Around the P&C insurance industry: April 20, 2016

Bothell, Wash.-based Property Drone Consortium, a collaboration of insurance carriers, construction industry leaders and supporting enterprises, said Allstate Corp., American Family Insurance, Auto-Owners Insurance, EagleView Technologies Inc., Erie Insurance and Pilot Catastrophe Services have joined as charter members.

The consortium also said the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety has joined as a technology adviser, the National Roofing Contractors Association as an honorary member and the Rochester Institute of Technology as a technology member.

Newton, Mass.-based telematics systems and services provider Octo Telematics announced its entrance into Mexico through its North American subsidiary, Octo Telematics North America. Octo's telematics will now be available to insurance companies and fleet management companies throughout the country.

Valhalla, N.Y.-based insurance brokerage and consulting company USI Insurance Services said it has acquired Toledo, Ohio-based independent insurance agency Brooks Insurance. Terms were not disclosed, but USI said Brooks' employees will remain at their Toledo and Bowling Green, Ohio, locations.

Pennsylvania-based Insurance Society of Philadelphia, a nonprofit dedicated to education and professional development of insurance professionals, said it has awarded more than $25,000 in scholarships to Ted Faulstick, Paul Gretzer and Claire Patterson of Temple University, and Nicholas D'Orazio of St. Joseph's University. The scholarships will be awarded at the Pennsylvania Convention Center during Philly I-Day — which the company says is the largest insurance and risk management convention in Pennsylvania — on April 28.

Boston-based insurance strategic advisory firm Strategy Meets Action said it is now accepting submissions for its annual SMA Innovation in Action Awards, which honor insurers and software providers that are rethinking, reimagining, and reinventing the business of insurance. Submissions are due by June 30th. Winners will be announced during the 2016 SMA Summit: The Next-Gen Insurer at the Mandarin Oriental in Boston on Sept. 19.

Paris-based global financial networking nonprofit Efma said it has collaborated with Avanade and Microsoft to open a new Fintech Portal endorsed by BNP Paribas, Group BPCE, Deutsche Bank, Intesa Sanpaolo, ImaginBank and Santander. The company said at the 2016 Efma Distribution Summit in London that the portal connects fintech organizations with retail banks and insurance companies, enabling them to showcase best-in-class solutions to financial institutions around the world.

The Minneapolis-based Insurance Marketing & Communications Association said it will host the next edition of its Leadership Webcast Series on Tuesday, May 10. The program, “How Cyber Threats and Cyber Crime Change the Math for Insurance and Insurance Marketing” will be presented by Greg Mancusi-Ungaro, chief marketing officer at BrandProtect. Registration is required for the hour-long broadcast that begins at 2 p.m. (EDT) and is free for all IMCA members and $49.95 for everyone else.

Jersey City, N.J.-based data analytics provider Verisk Analytics said it has acquired fraud detection, compliance, risk control, and process automation services provider Risk Intelligence Ireland for an undisclosed sum. Upon completion of the transaction, Dublin-based Risk Intelligence Ireland will become part of Verisk and will adopt the name Verisk Insurance Solutions — Ireland. Ciaran McGaley, chief executive and managing director of Risk Intelligence Ireland, will be appointed managing director of Verisk Insurance Solutions — Ireland, the company said.

Chicago-based Claims Management Holdings said it has acquired Indianapolis-based Eagle Adjusting Services, Tampa-based CatManDo, Tampa-based Simsol Insurance Services Group, and Dallas-based Claim Adjustment Specialists to create Ryze Claim Solutions. Terms of the acquisitions were not disclosed.

Washington, D.C.-based law firm Arent Fox LLP said it has secured a victory for Fortress Re Inc. — the aviation reinsurance agency that insured the four planes that crashed on 9/11 — after a New York district court dismissed a breach of contract claim in late March.

Hayward, Calif.-based textile restoration services provider Fabric Restoration Service Team Inc. said it has presented FRSTeam of North and Central Georgia owner Ron Patrie with its Franchisee Leader Award, which the company said is its  highest honor. FRSTeam by Tri State owners Jeff Gervasi, Suzanne Stefanelli and Art Katz were the recipients of the company's President's Award.

Rapid City, S.D.-based claims software company DCI Solution said it has formed a strategic alliance with Braintree, Mass.-based OnSource Online Online to enhance its Under-Rite Valuation product and service. Policyholders and claimants can use self-inspection apps, InstantInspection.com's chat website, or field inspectors to capture quality photo inspections of vehicles, real estate and personal property, the company said.