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Ban of Texting While Driving Didn’t Reduce Crashes

As for me – it’s too early to judge… As for me, it’s too complicated to prosecute. As far as I can see – people still use their cellphones while driving. They talk and text, and get in trouble. How many time have you noted someone, whose driving style was insulting least to say… and then you noticed that person was on the phone? Although, it’s believed that talking on speakerphone is okay and safer, still road hazards are there, waiting for us to happen. However, a study released Tuesday by the Highway Loss Data Institute found no reductions in… Read More »Ban of Texting While Driving Didn’t Reduce Crashes

Insurance for contractors – announcement

In the past we were resistant to write insurance for artisan contractors. We were mostly dealing with small, usually one man, companies, and efforts spent to provide insurance quote most of the time weren’t justified with a bottom line. Today we’re happy to announce “Happy Artisan Contractors” program. Premium starts from $750 to $1000 in California ($450 to $1000 in other states). Excess Liability up to $5,000,000 is also available. Limits 300,000/300,000/300,000 (CA, NV, OK & OR only) 500,000/500,000/500,000 500,000/1,000,000/1,000,000 1,000,000/1,000,000/1,000,000 1,000,000/2,000,000/1,000,000 1,000,000/2,000,000/2,000,000 Artisan contractors who perform new construction in tract home subdivisions of up to 10 homes are acceptable!… Read More »Insurance for contractors – announcement

Modified Privacy Regulations Make Insurance Shopping Easier in California

In what’s being called “a major victory for insurance agents and brokers,” the California Department of Insurance has notified the California Office of Administrative Law of its intention to repeal certain portions of its privacy regulations. The CDI notified OAL of its decision to repeal California Code of Regulations Section 2689.8(c)(3). That provision requires agents and brokers to annually mail privacy policies to all customers, and to provide an “opt out” form that, if returned by the customer, prevents broker-agents from shopping on renewal to find better policies from other insurance companies, explained Insurance Brokers and Agents of the West,… Read More »Modified Privacy Regulations Make Insurance Shopping Easier in California

Drivers More Cautious When Monitored by Traffic Cameras

Red-light cameras — recent additions at many Washington intersections — make drivers more cautious in pushing the limits of yellow lights, according to a recent poll. In a survey conducted by PEMCO Insurance, 55 percent of drivers said the cameras made them think twice before going through a yellow light. Yet drivers surveyed also said they would prefer the state do away with the cameras. Thirty-one percent of those polled support more cameras in the areas where they drive, while another 31 percent said the number of existing cameras is “about right.” And 29 percent said fewer or no cameras… Read More »Drivers More Cautious When Monitored by Traffic Cameras

Poor Service Leads to Fraudulent Insurance Claims: Survey

More than half of U.S. consumers say poor service from an insurance company is more likely to cause an individual to commit fraud against that company, according to a survey by Accenture. The survey also reveals a significant increase in claims filed, with nearly half of U.S. adults saying they had filed property/casualty insurance claims at some time, up from less than one-third in a similar survey conducted in 2003. The proportion of individuals who have filed an insurance claim increases with age and income the survey shows. For example, among people over 55, more than 60% have filed a… Read More »Poor Service Leads to Fraudulent Insurance Claims: Survey

Fuel Efficient Vehicles Update

An ultralight, gas-powered car that can get 102 miles per gallon is among the winners of the $10 million Automotive X Prize, a contest to develop highly efficient, production-ready vehicles. The X Prize, which is funded by Progressive Insurance, gave 111 teams 30 months to develop their vehicles and then put them through driving, safety and efficiency tests. Some of the prize money will go into development of the next generation light car, and once it is ready – it will be offered partner manufacturers for production.

Fatalities Related to Work Up in Texas

Texas recorded a preliminary total of 480 work-related fatalities in 2009, a 4% increase compared to the revised 2008 total of 463 fatalities, as reported by Texas Department of Insurance, Division of Workers’ Compensation. Nationally, there were 4,340 fatal work injuries in 2009, a decrease of 17 percent from the revised total in 2008, according to the most recently available data released on Aug. 19, 2010, by the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI). Although transportation incidents continued to be the leading cause of fatalities (163 incidents), there was a decline… Read More »Fatalities Related to Work Up in Texas

Hartford Launches Renewable Energy Unit

With the U.S. energy industry on the verge of a “renewable revolution,” fueled by state-level renewable portfolio standards and significant investments by public and private entities, companies engaged in renewable energy will need to protect their assets and investments while seeking ways to capitalize on the industry’s tremendous growth potential. The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. today announced the formation of its Renewable Energy Unit to address the unique and evolving needs of the rapidly growing renewable energy industry. The new unit will provide specialized underwriting and a full suite of property and casualty insurance products and services for makers,… Read More »Hartford Launches Renewable Energy Unit

Will Group Health Cost Rise in 2011?

According to Hewitt’s Associates, group health care plan costs are expected to increase an average of 8.8% in 2011, the largest percentage gain since 2005, new research shows. The average group health plan cost per employee is projected to rise to $9,821 next year. Costs include employer and employee premium contributions, but not employee out-of-pocket expenses, such as copayments and coinsurance. The analysis is based on information from 325 large employers, which mainly self-fund their health care programs. That 8.8% cost hike compares with a 6.9% increase this year and 6% increases in 2008 and 2007. The spike in costs… Read More »Will Group Health Cost Rise in 2011?