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California Insurance Commissioner Unveils Intervenor Reform Regulations

Article 1 Comment California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara is pushing a change to the state’s long-standing intervenor regulations, which enable groups to intervene in rate hearings. Lara on Friday released the amended text of proposed regulations for the intervenor and Administrative Hearing Bureau processes under Proposition 103, reforms he said will increase transparency, improve efficiency and ensure funds used in the rate review process serve the public interest. Related: California Bill Would Require Insurer Claims Handling Plans, and Double Penalties Lara has proposed several changes to state insurance laws to convince insurance carriers to return to writing homeowners insurance in riskier areas of the wildfire-prone state. One group that has taken part in intervenor hearings is Consumer Watchdog. The California Department of Insurance in January released data showing Consumer Watchdog earned $1.4 million in fees last year from a program that pays people and advocates to intervene in rate hearings. The intervenor program has come under scrutiny as carriers began pulling back from writing in the state. California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara last year proposed modernizing the program to diversify the recipients of intervenor funds, which is part of the state’s insurance law, Proposition 103. Related: ‘Structural Shift’ Occurring in...

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Experian Launches Insurance Marketplace App on ChatGPT

Article 1 Comment Experian announced the launch of the Experian Insurance Marketplace app on ChatGPT, introducing its insurance comparison platform to OpenAI’s audience, to help consumers find auto insurance. In the Feb. 13 announcement, Experian said the move is “a significant advancement in Experian’s AI strategy, leveraging conversational technology to simplify everyday financial choices and create a more intuitive and helpful consumer experience.” “Consumers are increasingly using conversational AI to learn, ask questions, explore and solve meaningful financial challenges,” said Dacy Yee, president of Experian Consumer Services, in a statement. “Making our insurance marketplace available through ChatGPT allows people to evaluate their choices naturally and potentially save more than $1,000 annually on auto coverage.” The Experian Insurance Marketplace allows access to 37 leading insurers for rate comparisons, customized recommendations, and Experian’s data expertise. Within the app on ChatGPT, users can review coverage options, compare estimated rate, and ask follow-up questions in real time. Experian said over time it plans to introduce deeper personalization, ultimately leading to the ability for consumers to progress toward bindable coverage directly within ChatGPT. Topics New Markets Was this article valuable? Thank you! Please tell us what we can do to improve this article. Submit No...

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Houston-Area Developer Reaches $68M Settlement With Texas, Feds

Article 0 Comments The owners of Colony Ridge, a Houston-area developer accused of running a predatory lending scheme that deceived Latinos, agreed to a sweeping legal settlement that will require them to invest in law enforcement and infrastructure on their properties and tighten selling practices to address a range of accusations from Texas GOP leaders and conservative media. Chief among the allegations was that Colony Ridge developers sold land to undocumented people, giving rise to a crime-ridden complex of subdivisions about 30 miles outside Houston allegedly being run by Mexican drug cartels. The developers denied that their communities were unsafe, a contention backed by testimony from local officials when the Legislature held special hearings in 2023 in response to outrage and accounts from residents in the developments. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton sued the developers soon after, accusing them of deceptive sales, marketing and lending practices in a suit that echoed claims lodged by the federal government in a separate case. Under the settlement released Tuesday, Colony Ridge’s owners agreed to clamp down on the documentation it requires from buyers. Would-be purchasers will now have to present a Texas ID or driver’s license — which undocumented immigrants cannot obtain in...

