TweetYou may have seen the Florida tourism ads in the last few weeks assuring people that the water and beaches are clean and oil free. (Frankly, they’re begging folks to come on down and spend money. Perfectly understandable.) What they … Continue reading
Monthly Archives: June 2010
Kids and Parental Health Insurance: Scene in Flux
TweetIt’s fair to say that everyone expected the transition to a new health care model — one where insurers are to be held to greater account — to be confusing in the beginning. It’s equally fair to say that no … Continue reading
Obama Warns Insurers About Premium Hikes
TweetYesterday President Obama had a little sit down with the chief execs of more than a dozen major insurance companies. The president is concerned, and rightly so, given the track record of some of these companies, that they will use … Continue reading
2010 Shaping Up to Be a Year of Big Property Damage
TweetM.P. McQueen did an interesting piece for the Wall Street Journal today entitled “As Hurricane Season Begins, Insurance Gets Harder to Find.” The lead lays the 2010 situation out bluntly: From the Gulf oil spill and the floods in Arkansas … Continue reading
National Flood Insurance Program Languishes in Senate
TweetWhile it’s probably pointless to say, “What is the Senate thinking?” you do have to wonder where their priorities are when yet again lawmakers have voted down legislation that included a provision to reauthorize the National Flood Insurance Program. The … Continue reading
Pet Insurance? Savings Account May Work As Well
TweetAs someone who has gone through a major, extended, and expensive illness with a much-loved pet, getting insurance for my animal companions has crossed my mind. The American Pet Products Manufacturers Association’s latest survey says 62 percent of American homes … Continue reading
Communities and States Continue to Debate Texting Laws
TweetOne by one, cities across the nation are cracking down on texting behind the wheel. On Monday, June 7, the Springfield, Massachusetts city council passed a home rule petition by a 12-1 margin to allow police to fine anyone who … Continue reading
Has the Time Come for Insurance and Government to Get Along?
TweetIn the wake of almost three years of political in-fighting and public debate about the ethics and behavior of the insurance industry, the Obama administration and insurers have discovered the need to kiss and make up. Both sides need the … Continue reading
Vermont Latest State to Ban Texting While Driving
TweetAs of Tuesday, texting while driving is illegal in Vermont. Vermont governor, Jim Douglas, signed the law allowing the ban on June 1st at Montpelier High School, making his state the 25th to have such legislation. In addition to a … Continue reading
Louisiana Insurers Lose Ground in Chinese Drywall Battle
TweetThe Insurance Journal is reporting that insurance companies in Louisiana are continuing to lose ground in the ongoing battle against a ban on dropping or changing property insurance coverage because of corrosive Chinese-made drywall. The proposal will now be debated … Continue reading