Insurance Rates

2009-01-02 The Royal Gazette

Advisen estimates that the property and casualaty industry was overcapitalised by around usd. 100 billion by the end of 2007. Consultants Towers Perrin forecast a decrease in policyholders surplus - capital supporting underwriting operations - of up to usd. 80 billion by the end of 2008. While this erosion of capital should signal that the soft market is close to its bottom, the global recession will delay the return to higher rates through decreasing demand, as companies look for ways to slash their insurance bills, including a likely increased use of captives, Advisen said.

www.royalgazette.com

2009-01-01 S. F. to fight bias in health insurance costs

Gender rating is illegal in 10 states and restricted in two more, but in California, state legislation allows insurance companies to set different rates, on the basis that women are more expensive to care for than men, even without including maternity care. At least until age 55, women tend to visit their doctors for annual screenings and checkups more often than men and are more likely to suffer from certain chronic diseases.

Herrera has sent a letter to the state attorney general giving notice that San Francisco intends to sue the state if legislation allowing gender rating is not repealed. The city is targeting two state statues, one that was passed in 1991 and the other in 2005. The gender rating policy only came to the citys attention a few months ago when a national study on insurance rates was released.

www.sfgate.com

2009-01-01 Rotatori: Framingham caught in employee benefits trap - Waltham, MA - The Daily News Tribune

Framingham town leaders at the time did agree to participate in this program and now we are in a lose, lose situation. A most devastating decision for Framingham taxpayers. Our current budget expense for employee health insurance is nearly usd. 30 million for this fiscal year. If insurance rates increase by 9 percent per year, this figure will escalate to usd. 60 million in eight years.

The MetroWest Daily News article of , "HMO rates up for town employees," states that employees will pay an additional 1 percent toward their medical insurance coverage, with the town paying 89 percent. I find this "negotiated agreement" to be insulting and a slap in the face of Framingham taxpayers.

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2008-12-31 The North Carolina News Network - Departing State Insurance Commissioner Wants The Offices Power Preserved

For many years, Long has served as final arbiter for auto insurance rates. Most times he approves something significantly lower than what the industry wanted. There is talk of the legislature changing the rules to give future commissioners less power. He disputes claims the current arrangement makes it hard for insurers to be profitable. Long says he may be spending some time at the General Assembly, to keep an eye on possible legislation that could change the current arrangement.

www.ncnn.com

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2008-12-28 Anthem womans inquiry leads to sweepstakes win

Anthem womans inquiry leads to sweepstakes win

Rehbock decided to check her coverage after trading in her Nissan Xterra for a Nissan Altima. She thought her rates would fall. Her insurance premiums didnt drop much, but she did come out winning.

AAA Arizona held a sweepstakes to get customers to check their home and auto insurance rates, said Linda Gorman, public affairs director for the insurance company.

Patricia Rehbock won usd. 20,000 in gas cards from AAA Arizona after logging on to the Web site to look for an insurance quote.

www.azcentral.com

Anthem womans inquiry leads to sweepstakes win, The Rehbock family plans to cruise into 2009 expense free - at least when it comes to gas. Patricia Rehbock recently won usd. 20,000 in gas cards from AAA Arizona after logging on to the website to look for an insurance quote. - Anthem womans inquiry leads to sweepstakes win

2008-12-28 New Waterford trims property insurance costs - Salem News

Harold also said insurance rates likely decreased because the village did not file any claims last year and because some of the village-owned properties have decreased in value.

Harold said the village switched insurance companies from Cooper Insurance, which was with a larger group known as the Municipal Insurance Alliance, to Whittaker Myers under a policy known as the Ohio Plan.

He said the Ohio Plan is made up of municipalities throughout Ohio who have banded together to receive lower rates.

www.salemnews.net

2008-12-28 Insurance chief modernized state agency - Local and State - News and Observer

Insurance chief modernized state agency

But while Long, 68, misses the old-time politics, he would like to be remembered as the person who helped modernize the insurance department and helped keep insurance rates affordable.

When Long took over the insurance commissioners office in , the agency was in disarray. His predecessor was John Ingram, a populist who rejected every insurance industry rate request. Ingrams erratic management style included frequent firings of his aides and staff meetings in a parking garage because he feared that his office was bugged.

www.newsobserver.com

Insurance Commissioner Jim Long is a throwback to an earlier generation of Tar Heel politicians -- one practiced at trading quips at country stores, fish fries and volunteer fire departments. When he retires in January after 24 years heading the state regulatory agency, Long will be the third-longest serving state-wide elected official in Tar Heel history. - Insurance chief modernized state agency

2008-12-26 Insurance sector rising as Insurance rates go Up.

There has been a lot of speculation surrounding this homeowners rate filing, but I feel that weve reached a settlement that is fair to both consumers and insurance companies in North Carolina," Long said in a news release. "No one likes to see their insurance rates go up, but the industry made a strong case for allowing some increases this year. The silver lining is that most consumers wont see nearly the increases that were initially proposed. "

caps.fool.com

2008-12-25 Its About Your Community - Pork Industry Losses Affect Barn Insurance Rates

Richard Barnabe, CEO of BSI Insurance, says with the current state of the industry insurance providers will not be willing to insure additional barns.

He says large hog operations will probably be hit the hardest by the shock as they are insured by the larger insurance providers.

These are the insurers that Barnabe believes will leave the hog industry and meanwhile, smaller insurance providers will not be willing to take on the additional risk.

www.pembinavalleyonline.com

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2008-12-25 Towns residents could see up to 45 pct. drop in flood insurance rates - Related Stories - NAMIC dailyLead

Provincetown, Mass. , health inspector Brian Carlson is in the final stages of applying to FEMA for participation in the federal flood insurance program. If accepted, residents could see reductions of between 5 pct. and 45 pct. in their individual policies issued by the National Flood Insurance Program.

Designed specifically for insurance industry professionals, NAMIC dailyLead is a FREE, daily e-mail news briefing. It provides the latest news and information on the insurance industry.

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Towns residents could see up to 45 pct. drop in flood insurance rates - Towns residents could see up to 45 pct. drop in flood insurance rates