Today's Insurance Pulse
Heritage trims reinsurance program, saving $63.2M
Heritage Insurance Holdings renewed its 2026 reinsurance and catastrophe‑bond program with a total limit of $2.2 billion, down from $2.5 billion placed in 2025. The renewal includes $712 million of multi‑year coverage, $550 million from cat bonds and $162 million from private markets. Pricing softness allowed Heritage to cut renewal costs by $63.2 million.
Also developing:
Maersk Revises Cargo Insurance and Cargo Care Rates
Maersk announced higher rates for its Maersk Cargo Insurance and Maersk Cargo Care services covering ocean shipments to and from Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Lebanon and Israel. The new pricing, which varies by coverage tier and cargo type, will take effect on April 13, 2026 for non‑FMC lanes and May 13, 2026 for FMC‑regulated trades. Dry cargo insurance now ranges from $290 to $1,596, while temperature‑controlled coverage can reach $2,699. Cargo Care fees have similarly risen, with dry packages up to $1,468 and temperature‑controlled up to $1,779.
‘Silver Tsunami’ Drives Surge in Shipping Claims
The Nordic Association of Marine Insurers' 2025 NoMIS report shows ocean hull claim costs are 33% above pre‑pandemic levels, marking a third year of rising losses. An ageing global fleet—dubbed a ‘silver tsunami’—is driving a surge in machinery and fire...
Bill Reintroduced to Hike Insurance Minimum to $5 Million
Congress reintroduced the Fair Compensation for Truck Crash Victims Act, seeking to lift the federal liability insurance floor for interstate motor carriers from $750,000 to $5 million and tie it to inflation. The bill, now backed by five co‑sponsors and safety...
Helping a Major Resort Company Recover After Hurricane Melissa
BDO’s Claims Recovery team stepped in after Hurricane Melissa devastated three all‑inclusive resorts in Jamaica, helping the operator file and substantiate insurance claims. By providing on‑site loss quantification and business‑interruption analysis, the team secured the first policy advance within 30...
The Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania Narrows Who May Seek Recourse Through the Workers’ Compensation Act’s Fee Review Process
On March 16, 2026 the Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court ruled that Scomed Supply, a durable‑medical‑equipment distributor, is not a “health care provider” under the Workers’ Compensation Act and therefore lacks standing to challenge payment amounts in the fee‑review process. The decision...
Federal Judge Dismisses Anthem's No Surprises Act Lawsuit, Delivering Win for 20,000 Providers
A federal magistrate in California dismissed Anthem Blue Cross's lawsuit targeting HaloMD and dozens of California providers, citing a lack of legal basis. The ruling upholds the No Surprises Act’s independent dispute‑resolution mechanism, a safeguard for roughly 30 million patients and...
Data Centers Offer a Potential $10 Billion Windfall for Insurers
Demand for data‑center construction insurance is exploding, with premiums projected to reach $10 billion in 2026, outpacing the global aviation market’s $5 billion. AI‑driven workloads are fueling a wave of new, power‑intensive campuses, pushing annual construction spend beyond $300 billion by 2030. The...
CMS Proposes 2.4% Medicare Boost for Inpatient Hospitals and Mandatory Joint‑replacement Model
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced a 2.4% increase in net payment rates for inpatient hospitals in fiscal year 2027, translating to roughly $1.4 billion more for acute‑care facilities. At the same time, CMS floated its first nationwide...
Fed Demands Detailed Private‑Credit Data From Top Banks, Targeting $1.8 T Market
The Federal Reserve has asked America’s largest banks to submit detailed information on their private‑credit holdings, a move aimed at gauging stress in the $1.8 trillion private‑credit market. The request follows a wave of redemptions from private‑credit funds and rising defaults,...
California Judge Dismisses Elevance’s No Surprises Act Lawsuit Against HaloMD
A California federal judge dismissed Elevance Health’s lawsuit against HaloMD, which alleged a conspiracy to abuse the No Surprises Act’s Independent Dispute Resolution (IDR) process. Anthem Blue Cross claimed HaloMD filed over 1,500 IDR proceedings from January 2024 to August...
Vote Patrick to Preserve State Insurance Access
OMG, I *love* this ad. Vote for Patrick in the primary in less than 2 months for insurance commissioner. Please do not vote for Jane, whose election would be existential for even the very availability of insurance in the state....
