Insurance Journal Top National Stories of 2018

Insurance Journal readers showed the most interest in stories relating to industry consolidation in 2018, with nine of the most read 25 national news articles of the year having to do with mergers or acquisitions.

But the national story drawing the most reader interest had to do with Nationwide’s changing distribution strategy.

Insurance Journal readers also showed keen interest in the moves by technology firms (Google and Amazon) in insurance and the Trump administration’s tax break for brokers and marijuana politics.

Other stories cracking the top 25 included a State Farm racketeering case, the National Rifle Association insurance program, the country’s safest cities, moves by Patriot National and Amtrust, and Berkshire Hathaway’s underwriting streak coming to an end.

Based on readership metrics, here are the top 25 Insurance Journal national articles of 2018:

1. Nationwide Switching to Independent Agency Distribution Model by 2020
2. IRS Proposals Clear Way for Trump Tax Cut for Insurance Brokers
3. Marsh & McLennan Moved Quickly as Stars and People Aligned in JLT Deal
4. The Hartford to Acquire Specialty Insurer Navigators in $2.1 Billion Deal
5. Google Invests in Insurance Agency Software Firm Applied Systems
6. State Farm Agrees to Pay $250 Million, Avoids Racketeering Trial
7. Chubb Decided to Quit NRA Insurance Program 3 Months Ago
8. The Safest and Most Dangerous Cities in the U.S.
9. Insurance Broker Hays Companies to Be Brown & Brown’s Biggest Acquisition
10. American Family, Main Street America Reveal Plan to Merge
11. After Amazon Conquers Banking, Insurance Could be Next
12. QBE North America Sells Its Personal Lines Business to Safeco
13. The Hartford to Acquire Foremost’s Commercial Lines Business
14. Trump ‘Probably’ Will Back Lifting Federal Ban on Marijuana
15. Berkshire’s 14-Year Insurance Win Streak Comes to an End
16. AXA to Complete Acquisition of XL Group Sept. 12
17. A.M. Best Downgrades AmTrust As Insurer Prepares to Go Private
18. Telematics CEO: 5 Trends to Watch in 2018 in Auto Insurance
19. Insurance Broker Hays Companies to Be Brown & Brown’s Biggest Acquisition
20. Patriot National Files for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy Protection
21. J.D. Power: Why Lemonade’s Policy 2.0 Matters
22. Millennials in Insurance Talk Age and Tech Gaps, Insurance Being a ‘Well-Kept Secret’
23. Impact of Court Ruling Chubb Unit’s Crime Policy Covers ‘Spoofed’ Wire Transfer
24. Insurers Begin to Offer Cryptocurrency Theft Cover, Tackling Risks of Growing Sector
25. Insurance Pros’ Guide to How to Dress, Behave, Speak at InsureTech Conference