Articles by Julie Lake

Suhr Risk Services: Driven to Excel

Strategic client reduction helps the company to provide a concierge-level of service When a company loses more than half of its clients, that could portend a demise in business. But that’s not always the case, according to California-based Suhr Risk …

Recession, Soft Market Forcing Western Agents to Refocus

Whether the nation is in a true recession may still be up for debate, but it’s difficult to ignore the signs of economic slowdown throughout the West โ€” and its effect on the insurance industry. New home construction is grinding …

Recession, Soft Market Forcing Western Agents, Brokers to Refocus

Whether the nation is in a true recession may still be up for debate, but it’s difficult to ignore the signs of economic slowdown throughout the West โ€” and its effect on the insurance industry. New home construction is grinding …

Calif. Commissioner Poizner Abandons Uninsured Driver Initiative

California Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner has withdrawn support for a proposed ballot initiative that would have required state and local law enforcement officers to remove the license plates of, and eventually impound, vehicles lacking proof of insurance and current valid …

Calif. Department of Insurance Denies it Violated Claims Adjusting Firm’s Settlement Terms

Matthew Todd, vice president of Paramount Disaster Recovery Inc., is claiming a media release by California Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner misrepresented Paramount’s actions related to a recent lawsuit as well as the terms of a settlement the company made with …

Consumer Groups Challenge USAA Rate Filing

The Greenlining Institute is the most recent consumer protection organization to file a petition with the California Department of Insurance over a proposed rate filing by the United States Automobile Association. Greenlining’s petition joins an earlier petition by the Foundation …

Flood Map Changes Worry Sacramento Officials, Builders

The Federal Emergency Management Agency’s plans to designate Sacramento’s fast-growing Natomas sector, north of the Sacramento and American rivers, as a Special Flood Hazard Area AE Zone in December is stirring up widespread concern that the new requirements could amount …

Colo. Legislation to Ban Use of Credit Scoring in Underwriting Defeated

Agents, insurers praise legislation’s defeat but say the battle is not over yet As the issue of credit scoring continues to be the subject of state legislative proposals, insurance agents in Colorado are celebrating the defeat of a bill that …

From Insurance to Candy

For former insurance pro, life really is a box of chocolates Although it’s been many years since See’s Candies President Brad Kinstler was at the helm of an insurance company, and even longer since he was involved in underwriting and …

Consumer Groups Challenge USAA Rate Filing

The Greenlining Institute is the most recent consumer protection organization to file a petition with the California Department of Insurance over a proposed rate filing by the United States Automobile Association. Greenlining’s petition joins an earlier petition by the Foundation …