Report: Growth in MA Is Associated With Lower Total Medicare Spending
Medicare Advantage enrollment surged from 11 million in 2010 to 32 million in 2024, now covering 54% of beneficiaries. A new Elevance Health study links higher MA penetration to lower total Medicare spending, estimating a 1.5% per‑capita reduction—or $194—without risk‑adjustment, and 1.1%...
What Is a Chameleon Carrier?
A 60 Minutes segment aired on April 12 introduced the term “Chameleon Carriers,” a fraud pattern long identified by CAB. The term describes carriers that shut down after violations and reappear under new names or operate multiple DOT numbers simultaneously to evade...
Rule Change Could Encourage Insurers to Increase Equity Holdings
Thailand’s Office of Insurance Commission lowered the equity risk charge for domestic stocks from 25% to 18% under its risk‑based capital framework. The reduction eases capital constraints for life and non‑life insurers, allowing larger allocations to equities while preserving regulatory...
Future Energy Finance
Captive Intelligence, together with AXA XL and Aon, released a technical report examining how the global shift to low‑carbon energy creates new opportunities for captive insurers. The paper highlights accelerating solar and wind deployment, aging grid constraints, and the surge...
2026 Atlantic Hurricane Season Forecast: What Servicers Need to Know
The Colorado State University forecast predicts a below‑normal 2026 Atlantic hurricane season with 13 named storms, six hurricanes and only two major hurricanes. El Niño conditions are expected to keep tropical Atlantic sea‑surface temperatures near average, further dampening storm intensity. While...
OneAmerica's Jeff Levin Flags Demographic Surge Driving Long-Term Care Insurance Demand
Jeff Levin, senior executive at OneAmerica Financial, told Broadcast Retirement Network that the next decade will be an inflection point for long‑term care (LTC) insurance as baby boomers turn 80 and Gen X reaches 60. He highlighted that 54% of adults...
AI Transforms Actuarial Reporting
Insurers are leveraging artificial intelligence to streamline actuarial and financial reporting, delivering roughly 30% efficiency gains. AI tools now automate code documentation, data validation, and narrative drafting, cutting effort on routine tasks by up to 75%. While the technology augments...
When the Insurer Becomes the Insured
Tariffs on auto parts, steel and aluminum are inflating loss costs for U.S. personal auto insurers, prompting carriers like Acuity to file double‑digit rate increases while rivals such as State Farm and USAA pursue cuts. Evercore ISI notes that personal...
Pet Owners Urged to Secure Insurance Immediately After Adoption
Industry analysts and veterinarians warn that new pet owners should purchase pet insurance before their first veterinary appointment. A Healthy Paws study shows average annual pet expenses of $4,272 and total lifetime costs over $50,000, while 90% of insurance complaints...
Florida Appeals Court Order Forces Medicaid Staffing Boost, Tightening State Budgets
A federal appeals court mandated that Florida increase Medicaid‑funded home care for medically complex children, requiring 90% private‑duty nursing and an independent monitor. The order adds billions in projected costs and comes as the state grapples with a severe nursing‑staff...
CMS Looks to Bring Rx Prior Authorization Into Digital Age
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced a push to digitize prescription‑drug prior authorization (PA) through electronic prior authorization (ePA) standards. The initiative mandates health plans and pharmacies to adopt interoperable, real‑time PA workflows by the end of...
Wtp Shifts Pension Accountability to Insurers
Kidbrooke’s analysis highlights that the Dutch Wet toekomst pensioenen (Wtp) transfers legal responsibility for pension transition communications from advisers and employers to insurers. Under the legacy defined‑benefit model, participants relied on trust, but the new defined‑contribution framework demands individualized explanations...
Insurteam Raises $1.3m to Expand MGA Ops in Europe
Swiss InsurTech Insurteam closed a $1.3 million round to accelerate its Managing General Agent (MGA) rollout across Europe. The capital will fund the deployment of its AI‑driven platform that can slash claim‑handling costs by up to 80% and shrink processing times...
How Tanker Insurance Became the Real Blockade of Hormuz
A two‑week ceasefire announced by President Trump has not reopened the Strait of Hormuz for commercial traffic. In the first 48 hours only five to nine bulk carriers were recorded, a fraction of the pre‑war average of over 100 vessels...