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King Risk Acquires Georgia-Based Hanc Group Agency

Article 0 Comments Gainesville, Florida-based King Risk Partners has acquired the Hanc Group, an insurance agency that serves the Korean-American community and others in north Georgia, King Risk announced this week. Rick Han, owner of Alpharetta-based Hanc Group, said in a news release that the partnership will allow the agency to expand its personal and commercial insurance offerings. Georgia Corporation Division records show the Hanc Group was formed in 2018. Georgia agent verification records show the prinicipals have been licensed since 2010. The agency is appointed with multiple carriers, including property-casualty, life, and accident and sickness, and offers home, auto, church, professional liability and other lines. It’s the latest expansion for King Risk, which has continued to grow through partnerships and acquisitions in recent years. The firm is now the 51st-largest U.S. insurance brokerage, as ranked by Insurance Journal, and has offices across the Southeast and Eastern half of the country. Topics Mergers & Acquisitions Georgia Was this article valuable? Thank you! Please tell us what we can do to improve this article. Submit No Thanks Thank you! % of people found this article valuable. Please tell us what you liked about it. Submit No Thanks Here are more articles...

BrokerLink Starts 2026 With Three Acquisitions 0

BrokerLink Starts 2026 With Three Acquisitions

Brokerlink acquires Spruceland Insurance Brokers, Spriggs Insurance, and William G. Waters Insurance Toronto, ON (Feb. 12, 2026) – BrokerLink has kicked off the year with three new acquisitions in Alberta and Ontario. SL Insurance Brokers Ltd. (Spruceland Insurance Brokers), Spriggs Insurance Brokers Limited (Spriggs Insurance) and William G. Waters Insurance Brokers Limited (William G. Waters Insurance) joined BrokerLink effective February 1, further establishing the company’s presence in several communities. Connecting with more customers across Northern Alberta Spruceland Insurance Brokers has offered personalized service to local Albertans for close to 50 years. Over the decades, the Spruce Grove-based brokerage has remained independently owned, offering a range of specialty and hard-to-place coverages. Spruceland Insurance Brokers specializes in serving small to mid-sized businesses, contractors and personal insurance customers with complex needs. Serving more community members across Southern Ontario For over 50 years, Spriggs Insurance has operated as a brokerage built on strong family values, specializing in personal and small business insurance. Deeply rooted in its community, the Spriggs Insurance team has supported a wide range of local charities, cultural organizations and volunteer-driven initiatives. The brokerage has served its loyal customers by delivering customized coverage and outstanding service. Since 1961, Scarborough-based William G. Waters...

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People Moves: Smart AutoCare Names Murphy President

Article 0 Comments Smart AutoCare, headquartered in Richardson, Texas, appointed Christopher Murphy as president. Murphy has over 20 years of executive leadership experience and a strong record of operational excellence across the automotive and technology sectors. He joins Smart AutoCare from OptionSoft Technologies, Inc., where he has served as president since 2019, leading strategic growth initiatives and advancing innovative, customer-focused automotive technology solutions. Murphy reports to Tom Reilly, head of global consumer solutions of Fortegra and Peter Masi, CEO of Smart AutoCare. Was this article valuable? Thank you! Please tell us what we can do to improve this article. Submit No Thanks Thank you! % of people found this article valuable. Please tell us what you liked about it. Submit No Thanks Here are more articles you may enjoy. The most important insurance news,in your inbox every business day. Get the insurance industry’s trusted newsletter

TD Insurance Successfully Sponsors second Cat Bond with Closing of MMIFS Re Ltd. Series 2026-1 0

TD Insurance Successfully Sponsors second Cat Bond with Closing of MMIFS Re Ltd. Series 2026-1

Toronto, ON (Jan. 29, 2026) – TD Insurance (TDI) is pleased to announce that it has successfully sponsored its new catastrophe bond, Series 2026-1, which will provide the TDI insurance companies additional reinsurance capacity through a multi-year risk transfer of C$115MM aggregate protection against named storms, earthquakes, severe convective storms, winter storms and wildfires. The proceeds are invested in CAD-denominated European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) notes. This is the second cat bond sponsored by TDI, who in 2025 became the first Canadian insurer to sponsor a bond solely focused on catastrophe perils in Canada. “Natural disasters can have devastating impacts on Canadians, their families and entire communities. Protecting our clients in their moments of need is a responsibility we take very seriously,” said James Russell, President and CEO, Senior Executive Vice President, TD Insurance. “Through this second catastrophe bond, we’re able to help manage rising costs of these events to provide the most competitive pricing possible for our clients.” The reinsurance protection from the MMIFS Re Ltd. issued Series 2026-1 cat bond will provide more reinsurance protection for named storms, earthquakes, severe convective storms, winter storms and wildfires in Canada on an indemnity and annual aggregate basis, over...

