to expand the acceptance of electronic bonds during the COVID-19 pandemic. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/sfaa-and-nasbp-request-emergency-action-requiring-acceptance-of-electronic-execution-of-surety-bonding-during-the-covid-19-pandemic-301035927.html?tc=eml_cleartime … pic.twitter.com/xbfLXGMJq0

SFAA and NASBP commend the GSA for issuing the order to accept e-signatures for surety bonds during the COVID-19 pandemic. Press Release: https://cdn.ymaws.com/www.surety.org/resource/resmgr/news/NR-2020-04-09.pdf … The order allows critical infrastructu

(@SuretyFidelity) — Fri, 10 Apr 2020 08:02:20 -0500

SFAA and NASBP commend the GSA for issuing the order to accept e-signatures for surety bonds during the COVID-19 pandemic. Press Release: https://cdn.ymaws.com/www.surety.org/resource/resmgr/news/NR-2020-04-09.pdf … The order allows critical infrastructure projects to move forward. GSA Order: https://www.gsa.gov/cdnstatic/CD-2020-05_0.pdf …. pic.twitter.com/dth8bLyniy

Please find SFAA and NASBP's press release below, highlighting the need for federal, state and local officials, to take emergency action to expand the acceptance of electronic bonds during the COVID-19 pandemic. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/sf

(@SuretyFidelity) — Mon, 06 Apr 2020 12:38:33 -0500

Please find important updates to the SBA's Paycheck Protection Program in the link below. Loan applications open today! https://lnkd.in/em272AC

(@SuretyFidelity) — Fri, 03 Apr 2020 07:24:09 -0500

Please find important updates to the SBA's Paycheck Protection Program in the link below. Loan applications open today! https://lnkd.in/em272AC

Thank you @USChamber for the great walk through on the SBA's new Paycheck Protection Program. See how your small business construction clients can take steps to access new Paycheck Protection Loans - https://lnkd.in/em272AC

(@SuretyFidelity) — Tue, 31 Mar 2020 17:45:37 -0500

Thank you @USChamber for the great walk through on the SBA's new Paycheck Protection Program. See how your small business construction clients can take steps to access new Paycheck Protection Loans - https://lnkd.in/em272AC

COVID-19 Executive Orders on Non-Essential Business and Construction Exemptions by State https://www.jdsupra.com/legalnews/covid-19-executive-orders-on-non-21153/ … | by @DorseyWhitney

(@BuildingLaw) — Wed, 25 Mar 2020 17:17:17 -0500

COVID-19 Executive Orders on Non-Essential Business and Construction Exemptions by State https://www.jdsupra.com/legalnews/covid-19-executive-orders-on-non-21153/ … | by @DorseyWhitney

Thank you @SuretyFidelity team for all you are doing remotely to serve our members!!! Great to see everyone on Zoom this morning during our team meeting! #surety #bondingmatters #sfaapic.twitter.com/dqaxLdtOkA

(@LeeCovington) — Fri, 20 Mar 2020 14:42:47 -0500

Thank you @SuretyFidelity team for all you are doing remotely to serve our members!!! Great to see everyone on Zoom this morning during our team meeting! #surety #bondingmatters #sfaa pic.twitter.com/dqaxLdtOkA

Cheers to @ASAupdate #Subexcel2020 and tonight's Award Winners!!!! @SuretyFidelity is excited to sponsor tonight's festivities!!!pic.twitter.com/sF0Ya6TxsD

(@LeeCovington) — Fri, 06 Mar 2020 20:01:44 -0600

Cheers to @ASAupdate #Subexcel2020 and tonight's Award Winners!!!! @SuretyFidelity is excited to sponsor tonight's festivities!!! pic.twitter.com/sF0Ya6TxsD

Great to support @ASAupdate at ASA's #Subexcel2020!!! Thank you Richard Bright, Mike Oscar and all ASA Members for your partnership!!!pic.twitter.com/zCN3xyhKOM

(@LeeCovington) — Fri, 06 Mar 2020 14:39:18 -0600

Great to support @ASAupdate at ASA's #Subexcel2020!!! Thank you Richard Bright, Mike Oscar and all ASA Members for your partnership!!! pic.twitter.com/zCN3xyhKOM