EU Nat Cat Insurance Pool Could Be Enhanced by Cat Bonds and ILS: EIOPA / ESM Paper
The European Insurance and Occupational Pensions Authority (EIOPA) and the European Stability Mechanism (ESM) have proposed a premium‑financed, EU‑wide natural catastrophe insurance pool backed by a loan‑based backstop of up to €65 bn (about $70 bn). The pool would diversify risk across...
Democrat-Leaning Plan Takes Aim At Health Insurers With Proposed New Regulations
The Center for American Progress unveiled a "Patient Bill of Rights" that seeks to curb health‑insurance costs by imposing per‑enrollee profit caps, breaking up insurer conglomerates, and replacing prior‑authorization with evidence‑based clinical reviews. The plan also proposes capping hospital charges...
Memorial Hermann Restores In‑Network Status with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas
Memorial Hermann Health System and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas (BCBSTX) announced a new agreement that puts all Memorial Hermann facilities back in network for BCBSTX Commercial and Blue Advantage Marketplace members. The deal ends a stalemate that began...
Trump Administration Weighs Default Medicare Advantage Plans For Seniors
The Trump administration is moving to make Medicare Advantage the default Medicare option for seniors, backed by a 2.48% payment increase for 2027 that adds roughly $13 billion to federal reimbursements and a 5.1% boost for 2026 worth $25 billion. Regulatory changes...
Southwest Limits Passengers to One Power Bank per Flight Amid Safety Concerns
Southwest Airlines announced that, beginning April 20, 2026, each passenger may bring only one lithium‑battery power bank on board and may not charge it in‑seat or store it in overhead bins. The move follows a series of lithium‑battery incidents reported...
CMS Proposes New Deadlines for Prior Authorizations for Drugs
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has proposed a rule that would impose firm deadlines on federally regulated insurers for electronic prior authorizations (PA) of prescription drugs. Medicaid and CHIP plans would have 24 hours to respond, while ACA...
How PCS Integrates Contributor, Verisk, and Public Data to Define Industry Losses: White
Property Claim Services (PCS), Verisk’s specialist unit for industry loss estimates, detailed its methodology for designating and quantifying U.S. tropical cyclones, severe thunderstorms and winter storms. The process blends data from roughly 150 contributor insurers, Verisk’s own claims databases, and...
Visa’s Neat Deal and Other Digital Transactions News Briefs From 4/13/26
Visa has teamed with insurance‑tech firm Neat to let European cardholders file digital claims, expanding its value‑added services. Repay Holdings defended its $372 million purchase of Kubra Data Transfer after investor Veradace Partners called the deal misguided. Klarna announced support for...
How Fleets Make Safety Stick Beyond Annual Training
Carriers are moving beyond once‑a‑year safety classes to embed continuous, injury‑focused training, ergonomic coaching, and real‑time communication into daily operations. Rising workers‑comp costs—now comparable to vehicle‑crash expenses—make injury prevention a direct profitability driver. Companies like Pitt Ohio have slashed strain...
How Can We Insure Against Political Volatility?
The article highlights the surge in geopolitical volatility—exemplified by the war with Iran—and its ripple effects on supply chains, tariffs, and cyber‑terrorism. Surveys from Aon and Willis Towers Watson show that 74% of global firms now rank political risk among...
The U.K. Just Spelled Out What a Carrington-Class Solar Storm Would Cost — and the Numbers Should Change Policy
The UK’s National Risk Register now quantifies a Carrington‑class solar storm as a trillion‑dollar threat, estimating $0.6‑$2.6 trillion in first‑year global damages and tens of billions of pounds in domestic losses. The country’s electricity sector alone underpins roughly $112 billion of GDP,...
AI Inspection Data Is Gaining Traction in Solar Risk Assessment
Machine learning is moving beyond operations and maintenance to become a core component of solar risk assessment and financing. AI‑driven visual intelligence can spot microcracks, thermal hot spots, and soiling at the panel level, enabling longitudinal performance tracking and financial...
AI Insurance Exists. Getting It Is the Hard Part.
Businesses are confronting a fragmented regulatory landscape and rising litigation risk, prompting a growing demand for AI‑specific insurance. While some insurers are adding outright AI exclusions, others offer tailored policies, algorithmic riders, or silent coverage within existing cyber and professional...
