Insurance

 
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    Topix: Insurance News

  • Canadian life insurance companies Manulife and Sun Life take it on chin

    7 Nov 2009 | 3:22 am
    Losses rained down on two of Canada's biggest life insurance companies on Thursday as volatility on the stock markets, narrowing spreads and interest rates pulled results at Manulife Financial and Sun Life into the red.

  • Democrats clear impasse blocking health care vote

    6 Nov 2009 | 11:00 pm
    Capping months of struggle, House Democrats cleared an abortion-related impasse blocking a vote on sweeping health care legislation late Friday and officials expressed optimism they had lined up the support needed to pass President Barack Obama's top domestic priority.

  • AIG Sales Decline at Property-Casualty, Life Units: Video

    6 Nov 2009 | 6:58 pm
    Nov. 6 -- American International Group Inc., the insurer bailed out by the U.S., fell the most in two months in New York trading after posting sales declines at its property-casualty and life insurance divisions.

  • Approval has been given by the Iowa...

    6 Nov 2009 | 2:44 pm
    More wind power is coming to Iowa. The Iowa Utilities Board has approved MidAmerican Energy's plans to build wind farms producing 1,001 megawatts of power.

  • AIG posts 2nd consecutive quarterly profit

    6 Nov 2009 | 10:20 am
    AIG said Friday it was profitable for the second straight quarter as its core insurance operations continue to stabilize after the company's bailout by the government last year.
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    Google News: Insurance

  • It's time to act to make health care work right - Morris Daily Herald

    7 Nov 2009 | 3:12 am
    InjuryBoard.com (blog)It's time to act to make health care work rightMorris Daily HeraldWhen the health insurance reform bill comes before the House of Representatives for a vote Health Insurance: Your Health Plan After ReformU.S. News & World ReportAll into the insurance pool?Omaha World-HeraldThe cost of not enacting health care reformBoston GlobeHuffington Post (blog) -Detroit Free Press -Boston Heraldall 281 news articles »

  • Man sentenced in car insurance fraud case - Reno Gazette Journal

    7 Nov 2009 | 1:43 am
    Man sentenced in car insurance fraud caseReno Gazette JournalWashoe District Judge Robert Perry sentenced Jorge Ciberian Moreno to one to three years in prison for felony insurance fraud. Perry suspended the term and Probation for Reno man in fatal insurance schemeSan Jose Mercury Newsall 26 news articles »

  • Democrats Reach Deal on Abortion, Set Stage for Health Debate - Bloomberg

    7 Nov 2009 | 12:31 am
    Boston GlobeDemocrats Reach Deal on Abortion, Set Stage for Health DebateBloombergIt would require all Americans to get insurance, set up the new insurance-purchasing exchanges for people who don't have employer-provided benefits, Democrats to resolve abortion impasse on the House floorWashington PostDemocrats secure abortion funding deal on eve of expected health voteLos Angeles TimesFailure to get health insurance could bring fines, possible jailBizjournals.comReuters -New York Times -Boston Globeall 5,498 news articles »

  • FACTBOX-Glossary of terms in U.S. healthcare debate - Reuters

    7 Nov 2009 | 12:20 am
    FACTBOX-Glossary of terms in U.S. healthcare debateReutersThis refers to the ratio of how much insurers can charge older people relative to what they charge young people for health insurance. and more »

  • Bank Failure Tally Tops 120 in 2009 - Wall Street Pit (blog)

    6 Nov 2009 | 11:24 pm
    Los Angeles TimesBank Failure Tally Tops 120 in 2009Wall Street Pit (blog)By editor|Nov 7, 2009, 2:11 AM|Author's Website The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation [FDIC] announced five new bank failures on Friday, bringing the Bank Failures Hit 120 as United Commercial Bank FailsWall Street JournalBanks in Ga., Mich., Minn., Mo., Calif. closedThe Associated Pressus closes Home Federal Savings in DetroitReutersBloomberg -Los Angeles Times -CNNMoney.comall 453 news articles »
 
 
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    Google News: AIG

  • Protesters picketing AIG slam bailed-out firm's big bonuses - The Jersey Journal - NJ.com

    6 Nov 2009 | 11:45 pm
    MiamiHerald.comProtesters picketing AIG slam bailed-out firm's big bonusesThe Jersey Journal - NJ.comAbout 20 members of the New Jersey Citizen Action group picketed outside the Jersey City offices of AIG yesterday afternoon, AIG taps $2.1 bln from US for ILFC share purchaseReutersAIG profitable for second straight quarterCNNMoney.comMore Profit For AIG, But Challenge TooWall Street JournalBloomberg -Wall Street Journal (blog) -BBC Newsall 454 news articles »

  • US Stocks Report Earnings: IGT, BX, AIG, ATVI, PSMT, HANS - Benzinga

    6 Nov 2009 | 3:22 pm
    US Stocks Report Earnings: IGT, BX, AIG, ATVI, PSMT, HANSBenzingaThese companies span a wide spectrum of industries, from insurance companies like AIG, to healthcare companies like Par Pharmaceuticals, and even retail US Stock Futures Slip After Disappointing Jobs Report, AIG (NYSE: AIG) EyeistockAnalyst.com (press release)all 2 news articles »

  • Stocks rise on day, week - CNNMoney.com

    6 Nov 2009 | 3:17 pm
    ReutersStocks rise on day, weekCNNMoney.comAIG (AIG, Fortune 500), the insurance behemoth bailed out by the US government, reported its second straight quarterly profit after seven quarters of losses Stocks try to riseCNNWall Street snaps 2-week losing streakIndia Infoline.comStock futures drop after unemployment rate jumpsThe Associated PressChannel News Asia -Reutersall 1,751 news articles »

  • AIG, Magna, Activision Blizzard are big movers - The Associated Press

    6 Nov 2009 | 2:11 pm
    AIG, Magna, Activision Blizzard are big moversThe Associated PressNEW YORK — The following stocks were among those that moved substantially or traded heavily Friday on the New York Stock Exchange: NYSE: American and more »

  • TARP Watchdog: Show Us The AIG Exit - National Underwriter Life and Health Insurance News

    6 Nov 2009 | 2:07 pm
    KLEWTARP Watchdog: Show Us The AIG ExitNational Underwriter Life and Health Insurance NewsThe panel has not held a public hearing with AIG or most other TARP participants, either Hensarling writes. Officials at the US Treasury Department came up St. Louis Post-Dispatch, David Nicklaus column: The federal bailout of banks istockAnalyst.com (press release)all 207 news articles »
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    Google News: Health Insurance

  • National Children's Health Insurance Summit Issues Plea - eMaxHealth

    7 Nov 2009 | 2:46 am
    National Children's Health Insurance Summit Issues PleaeMaxHealthFive million children who are eligible for Medicaid or the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) have not been enrolled, noted HHS Secretary Kathleen Why I Oppose The Current Proposed Health BillsBlack Star Newsall 9 news articles »

  • FACTBOX-Glossary of terms in U.S. healthcare debate - Reuters

    7 Nov 2009 | 12:20 am
    FACTBOX-Glossary of terms in U.S. healthcare debateReutersThis refers to the ratio of how much insurers can charge older people relative to what they charge young people for health insurance. Health care issues: Age and sex ratingThe Associated Pressall 40 news articles »

  • 'Not right answer for SD' - Sioux Falls Argus Leader

    7 Nov 2009 | 12:04 am
    KSFY'Not right answer for SD'Sioux Falls Argus LeaderIndividuals and smaller employers could get coverage on a new health insurance exchange, and the government would provide subsidies to help lower-income Herseth Sandlin: Health care bill 'not the right answer for South Dakota'Sioux Falls Argus Leaderall 25 news articles »

  • All into the insurance pool? - Omaha World-Herald

    6 Nov 2009 | 10:47 pm
    InjuryBoard.com (blog)All into the insurance pool?Omaha World-HeraldInsurance companies, in turn, pass along the higher costs to consumers through hikes in premiums. An estimated 220000 Nebraskans lack health insurance. Health Insurance: Your Health Plan After ReformU.S. News & World ReportThe cost of not enacting health care reformBoston GlobeMemo to Congress: On Health Care Vote You Must Choose Between Insurance Huffington Post (blog)Mankato Free Press -Clarksville Leaf Chronicle -California Chronicleall 281 news articles »

  • Democrats to resolve abortion impasse on the House floor - Washington Post

    6 Nov 2009 | 10:20 pm
    Boston GlobeDemocrats to resolve abortion impasse on the House floorWashington PostIt would also block people who received federal subsidies for the purchase of health insurance from buying policies that offered coverage for abortions. Health care headache for House DemocratsBoston GlobeDemocrats Reach Deal on Abortion, Set Stage for Health DebateBloombergWhite House Officially Endorses House Health BillNew York TimesBizjournals.com -Reuters -Wausau Daily Heraldall 5,498 news articles »
 
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    Topix: Health Insurance

  • Gov. hopefuls split on health care proposal

    7 Nov 2009 | 2:31 am
    Gov. Pat Quinn holds a news conference Wednesday to endorse a bill that would provide aid to military families at the National Press Club in Washington.

  • Strike Looms For Grocery Store Workers

    6 Nov 2009 | 10:03 pm
    In about a week, workers at Fry's and Safeway in Arizona could be walking a picket line instead of stocking shelves and bagging groceries.

  • House Dems push for votes on health bill

    6 Nov 2009 | 5:36 pm
    WASHINGTON - Democrats in the House of Representatives are scrambling to secure enough support to pass President Barack Obama's historic health overhaul initiative, working to soothe last-minute concerns from rank-and-file Democrats ahead of a make-or-break vote.

  • Student health plans inefficient

    6 Nov 2009 | 1:17 pm
    A new report shows that the health insurance plans sold to almost 100,000 college students in Massachusetts result in higher profits for insurance companies than those available to the general public.

