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California

Proposed Insurance Disclosure Notice in California

California legislators are considering whether to allow certain insurance policies and  disclosures to be consolidated into one document, printed in smaller type. Currently, the  law requires an insurer, upon receiving notice of a claim, to immediately, but not more than 15 calendar days after receipt, provide the insured with a legible reproduction of the specified Insurance Code section, in at least 12-point type, detailing acts prohibited as unfair trade practices, and a written notice, as specified. SB 596 would require that the contents of the written notice be changed and be in at least 10-point type. The bill also would… Read More »Proposed Insurance Disclosure Notice in California

Dog Bite Claims Highest in California

California leads the nation in the number of claims made and paid out by State Farm Insurance for dog bites, according to the Bloomington, Ill.-based insurer. The insurer recorded 369 claims were made, and $11.3 million was paid out in the Golden State in 2010. In 2009, only State Farm paid out $90.1 million in dog bite liability claims in the United States. That compares to $83.2 million in 2008, $84.6 million in 2007 and $78.1 million in 2006. In terms of the number of claims, it was more than 3,500 in 2009, which is similar to in previous years.… Read More »Dog Bite Claims Highest in California

10 Important Calls to Make After Flood Damage

California and Florida: Flood waters can cause a lot of destruction to your home, depending on how high the waters were, and how long it takes them to recede. The water can damage not only the contents of your home, but much of the building materials using in your home as well. If this is the first time you have experienced flood damage to your home, it can be overwhelming. Here is a list of ten important phone calls to make once the flooding is over. Insurance Company – This is the first call you should make. Of course, this… Read More »10 Important Calls to Make After Flood Damage

How to verify Employers Insurance in California

The California Office of Administrative Law has approved new regulations for creating a Web site that will allow people to verify employers have workers’ compensation insurance coverage, and for employers to dispute with the rating organization or the employer’s insurance company incorrect information displayed on the Web site. Policy numbers will not be disclosed on the Web site. The Workers’ Compensation Insurance Rating Bureau will create the Web site. The regulations will take effect on March 12. Check back later for the website address.  

Community Development Financial Institution Investments in California

California Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones is offering insurance companies $4.67 million in tax credits to invest in underserved communities. Under the program, investors place a minimum of $50,000 on deposit with a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) for 60 months at zero percent interest. In exchange, the investor receives a 20 percent state tax credit, with an approximately 4.5 percent annual percentage rate of return. In the recent past, CDFIs across the state have made notable investments, including: • A mortgage loan for a nonprofit residential alcohol treatment facility; • Micro-loans of $500 to $5,000 to self-employed business owners; •… Read More »Community Development Financial Institution Investments in California

Please do not vote to eliminate the ADHC benefit for the frail elderly.

Dear friend, We need your help today. ADHC ELIMINATION PROPOSAL – MAKE TELEPHONE CALLS TODAY! The full Senate and Assembly Budget Committees will take up the ADHC elimination proposal Friday, February 18. The agenda is not yet available but we know the hearings will begin at 9:00 AM. There is no public testimony. We need to generate as many telephone calls today as possible to the Budget Committee members and Leadership offices. The call should only be 15-30 seconds so the next person has a chance to call in. Make sure you identify you are a constituent if your legislator is on one of the committees.… Read More »Please do not vote to eliminate the ADHC benefit for the frail elderly.

AB 2774 – California OSHA Law

AB 2774 became law in California on Jan. 1, 2011. It’s one of the most important pieces of occupational safety and health legislation since Cal/OSHA came into existence. What does AB 2774 do? It provides the Division of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH) with a series of steps that must be completed to establish a serious violation. And if the steps are followed, employers will face major fines that are more likely to stick—and stick without reduction. This isn’t an additional hurdle for DOSH to surmount. In fact, the law was essentially written by DOSH to make it easier for… Read More »AB 2774 – California OSHA Law

Lower X-Mode for California Businesses

California employers saw lower experience modifications in 2010, thanks to changes to the experience rating formula. On Nov. 9, 2009, California Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner issued a decision approving several changes to the experience rating formula including updated credibility values (“B” and “W” values) and a revised mechanism for segregating claims into their primary and excess components. These changes were proposed by the WCIRB at the recommendation of the Experience Rating Task Force and are intended to simplify the experience rating system and improve its predictive accuracy. The WCIRB conducted an analysis of the approximately 115,000 2010 experience modifications that were… Read More »Lower X-Mode for California Businesses

New CEO at California State Fund

California’s State Compensation Insurance Fund has named Tom D. Clark as its chief operating officer. Clark, who assumes his new role on December 1, will replace Harrison D. Jerome, who retires at the end of the year. Clark, a 30-year veteran of the workers’ compensation insurance carrier, will oversee marketing, safety, and field operations, as well as purchasing inhis new role. He has extensive experience in claims, all aspects of customer service, regional management in Stockton and Sacramento, and marketing. He most recently served as State Fund’s president of field operations and has helped solidify business relations with insurance brokers… Read More »New CEO at California State Fund

Did You Say ‘No’ to Legal Marijuana?

Amid strong employer opposition, California voters have rejected Proposition 19, which would have eliminated criminal penalties for marijuana possession. The California Chamber of Commerce, for example, sponsored “No on 19” radio ads. In addition to concerns about the measure’s potential impact on worker safety, the chamber argued that the measure would have set up “a new class of protected workers and essentially require employers to provide extra protections for marijuana users above those provided to other employees.” 53.8% of California voters opposed the measure in Tuesday’s balloting. 45.3% voted for the measure. Paperless Comment: fitness and sport release same number… Read More »Did You Say ‘No’ to Legal Marijuana?