Members and Associates,
Here are three things you need to know this week:
1) Industry – The U.S. property and casualty insurance industry recorded $31.2 billion in underwriting net income for the first 6 months of 2026, and the industry’s combined ratio improved to 92.5. However, premium growth is slowing (3%), and commercial auto insurance recorded a $2 billion in reserve deficiencies from 2025, indicating that casualty losses are still a growing concern. More information is available at the following link: P&C industry’s best half in years hides a casualty problem | Insurance Business.
2) Legal – Defendants are likely appealing a recent South Carolina Supreme Court ruling dealing an asbestos receivership to the U.S. Supreme Court. Altrad Group and other companies argued the South Carolina court lacked jurisdiction and have asked that proceedings be paused while they prepare their petition for U.S. Supreme Court review. More can be read at the following link: SCOTUS will be asked to stop South Carolina’s asbestos judge | Newsletter | legalnewsline.com.
3) Political – Alan Wilson, S.C.’s Republican gubernatorial nominee, and Jermaine Johnson, the Democrat nominee, have agreed to a statewide televised debate on October 6th. The debate will moderated by Judi Gatson, from WIS, Columbia’s NBC affiliate. More information is available at the following link: Exclusive SC governor’s race debate set between Johnson and Wilson.
Copper Dome Strategies, LLC
1201 Main Street, 22nd Floor
Columbia, SC 29201
803.779.3080
info@hsbcopperdome.com