  • Health reform bill before Congress would allow Hawaii workers not to participate

    6 Nov 2009 | 8:48 am
    Hawaii would be allowed to opt out of key requirements of national health care reform legislation, the only state given such a privilege because it already has its own comprehensive health insurance law.
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    Google News: Auto Insurance

  • Business briefs - Lansing State Journal

    7 Nov 2009 | 1:02 am
    Business briefsLansing State JournalAuto-Owners Insurance Co. ranked highest in customer satisfaction with auto insurance claims in a JD Power and Associates study. and more »

  • All into the insurance pool? - Omaha World-Herald

    6 Nov 2009 | 10:47 pm
    InjuryBoard.com (blog)All into the insurance pool?Omaha World-HeraldThose who question whether people will follow the mandate point to how many people fail to follow requirements that drivers buy auto insurance and how many Let Health Companies CompeteThe LedgerWalz: House health care plan will protect jobs, familiesPost-BulletinAmerica Speaks: How Good Is A Mandatory Health Insurance Bill For Us?Your Online Insurance NewsSt. Louis Post-Dispatch -South Washington County Bulletin -News & Observerall 281 news articles »

  • USAA builds on 1995 decision - San Antonio Express

    6 Nov 2009 | 6:07 pm
    Earthtimes (press release)USAA builds on 1995 decisionSan Antonio ExpressThe move applied mainly to auto insurance for the enlisted, since nonofficers generally do not own houses. But the officers-only mentality at USAA had been USAA: An Insurance Club That Just Got BiggerNew York TimesUSAA expands eligibility to 18 million military vets and their familiesTampabay.comall 96 news articles »

  • Tort reform needed to lower health costs - Asbury Park Press

    6 Nov 2009 | 4:35 pm
    Tort reform needed to lower health costsAsbury Park PressIn the 1970s, the new no-fault auto insurance law caused lawyers across the country to look elsewhere to make up for the large payouts from auto accidents, On tort reform, Democrats just don't get itBlueRidgeNow.comObamacare a Threat to Malpractice ReformNewsMax.comAnother look at health care, part 1Examiner.comall 7 news articles »

  • New York Insurers Say No-Fault Claims are Driving Up Costs - ClaimsJournal.com

    6 Nov 2009 | 9:54 am
    IFAwebnews.comNew York Insurers Say No-Fault Claims are Driving Up CostsClaimsJournal.comEllen Melchionni, president of the NYIA, a trade group for insurers in the state, called on state lawmakers to reform the New York's no-fault auto insurance Changes sought after spike in no-fault medical payments in New YorkIFAwebnews.comall 5 news articles »
 
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    Auto Insurance Articles

  • Learning About Auto Insurance Helps You Save

    admin
    6 Nov 2009 | 11:32 am
    Learning about auto insurance is what makes the difference between over-spending on a policy and saving money in every way possible. The more you know, the more you can save. That’s why we’ve put together a frequently asked question page on our site in addition to this article (and many others). No matter what your question is on insuring a vehicle, we have an answer that should save you money. • What happens if I cancel my policy? When a driver cancels their policy, they are canceling their coverage to be protected financially by an insurer in the event of an accident. Cancellation can…

  • Low Prices for Teen Insurance

    admin
    5 Nov 2009 | 6:17 am
    If you have already begun the search for auto insurance for a teenager, there is a good chance you’ve discovered how outrageous the price can be. These high prices are mostly due to the insurance companies deciding that offering insurance to the teenager will impose a very high risk to their company. Why not continue your search knowing you will find better results using Online Auto Insurance? We have already provided our assistance to many other drivers, including teenagers, and are known to save people their hard earned money. Getting low prices for a teenager’s insurance policy will…

  • Affordable Car Insurance Online

    admin
    4 Nov 2009 | 7:17 pm
    Finding affordable vehicle insurance doesn’t have to be a difficult task, nor time consuming. With the quick tools that are available on comparison websites, you’ll have a list of car protection quotations in no time. The most important thing for you at this moment is finding something that fits within your budget. Be sure to also make sure that the coverage you decide to purchase offers enough protection for you to legally drive in your state. You can check the internet to find out what the regulations are in your state as well. It is important that you watch out for scams when you’re…

  • Best Rated Auto Insurance Online

    admin
    3 Nov 2009 | 5:02 pm
    Are you looking for the best rated auto insurance and providers? Getting the benefits and services you deserve is very important when browsing around for the top automobile protection agency around. You want to get the top coverage, which will only be offered from he leading insurers on the market. The best way you can find a good a policy that suits your needs is to use a comparison website that will allow you to search through the providers. During this process, you should be looking for great coverage for a great price. Get the best deal possible from top insurers like Geico, Unitrin and…

  • Options of Auto Coverage Insurance Online

    admin
    2 Nov 2009 | 6:35 pm
    Auto insurance is a must for any driver who cannot afford to hand over thousands of dollars to the state as their form of financial responsibility. Since many drivers on the road either cannot or choose not to go this route, they purchase insurance for their vehicle instead, buying at least the minimum required by state law. There isn’t much decision making in this part of purchasing car insurance because the decision has already been made. Now, to go further than the state’s minimum requirements and get as close to full coverage as possible would necessitate an understanding of what…
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    About.com: Business Insurance

  • Get Out and Vote!

    3 Nov 2009 | 7:03 am
    Today is Election Day in the U.S. and there are a number of great battles going on across the country. But, you cannot be involved unless you vote - so, get out there! My favorite election watch today (besides Casinos for Ohio) is the New York 23rd Congressional District. There, third-party Conservative Party candidate, Doug Hoffman, after a conservative Republican revolt, is the main candidate running against the Democrat. The original Republican candidate, Assemblywoman Dede Scozzafava, has come out in support of Democrat Bill Owens and against Hoffman. That prompted some really virulent…

  • The Resilient Coasts Blueprint

    30 Oct 2009 | 3:41 am
    A Coastal Risk Symposium, hosted by the Travelers Institute takes place today at the Maritime Center in Charleston, S.C. with the purpose to "bring together business, government and community leaders to identify strategies and solutions to protect and insure the coastal region." Part of the discussion will focus on the Resilient Coasts Blueprint prepared by the Heinz Center and Ceres. The Blueprint concisely states a proposed strategy to address risks posed by coastal development and the commercial insurance costs associated with such risks. It proposes cost effective and common sense…

  • FMLA Coverage Expanded for Servicemembers and Their Families

    29 Oct 2009 | 3:04 am
    The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) passed in 1993 extended legal rights and protections to employees caring for themselves or family members in times of medical need. The FMLA can be difficult for both employees and employers to navigate. And, as with many laws, gaps in coverage cause result in situations that are fundamentally unfair or divergent from the purpose of the law. Unfortunately, our men and women serving in the military and their families were not explicitly covered by this pre-911 law. Most Americans would assume that FMLA benefits would be extended to family members caring…

  • Flood and Storm Victims SBA Deadline is November 23

    26 Oct 2009 | 6:11 am
    The Small Business Administration is urging victims of the Atlanta Georgia area flooding that occurred from September 18 through October 8, 2009, to complete and return applications for emergency assistance and loans by November 23, 2009. The SBA is concerned that many business and home owners will not have settled with their insurance company by that time. Thus, the victim will not know what portion of the damage will be covered by insurance and what portion will need to be covered by a loan. The SBA is urging victims to complete and return the paperwork even if the amount of the insurance…

  • Open Enrollment Tips and GINA

    20 Oct 2009 | 9:22 am
    It is open enrollment season for many employer-sponsored health plans. 2010 figures to be an interesting year as employers look at ways to trim costs and provide for their employees. Employers provide such benefits to encourage retention and to retain high-value employees and open enrollment offers the employer the challenge of educating the employee about their benefits. I have an article with helpful tips for employers working through open enrollment. Another factor this year is the effect of the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008 (GINA). This Act will be in effect for 2010…
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    Business Insurance

  • Berkshire Hathaway net income triples

    31 Dec 1969 | 4:00 pm
    NEW YORK (Reuters)—Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway Inc. on Friday said third-quarter net income tripled, as rising stock markets boosted its investment holdings and a quiet hurricane season contributed to higher insurance profit.

  • AIG taps $2.1B from U.S. for ILFC share purchase

    31 Dec 1969 | 4:00 pm
    NEW YORK (Reuters)—American International Group Inc. tapped the U.S. government for another $2.1 billion to buy shares of its aircraft leasing arm, International Lease Finance Corp., or ILFC, the insurer said in a regulatory filing Friday.

  • House Democrats scramble for health care votes

    31 Dec 1969 | 4:00 pm
    WASHINGTON (Reuters)—Democratic leaders in the U.S. House of Representatives scrambled on Friday to allay lingering concerns about a broad health care overhaul and said a landmark vote planned for Saturday could slip a day or more.

  • Tate & Lyle eyes freeze of U.K. pension plan

    31 Dec 1969 | 4:00 pm
    LONDON—Tate & Lyle P.L.C. officials are considering freezing the company's £732 million ($1.2 billion) U.K. pension plan to future accruals beginning in April 2011, according to an interim financial report.

  • End of soft market not yet in sight: MarketScout

    31 Dec 1969 | 4:00 pm
    DALLAS—The U.S. property/casualty insurance composite renewal rate dropped 5% in October, electronic insurance exchange MarketScout said.
 
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    California Personal Injury & Insurane Blog

  • Don't Settle Cheap This Holiday Season

    steinlaw
    3 Nov 2009 | 8:45 pm
    As a former adjuster, I used to look forward to this time of year. Sure, the holidays are great. I got more time off and could spend time with my family. The vendors brought in tons of great treats for...

  • FAQ: What is a gap in treatment?

    steinlaw
    19 Oct 2009 | 9:24 am
    Q: I was injured in a car accident. I went to the doctor and am trying to settle my case. The adjuster says there is a gap in treatment. What is this? A: When you are involved in an auto...

  • Hiring the right attorney for you

    steinlaw
    2 Oct 2009 | 7:35 am
    I have seen quite a few emails lately about people needing an attorney in different locations. There are a few good ways to find an attorney: 1. Personal recommendation of friends or family. This is the best way to find...

  • FAQ: Why is my attorney taking so long for my kids?

    steinlaw
    1 Oct 2009 | 7:25 am
    Q: I was involved in a motor vehicle accident (car accident). I was injured and my children were injured. I settled my case with the attorney. But, my children's case still isn't settled. Why not? A: Settling cases for minors...

  • Medical Records: Why do they matter?

    steinlaw
    19 Aug 2009 | 6:12 pm
    I have had a couple of people contact me lately and tell me that they were trying to settle their cases without hiring an attorney. But, they were confused. The adjuster refused to settle without them signing a medical authorization...
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    Specialty Insurance Blog

  • EPL & the Recession

    Specialty Insurance Blog
    2 Nov 2009 | 8:00 pm
    Current high unemployment is increasing employment exposure for small and medium sized businesses, and increasing the need for employment practices liability (EPL) insurance. EPL insurance covers claims for wrongful hiring and termination, sexual harassment, and discrimination. Two articles highlight the changing employment environment. The first article, on page 28 in the October 2009 edition of Rough Notes (see here), notes that one in five small businesses will have an EPL lawsuit this year. The second article, in National Underwriter (see...

  • AM Best E&S Insurance Review

    Specialty Insurance Blog
    26 Oct 2009 | 8:00 pm
    AM Best has released the 2009 review of the excess & surplus lines (E&S) insurance market (see here, PW protected?), called 2009 Special Report, U.S. Surplus Lines – Market Review. The annual review is conducted by AM Best from a grant provided by the Derek Hughes/NAPSLO Educational Foundation and has been produced annually for a number of years. The review notes: Market competition has driven both premiums and profitability down Surplus lines premium totaled $34.4 billion in 2008, while the...

  • Insurance Predictions

    Specialty Insurance Blog
    13 Oct 2009 | 7:44 am
    Dr. Robert P. Hartwig, CPCU, President of the Insurance Information Institute (I.I.I.), provided some insights into the economy and the insurance industry at the recent NAPSLO annual meeting. See his slides here, and a National Underwriter summary here. Some interesting observations: We are facing a recession and a soft market at the same time, which is not typical and has dramatically reduced demand. The economic challenges have changed insurance customer behavior including increased efforts to reduce insurance costs, like shopping,...

  • Captive Insurance Premium Deductibility

    Specialty Insurance Blog
    8 Sep 2009 | 8:01 am
    Ensuring that the IRS treats an insurer as an insurer for tax purposes is critically important for captive insurance companies. This may sound simple, but it can get complicated in certain captive situations. A captive insurance company must be considered to be an insurer by the IRS for the premiums paid to be deductible. A summary article on the subject can be found at WebCPA (see here): The IRS states that for a transaction to be considered insurance, both “risk...

