Articles by Patricia-Anne Tom

When people think unpleasant events are over, they remember them as being less painful or annoying than when they expect them to happen again. That is due to the power of expectation, a power that helps people brace for the …

In just about every metropolitan area nationwide hungry customers can appease their appetites by visiting the neighborhood taco truck. The traditional taco truck sells more than just tacos these days – a lot more. Today’s mobile food vendors sell everything …

An audit committee has found no evidence of impropriety in Pinnacol Assurance’s incentive, expense and pay policies, but nevertheless recommended the Colorado-based workers’ compensation insurer “maintain a heightened sensitivity that reflects Pinnacol’s unique public nature while operating in the private …

Ustun Inan Insurance, an agency celebrating its 29th year of business in Fremont, Calif., has joined The Iroquois Group, according to agency principal Ustun Inan. Inan has been in the property and casualty insurance business since 1981, and has been …

Property/casualty insurance premiums written in Arizona have declined in 2009 to $7.6 billion, down from $8.1 billion in 2008, according to a recent economic impact report. According to the Arizona Insurance Council, which compiled information from various sources including the …

Former members of the self-insured workers’ compensation program Contractors Access Program of California, which was managed by now defunct Majestic Insurance Co., have filed a formal objection to the California Department of Insurance’s Majestic Insurance rehabilitation plan. According to the …

In an effort to save the state about $500,000, California Gov. Jerry Brown has proposed eliminating the Office of the Insurance Advisor and the Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board, according to his proposed May Budget Revise. The Office of …

A bill that would have prevented state and local governments from imposing accident response fees for emergency response in vehicle accidents has died in the Senate Public Safety Committee. Senate Bill 49 would have prohibited a city from charging a …

Given the recent flooding, hurricanes and earthquakes, it appears the number of catastrophic events that inflict mass casualties and severe economic losses has increased – so much so that Dr. Erwann Michel-Kerjan, managing director of the Wharton Risk Management and …

The California Senate Insurance Committee has blocked a restitution bill that would have given explicit authority to the state Insurance Commissioner to order restitution as part of an administrative enforcement action against an insurance company. The insurance agent and broker …