Author: completebodyneeds

The head of the top US auto safety regulator said the agency “absolutely” will consider ending requirements that driverless cars include steering wheels, a potential boon for Tesla Inc. and other robotaxi companies rethinking traditional vehicle design. “If you’re developing a vehicle that is designed never to be driven by a human operator, it doesn’t make any sense to require manual controls,” Jonathan Morrison, administrator of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, said Thursday in a CNBC interview. The comments follow NHTSA’s move last month to update federal safety standards to remove the mandate for manual brake pedals in autonomous…

The Texas Senate Committee on Health and Human Services held a public hearing Tuesday to gather information that will shape future legislation on THC products sold in the state. Lawmakers made arguments against THC that harkened back to the days of the “Just Say No” campaigns of the ’80s regarding the risks of THC usage and its effects. Members of the committee used the frying-pan-and-brain analogy as an example of how these products cause mental health problems among young people. The purpose of the meeting was to address the societal impacts of THC product consumption. No decision was made at…

Gov. JB Pritzker signed artificial intelligence legislation modeled after similar bills in California and New York on Monday, furthering a push for a state-driven national framework in lieu of federal regulations. “Congress and the president ought to be passing similar legislation, but they’ve so far been unwilling, because many are captive to special interests that profit from the industry having no regulation,” Pritzker said before signing the bill. “We can work together to establish thoughtful guardrails in ways that benefit both industry and the public, or we can allow a handful of actors to evade accountability and push the costs…

AM Best has revised the outlook to positive from stable for the Long-Term Issuer Credit Ratings (Long-Term ICR) and affirmed the Financial Strength Rating (FSR) of A (Excellent) and the Long-Term ICR of “a” (Excellent) of OMS National Insurance Company, Risk Retention Group and Fortress Insurance Company (collectively referred to as National Group). The outlook of the FSR is stable. All companies are domiciled in Schaumburg, Illinois. The Credit Ratings (ratings) reflect National Group’s balance sheet strength, which AM Best assesses as strongest, as well as its adequate operating performance, neutral business profile and appropriate enterprise risk management. The positive…

Brown & Riding this week announced the launch of its new national Private Client Practice, a specialty practice area focused on affluent personal lines risks. The practice is led by Courtney Kerr, a seasoned private client professional, and backed by a team with extensive experience in affluent personal lines, complex personal risk management, and the development of bespoke insurance solutions for high-net-worth individuals and families. “We utilize carefully selected carrier and market relationships, exclusive program access, and a collaborative underwriting style, all designed to foster long-term partnerships, rather than one-off transactions,” said Kerr, “Everything we do centers on transparency, responsiveness,…

HDI Global (HDI) said it has strengthened its underwriting leadership team in the U.S. with the appointments of Bevan Greibesland as chief underwriting officer, specialty lines, and Bruce Griffin as chief underwriting officer, long tail lines. Beven Greibesland Greibesland joined HDI in March 2025. She will have responsibility for the company’s specialty lines business, including established segments such as Architects & Engineers, Equine, and Delegated Authority. In addition, she will help drive the expansion of further specialty capabilities in the U.S. market, including Credit & Political Risk and other specialty products already offered through HDI’s global network, such as Aviation,…

London marine insurers have been seeing fewer inquiries for journeys to transit the Strait of Hormuz and some said the cost of cover had risen, in a sign of growing caution from shipowners as the US and Iran exchange attacks. Two marine war insurance brokers and two underwriters said they have seen fewer requests for quotes since a ceasefire in the Middle East all but broke down this week. While the evidence is anecdotal so far, it points to a renewed caution in the industry. So far on Thursday, visible shipping traffic through Hormuz had virtually ground to a halt,…

Mayor Michelle Wu announced that the city of Boston, on behalf of Boston Public Schools (BPS), has filed a lawsuit against Meta and other social media companies, including TikTok, Snapchat, and YouTube, alleging that these platforms deliberately target minors with addictive design features that harm children’s mental health. Boston’s lawsuit was filed in federal court in the Northern District of California and alleges that the social media firms have created a youth mental health crisis that constitutes a public nuisance, and that their conduct has been negligent. Boston’s case will be consolidated with the complaints filed by more than 1,500…

A California bill to enable carriers to offer auto insurance discounts for good driving behavior in is making its way through state Legislature. Assembly Bill 311 would amend the state’s bedrock insurance law, Proposition 103. The bill, the Consumer Driving Data Protection Act of 2026, would let insurers use telematics to set rates for drivers who choose to allow themselves to be tracked. Related: ‘We’ll Want Some Proof’: State Farm CEO’s Take on NY Auto Insurance Reforms AB 311 would require a rate application under which telematics would be used to establish an insured’s driving record to include specified materials…

About a year after launching, Honda Insurance Solutions is no longer in operation. Started as a licensed insurance agency for Honda and Acura owners in July 2025, Honda Insurance Services worked with brokerage VIU by HUB to offer quoting and advice for auto, home, renders, condo, pet, motorcycle, boat and recreational vehicle products. Related: Honda Launches Insurance Agency Powered by VIU by HUB However, a visit to the website today only shows a short message that the services have been “paused,” and insurance products are not being offered or serviced “while we shape a future insurance experience for you.” Existing…