  • Insurance Myths

    Specialty Insurance Blog
    31 Aug 2009 | 8:00 pm
    Do you have clients that believe that reporting a claim to their insurer should be avoided if it is not serious? As we all know, this is just not the case. This is one of the insurance myths addressed in a series of two articles in Insurance Journal (see here & here). An auto accident – a fender bender where one party paid cash on the spot to settle the claim – is used as an example of why not...
 
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    About.com: Personal Insurance

  • People Without Car Insurance, What do You Think... Should We "Give Them a Break?"

    5 Nov 2009 | 3:14 pm
    I recently came across a story at www.kfoxtv.com. The story explains how a new law in Texas is causing people to lose their cars because of not having insurance. Getting your car towed if you don't have car insurance is common since it is the law in all states to carry some type of minimum car insurance. Some in the story feel the law should not be so strict. A person in the article, Teran, says that before towing someone's car because of not having insurance the authorities should, "check first if a person has had insurance. If it has lapsed within a certain amount of time, then give them a…

  • What are You Paying for Car Insurance?

    3 Nov 2009 | 3:46 pm
    Car insurance rates have risen in the past year. According to www.carinsurance.com, "The national average cost of car insurance in 2009 to date is $1,780 which is 11.25% higher than 2008's car insurance rates." Want to see how your car insurance premium compares to the national average? Check out the Carinsurance.com site to take a look at some great charts of car insurance national averages and state by state averages. Want to lower your premium? Next, learn the Top Ways to Turn Your Current Car Insurance Into Cheap Insurance. What are You Paying for Car Insurance? originally appeared on…

  • Weekend Insurance Tip: Decide if You Want to Devote Yourself Full-Time to Your Surviving Children

    31 Oct 2009 | 9:30 am
    Many families now know that life insurance is important for both parents in a one income household. Unfortunately though, most families just minimally insure the stay-at-home spouse. The family feels the minimal insurance they have would be sufficient to take care of the basic tasks performed by the stay-at-home parent, at least until the youngest child was out of school. But what about the child's emotional loss from their deceased stay-at-home parent? Can hired help really take care of those needs? What if the working parent realized they needed to be the stay-at-home parent for a while...

  • Should You Accept Worker's Compensation Insurance Benefits?

    30 Oct 2009 | 2:15 pm
    If you have ever had a job, you have probably heard of worker's compensation insurance. Maybe you have even received worker's compensation benefits from your employer. Most employees don't even think much about the worker's compensation insurance that their employer provides, but that may a big mistake for some. Generally, employees feel it is great to get benefits if they get hurt at work but accepting your employer's worker's compensation insurance may not always be the best choice for everyone. There are pros and cons to accepting worker's compensation insurance and if you don't understand…

  • Getting a Little Suspicious of AARP and Their Strong Support for Health Insurance Reform?

    27 Oct 2009 | 1:41 am
    Membership organizations have been helpful to many in finding health care benefits. AARP is a household name for senior citizens. This trust seniors have for AARP is based on the assumption that they are advocating for seniors and not swimming in profits like many think that the health insurance companies are. But is that image true or just advertising? The truth may be surprising to many senior citizens. According to www.washingtonpost.com, "The group and its subsidiaries collected more than $650 million in royalties and other fees last year from the sale of insurance policies, credit cards…
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    Workers Comp Kit Blog

  • CANADA Brochure about Workplace Safety On Ice

    Robert Elliott, J.D.
    5 Nov 2009 | 4:30 pm
    New Resources Help Alberta Workers Stay Safe on Ice It all started  when a snowcat driver and his vehicle went through the ice while constructing an ice bridge on the Peace River. The prime contractor at the site pleaded guilty to violating the Occupational Health and Safety Act, and was fined a total of $300,375 by the court. The fine  included a creative sentencing penalty of $297,500 to produce a best practice guideline for working on ice in Alberta.   Hector Goudreau,  minister of Alberta Employment and Immigration said the best practice manual provides comprehensive knowledge for…

  • Nine Ideas for How to Manage Lost Time Workers Comp Claims

    Rebecca Shafer, J.D.
    5 Nov 2009 | 4:12 pm
    We all know  the time from the moment of injury to final resolution can be lengthy. A competent business manages the process in an organized manner by monitoring all claims to ensure adjusters start working the claim as soon as it is reported. Clearly define the role of your adjuster and injury coordinator to ensure a delineation between the roles.  The injury coordinator provides input into overall “big picture” strategy on claims.  Adjusters determine compensability pursuant to state law on individual claims. 9 Ideas for Managing Ongoing Workers’ Comp Claims 1.

  • Three Common Types of Workers Comp Fraud Cases

    Director
    5 Nov 2009 | 3:58 pm
    From the Fraud Blotter A survey of what the media, state agencies, insurance companies, and others report in terms of workers’ comp fraud, listing recent arrests, charges, and convictions. Criminal complaints and indictments are accusations only. Defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty. 1- Employee Disabled and collecting workers’ comp, but Working Elsewhere A woman  accused of accepting disability income while being employed was charged with two counts of theft and a single count of workers’ compensation insurance fraud in Luzerne County Court of Common…

  • CONNECTICUT Recession Doubles Job Related Injury Claims

    Robert Elliott, J.D.
    5 Nov 2009 | 3:53 pm
    Job-related injuries  have nearly doubled over the last four years, apparently due to the recession. The Connecticut Post reports first-injury claims by the state Workers’ Compensation Commission  totaled 50,841 in the fiscal year ending June 30, 2009. The figure was 26,992 for initial claims four years earlier. A commission chairman  overseeing 15 at-large commissioners who listen to thousands of contested workers’ comp cases each year, notes that while some of the increase is due to a change toward electronic filing of claims over the last 18 months, the majority of…

  • TEXAS Pros and Cons of Opting Out in Texas: The Single Workers Compensation Insurance Opt Out State

    Will Newton
    5 Nov 2009 | 1:22 pm
    Fact: Workers’ Compensation Insurance is a type of “property and casualty” business insurance required in all states, except Texas where an employer may opt out. It is referred to as a “line” of insurance coverage and is purchased from an insurance agent or broker. Don’t Tempt Fate:  Buy a Workers’ Comp Policy Thousands of  Texas employers and their employees are operating without an important safety net. Texas is the only state that allows private employers to opt out of the workers’ compensation system. About one-third do, according to the…
 
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    MedicalNewsToday: Health/Medical Insurance

  • DOJ Investigates Alleged Fraud By Drugmakers; Sanctions On WellCare Lifted

    6 Nov 2009 | 5:00 am
    News outlets focus on alleged fraud in the drug and insurance industries. "A $112 million settlement involving alleged drug kickbacks that the Justice Dept. announced with the nation's largest nursing home pharmacy and a generic drug manufacturer on Nov. 3 is part of a wide-ranging investigation of suspected Medicaid fraud by the pharmaceutical industry,"

  • CBO: GOP Health Bill Would Cut Deficit Somewhat, Do Little To Expand Coverage

    6 Nov 2009 | 5:00 am
    "The Congressional Budget Office said Wednesday that the alternative health care bill proposed by House Republicans would have little impact in extending health benefits to the roughly 30 million uninsured Americans, but would reduce average insurance premium costs for people who have coverage," The New York Times reports.

  • GOP Lawmakers Seek To Explore Health Reform's Impact On FEHBP

    6 Nov 2009 | 5:00 am
    Government Executive.com: "Sixteen Republican representatives wrote to Oversight and Government Reform Committee Chairman Edolphus Towns, D-N.Y., to demand that he schedule hearings on reform proposals' potential impact on the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program.

  • Today's Selection Of Opinions And Editorials

    6 Nov 2009 | 5:00 am
    The President Should Be Opposed To The House Bill Kaiser Health News When Speaker Nancy Pelosi unveiled the revised House Democratic health care bill last week, the Obama White House hailed it as a "critical milestone" in the process. No doubt senior administration officials were relieved to see signs of "momentum" toward passage of something.

  • Saturday Night Vote Set On House Health Reform Bill

    6 Nov 2009 | 5:00 am
    House Democratic leaders are preparing a rare Saturday night vote on sweeping health care reform. The Washington Post reports: "Democratic whips worked their rank and file, while House leaders tried to secure a momentum-building endorsement from the AARP, the nation's largest association of people over 50.
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    Colorado Health Insurance

  • HB1355 Now In Effect For All Small Groups In Colorado

    Louise
    5 Nov 2009 | 9:54 am
    When Colorado HB1355 became law, we noted that for our own small group clients, it would almost universally increase premiums.  The new law eliminated the practice of setting small group premiums based on the overall health of a group (previously, groups could get a discount up to 25%, or a rate increase of up to 10%, compared with base rates).  HB1355 took effect for policies starting or renewing on or after January 1 2009, but businesses were able to keep their discount for part of this year if their policy renewed before the end of the year last year.  Last fall, Anthem Blue Cross Blue…

  • Colorado Premiums Rising Faster Than National Average

    Louise
    4 Nov 2009 | 12:36 pm
    Across the US, employers will see a 9% increase in health insurance premiums next year.  But in Colorado, the increase will be an average of 11.8%.   The Lockton Group has released its 2010 Colorado Employer Benefits Survey Report, and it indicates that Colorado will see bigger premium increases than the country as a whole.  This puts Colorado businesses at a disadvantage in terms of direct operating expenses, as health insurance makes up a large portion of business overhead.  It also makes it harder for Colorado businesses to compete for the best employees, since premium increases are…

  • Health Insurance Premiums And The Public Option

    Louise
    3 Nov 2009 | 1:48 pm
    David Williams has written an insightful article about how big business concerns about a public health insurance option might be overly dramatic.  I do understand the concerns that business owners have, since they believe that a public option will lead to costs being pushed onto private health insurance carriers, who in turn would charge higher premiums.  There is no doubt that businesses have felt the sting of rising health insurance premiums for years now.  In Colorado, employer-sponsored health insurance premiums rose by almost 87% between 2000 and 2009, while wages increased by only…

  • Women And The House Health Care Reform Bill

    Louise
    3 Nov 2009 | 9:44 am
    Not surprisingly, House Democrats are going after the female vote by including several provisions in the current draft of their health care reform bill that are designed to expand coverage and reduce premiums for women.  For starters, the bill includes a ban on using gender as a factor in setting premiums.  This will result in lower premiums for women, but higher premiums for men.  In Colorado, men are currently more likely than women to be uninsured.  Raising their rates to compensate for lowered rates for women might result in more men being uninsured.  But in terms of overall…

  • Health Insurance Premiums And Age

    Louise
    30 Oct 2009 | 11:17 am
    How much should age play a part in determining health insurance premiums?  That’s a question that lawmakers are debating, and one that might require an answer that is more strategic than it is fair.  In general, older people have higher health care bills than younger people.  Because of their lower claims, younger people currently pay much lower premiums for health insurance than older people.  But they continue to be the most uninsured segment of our population. In 2007, the Lewin Group released a report for the Colorado Blue Ribbon Commission for Health Reform.  It showed that…
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    Florida Health Insurance

  • More young adults needing affordable health insurance

    admin
    28 Oct 2009 | 1:23 pm
    One fact during the health insurance debate that just about everyone can agree on is bringing more young adults into the health care system. This would help balance out the cost for everyone because young adults generally use the least amount of care. Supporters of the health care reform say that young American citizens will be among the largest beneficiaries of changes that promise to bring more affordable health insurancealternatives to the individual market. Health care is a hot topic for college students who worry about post graduation jobs and their ability to receive employer supplied…