CBN Welcomes Morison Insurance Brokers 0

CBN Welcomes Morison Insurance Brokers

Canadian Broker Network Welcomes its Newest Member Toronto, ON (Feb. 12, 2026) – CBN, the exclusive peer advisory group for high-performing brokers in Canada, is pleased to announce the addition of Morison Insurance Brokers, serving all of Ontario through six office locations. “We are excited to welcome Morison Insurance to CBN,” said Lorie Phair, President of CBN. “Their strong operational performance, and enthusiastic leadership make them an excellent addition to the CBN community.” “Becoming part of CBN gives us the opportunity to learn from other leading independent brokers, stay informed about industry changes, share our own success strategies, and continue strengthening our business through collaboration and knowledge exchange,” said Fred Morison, President & CEO of Morison Insurance. About Morison Insurance Morison Insurance is a top-rated insurance brokerage with multiple locations serving all of Ontario. We’re a proudly Canadian company that believes in protecting people and families through providing insurance services that safeguard your home, vehicle, business, and life. Morison Insurance gives our clients the professional advice and support they need to choose the insurance products that best fit their lives. Our brokerage has been family-run since 1923. We have family roots, a family feel, and always have your best interest...

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California Smoke Damage Act Would Enable Wildfire Victims to Expedite Claims

Article 0 Comments A bill touted as the nation’s first public health and insurance standards to protect families from toxic smoke contamination is making its way through California legislature. California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara and Assemblymember Mike Gipson on Wednesday introduced Assembly Bill 1795, the Smoke Damage Recovery Act. Related: ‘Structural Shift’ Occurring in California Surplus Lines The bill is a response to smoke contamination from the 2025 Los Angeles wildfires. AB 1795 would establish enforceable public health and insurance claims standards for smoke‑damaged homes. Lara last year took legal action against the California FAIR Plan Association for reportedly denying and limiting smoke damage claims from wildfire survivors. Lara also formed a Smoke Claims & Remediation Task Force within the California Department of Insurance to develop consistent statewide standards for investigating and paying smoke damage claims. Currently, no state or national standards exist for testing, cleaning or restoring homes contaminated by wildfire smoke. A feature of AB 1795 is an early‑action provision, designed to address delays and disputes facing L.A. wildfire victims. If a state or local health or environmental agency issues specific standards for interior smoke testing, screening levels, or restoration, victims will be able to use those local...

Four Ideas That Can Drive Continued Progress Against Auto Theft 0

Four Ideas That Can Drive Continued Progress Against Auto Theft

Significant progress made in last two years, ongoing work needed to continue decreasing auto theft — Roughly two years ago, on February 8, 2024, the federal government hosted the National Summit on Combating Auto Theft in response to a sharp rise in auto theft across the country. Since then, and as a result of the efforts of governments, law enforcement and other stakeholders, the number of auto theft claims has declined by 27% over the last two years.[1] “Since the summit, considerable progress has been made in the fight against auto theft,” said Liam McGuinty, Vice-President, Federal Affairs, Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC). “Auto theft rates have dropped, thanks in large part to concerted efforts by governments and law enforcement to ensure stolen vehicles are seized before they leave Canada’s ports.” The federal government’s National Summit on Combatting Auto Theft brought together all orders of government, law enforcement, border and port officials, insurers and auto manufacturers to find solutions to the crisis. It resulted in the National Action Plan on Combatting Auto Theft (Action Plan), which outlines a series of actions focused on disrupting, dismantling and prosecuting the organized crime groups behind auto theft. IBC notes that the federal government...