Insurance industry news for agencies

Curated coverage of carrier announcements, regulatory changes, and market shifts that affect independent agencies.

Oklahoma Manufacturer to Pay $4.2M Over COVID Mandate

A G Equipment Company, a Broken Arrow, Oklahoma compressor packaging manufacturer, will pay $4,250,000 to over 40 workers and provide other relief to settle a religious and disability discrimination lawsuit filed by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), the …

May 19, 2026Insurance Journal

Amy Zupon, Vertafore CEO, Talks Accelerate, Digital Transformation and AI

On this special episode of Agency Nation Radio, Will Jones, editor-in-chief of Independent Agent magazine, chats with Amy Zupon, chief executive officer, and Rick Warter, chief customer officer, both from Vertafore, during last month’s Accelerate conference in Las Vegas. The post <a href="https://www.iamagazine.com/2026/05/19/amy-zupon-vertafore-ceo-talks-accelerate-digital-transformation-and-ai/">Amy Zupon, Vertafore CEO, Talks Accelerate, Digital Transformation and AI</a> appeared

May 19, 2026IA Magazine

Washington Commissioner Issued $167K in Fines in 2Q

A Yakima insurance agent and an unauthorized insurance company are barred from doing business in Washington after Insurance Commissioner Patty Kuderer issued cease-and-desist orders in April. Those were two enforcement actions during the first quarter in which Kuderer issued fines …

May 19, 2026Insurance Journal

Walmart to Pay $230K in Illinois Disability Hiring Discrimination Settlement

Walmart agreed to pay $230,000 and furnish other relief to settle a disability hiring discrimination lawsuit filed by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), the federal agency announced. According to the EEOC’s suit, a deaf applicant applied online for …

May 15, 2026Insurance Journal

What Agents Should Know About New PFAS Incineration Guidance

The lifting of the prohibition on the incineration of PFAS-containing materials is less of an exit and more of a merging lane into a high-stakes game for independent agents. The post <a href="https://www.iamagazine.com/2026/05/15/what-agents-should-know-about-new-pfas-incineration-guidance/">What Agents Should Know About New PFAS Incineration Guidance</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.iamagazine.com">IA Magazine</a>.

May 15, 2026IA Magazine

Billionaire Boehly’s Allies Donated Heavily to Kansas Insurance Regulator

Todd Boehly and dozens of his associates contributed more than $300,000 to the Kansas insurance commissioner’s gubernatorial campaign, weeks before her office helped one of the billionaire’s companies win a delay of new capital rules. A slew of Boehly’s companies, …

May 14, 2026Insurance Journal

Shutterstock Paying $35M to Settle Charges Over Subscription Plans, Cancellations

Shutterstock will pay $35 million to settle U.S. Federal Trade Commission charges that the online provider of stock photography, graphics and videos misled consumers about its subscription plans and made it difficult to cancel, the agency said. Wednesday’s settlement resolves …

May 14, 2026Claims Journal

Six Arrested in Louisiana Insurance Fraud Scheme

Six Louisiana residents have been arrested for participating in a long-running insurance fraud scheme involving fire and water damage claims, the Louisiana Department of Insurance announced. The suspects, all from Ouachita Parish, face charges of insurance fraud, identity theft and …

May 13, 2026Insurance Journal

How Independent Agents Can Advocate for Safer Roads

Nine in 10 drivers are seeing more aggressive, reckless and distracted driving. The good news is independent agents are uniquely positioned to influence driving behavior with both clients and lawmakers. The post <a href="https://www.iamagazine.com/2026/05/13/how-independent-agents-can-advocate-for-safer-roads/">How Independent Agents Can Advocate for Safer Roads</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.iamagazine.com">IA Magazine</a>.

May 13, 2026IA Magazine

People Moves: RT Specialty Names Jacob as President of RT Connector

RT Specialty, the wholesale brokerage division of Ryan Specialty, announced that it has promoted Will Jacob to president, RT Connector, effective immediately. Jacob is based in Chicago. Jacob has been with Ryan Specialty for nearly 10 years and was most …

May 12, 2026Insurance Journal

Oregon Democrats Improved Roads, But Now Their Gas Tax Goes Before Voters

Appealing to voters’ anxieties about the soaring cost of living is central to Democrats’ messaging in their hopes of big wins in this year’s midterm elections. In Oregon, a question on the primary ballot is complicating that strategy. The Democratic-controlled …

May 12, 2026Insurance Journal

Judge to Review Musk, SEC Settlement Deal in Twitter Stake Case

A federal judge is asking for more information about a proposed settlement between Elon Musk and the US Securities and Exchange Commission, after the billionaire agreed to pay $1.5 million to end a lawsuit alleging he waited too long to …

May 12, 2026Insurance Journal

Australia Regulator Calls for Urgent Cybersecurity Action to Counter Mythos

Australia’s corporate regulator has urged the country’s financial sector to take urgent action on tackling potential cyber risks from frontier AI systems such as Mythos. The Australian Securities and Investments Commission on Friday published a letter sent to the financial …

May 11, 2026Claims Journal

People Moves: Da Costa to Head Markel US Cyber, Tech E&O; Brown & Riding Names Kerr Leader of Private Client Practice

Markel Insurance Appoints Da Costa to Lead U.S. Cyber and Tech E&O Portfolio Markel, the insurance operations within Markel Group Inc., appointed Raphael Da Costa to lead its U.S. cyber and tech E&O portfolio. Da Costa oversees Markel’s U.S. cyber …

May 11, 2026Insurance Journal

Australia Regulator Calls for Urgent Cybersecurity Action to Counter Mythos

May 8, 2026Insurance Journal

Kentucky DOI Posts Local Premium Tax Schedule for 2026-2027

The Kentucky Department of Insurance recently posted the local government premium tax schedule for 2026-2027, showing tax rates and fees for more than 400 cities, towns and counties. The tax rate varies considerably from one local jurisdiction to another, the …

May 7, 2026Insurance Journal

Louisiana Directive Requests Annual Reporting of Personal Lines Data

Louisiana Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple on Tuesday issued a directive to residential property and personal auto insurers for mandatory annual reporting of policies. Beginning in 2026, data submissions are required on an annual basis, replacing the previous quarterly reporting requirement. …

May 6, 2026Insurance Journal

EEOC Lawsuit Claims NY Times Wrongly Denied White Male Editor a Promotion

The New York Times was sued on Tuesday by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, which accused the newspaper of passing over a white man for a top editorial role because of his race and gender, in order to meet …

May 6, 2026Insurance Journal

New York Times Sued by Employment Agency Over Diversity Goals

The New York Times was sued on Tuesday by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, which accused the newspaper of passing over a white man for a top editorial role in favor of a less-qualified candidate to meet diversity goals. …

May 5, 2026Claims Journal

Kansas Man Sentenced for Insurance Fraud

Kansas Insurance Commissioner Vicki Schmidt announced a Wyandotte County man has been sentenced to 16 months in prison for insurance fraud. Christopher Dunn, aged 33, pleaded guilty on March 2, 2026, in Wyandotte County District Court to one felony count …

May 4, 2026Insurance Journal

New Decision Makers, New Risks and a Defining Moment for Independent Agents

Ownership transitions, artificial intelligence (AI)-informed buyers and intensifying risk are colliding. Agents who lead earlier, translate complexity and partner strategically can define the next decade. The post <a href="https://www.iamagazine.com/2026/05/03/new-decision-makers-new-risks-and-a-defining-moment-for-independent-agents/">New Decision Makers, New Risks and a Defining Moment for Independent Agents</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.iamagazine.com">IA Magazine</a>.<

May 3, 2026IA Magazine