Quotations

Anytime, anywhere

‘I will meet anytime, anywhere with Allstate’s CEO to see if we can’t work out something that balances Louisiana consumer interests with company interests, and is in compliance with Louisiana law.”

– Louisiana Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon.

Donelon is attempting to find common ground with Allstate over the company’s plan to discontinue wind and hail coverage for homeowners in certain Louisiana parishes. Such a move would affect around 30,000 policyholders in that state.

Be kind to Mother Nature

“Considering Manhattan rail and subway lines often grind to a halt under the burden of three inches rain, it is frightening to imagine how New York City might fare in a Category 3 hurricane.”

– Lloyd’s America President Wendy Baker.

Speaking at the Northeast Hurricane Conference, which was organized by the Insurance Information Institute, Baker said insurers must reward policyholders with lower premiums for risk-adverse behavior—for building in moderate- or low-risk zones; for installing impact-resistant windows; and for laying down hurricane-proof roofs—and penalize those who practice risky behavior by drying up the wetlands and building on and destroying sand dunes.

“If we expect Mother Nature to be kind to us, we need to be kinder to her,” Baker added.

But does it really smell as sweet?

“What’s in a name?”

– American Tort Reform Association (ATRA) General Counsel Victor Schwartz.

Paraphrasing Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, Schwartz playfully suggested that a name change for the Association of Trial Lawyers of America (ATLA) would be futile.

“Will not a trial lawyer by any other name still find irresistible the sweet smell of self-interested litigation?” Schwartz added.

ATLA recently voted to change its name to the American Association for Justice, a name that ATLA leaders say more accurately reflects what they do.

Not waiting for lawmakers

“I think this is an appropriate thing to do in light of what happened. … And I don’t think that we need to be waiting for the Legislature or someone to come down and make us or tell us what to do.”

– Beaumont, Texas, school Superintendent Carrol Thomas. Four months after two students were killed in a bus wreck, Beaumont school officials are asking the district board to approve outfitting 30 new school buses with seat belts. Thomas said she will recommend buying 10 new buses with seat belts and adding belts to 20 others bought in June.

Texas does not require seat belts in school buses.

Source: Associated Press

Topics Louisiana