Prior Authorization Reform Is Here — And It Could Change How Millions Get Care
CMS has rolled out its first major prior‑authorization reform in decades, mandating 72‑hour turnaround for urgent and seven‑day for standard non‑drug requests in Medicare Advantage, Medicaid, CHIP and ACA plans. A new proposal extends those deadlines to prescription drugs, requiring...
Medicare IRMAA Surcharges for 2026 Trigger Appeals Wave Among Seniors
The Social Security Administration will apply 2026 Income‑Related Monthly Adjustment Amount (IRMAA) surcharges based on 2024 tax returns, potentially raising premiums for high‑income retirees. Seniors have 60 days to appeal a surcharge they deem unfair, using Form SSA‑44 and a...
GCs Advised to Consider AI Insurance to Cover Against Rise in AI-Related Risks
General counsel are being urged to purchase dedicated AI insurance as AI‑related incidents surge. The AI Incident Database recorded a 47% year‑on‑year rise in harms by mid‑July, and Gartner’s survey shows 29% of firms suffered attacks on generative‑AI infrastructure. Traditional...
Beyond Winning Work: The Key to Contractors’ Sustained Growth
Contractors expanding into larger, more complex infrastructure projects often outgrow the risk frameworks that served smaller jobs. Misaligned contract language, indemnity clauses, and insurance programs can leave firms exposed to unexpected liabilities, cash‑flow strain, and reduced bonding capacity. American Global’s...
Sectional Titles Face Higher SASRIA Rates, Becoming Riskier Investments
Sectional titles are in for a rude awakening in South Africa, 𝗶𝘁’𝘀 𝗯𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗻𝗼𝗻-𝘃𝗶𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗸𝗶𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗼 𝗶𝗻𝘃𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗺. “Due to the unprecedented unrest event of July 2021, SASRIA initiated a rate increase across its product lines in 2022” However,...
Landslides Profit Politicians, Devastate Homeowners
#Landslides: good for pols, bad for homeowners. Dealing w/no power, windows that won't shut, split floors. Also #WSJ newsletter tackles #Cranston, #Herjavic, #Ozzy. #realestate #CRE #mortgage #CA #IMPei #FEMA #RanchoPalosVerdes https://t.co/Ms51DXCjfr via @WSJ
Climate Disasters Hit Homeowners Through Insurance Bills, and States Want Big Oil to Pay
Homeowners across the United States are facing soaring insurance premiums as climate‑related disasters become routine, with annual costs jumping from about $2,200 to $9,000 for some families. Insurers are pulling out of high‑risk areas, forcing millions onto state‑run "last‑resort" programs...
Fed Warns Banks: Anthropic AI Model Sparks Risk Alarm
Is this a tipping point for AI risk? → https://t.co/hiPQb8y4oj The FED gathered major US banks to warn them about the risks posed by Anthropic’s latest AI model. https://t.co/93oIVwzTLa
PERILS Raises Industry Loss Estimate for Victoria Bushfires to AU$810m
PERILS, the Zurich‑based catastrophe data firm, lifted its second industry loss estimate for the January 2026 Victoria bushfires to AU$810 million (approximately $534 million USD). The fires razed 900 structures—including 330 homes—destroyed more than 20,000 livestock and caused one death. This figure...
Louisiana Citizens Seeks $150m Named Storm Reinsurance with Bayou Re 2026-1 Cat Bond
Louisiana Citizens Property Insurance Corporation, the state’s non‑profit insurer for high‑risk homeowners, is issuing a $150 million Class A tranche cat bond through Bayou Re Ltd. Series 2026‑1. The deal, its twelfth cat‑bond sponsorship and seventh consecutive year of new issuances, will replace...
The Morning Briefing: Royal London Broadens Income Protection Reach; Is Megafund Reform a New Dawn?
Royal London has updated its Income Protection occupation classes to include freelancers, gig workers and people with multiple jobs, reflecting the shift toward non‑linear careers. The Pension Schemes Bill’s megafund reforms are under scrutiny, with the Pensions Policy Institute questioning...
People’s Trust Enters Catastrophe Bond Market for Debut $100m GWS Re Named Storm Deal
People’s Trust Insurance Company, a Florida homeowner specialist, has entered the catastrophe bond market with its inaugural $100 million GWS Re Limited Series 2026‑1 issuance. The Bermuda‑based structure will issue a Class A tranche that provides fully‑collateralized named‑storm reinsurance for three years, beginning...