Following on the heels of double digit health insurance rate approvals last year, the Connecticut Legislature is considering S.B. 11, An Act Concerning the Rate Approval Process for Certain Health Insurance Policies, which would expand the current rate approval process administered by the Connecticut Department of Insurance (the “Department”).
Read MoreThe Connecticut Appellate Court held recently that an exclusion in a liability policy for “Athletic Activity or Sports Participants” precluded coverage for a claim stemming from injuries that a participant in an outdoor team-building exercise allegedly suffered during a rope-assisted free fall from an elevated platform. Community Renewal Team, Inc. v. United States Liability Ins. Co., AC 31317 (Conn. App., April 19, 2011).
Read MoreAs Connecticut homes are experiencing roof leaks, collapses and frozen pipes caused by this winter season’s unusually large snowfall, the Connecticut Insurance Department (the “CID”) has experienced a sharp uptick in applications for 90-day claims adjuster licenses by out-of-state adjusters. While normally only a small amount of such applications are processed each year, the CID has received over 500 since January 1st.
Read MoreConnecticut lawmakers are considering plans to require public hearings when health insurers raise rates. Under the current law, the Connecticut Insurance Commissioner may hold hearings at his discretion. The new law, if adopted, however, will require public hearings in certain cases to give the state Attorney General and consumer advocates the opportunity to be heard and call witnesses.
Read MoreConnecticut Governor Dan Malloy announced today his appointment of Thomas Leonardi as the new Insurance Commissioner of the Connecticut Department of Insurance. Leonardi currently serves as the Chairman and CEO of Northington Partners, Inc., an insurance specialty venture capital and investment banking firm, where he has worked with insurance companies on strategic, investment, capital raising and financial advisory matters.
Read MoreConnecticut Governor M. Jodi Rell has appointed Barbara C. Spear acting Commissioner of Insurance effective today. Governor Rell’s office confirmed the appointment of Ms. Spear, who currently serves as the Director of Consumer Services and Business Regulation at the Connecticut Insurance Department (the “CID”).
Read MoreInsurance commissioner elections were held Tuesday in California, Georgia, Kansas and Oklahoma.
Read MoreWe previously blogged about the District of Connecticut’s decision in Arrowood Surplus Lines Ins. Co. v. Westport Ins. Corp., No. 08-cv-1393 (D. Conn. 2010), in which the court held that a reinsurer had no duty to honor the portion of a cedent’s loss that was outside the scope of the reinsurance agreement at issue. In that case, Equity Residential argued that a policy issued to it by Arrowood Surplus Lines Insurance Company had a three-year period and sought coverage for losses that occurred from December 15, 1999 to December 15, 2002.
Read MoreIn a February 8, 2010 blog post, which can be found here, we reported on a then-recent jury verdict in which a Connecticut jury awarded nearly $15 million to a class of automotive body shop plaintiffs based on the jury’s finding that the insurance company defendant violated the Connecticut Unfair Trade Practices Act.
Read MorePlaintiff Hartford Steam Boiler Inspection and Insurance Company (“Hartford”) appealed a decision permitting a court to remand a dispute over an arbitral award to the arbitration panel for clarification of that award. Hartford argued that the court’s holding was overruled by the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Hall Street Associates, LLC v. Mattel, Inc., 552 U.S. 576 (2008).
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