  • Florida brokers supply affordable insurance

    admin
    29 Sep 2009 | 12:50 pm
    Finding affordable health insurance now a day is very difficult in the light of the rising health care costs, but the case may be different in Jacksonville, Florida. Many Floridians think there are a lot of barriers to obtaining affordable health insurance, but this is not the case. By using a health insurance broker you can acquire affordable health insurance in the Jacksonville area. High deductible coverage plans are available in Jacksonville for individuals and families. The plans start from $35 per month for individuals and $275 for families. These plans are intended to provide families…

  • Health Insurance reform needed to regulate the insurance industry

    admin
    2 Sep 2009 | 11:34 am
    The President of Duval County Medical Society, R. Steven Lucie has said that we as Americans have access to the best health care in the world but when it comes to quality care and health insurance we have an attitude like cost is no objective. Before America can set up significant health care reform it first must establish a federal medical liability reform. National health insurance reform is needed to regulate an industry that has made it almost impossible for people to purchase affordable health insurance. Lucie says that until we come to terms with rising medical costs, a government…

  • Smokers cause health insurance costs to rise

    admin
    18 Aug 2009 | 11:37 am
    Smokers cannot save Florida from its economic crisis. Each family in ceFlorida pays nearly $700 a year in taxes to cover the states massive Medicaid burden caused by smoking related illnesses. Health insurance companies blame smokers for the unreasonable and costly co-pays and deductibles these taxes are paid by everyone even the nonsmokers. The raised cigarette prices are not sufficient enough to pay for the states deficit. However, my thoughts are that every penny helps. According to Robert Weissert or Tax Watch revenue for the new tobacco tax or user free could help pay for the state’s…

  • Get over fears and ideals about the health insurance reform

    admin
    10 Aug 2009 | 7:29 am
    The first step toward realistic health-care reform is to look past the incorrect information. The second step is to look past principles and support compromise. The chance to reform health insurance will not always be available. If it fails this time, it could be hundreds of years before reform is attempted again. Sixty million uninsured people and billions more affected by the system’s flaws can’t afford another failure. First we need to ignore all of the incorrect information that the media and other sources feed us. People fear reform will diminish their choices. That is…
 
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    Health Insurance Sort Blog

  • Humana One Sees Profits Rise in Third Quarter

    ymedina
    6 Nov 2009 | 7:41 pm
    According to the article “Humana Profit Rises 65% Despite Commercial Falloff” by The Associated Press on the NYTimes.com, Humana One posted a significant profit because of an increase in membership and premiums from Medicare Advantage.  Humana’s quarterly revenue increased by 8% as enrollment rose 11% from last year in its Medicare Advantage.  Enrollment in its plans sold to employers dropped by 7.6% from a year ago.  This contributed to a pretax loss in their commercial segment.  Many health insurance companies are suffering as employer-sponsored health coverage plans…

  • Go Blue Health Insurance Helping Florida Residents

    ymedina
    4 Nov 2009 | 9:50 am
    Go Blue Florida has helped many Florida residents find affordable health insurance.  At blueadvocacy.org you can learn a bit more about the program.  This product, which was designed to provide affordable access to health care, makes health insurance simpler for people in Florida. Go Blue health insurance provides easier access to doctor visits, preventative dental care, and pharmacy services at competitive premiums.  Prices can be as low as $26/mos for a 25 year old.  Members have access to the Florida PPO network and protection against balance billing, which can be a huge relief for…

  • Capital Health Plan Rated Top Medicare Plan In Florida

    JPAL
    3 Nov 2009 | 11:38 am
    According to US News and World Report, Capital Health Plan, an affiliate of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Florida, is the top rated Medicare Health Plan in Florida. Founded in 1982, Capital Health Plan serves the four county are surrounding Tallahassee.  They currently provide coverage to more than 110,000 members. More information about Florida health insurance & senior health insurance.

  • Top Rated Medicare Plan In California

    JPAL
    2 Nov 2009 | 1:30 pm
    Open enrollment for Medicare Advantage plans is rapidly approaching (November 15 - December 31).  We thought we’d blog about some of the top rated plans in each state according to US News and World Reports annual rankings. In California, Kaiser Foundation Health Plan boasts the 2 top ranked plans in the state. Kaiser Foundation Health Plan of Southern California was the top rated Medicare health plan in California with an overall score of 88.1, followed by Kaiser’s plan covering Northern California (86.8).  These two plans were followed by Health Net of California (83.2),…

  • Geisinger Health Plan Releases Influenza Update

    ymedina
    1 Nov 2009 | 5:30 pm
    Geisinger Health Plan recently released an update on the 2009 Influenza flu season.  This is found in the article “Influenza Update From Geisinger Health System: 900 Cases” by Dr. Lisa Esolen who is the director for Geisinger Health System Infection Control on Poconorecord.com. They continue to see a steady increase in the number of flu cases with about 900 cases in the last 3 weeks at both of their Pennsylvania hospitals.  There have also been about 30 hospitalization cases.  Nationally, 46 states have reported widespread influenza cases.  Shipments of the H1N1 vaccine…
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    Home Insurance Blog

  • Who Wants to Win an iPhone 3G?

    Editor
    3 Nov 2009 | 9:40 am
    HomeInsurance.com launched the iPhone Giveaway Contest today and one lucky visitor will walk away with a brand new iPhone 3G when the contest is over on January 5th, 2010. Entering is easy- visitors simply complete the quick 10 question survey about home and auto insurance and they are automatically entered to win the iPhone. The winner will [...]

  • October is Fire Safety Month: Find out Why, Get Tips and Watch Fire Safety Videos

    admin
    23 Oct 2009 | 8:20 am
    residential fires

  • Save on Heating Your Home this Winter

    Home Agent
    19 Oct 2009 | 11:20 am
    If you want to cut down on heating costs this winter, put in a little time now to weather proof your home and prevent heat loss. Here are a few tips that might come in handy: #1- Seal your windows and doors. If you have storm panels for your windows  now is a good time to  [...]

  • Does my homeowners insurance cover my detached garage? Hernando P. Smithtown NY

    admin
    15 Oct 2009 | 3:53 pm
    Typically, a standard homeowners insurance policy will cover your detached garage. A standard homeowners insurance policy has a coverage called ‘Coverage B’ which protects structures other than your home on your property including detached garages and sheds. Make sure your homeowners insurance company knows about these structures however, as you may need to have them [...]

  • Lions and Tigers and…Insurance Claims? Oh My!

    Editor
    14 Oct 2009 | 11:07 am
    You hear the door bell ring on Halloween and visions of ghouls and goblins start spinning in your head. You grab the bucket of treats and walk slowly to the door, preparing yourself for the terrifying costumes sure to be waiting on the other side. Yet, when you  creak open the door you find something even scarier…an [...]
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    Insurance Law Hawaii

  • Delaware Court Delves into Anti-Assignment and Allocation Issues

    Tred Eyerly
    4 Nov 2009 | 7:00 am
       The Delaware Court of Chancery recently issued a detailed, scholarly opinion addressing anti-assignment provisions and the proper allocation for asbestos-related claims.  See Viking Pump, Inc. v. Century Indemn. Co., 2009 Del. Ch. LEXIS 180 (Del. Ct. Ch. Oct. 14, 2009).  Significantly, in determining the anti-assignment clauses did not bar assignment of the policies, the court departed from the reasoning utilized by the the Hawai`i Supreme Court in Del Monte Fresh Produce (Hawaii), Inc. v. Firemans' Fund Ins. Co., 117 Haw. 357, 183 P.3d 734 (2007).    Prior to the…

  • Reconsideration of Decision Upholding Transfer of Policies Upheld Despite Anti-Assignment Provisions

    Tred Eyerly
    2 Nov 2009 | 7:00 am
       We previously reviewed Pilkington N.A. Inc. v. Travelers Cas. & Sur. Co., 2009 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 67291 (N.D. Ohio July 27, 2009) [here], where the court determined there was coverage for a successor corporation under the predecessor's CGL policy despite the policies' anti-assignment provision.  In the recent sequel, the court denied the insurers' motion for reconsideration.  Pilkington N.A. Inc. v. Travelers Cas. & Sur. Co., No. 3:01CV7617, 2009 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 94322 (N.D. Ohio July 27, 2009).    By way of background, the predecessor corporation transferred…

  • Blog Challenge for Law Students

    Tred Eyerly
    28 Oct 2009 | 8:00 am
       Lexis Nexis Insurance Law Center is sponsoring a blog challenge for law students who wish to submit a post about the insurance topic of their choice.  Prizes include an Amazon Kindle, a complimentary subscription to the New Appleman on Insurance Law Library Edition, and a spot on the Insurance Law Center's New Appleman blogging team. The information can be downloaded here. Download Lexis Law School Extreme Blog Challenge.    Thanks to Professor Hazel Beh, William S. Richardson School of Law, for providing this information.

  • Settlement for Hurricane Destruction Not Upset by Insurer's Additional Payment

    Tred Eyerly
    26 Oct 2009 | 7:00 am
       Can an insured who settles with the insurer pursuant to a mediation program later reject the settlement and seek additional coverage?  The Fifth Circuit denied such relief to the insured in Wiley v. State Farm Fire and Cas. Co., No. 09-60191 (5th Cir. Oct. 9, 2009).     The insured's home was reduced to a slab by Hurricane Katrina.  State Farm rejected his claim based on the water damage exclusion and anti-concurrent cause provision in the policy.  The parties, however, entered the Mississippi Department of Insurance Hurricane Katrina Mediation Program, and in 2006 signed a…

  • Dismissal of Excess Carriers Reversed

    Tred Eyerly
    21 Oct 2009 | 4:00 am
       The insured Condominium Association had primary and excess coverage.  See El-Ad Residences at Miramar Condo. Assoc. v. Mt. Hawley Ins. Co., 2009 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 92216 (S.D. Fla. Sept. 24, 2009).  Significant property damage was caused by Hurricane Wilma.  The insured alleged that three years after the hurricane, the insurers failed to adjust or settle claims for damages.     The insured filed suit seeking a declaratory judgment to determine the enforceability of the policies and the scope of the damage.  Claims for breach of contract and the breach of the implied warranty of good…
 
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    Florida Insurance Law Blog

  • "Valid Report" Not Needed for Denial of PIP Benefits (Only for Withdrawal of PIP Benefits)

    2 Nov 2009 | 12:35 pm
    In United Automobile Insurance Company v. Santa Fe Medical Center, ____ So.3d ____ (Fla. 3d DCA October 7, 2009), the medical provider took an assignment of PIP benefits from its patient.  Santa Fe submitted bills to United Auto for treatment rendered, and United Auto denied payment claiming that the treatment was not reasonable, necessary or related to the subject accident.  United Auto did not obtain a written report from a physician prior to denying the claim.  Much later, in response to Santa Fe's motion for summary judgment, United Auto did obtain an affidavit from a…

  • 3rd DCA Denies Rehearing in UM Case Where State Farm Policy Conflicts with 627.727

