Declarations

Tornado Strike

“The next thing you know, the TV says a tornado hit… It’s the baddest I’ve seen.”

—Bob Pashko, of West Springfield, Massachusetts commenting on the tornadoes that ravaged the Bay State earlier this month, and caused at least $90 million in insurance claims. (Story on page 10).

Increasing Penalties

“Every day, countless drivers, particularly teenagers and young adults, drive with their eyes on a screen rather than the road. We need to impose a true deterrent to stop people from driving while using an electronic device.”

—N.Y. Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who is proposing to make texting behind the wheel a primary offense in the Empire State. The change would allow police to pull over motorists seen typing on their phones or other handheld devices while operating a vehicle – something they are not currently allowed to do. The $150 fine would stay the same, but offenders would also have three points added to their driver’s history record – rather than two – which could lead to higher insurance payments for drivers.

Exchange

“The core of the Insurance Exchange is to streamline a system that allows brokers to be better brokers and helps underwriters better underwrite.”

—Ken A. Crerar, president, The Council of Insurance Agents & Brokers, on the LexisNexis Insurance Exchange going industry-wide.