It Figures

$152,000

A former, now deceased, employee of Columbus, Ohio-based State Auto Insurance Companies left the insurer $152,000 – half of his estate. In his will, Jack Boyle said the bequest was in gratitude for his livelihood and his good pension in retirement. He worked for State Auto for 25 years. Boyle was a claims representative in Cleveland from 1953 until he retired to Boca Raton, Fla., in 1978. He was 91 when he died in Florida last year. The insurer has turned the inheritance over to its charitable foundation and has named a program for matching corporate gifts after Boyle.

$5.9 Million

The Missouri Department of Insurance returned to consumers $5.9 million from insurance companies during the first half of 2009. The money was returned as a result of the department’s mediation efforts on behalf of consumers who had filed complaints. Common complaints included companies’ handling of claims, as well as marketing and sales practices. Health insurance had more complaints than any other type of insurance, followed by homeowners and life. In the first six months of 2009, the department took more than 2,700 formal complaints and assisted more than 2,000 consumers in writing and another 14,000 over the telephone.

$1 Million

Nebraskans who seek permits to harvest hay from state highways must carry $1 million in liability insurance, the Nebraska Department of Roads says. Until July 30, landowners who own property near the highways where they want to harvest hay will have first crack at access to the rights of way. After July 30, anyone may apply for the $40 permits.

1,450

Some 1,450 out of the 1,800 workers at the Patrick Cudahy Inc. meat packing plant in the Milwaukee suburb of Cudahy, Wis., were idled as a result of a fire at the plant that started on the night of July 5 in an area between the sprinkler system and the roof. Authorities warned residents within a mile of the plant to leave the area because of the threat of toxic ammonia fumes.