    30 Oct 2009 | 7:32 am
    On May 28, 2009, I blogged on Diaz-Hernandez v. State Farm Casualty Insurance Company, ____ So.3d ____, (May 27, 2009), wherein the 3rd DCA held that: the provision in the UM policy, requiring the Insured to join the uninsured motorist in the lawsuit filed against the UM carrier, State Farm, is against public policy, we reverse the order dismissing the Insured's second amended complaint with prejudice, and remand for further proceedings. State Farm moved for rehearing, and on October 14, 2009, the 3rd denied the rehearing on the basis of the rule, well-stated by the panel, that…

  • First Party Bad Faith Case Ripe Upon Confirmation of Appraisal Award

    28 Oct 2009 | 2:18 pm
    In State Farm Florida Insurance Company v. Seville Place Condominium Association, Inc., ____ So.3d ____ (Fla. 3rd DCA October 14, 2009) a group of condos was damaged by Hurricane Wilma.  Seville submitted the claim to State Farm.  Seville presented an estimate of damage in excess of $4.6 million.  State Farm initially paid a total of $90,564.62 on the claim.  Thereafter, Seville requested appraisal, which State Farm agreed to if Seville would agree to two conditions: 1) that the appraisal award "must be a line item document, broken down by building and…

  • Summary Judgment Granted in Our Client's Favor in ERISA Life Insurance Case

    28 Oct 2009 | 11:59 am
    On Monday, we received Summary Judgment in our client's favor in a federal court ERISA life insurance case against Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada. The Plaintiff was the son of the decedent. The decedent was a nurse employed by a local nursing home. She ceased working in February 2007 as a result of some health problems. While out of work, her employer changed life insurance carriers for its employees.  Shortly after the changeover our client's mother died.  The life insurance claim was submitted to Sun Life - the employer's new insurance…

  • Thunderstorms Biggest Cause of Property Losses in First Six Months of 2009

    27 Oct 2009 | 8:20 am
    In the first half of 2009, insured property losses from natural disasters topped $11 Billion.  Of those losses, thunderstorms led the way by causing more than $6 Billion in insured property losses in the first half of 2009.  Interestingly, while thunderstorms generate a wide variety of types of losses -  from wind to water - losses due to lightning are continuing to rapidly increase.  According to the Insurance Information Institute, in 2008, lightning losses exceeded $1 Billion for the first time.  "The reason for this, we believe is the fact…
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    LIFE Foundation

  • Do You Ignore Open Enrollment Season?

    jdressner
    27 Oct 2009 | 7:45 am
    Some stats are mind-boggling. We’ll spend weeks planning a family vacation or countless hours studying Consumer Reports prior to purchasing a flat screen TV. But when it comes to more substantive matters, like making choices about the various insurance benefits available to us through our company’s benefits program, most Americans take a completely passive approach. We Americans are an independent lot. We don’t want other people making decisions for us. Not the government. Not our neighbors. Not even our friends. But when it comes to important financial security matters like choices…

  • Applications Are Up!

    mfeldman
    20 Oct 2009 | 12:33 pm
    Life Insurance Awareness Month is now over, and the results are starting to come in for September. According the MIB Life Index, applications for individual life insurance for Boomers—age 45 to 59—were up 2.7%, and for those 60 and older, applications soared 13.8%. The only dip was for younger applicants. Overall, the volume of individual life insurance applications this September increased 1.8% over the same time last year and represented a 10% jump from August’s numbers. What does this indicate? It means we are succeeding in making the consumer aware of the importance of owning life…

  • I Am a Life Insurance Policy

    mfeldman
    12 Oct 2009 | 12:36 pm
    I recently received a one-page description of life insurance titled “Just a Life Insurance Policy.” The original author is unknown, but it appeared by the style and wording to have been written some time ago. This one page description of life insurance made me think of where our industry is today and where we need to focus our energy tomorrow – the growth of permanent life insurance. Too many of the younger agents in our industry don’t understand what permanent life insurance really provides to our clients or have not been in the business long enough to have experienced a…

  • Life Insurance: A Good Asset

    mfeldman
    7 Oct 2009 | 7:32 am
    The Atlanta Journal-Constitution published an article on September 20, 2009 by M. Bryan Freeman and Stephen B. Wilkins titled “Life insurance good asset for consumers.” The article pointed out that “Life insurance may not be thought of as an asset class because its buyers may not think of it as a flexible investment. That is, they expect to lapse it, take a minimal cash surrender value payout or, of course, pass away and leave the proceeds to their heirs.” But it further points out that in today’s uncertain financial times, wealthy families are purchasing life insurance “to…

  • Wall Street Journal Only Tells Half the Story

    mfeldman
    28 Sep 2009 | 12:57 pm
    The Wall Street Journal ran an article recently titled “In a Crunch, Insurers Raise Fees, Trim Sales.” It was a story that we at the LIFE Foundation took exception to because writer Leslie Scism only tells half the story of what is going on in the life insurance marketplace. First, while true that some insurers have raised rates, it’s important to note that life insurance is still dirt cheap. Even with recent price increases, insurance costs are still near historic lows—down about 75% since 1990, according to Accuquote. Reasons? More sophisticated underwriting, stiff competition in…
 
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    Insurance Blog

  • 'Backseat Driver' Busted for DUI

    5 Nov 2009 | 8:28 am
    So, how does a 'backseat driver' get busted for driving while intoxicated?

  • Test Your Eco-Driving Skills!

    4 Nov 2009 | 9:12 am
    While browsing the web, a colleague came across a nifty little driving game that helps drivers learn to drive more fuel-efficiently.

  • Plan Your Epitaph Day is Finally Here!

    2 Nov 2009 | 8:53 am
    Didn't get your fill of creepiness on Halloween? You have another opportunity.  Every November 2nd, the world celebrates Plan Your Epitaph Day. The premise? A forgettable gravestone is a fate worse than death.

  • The Only Thing Scarier Than Halloween? A Trick-or-Treater's Liability Lawsuit

    29 Oct 2009 | 11:10 am
    Here's a nightmare Halloween scenario for you: An overzealous little trick-or-treater fights for a piece of candy and ends up spraining his ankle on your front porch. His father's occupation? A personal injury lawyer.  To keep from having your bank account bled dry, you'll need a hefty amount of home liability insurance, and probably a good lawyer. Same goes if your Doberman mistakes a kid's skeleton costume for a life-sized chew toy.

  • Meet the Most Dangerous Driver on the Road

    26 Oct 2009 | 8:44 am
    The reason auto fatalities are so high? Blame this guy.
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    Texas Department of Insurance

  • Nonfatal Occupational Injuries

    5 Nov 2009 | 2:44 am
    11/5/09 - AUSTIN, TX – Private industry workplaces in Texas reported a total of 234,559 nonfatal injuries and illnesses during 2008.

  • DWC August09 Enforcements

    14 Oct 2009 | 1:10 am
    10/14/09 - AUSTIN, TX - Commissioner of Workers’ Compensation Rod Bordelon has announced final disciplinary actions taken by the Texas Department of Insurance, Division of Workers’ Compensation in August 2009, including orders assessing administrative penalties totaling $503,300.

  • TDI Announces August Enforcement Actions

    5 Oct 2009 | 7:14 am
    10/5/09 - AUSTIN - The Texas Department of Insurance today announced enforcement actions taken by Commissioner Mike Geeslin that became final during August, 2009

  • hailstorms

    5 Oct 2009 | 5:27 am
    10/5/09 - AUSTIN - Consumers who suffered property damage in the recent severe weather in the El Paso area should contact their insurance company or agent to file a claim as soon as possible. Initiating this process is the first step toward getting money to begin making repairs.

  • Pasadena Area Agent Indicted

    2 Oct 2009 | 12:43 am
    10/2/09 - HOUSTON - Darryl W. Golter, owner of the Golter Insurance Agency formerly located in Pasadena, Texas, was indicted by a Harris County Grand Jury in Houston on the criminal offense of Misapplication of Fiduciary Property
 
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    WordPress Tag: Auto Insurance

  • Tips to Find the Best Car Insurance Rates

    luktao
    6 Nov 2009 | 9:11 pm
    Looking for the best car insurance rates may seem overwhelming to many consumers. Insurance companies factor in many variables, such as credit scores, driving records, make and model of vehicle, your number of years behind the wheel and much more to the cost of your insurance premiums to demonstrate but they are some steps to take consumers to improve their chances of finding the best insurance premiums available. First you must know which factors will negatively affect you (increase your premiums). Factors like a poor driving history including accidents, moving violations, license…

  • Erie Auto Insurance Receives Customer Satisfaction Award

    luktao
    6 Nov 2009 | 9:02 pm
    JD Power and Associates has released its 2009 Insurance Shopping Study, and for the second consecutive year Erie Insurance has taken the first place for new auto insurance purchase experience. Although Erie Insurance may not be a concept across the country, they have a strong presence in the northeastern United States. The evaluation is based on 3 main categories: distribution channel, price, supply and policy. To fully appreciate Erie's performance, it is important to understand a little about Erie Insurance. Erie is considered a regional Insurance Company, since they only offer…

  • Did You Know?

    kimberleyvassalinsurance
    6 Nov 2009 | 9:27 am

  • If You Want to Insure Your Car

    luktao
    6 Nov 2009 | 9:05 am
    Car insurance laws vary form state to state and Pennsylvania auto insurance is no different. The first law on car insurance in the United States is that every driver must have car insurance. If you lapse in coverage, you can lose your right to subscription rights for three months. The state allows the driver to prove that you do not drive during the time that no insurance. If you do not adequately demonstrate that the vehicle was not driven you could look at losing your license for three months. Each car has a badge, must be able to show proof of insurance. If you are the insurance on a…

  • How Much Auto Insurance Terminology Do You Really Know?

    luktao
    6 Nov 2009 | 9:00 am
    Has your insurance agent to speak English? You would think, until you get a good look at your car insurance to get! It can be difficult from the English cream of the muddle of Insurance-ESE, ESE-Legal and Big-Word-ESE jumbles that most policies and make it impossible for the average driver to understand without a dictionary in one hand and a thesaurus in the other! After a good grip on auto insurance terminology is an essential component of any successful insurance shopping try. The question is, how much auto insurance terminology you know? 1. At Fault – Believe it or not, this is not…
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    Medicare Update

  • CMS Redesigns Medicare Provider Statistical & Reimbursement System

    Michael Apolskis
    6 Nov 2009 | 10:54 am
    Over the last week, I have received a few inquires about a Medicare provider's responsibility with respect to obtaining a Provider Statistical & Reimbursement (PS&R) system report for cost report filing purposes.On June 12, 2009, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued Transmittal 153 (Change Request 6519) announcing that the redesigned PS&R system (PS&R Redesign) is available for use. According to Transmittal 153, the PS&R Redesign is to be used for filing and settling all cost reports with fiscal years ending on January 31, 2009 and later. Further,…

  • CMS to Host Home Health, Hospice & DME Open Door Forum

    Michael Apolskis
    6 Nov 2009 | 6:01 am
    The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) recently announced that it will hold the next Home Health, Hospice & DME Open Door Forum at 2:00 p.m. (ET) on December 2, 2009. To participate by telephone, one must dial 1-800-837-1935 and reference conference ID 40379384. To participate in person, RSVP and security clearance is required.  One must RSVP by 2:00 p.m. (ET) on November 27, 2009 to HOMEHEALTH_HOSPICE_DMEODF-L@cms.hhs.gov, and include your name, organization, telephone number, and "Home Health" in the subject line.  The Open Door Forum will take place at the Hubert H.

