Articles by Patricia-Anne Tom

Court says database alone not sufficient in determining reimbursement costs

The Colorado Court of Appeals has ruled against State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Co., noting that the insurer’s exclusive use of a computer database to determine reimbursements of medical costs was unreasonable. The decision opens the door for a class-action …

Calif. Supreme Court qualifies enforcement of class action waivers

The California Supreme Court has ruled that class action waivers in arbitration agreements are unenforceable if a court determines “that a class arbitration would be a significantly more effective way of vindicating the rights of affected employees than individual arbitration.” …

Court Says Database Alone Can’t Decide Medical Reimbursement Costs

The Colorado Court of Appeals has ruled against State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Co., noting that the insurer’s exclusive use of a computer database to determine reimbursements of medical costs was unreasonable. The decision opens the door for a class-action …

Calif. high court rules discovery does not apply to reinsurance documents

The California Supreme Court has ruled that a statute authorizing limited discovery of a defendant’s insurance coverage does not include authorization to look into reinsurance agreements as part of facilitating a pretrial settlement. In Catholic Mutual Relief Society et al. …

Countrywide announces more job cuts to come

Calabasa, Calif.-based Countrywide Financial Corp. has announced plans to address changing market conditions, in part due to the subprime mortgage meltdown. As part of the plan, the company said it would be reducing its workforce by a total of 10,000 …

Surplus Lines Rules Clarified for Calif. Retail Agents

California retail agent-brokers not transacting insurance on behalf of surplus line broker organizations are not required to follow a new law affecting surplus lines brokers, the California Department of Insurance confirmed. CDI clarified the requirements of the new law after …

Thriving in today’s challenging insurance environment

The insurance industry has witnessed a reduction in the number of markets, agents and brokers, and overall industry personnel in the past 10 years. Meanwhile, many markets continue to soften, competition has increased with Internet direct sales, and there are …

Calif. Supreme Court Qualifies Enforcement of Class Action Waivers

The California Supreme Court has ruled that class action waivers in arbitration agreements are unenforceable if a court determines “that a class arbitration would be a significantly more effective way of vindicating the rights of affected employees than individual arbitration.” …

Countrywide Announces More Job Cuts to Come

Calabasa, Calif.-based Countrywide Financial Corp. has announced plans to address changing market conditions, largely due to the subprime mortgage meltdown. As part of the plan, the company said it would be reducing its workforce by a total of 10,000 to …

Calif. Legislative Session Ends, Governor Calls Special Session

California’s legislative session for 2007 ended with a flurry yesterday, but at least two priorities failed to materialize, causing Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger to call special sessions to focus on those issues. Topics remaining that need to be discussed include an …