High terror alert following new attack in Brussels
Brussels is on high terror alert again following an attack on a crime lab.
In the latest incident to hit the Belgian capital, home of the EU, a car was driven through barriers at the facility at around 2.30am local time Monday. It is not clear what happened to the suspects or who is responsible.
No casualties are reported but the attack has caused significant damage to the laboratory, which is linked to Belgium’s justice ministry.
Although local media are speculating about the possibility of terrorists carrying out the attack and that a bomb was detonated, officials have said that it is more likely to have been an arson attack designed to destroy forensic evidence.
International insurer allegedly stole from thousands
A fast-growing insurance company has been accused of taking unauthorised payments from thousands of potential customers.
Youi Insurance operates in Australia and New Zealand and is owned by South African insurer OUTsurance and the accusations relate to the Australian business.
The Sydney Morning Herald reports that callers to the insurer’s sales team were told that quotes were not given unless credit card details were provided. It is alleged that thousands were subsequently billed for policies that they had not agreed to. Youi denies the allegations.
The insurer’s New Zealand business has already faced charges by the country’s Commerce Commission including charging prospective customers for policies when they only requested a quote. The company is to plead guilty to 15 charges.
In a statement relating to those charges, Youi New Zealand’s chief executive said: “Youi acknowledges the validity of customer complaints relating to instances where policies were sold, when only quotes were requested and the failure to cancel insurance policies after being notified.”
Check policyholders are still alive says Illinois
Life insurance companies will have to make regular checks that policyholders in Illinois are still alive under new legislation signed Friday.
Governor Bruce Rauner signed the Unclaimed Life Insurance Benefits Act which, among other requirements, will mean insurers must check state social security records for deceased policyholders and inform beneficiaries of how to claim.
The new law will be effective from January 1 2017.
Everest Re completes US crop insurer sale
Everest Re has completed the sale of Heartland Crop Insurance Inc., its US crop managing general agent, to CGB Diversified Services.
The $49 million deal includes a strategic arrangement for Everest to provide long term quota share reinsurance capacity on the combined crop insurance portfolio of the Diversified/Heartland companies.