  • CBO Releases Cost Estimate for Medicare Physician Payment Reform Act

    Michael Apolskis
    5 Nov 2009 | 5:35 pm
    The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) recently released a cost estimate for the Medicare Physician Payment Reform Act of 2009 (H.R.3961), which would repeal the now 21.2 percent Medicare payment rate reduction for physician services in 2010 and restructure the sustainable growth rate (SGR).According to the CBO, H.R.3961 would increase direct spending by about $210 billion over the 2010-2019 period. The CBO estimates that the $210 billion increase would include an additional $195 billion in Medicare payments to physicians and $64 billion in new spending for Medicare Advantage plans and…

  • Region D Medicare Recovery Audit Contractor Adds New CMS Approved Audit Issue

    Michael Apolskis
    4 Nov 2009 | 1:19 pm
    HealthDataInsights, Inc. (HDI), the Medicare recovery audit contractor (RAC) for Region D, recently posted a new CMS approved audit issue for RAC review on its website.  The new CMS approved audit issue is titled "Infusion Pump Denied/Accessories & Drug Codes should be denied" and applies to all states within Region D.  See the HDI website for more details regarding the new CMS approved audit issue.Region D includes Alaska, Arizona, California, Hawaii, Iowa, Idaho, Kansas, Missouri, Montana, North Dakota, Nebraska, Nevada, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, Wyoming, Guam, American…

  • House Democrats Release Amendment to Affordable Health Care for America Act

    Michael Apolskis
    4 Nov 2009 | 8:58 am
    On November 3, 2009, House Democrats released a 42 page manager's amendment to the Affordable Health Care for America Act (H.R.3962).  The amendment can be found here.Subscribe to Medicare Update, follow me on Twitter @MedicareUpdate, and become a fan on Facebook.
 
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    Wallet Pop: Insurance

  • CitiGroup Says good-bye to life insurer Primerica

    Jennie L. Phipps
    6 Nov 2009 | 3:00 pm
    Filed under: InsuranceThe best technique for selling life insurance is known in the trade as "driving the hearse up to the door." When the salesperson drives the hearse up to the door, he describes at length all the horrible things that can happen if the family hasn't bought enough life insurance and leaves widows and orphans to starve.Continue reading CitiGroup Says good-bye to life insurer Primerica%a, %d %b %Y %H:%i:%s ESTPermalink | Email this | Comments

  • Bad actors continue to prey on seniors

    Amy Pyle
    4 Nov 2009 | 2:00 pm
    Filed under: Banks, Borrowing, Home, Insurance, Real Estate, Retire, Fraud, MortgagesBad actors have solidly shifted their attention to reverse mortgages, causing a top consumer organization to warn seniors to choose such loans carefully. A new report by the National Consumer Law Center likens the aggressive lending practices in today's reverse mortgage lending to those common in the sub-prime mortgage heyday -- featuring some of the same players. "Well-funded marketing campaigns and perverse incentives to brokers are targeting seniors' home equity and using reverse mortgages as their tools,"…

  • COBRA coverage for unemployed may be extended

    Lita Epstein
    4 Nov 2009 | 10:00 am
    Filed under: Insurance, Career, Health, Insurance-healthIf you lost your job, right now you can get a 65% subsidy from the government to help pay for a continuation of your health benefits under COBRA for nine months. The Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act may be a weird name for a bill about health insurance, but it's basically the law that requires companies to let people pay to remain on their group health insurance plans for at least 18 months. But that could end shortly. Congress passed the 65% subsidy as unemployment rose in this country, but it's due to expire Dec. 31. A…

  • Grassroots health care reform: How Americans can cut $1 trillion in health care costs

    Gina Roberts-Grey
    4 Nov 2009 | 8:00 am
    Filed under: Insurance, HealthAmericans are throwing $2.2 trillion at rising health care costs. But experts say there's a way we can cut out as much as $1 trillion. "Take better care of ourselves," says Margaret Lewin, MD, medical director of Cinergy Health. It sounds simple. Take care of yourself, spend less on health care. But experts say Americans are missing the mark when it comes to smoking, diet and other lifestyle choices.Continue reading Grassroots health care reform: How Americans can cut $1 trillion in health care costs%a, %d %b %Y %H:%i:%s ESTPermalink | Email this | Comments

  • AARP offers help to young people planning their financial future

    Tom Barlow
    2 Nov 2009 | 3:00 pm
    Filed under: Budgets, Insurance, TechnologyIn 1999 the American Association for Retired People officially changed its name to AARP to avoid the misconception that it was only for retired persons. Since that time, it has vigorously pursued baby boomers as they enter their golden years. Now, the association seems to be reaching even further down the ages, all the way to young people interested in gaining financial wisdom, by unveiling a new Web site, LifeTuner. LifeTuner is "an online personal finance community site born out of a growing recognition that young adults need to take a much more…
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    www.Artemis.bm

  • Weather insurance; sometimes you win even when it rains

    admin
    6 Nov 2009 | 12:11 am
    Here’s an interesting case where weather insurance has been purchased, it’s rained on the day of an event and the organisers are even more happy than if it hadn’t rained at all. A rare thing you might think. The town of Amherts in Massachusetts was celebrating it’s 250th anniversary with a parade that day. The event organisers had purchased a weather insurance policy which specified that if  rain above a certain amount fell between certain hours then they’d receive a payout. On the morning of the parade it rained 0.15 inches of rain (before it had started)…

  • Tropical Storm Ida (once a hurricane) heading to the Gulf of Mexico. Where next?

    admin
    5 Nov 2009 | 10:18 am
    Tropical Storm Ida became a hurricane earlier today before making landfall on eastern Nicaragua. The storm made landfall with winds of 75mph, has caused structural damage to buildings and is dropping between 15 and 20 inches of rain on parts of the country as it passes over. It will pass over Nicaragua and Honduras before making it’s way back into the Caribbean briefly. From there it is currently projected to pass close to the Mexican coast and head into the Gulf of Mexico. Forecasts at the moment suggest it will have weakened to a tropical depression by that time but once it emerges…

  • Financial Risks of Climate Change report released

    admin
    5 Nov 2009 | 12:07 am
    The Association of British Insurers report which they commissioned to look into climate change, the financial risks associated with it and how the insurance industry will cope has now been published. The report was produced by AIR Worldwide and the UK Met Office. As mentioned when I wrote about this a few days ago the loss projections are pretty large and the general conclusion is that the insurance (and reinsurance) industry is going to struggle to cope if projections are accurate. Here are some of the key findings: The inland flood component of insurance premiums could increase by around…

  • Would the reinsurance industry survive a Tunguska event?

    admin
    4 Nov 2009 | 11:42 pm
    Risk Management Solutions recently published a paper analysing the 1908 Tunguska asteroid event which hit Central Siberia in Russia and looking at scenarios to determine what might happen should a similar event occur today. If a similar event happened above Manhattan today it could cause over a trillion dollars in property losses and around 3.2m deaths. The Tunguska event wasn’t even a direct hit on the surface of the earth, rather it exploded 6 miles or so up in the atmosphere. This flattened 700 miles or more square. The thought of such an event occuring again now is not a nice one.

  • Bermuda pushing for bigger piece of catastrophe bond and ILS market

    admin
    4 Nov 2009 | 10:42 am
    The Bermuda First initiative has now released its long awaited report which looks into Bermudas future and how to make it a success. The initiative is a public-private effort jointly funded by the Bermudian government and some of the largest businesses in Bermuda (including reinsurers). The purpose was to better understand Bermudas economic position and to come up with ideas to ensure continued growth and prosperity. Not unsurprisingly this has included some mention of reinsurance and ILS. Bermuda has been pushing to try to increase its share in the insurance-linked securities market lately,…
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    Health Insurance News & Opinion

  • Democrats race to line up 218 votes

    admin
    6 Nov 2009 | 4:10 pm
    Politco – Democratic leaders trying to preserve a high-stakes Saturday vote on a House health reform bill battled a swift current of rank-and-file defections Friday as the White House swung into action to help corral the final votes.

  • House Dems say Sat. vote on health care may slip

    admin
    6 Nov 2009 | 2:07 pm
    Associated Press – House Democrats acknowledged they don’t yet have the votes to pass a sweeping overhaul of the nation’s health care system, and signaled they may push back the vote until Sunday or early next week.

  • Injury Upon Injury: Californians Losing Jobs Find State Health Safety Net Is Badly Frayed

    admin
    6 Nov 2009 | 1:16 pm
    Kaiser Health News – SANTA ANA, Calif. – Robin Willer slumps on the metal bench, her sweater drawn up over her swollen cheeks. “The cold hurts it,” she says, pointing gingerly to three broken teeth.

  • Democrats wary of health-bill defections

    admin
    6 Nov 2009 | 9:59 am
    Washington Post – House Democratic leaders were struggling Thursday to contain uprisings on the hot-button issues of abortion and immigration that have left them little margin for error as they attempt to push through a massive health-care reform bill this weekend.

  • 2 New Democrats to Be Sworn In Before Health Care Vote

    admin
    5 Nov 2009 | 1:50 pm
    Politics Daily – How “special” were the two special elections that the Democrats won on Tuesday night? So special that the winners, John Garamendi in California and Bill Owens in New York, will be sworn into their new jobs in the House of Representatives in time to cast their votes for the Democrats’ health care reform bill this weekend.
 
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    GC Capital Ideas

  • 2009 Reinsurance Readers’ Awards

    GC Editor
    6 Nov 2009 | 1:00 pm
    Your vote counts. Click here to participate in the 2009 Reinsurance magazine Readers’ Awards survey. Click here to begin the survey >> Continue reading...

  • Hurricane Ida

    GC Editor
    6 Nov 2009 | 11:21 am
    Ida developed in the Caribbean Sea on November 4, 2009 and is currently located approximately 75 miles (120 kilometers) southwest of Cabo Gracias a Dios on the Nicaragua/Honduras border. According to... Continue reading...

  • Week’s Top Stories: Oct 31 - Nov 6, 2009

    GC Editor
    5 Nov 2009 | 9:00 pm
    Impact of Earnings Volatility on Price/Book Ratios: The link between a company’s earnings and its share price is intuitive and well documented. Equally logical, although far less studied, is the... Continue reading...

  • Finding (Re)Insurance Innovators

    GC Editor
    4 Nov 2009 | 9:00 pm
    Chris McKeown, CEO of Global Analytical and Specialty Practices Contact It seems that everybody claims to be on the leading edge when it comes to the best tools and latest ideas for the (re)insurance... Continue reading...

