The Honolulu Star Bulletin reports Hawaii Medical Service Association (“HMSA”) will increase its rates for large-employer groups of 100 or more employees by 9.2 percent, the steepest increase since 2002 when the rates were raised 12.9 percent.  HMSA, the state’s largest health insurers, says although hospital admissions are not increasing, medical payments to …

     We recently reported on Florida’s investigation of Allstate’s charging increased premiums.  Today’s Times Picayune reports Allstate is also in hot water with Louisiana regulators.

     Policyholders have filed recent complaints with the Louisiana Department of Insurance because Allstate has been encouraging homeowners to re-write their policies with cheaper premiums but without hurricane …

     The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals recently considered whether an insurer must cover a subcontractor’s contractual obligation to indemnify the contractor for the contractor’s negligence.  XL Specialty Ins. Co. v. Kiewit Offshore Services, Ltd., No. 06-41785 (5th Cir. Jan. 2, 2008).  The subcontractor’s employee was killed at a job site explosion …

     The New York Times reported on Sunday on profession liability policies available to CIA employees through Wright and Company.  The polices are becoming increasingly important while the investigation of the destruction of the interrogation videotapes heats up.

     The standard policy costs $300 annually, with the government typically paying half the premiums …

     Last week, we reported the Florida Insurance Commissioner had suspended Allstate from writing new policies after it failed to comply with the Commissioners’ subpoena regarding Allstate’s steep increase in property insurance premiums.  Reuters reports that on Friday, the Florida Court of Appeal stayed the Commissioner’s order for ten days, allowing Allstate’s 1,100 Florida

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     The California Court of Appeal issued a decision this week analyzing the applicability of the Efficient Proximate Cause Doctrine in denying coverage under a homeowners policy.  De Bruyn v. The Superior Court, B198622, Court of Appeal of the State of California, Second Appellate District.

     California has codified the Efficient Proximate…

     The Associated Press reports that Hawaii will receive a portion of a $6 million settlement against Travelers Co., Inc, to settle a suit filed in Florida, alleging Travelers conspired with brokers to submit fake bids for coverage even though the brokers had already determined which insurer would provide coverage for a policyholder.  Travelers …

While not exactly an insurance coverage case per se, the Intermediate Court of Appeals just came out with a new decision on jury instructions in a criminal insurance fraud case.  See State v. Watanabe, No. 26777 (December 31, 2007).  In short, an individual damaged his own car and attempted to file a vandalism…

     While not exactly an insurance coverage case per se, the Intermediate Court of Appeals just came out with a new decision on jury instructions in a criminal insurance fraud case.  See State v. Watanabe, No. 26777 (December 31, 2007).  In short, an individual damaged his own car and attempted to file a…