Thank you SFAA members and @nasbp members for participating in SFAA's 2020 Legislative Fly-in. We appreciate your hard work as surety advocates in Washington. @ZurichAdvocacy @fwbondman #surety #Congresspic.twitter.com/ucel7FubHC

(@SuretyFidelity) — Fri, 06 Mar 2020 08:43:09 -0600

Thank you SFAA members and @nasbp members for participating in SFAA's 2020 Legislative Fly-in. We appreciate your hard work as surety advocates in Washington. @ZurichAdvocacy @fwbondman #surety #Congress pic.twitter.com/ucel7FubHC

Thank you @SenJoniErnst for recognizing the importance of #suretybonds on #infrastructure projects...protecting taxpayer funds ... local construction companies and workers. @SuretyFidelity @nasbp @LBT1823 @MerchantsBond @CNA_Insurancepic.twitter.com/meYeL

(@LeeCovington) — Thu, 05 Mar 2020 22:45:01 -0600

Thank you @SenJoniErnst for recognizing the importance of #suretybonds on #infrastructure projects...protecting taxpayer funds ... local construction companies and workers. @SuretyFidelity @nasbp @LBT1823 @MerchantsBond @CNA_Insurance pic.twitter.com/meYeL4ZNCW

Thank you @RepPeterDeFazio for your leadership on infrastructure reform... great to meet w/ your team about importance of #suretybonds on these vital projects...protecting taxpayer funds ... local construction companies and workers. @SuretyFidelity @nasbp

(@LeeCovington) — Thu, 05 Mar 2020 22:40:40 -0600

Thank you @RepPeterDeFazio for your leadership on infrastructure reform... great to meet w/ your team about importance of #suretybonds on these vital projects...protecting taxpayer funds ... local construction companies and workers. @SuretyFidelity @nasbp @LBT1823 @MerchantsBond pic.twitter.com/8ZqhdTGCld

Great to meet with @RodneyDavis regarding importance of #suretybonds to the success of infrastructure projects...protecting taxpayer funds...local construction companies and workers. @SuretyFidelity @nasbp @LBT1823 @MerchantsBond @CNA_Insurancepic.twitte

(@LeeCovington) — Thu, 05 Mar 2020 22:34:05 -0600

Great to meet with @RodneyDavis regarding importance of #suretybonds to the success of infrastructure projects...protecting taxpayer funds...local construction companies and workers. @SuretyFidelity @nasbp @LBT1823 @MerchantsBond @CNA_Insurance pic.twitter.com/YSRP73j06q

Today, @ZurichNA's @GWhidby and Mary Jean Pethick were on Capitol Hill discussing #suretybonds while supporting the @SuretyFidelity (SFAA) #FlyIn! #SFAAOnTheHill #ZurichAdvocacy #AdvocacyInActionpic.twitter.com/jlmNbsAm9P

(@ZurichAdvocacy) — Thu, 05 Mar 2020 17:17:45 -0600

Today, @ZurichNA's @GWhidby and Mary Jean Pethick were on Capitol Hill discussing #suretybonds while supporting the @SuretyFidelity (SFAA) #FlyIn! #SFAAOnTheHill #ZurichAdvocacy #AdvocacyInAction pic.twitter.com/jlmNbsAm9P

Great meeting with @RepSamGraves to discuss the important role #surety #bonds play in the #infrastructure projects. #suretybonds @SuretyFidelity @CNA_Insurance @MerchantsBond @LBT1823pic.twitter.com/2Za7yTswk8

(@LeeCovington) — Thu, 05 Mar 2020 09:55:16 -0600

Great meeting with @RepSamGraves to discuss the important role #surety #bonds play in the #infrastructure projects. #suretybonds @SuretyFidelity @CNA_Insurance @MerchantsBond @LBT1823 pic.twitter.com/2Za7yTswk8

Requiring that surety bonds are in place to protect state and local entities as federal money comes in to improve our nation’s #infrastructure is vital to insuring the infrastructure work we need to move quickly on. Read more about Zurich's position here:

(@ZurichAdvocacy) — Thu, 27 Feb 2020 10:07:11 -0600

Requiring that surety bonds are in place to protect state and local entities as federal money comes in to improve our nation’s #infrastructure is vital to insuring the infrastructure work we need to move quickly on. Read more about Zurich's position here: https://bit.ly/36Dzwfm pic.twitter.com/RTBZzHSStP