  • Update: Explosions and Fire at Oil Storage Depot, Jaipur, India

    GC Editor
    4 Nov 2009 | 10:23 am
    A massive fire broke out on October 29, 2009 at an oil storage depot in the western Indian state of Rajasthan, killing at least 11 people and injuring 135 others. Two huge explosions were heard... Continue reading...
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    Insurance Information

  • Survey: Life insurance one of safer financial products available

    nexam1
    4 Nov 2009 | 12:38 pm
    Traditional life insurance protection is an essential safety net to many consumers, with two-thirds of those surveyed indicating that it is one of the safer financial products available today, new …   Read → Survey: Life insurance one of safer financial products available originally reported at IFAwebnews.com Sourced from: Group Life Insurance Related Websites Give Whole Life Insurance a Fair Comparison – Get Illustrations and Compare! I hope this post doesn’t end up on one of my favorite blogs, Bad Money Advice, but I wanted to actually compare some numbers for people. …

  • Women receive more life insurance benefits than men, survey says

    nexam1
    14 Oct 2009 | 12:08 pm
    A gender gap exists in the amount of life insurance benefits received by men and women after the death of a spouse, according to a survey by MetLife. Sourced from: Group Life Insurance Related Websites Life Insurance Strategies for Baby Boomers Many baby boomers have been paying for one or more life insurance policies for most of their adult lives.  As children grow up and move out, the need for life insurance diminishes.  Even an otherwise dependent spouse may not need as much or any life insurance protection.  Instead, accumulated retirement...... Looking For Life Insurance? Better…

  • Term Life Insurance and Home Mortgages

    nexam1
    16 Sep 2009 | 2:33 pm
    Term life insurance is a great way to protect against a mortgage or home loan default in the event of death of the main income earner.  The proceeds of a life insurance policy can pay off the balance or provide supplemental income for the monthly mortgage.  Although, many people cannot afford whole life insurance, especially young homeowners, term life insurance is a good, inexpensive alternative. You can purchase a level term policy with one premium and one death benefit for the term of the policy.  Terms usually run from a choice of 10, 15, 10, 25, or 30 years.  Another option (although…

  • How does a life insurance broker or agent get paid? Does it affect my premium?

    nexam1
    2 Sep 2009 | 12:03 pm
    Question: Can you tell me how a life insurance agent gets paid?  Does it affect my premium? Answer: Whether a life insurance agent works for a specific insurance company (captive) or is an independent, he earns his money from the sale of an insurance policy.  Those earnings are in the form of a commission paid directly by the insurance carrier. Commissions are built into the policy and will not change the premium rate you are quoted.  In other words, there is no surcharge and commissions are not paid directly by the client.  Because commissions are built into the policy and cannot be…

  • New Paper Evaluates Current State of Insurance Regulation and Its Future

    nexam1
    27 Aug 2009 | 11:53 am
    The current state of the financial services industries and the role of the federal government in regulating these industries, including the insurance sector, continues to be a matter of debate in … Sourced from: Insurance Journal Related Websites Homeowner Insurance - Florida Rates - Not A Lot Of Options I've written extensively about the homeowner's insurance problem here in Florida.  Our insurance is due for renewal soon, and we've been getting price quotes from a variety of companies.  After reviewing the quotes, we've decided to stay with our current provider, even though our…
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    Life Insurance No Exam - Insurance Information

  • Survey: Life insurance one of safer financial products available

    nexam1
    4 Nov 2009 | 12:38 pm
    Traditional life insurance protection is an essential safety net to many consumers, with two-thirds of those surveyed indicating that it is one of the safer financial products available today, new …   Read → Survey: Life insurance one of safer financial products available originally reported at IFAwebnews.com Sourced from: Group Life Insurance Related Websites Give Whole Life Insurance a Fair Comparison – Get Illustrations and Compare! I hope this post doesn’t end up on one of my favorite blogs, Bad Money Advice, but I wanted to actually compare some numbers for people. …

  • Women receive more life insurance benefits than men, survey says

    nexam1
    14 Oct 2009 | 12:08 pm
    A gender gap exists in the amount of life insurance benefits received by men and women after the death of a spouse, according to a survey by MetLife. Sourced from: Group Life Insurance Related Websites Life Insurance Strategies for Baby Boomers Many baby boomers have been paying for one or more life insurance policies for most of their adult lives.  As children grow up and move out, the need for life insurance diminishes.  Even an otherwise dependent spouse may not need as much or any life insurance protection.  Instead, accumulated retirement...... Looking For Life Insurance? Better…

  • Term Life Insurance and Home Mortgages

    nexam1
    16 Sep 2009 | 2:33 pm
    Term life insurance is a great way to protect against a mortgage or home loan default in the event of death of the main income earner.  The proceeds of a life insurance policy can pay off the balance or provide supplemental income for the monthly mortgage.  Although, many people cannot afford whole life insurance, especially young homeowners, term life insurance is a good, inexpensive alternative. You can purchase a level term policy with one premium and one death benefit for the term of the policy.  Terms usually run from a choice of 10, 15, 10, 25, or 30 years.  Another option (although…

  • How does a life insurance broker or agent get paid? Does it affect my premium?

    nexam1
    2 Sep 2009 | 12:03 pm
    Question: Can you tell me how a life insurance agent gets paid?  Does it affect my premium? Answer: Whether a life insurance agent works for a specific insurance company (captive) or is an independent, he earns his money from the sale of an insurance policy.  Those earnings are in the form of a commission paid directly by the insurance carrier. Commissions are built into the policy and will not change the premium rate you are quoted.  In other words, there is no surcharge and commissions are not paid directly by the client.  Because commissions are built into the policy and cannot be…

  • New Paper Evaluates Current State of Insurance Regulation and Its Future

    nexam1
    27 Aug 2009 | 11:53 am
    The current state of the financial services industries and the role of the federal government in regulating these industries, including the insurance sector, continues to be a matter of debate in … Sourced from: Insurance Journal Related Websites Homeowner Insurance - Florida Rates - Not A Lot Of Options I've written extensively about the homeowner's insurance problem here in Florida.  Our insurance is due for renewal soon, and we've been getting price quotes from a variety of companies.  After reviewing the quotes, we've decided to stay with our current provider, even though our…
 
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    InsureBlog

  • On the Record with Joe Wilson

    6 Nov 2009 | 11:28 am
    This morning, I was privileged to participate in a blogger teleconference with Rep Joe "You Lie!" Wilson (R-SC) about health care and the War on Terror. We'll focus primarily on the former, but I learned something very interesting about the latter which I'll share at the end of this post.Rep Wilson began by acknowledging the terrible events at Ft Hood yesterday, and expressing his concern about the victims and their families. He then spoke about yesterday's demonstration in Obamington, and segued into his support of HR 3400 (a Republican version of health care "reform"). He spoke about…

  • A Tale of Two Bills: Show Me the Money

    6 Nov 2009 | 6:00 am
    Let's put aside for a moment whether ObamaCare (that is, the Senate version -such as it is - and PelosiCare) includes coverage for abortions (it does) or Death Panels (it does), and focus instead on actual costs. According to the Congressional Budget Office, "in their true first 10 years, the House bill would cost $1.8 trillion, and the Senate bill would cost $1.7 trillion." [emphasis in original]And just to drive home the point that Granny's been thrown unceremoniously under the bus, PelosiCare includes some $800 billion in Medicare cuts, which is trumped only by the Senate version's $900…

  • Not Dead Yet

    5 Nov 2009 | 4:39 pm
    Late for your own funeral? Almost . . .MSNBC reports a bricklayer showed up at his own funeral . . . but was very much alive.A Brazilian bricklayer reportedly killed in a car crash shocked his mourning family by showing up alive at his funeral.What family members didn't know was that Goncalves had spent the night at a truck stop talking with friends over drinks of a sugarcane liquor known as cachaca, his niece Rosa Sampaio told the O Globo newspaper. He did not get word about his own funeral until it was already happening Monday morning.If he doesn't have life insurance, maybe now is a good…

  • AARP Throws Seniors Under The Bus: Turnabout Fair Play?

    5 Nov 2009 | 11:45 am
    After several false starts, AARP has pulled the trigger on its endorsement of PelosiCare, and the draconian Medicare cuts which will result. Any organization that seeks to put its own members at risk is, of course, free to do so, but it seems reasonable that there should be consequences for such a betrayal.Since I've never been a member, I can't tear up my AARP membership card, enclose it with a letter expressing my disgust and disdain, and then mail that to AARP's headquarters.But if you are, then I would encourage you to do so as soon as possible, and then head over to the American Seniors…

  • Showdown at the It's-Not-OK Corral

    5 Nov 2009 | 9:00 am
    It's high noon (really!), the sun is beating down on the dry, dusty town below as the gunslingers saunter out into the middle of the street. Eyeing each other carefully, squinting from the relentless heat and light, they face off, knowing that only one will walk away.A scene from a classic oater at InsureBlog?Hardly.FoIB Lyndsi Thomas tells us that "High Noon for Health Care is a joint project of an unprecedented coalition opposed to the government takeover of our heath care system."Once there, you can email, call or even twitter your congresscritter about PelosiCare. The idea is that…
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    Workers Comp Insider

  • Compensable Shampoo?

    Jon Coppelman
    6 Nov 2009 | 6:19 am
    Ginger Wilson works as a librarian in Montgomery County, Virginia. One day she arrived at work, got out of her car and headed for the library entrance. Then she remembered that she had a hair appointment at noon, so she returned to the car and opened the door to fetch a bottle of shampoo. A gust of wind caught the...

  • Cavalcade of Risk & other workers' comp news briefs

    Julie Ferguson
    5 Nov 2009 | 12:46 pm
    Debbie Dragon or Wise Bread hosts this week's Cavalcade of Risk, which she dubs the "the How Much Assurance Does Your Insurance Offer edition." As usual, a good source of some of the best biweekly risk-related posts in the blogosphere! OSHA - frequent citations - OSHA recently announced its Top 10 Enforcement Citations. For a more generic, non-company specific view,...

  • OSHA issues largest fine on record to BP

    Julie Ferguson
    3 Nov 2009 | 8:44 am
    At the end of last week, OSHA issued $87 million in penalties against BP for failure to make make the changes which were specified in a settlement agreement related to the 2005 explosion at a Texas refinery which killed 15 and injured more than 170 others. The second-highest penalty that OSHA has imposed was in 2005 for $21 million -...

  • The Tennessee Solution

    Jon Coppelman
    2 Nov 2009 | 8:29 am
    It's safe to say that no state has really solved the independent contractor/sole proprietor conundrum. Rather than require comp coverage for all workers, most states either exempt sole proprietors from coverage or make it optional. As a result, many small construction sites are full of "sole proprietors." No one works for anyone. Thoeretically at least, no one is in charge....

  • Halloween edition of Health Wonk Review; other news notes from the blogs

    Julie Ferguson
    29 Oct 2009 | 9:42 am
    Our local neighbor Tinker Ready of Boston Health News has done a most excellent job in her illustrated Halloween edition of Health Wonk Review – she even included photos from her local haunted house. Go visit now: Health Wonk Review: Killer viruses and the undead public option - lots of good posts in an entertaining format. Other news from the...
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    Managed Care Matters

  • Who's going to prosecute the prosecutor?

    jpaduda@healthstrategyassoc.com
    5 Nov 2009 | 6:11 am
    The most significant charge leveled against Sandy Blunt, former CEO of the North Dakota State WC fund, never should have been brought. And if it wasn't, he would never have been convicted of a felony. Blunt was charged with authorizing...

  • The Public Option in Workers Comp

    jpaduda@healthstrategyassoc.com
    4 Nov 2009 | 4:13 am
    Thanks to the good folks at Workers Comp Insider, I learned of an intriguing study conducted by Conning and Company that concludes (in part) that private work comp insurers don't perform as well as public ones. Here are a couple...

  • UPDATE - Ethics in workers comp managed care

    jpaduda@healthstrategyassoc.com
    3 Nov 2009 | 3:58 am
    For the update, see UPDATE below. Also, if you would like a copy of Todd's marketing presentation, email me at infoAThealthstrategyassocDOTcom. The presentation is not copyrighted, marked confidential or proprietary, or otherwise protected from distribution. Original post The world of...

