policyholders

A new study finds that insurers' own rebuild cost estimates are the main driver of underinsurance, meaning many policyholders are left with cover that falls short of actual rebuilding costs. The finding points blame away from consumers and toward the valuation methods insurers themselves use to set sums insured.

Insurers are offering wellness rewards to customers who share data from fitness trackers, but privacy experts warn the practice carries risks. Data shared in exchange for premium discounts or rewards could be used to adjust pricing, assess claims, or be exposed in breaches. The report urges policyholders to read consent terms carefully and weigh financial benefits against how their health information may be stored, shared or sold.

The Colorado Supreme Court has ruled against the 'drop down' doctrine, declining to require an insolvent insurer's excess policies to drop down and cover claims when the primary insurer cannot pay. The decision limits policyholders' ability to seek recovery from higher-layer insurers when a lower-layer carrier becomes insolvent, a ruling with significant implications for insurance coverage disputes in the state.

Risk & Insurance reports that insurers and their policyholders are jointly adopting technology to make return-to-work processes smoother for injured employees. The coverage highlights how shared digital tools are helping coordinate recovery, communication and workplace reintegration after workplace injuries, moving the effort from a claims formality to a collaborative process between carriers and employers.

Sentara Health and Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield are in a contract dispute that could affect patients across Hampton Roads, Virginia. If no agreement is reached, Anthem policyholders could lose in-network access to Sentara hospitals, doctors and facilities. Patients in the region are being warned to watch for updates as negotiations continue between the two healthcare organizations.

A recent Supreme Court ruling is being described as a game-changer for the transportation insurance industry. Legal and insurance commentators say the decision could reshape how transportation-related liability and coverage disputes are handled, with insurers and policyholders alike assessing the practical implications. Details of the case and its specific holdings remain limited in early coverage.

Humana will release its third-quarter earnings on November 6, coinciding with Medicare Advantage open enrollment. The insurer already sent members letters about plan changes weeks earlier, while investors received preliminary financial figures in July. The unusual timing puts the company's financial results squarely in the middle of its busiest customer period, drawing attention to how much policyholders and shareholders learn, and when.

Private-placement life insurance (PPLI) is back in focus as commentators weigh its benefits against its risks. The structure lets policyholders funnel excess premiums into alternative assets such as private equity, with investment gains sheltered inside an insurance wrapper. Discussion centres on how wealthy investors can use PPLI for tax-efficient growth, while critics point to its complexity, costs and regulatory pitfalls.

California voters are being offered a guide to the race for state insurance commissioner between candidates Allen and Kim. The Los Angeles Times published an explainer laying out the contest, which determines who regulates the state's insurance industry and oversees rates for millions of policyholders.

Reports say refund checks connected to Affordable Care Act plans under the Trump administration may be owed to some policyholders, prompting questions about payment timing and the claims process. Coverage is focused on when recipients should expect their checks and what steps they need to take to claim the money owed to them.

Ireland has reduced the levy that insurers pay toward the state's compensation framework to 0%, removing the charge on the industry for now. The decision offers relief to insurers operating in Ireland, who previously passed the cost of the levy on to policyholders through higher premiums.

A local news explainer asks why insurance companies handle named storms differently from unnamed ones, a question homeowners often raise after storm damage. Policies commonly apply separate named-storm or hurricane deductibles, which can mean significantly higher out-of-pocket costs when a storm is officially named. The piece breaks down how insurers justify the distinction and what policyholders should check in their coverage.

Oregon insurance regulators are warning consumers about health insurance plans that carry low monthly premiums but can leave policyholders with unexpectedly high medical bills. Officials are urging residents to look beyond upfront cost when choosing coverage, as deductibles and out-of-pocket charges may outweigh the savings. The advisory highlights growing concerns about plan affordability and transparency in the state's insurance market.