Currents

Texas leads the way in decreasing the number of railroad accidents

Texas experienced 49 fewer railroad accidents — the largest decrease of any state — in the first half of 2007 than it did during the same period in 2006. The decrease was part of a trend of continuing railroad safety …

Major Internet disruption would cost $250 billion in economic damages

New report urges CEOs to take action now to ensure continuity of their businesses should a meltdown occur A major disruption to the Internet would not only be detrimental to businesses, public institutions and citizens, but also would cost the …

Proponents push plans for natural catastrophe insurance solutions

The need for solutions to address insurance costs and availability in natural catastrophe-vulnerable U.S. coastal regions — including a federal safety net — was the general theme at a public hearing in Mobile, Ala., on Sept. 24. Dozens of concerned …

Supreme Court to hear case pitting federal v. state product liability laws

The Supreme Court said late last month that it will decide a case that centers on whether federal regulation of pharmaceuticals preempts state law. The case involves a product liability lawsuit against Pfizer’s Warner-Lambert unit. A group of Michigan plaintiffs …

California clarifies surplus lines rules for 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 after numerous questions arose from …

Former franchisees challenge Brooke agent dealings

Overland Park, Kan.-based insurance agency franchisor Brooke Corp. has been hit with a number of lawsuits that raise questions about its business dealings with agents who bought into its nationwide operation, which now boasts some 800 locations. Brooke Corp. itself …

House-passed flood insurance bill provides optional windstorm coverage

The U.S. House of Representatives has passed a measure updating the nation’s flood insurance program that will give homeowners the option of purchasing windstorm coverage as part of their flood policy. The legislation also reauthorizes the National Flood Insurance Program …

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 …

Oct. 31 is deadline for insurer review of premium credits in La.

Insurance companies have until Oct. 31 to review the discounts they offer for property insurance policies in Louisiana that don’t cover wind or have high hurricane deductibles, according to a bulletin issued by the Louisiana Department of Insurance. Department officials …

The offshore reinsurance tax debate resurfaces in Congress again

An industry executive, representing a coalition of 14 large U.S.-based insurance groups, told the U.S. Senate Finance Committee late last month that a major tax advantage for certain foreign insurance groups could threaten the future of the domestic insurance industry. …

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