  • States can deliver low work comp premiums and high benefits

    jpaduda@healthstrategyassoc.com
    2 Nov 2009 | 4:05 am
    A few states deliver high levels of benefits to injured workers at low premium rates, and a few deliver low benefits at high premium rates. Peter Rousmaniere's assessment of each state's work comp system not only tells us which states...

  • Who's the crook?

    jpaduda@healthstrategyassoc.com
    30 Oct 2009 | 3:55 pm
    Few things I've encountered in my twenty-five-plus years in the insurance business are as outrageous as the prosecution of Sandy Blunt, the former head of the North Dakota work comp fund. I've posted on this case several times; what originally...
 
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    Insurance Industry Blog

  • Galleon

    Claire
    6 Nov 2009 | 6:57 am
    Hope was that the whiff of financial scandal was dying down after fallout from the subprime and credit crisis, Madoff and Stanford Ponzi schemes. Then along came Galleon. Last month billionaire Raj Rajaratnam, founder of the now-defunct hedge fund Galleon Management LP, was arrested by the FBI accused in an insider trading case that allegedly generated more than $25 million in illicit gains. Six others involved in the scheme were also charged including senior executives at major companies including IBM, Intel and McKinsey & Co. Yesterday the Galleon probe widened with the charging of 14…

  • McCarty: Chinese Drywall Not a Covered Peril

    Claire
    5 Nov 2009 | 5:58 am
    An unexpected piece in the Chinese drywall puzzle has just been uncovered. Florida Insurance Commissioner Kevin McCarty has made clear that in his opinion insurers have no obligation to cover defective Chinese drywall because it is not a covered peril. The Sarasota Herald Tribune reports that at a meeting with state legislators earlier this week, McCarty told them the insurance industry is not responsible for the drywall problem and that ultimately the federal government would have to come up with a funding solution. The November 4 article by Lloyd Dunkelberger quotes McCarty saying: “This…

  • Class Action Case Before U.S. Supreme Court

    Claire
    4 Nov 2009 | 7:07 am
    An important case before the U.S. Supreme Court will decide whether state legislatures can limit class actions in federal court. It will also decide whether what started as a $500 claim by an individual litigant will become a $5 million class verdict, according to a report by SCOTUSBLOG. Oral arguments in the case were heard Monday and a decision from the justices is expected in late winter. The case – Shady Grove Orthopedic Associates, P.A. v. Allstate Insurance Co. – stems from an auto accident in which a Maryland woman was hurt. The clinic where she was treated subsequently filed a…

  • Flood Insurance Update

    Claire
    3 Nov 2009 | 6:21 am
    In case you missed the news, funding for the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) which was set to expire on October 31, 2009, has been extended once again by Congress until December 18, 2009. This is the latest in a series of temporary extensions for the program approved by the House and Senate as part of an appropriations bill for the Department of the Interior. An overhaul of the 41-year-old program is currently taking a back seat to healthcare reform and other major legislation on Capitol Hill. Ever since Hurricane Katrina in 2005, there has been debate over how to improve the NFIP.

  • Chinese Drywall Puzzle

    Claire
    2 Nov 2009 | 6:42 am
    A Chinese drywall symposium hosted by the University of Florida College of Engineering will be held in Tampa, Florida on Thursday and Friday (November 5 and 6) of this week. The event will bring together researchers from the primary state and federal agencies to present their findings on technical topics such as materials analysis, emissions testing, exposure assessment and toxicology, remediation and repair. Florida Senator Bill Nelson is scheduled to give the keynote speech on Friday. A preliminary report from the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) late last week found that while…
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    The New Health Dialogue

  • COST: Can Health Reform Heal the Federal Budget

    6 Nov 2009 | 1:58 pm
    Can health reform heal our federal budget? Yes, but whatever passes now is just the beginning, and there will always be room for improvement. That's our takeaway from an excellent event we tweeted this morning hosted by the US Budget Watch, a joint project between the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget and The Pew Charitable Trusts. There was a lot of ground covered by a panel of experts moderated by the Washington Post's Ceci Connolly and featuring New America's director of health policy Len Nichols. They tackled everything from raising Medicaid eligibility rates to fixing the…

  • QUALITY: A Good Beginning for Better Endings

    6 Nov 2009 | 1:02 pm
    After all the sound and fury of last August, we're pleasantly surprised that the right hasn't risen again with all sorts of horror stories about the resurrection, so to speak, of the "death panels." Maybe because all that fear-mongering was finally discredited. Maybe we are finally getting just a little bit smarter. The inevitable focus on the politics of health reform, and the disproportionate amount of attention paid to the public plan, sometimes obscures the many ways that the House and the Senate health plans are ambitious. Not perfect. Ambitious. I've heard experts, people I…

  • HEALTH CARE: Time for a Serious Discussion

    6 Nov 2009 | 12:06 pm
    We just posted on some of the measures within the House and Senate bills that may help lead us to improved care for people at the end of life. Here, Dr. Ira Byock, director of palliative medicine at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, N.H., returns as a guest poster to tell us what it all means for his patients -- and the doctors who treat them. Byock, the author of Dying Well, has written for us before about the need to think more broadly about what kind of changes we need in our health care system -- and our communities -- to do a better job of caring for sick and frail people…

  • IN THE NEWS: Will Health Care Reform Heal the Federal Budget

    6 Nov 2009 | 11:25 am
    Will be tweeting an event from US Budget Watch, a joint project between the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget and The Pew Charitable Trusts, asking whether health reform fix our fiscal problems (Tag: #budget). Len Nichols, the director of New America's Health Polciy Program will be participating in the discussion along with a panel of experts on health care and fiscal policy. Things are about to get going, but in the meantime you can check out the two most recent papers from U.S. Budget Watch:  Evaluating Health Care Plans and Comparing Health Care Plans. 

  • HEALTH REFORM: Big Day for the House

    5 Nov 2009 | 4:50 pm
    Today was a big day for the House's health reform efforts. The AARP, the American Medical Association and the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network publicly announced their support for the Affordable Health Care For America Act (H.R. 3972) (and, particularly for the doctors, the Medicare Physician Payment Reform Act (H.R. 3961) aka the "doc fix.") Today was the first time that the AARP has put its "full weight behind a comprehensive health reform package," the AARP statement says. "We started this debate more than two years ago with the twin goals of making…
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    Community Partners blogs

  • October 2 Western HAN meeting notes

    Anne
    5 Nov 2009 | 7:45 am
    Outreach workers are concerned about how continuing financial pressures are going to affect familiar programs and shape new ones, but they’re also still full of energy and ideas about how to reach the ever-growing number of people who need their help. The evolution of a national health care reform plan is also a subject of great interest and lots of feeling. read more

  • September HAN meetings: what's happening with health reform?

    Community Partners - Amherst
    21 Oct 2009 | 9:53 am
    As proposals for national health care reform were taking over the front pages, HAN outreach workers were dealing with the impact of budget cuts to our Massachusetts program made necessary by the recession. Our traditional fall guest, Health Care For All Research Director Brian Rosman, gave both our Amherst and Boston meetings additional background on this issue along with a broader view of how health care reform in Massachusetts is faring in these challenging times. read more

  • Boston Community Updates - September 24 Health Access Network meeting

    Anne Rosen - Community Partners - Amherst
    21 Oct 2009 | 9:47 am
    Please also see our complete September HAN meeting notes. In this section of the agenda, HAN members discussed CommCare Bridge, MassHealth dental services, the end of Commonwealth Care auto-enrollment, and community resources. read more

  • Western Community Updates - September 11 Health Access Network meeting

    Anne Rosen - Community Partners - Amherst
    21 Oct 2009 | 9:21 am
    Please also see our complete September HAN meeting notes. In this section of the agenda, HAN members discussed the transition to CommCare Bridge, MassHealth's email noticing, Medicare News, and community resources. read more

  • Can MassHealth Limited and HSN cover the gap for immigrant clients?

    Community Partners - Amherst
    10 Sep 2009 | 8:41 am
    People who lost their Commonwealth Care coverage on September 1 because they are deemed Aliens With Special Status (AWSS) will be enrolled into a new CeltiCare plan over the next few months. In the meantime, they have access to either MassHealth Limited + the Health Safety Net, or the Health Safety Net (HSN) alone. read more
 
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    GoHealth Insurance Blogs

  • AARP Endorsement a Coup for House Health Insurance Bill

    The Research Team
    6 Nov 2009 | 12:30 pm
    With the AARP’s official endorsement yesterday, the House health bill is moving more confidently toward its floor vote, just one day away. Several aspects of this moment gave us pause. The AARP has never endorsed this kind of comprehensive health care overhaul, and the House bill is the most sweeping overhaul of health care policy in four decades. "We started this debate more than two years ago with the twin goals of making coverage affordable to our younger members and protecting Medicare for seniors,” said AARP CEO Barry Rand to the Associated Press. "We've read the Affordable Health…

  • Can I Find Affordable Health Insurance in the City?

    The Research Team
    4 Nov 2009 | 2:13 pm
    We recently collaborated with the Chicago Sun-Times for an article that showed health insurance rates actually vary by Zip code. Using our instant health insurance quoting technology, we saw that residents living in the city of Chicago pay a bit more than those in the suburban areas. But after reading the article, you might wonder: Does this mean it’s impossible for city-dwellers to find affordable health insurance? Well, thankfully, no. It’s possible to find a plan that fits just about any budget — even if you reside within the city limits. Okay then. How, you ask? First, it always…

  • How Employer-Mandated Health Insurance Stacks Up

    The Research Team
    3 Nov 2009 | 4:47 pm
    All the bills currently in play — the house bill and the two in the Senate — contain employer mandates, but differ to what degree. This has provoked a few layers of questions.The Senate Finance Committee’s bill penalizes employers who don’t offer their workers any kind of coverage, but stops short of making any requirements whereas the bills from the House and the Senate Health Committee flat-out require employers offer their employees coverage. As a matter of fact, they go one step further: They require employers to contribute a significant share of the cost (except for small…

  • Report: Kids Without Health Insurance 1.6 Times More Likely to Die

    The Research Team
    30 Oct 2009 | 3:42 pm
    A new report from the Johns Hopkins Children's Center in Baltimore estimates that the deaths of 17,000 children in the United States over 17 years were due to lack of health insurance. The study analyzed 23-million hospital records from 37 states. After adjusting for different variables, the study concluded that uninsured kids were 1.6 times more likely to die than children who had insurance. While health reform is urgent from almost any angle, this really underscores the point. David C. Chang, a co-author of the study, said that health insurance had more of a dramatic impact on children’s…

  • House Debuts Their Bill for Health Insurance Reform

    The Research Team
    29 Oct 2009 | 3:30 pm
    Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi presented the Affordable Health Care for America Act today, the House’s health reform bill.  At 1,990 pages and $894 billion, the measure would extend coverage to 36-million people and reduce future federal deficits by $30 billion over the next 10 years. That last fact is a big win for President Obama and the Democrats who are face daily scrutiny from their Republican counterparts on adding to the deficit. It would broadly expand Medicare and provide subsidies to moderate-income Americans to purchase insurance. And, as promised, it includes a public…
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