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Louisiana Homeowners Insurance Pricey; Texas, Florida More Expensive

Louisiana remains the third most expensive homeowners insurance market in the nation behind Florida and Texas, according to newly released data from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners. The average premium in Louisiana for a standard homeowners policy in 2007, …

Premium Financing Specialists Acquires Universal Premium Acceptance

Premium Financing Specialists Inc. (PFS) has closed the acquisition of another Kansas City metro area-based premium finance company, Universal Premium Acceptance Corp. (UPAC). The combined company of almost 300 employees will support approximately 13,000 insurance agent and broker clients and …

Obama Labor Chief Taking Aggressive Approach to Workplace Safety

Soon after she became the nation’s labor secretary, Hilda Solis warned corporate America there was “a new sheriff in town.” Less than a year into her tenure, that figurative badge of authority is unmistakable. Her aggressive moves to boost enforcement …

Michigan’s H.E.A.T. Recovers $51M in Stolen Property in 25 Years

Since its inception in 1985, tips to Michigan’s Help Eliminate Auto Thefts (H.E.A.T.) program have led to recovery of more than $51 million in stolen property and arrests of more than 3,300 suspects involved in auto theft-related crimes Livonia-based H.E.A.T. …

Traffic Deaths Decline in South Carolina

South Carolina authorities say 2009 has been the safest year on the state’s roads in 14 years. Preliminary reports say 881 people died on the state’s roads last year, compared to 921 deaths in 2008. The State of Columbia reports …

Wet, Cool Year in Arkansas; Fewer Tornadoes Than ’08

First there was the ice that blanketed the northern third of Arkansas. Then the tornado that ripped through Mena. Next came rain – record-breaking amounts of it in 15 Arkansas cities and areas. Long, soaking rains and quick, heavy downpours …

Chemical Firm Cited in Deadly South Carolina Ammonia Leak

A chemical company committed seven serious violations and was fined more than $23,000 after a ruptured hose caused an ammonia leak that killed a passing motorist in July, South Carolina workplace safety officials announced. Southampton, Pa.-based Tanner Industries didn’t have …

State Leaders in Iowa Look to Cedar Falls for Flood Law Ideas

After devastating floods in 2008, Cedar Falls, Iowa, enacted a new flood plain ordinance. And state officials are paying attention. State Sen. Rob Hogg says what Cedar Falls has done shows great foresight. Hogg is part of a group of …

Heritage General Agency Renamed Worldwide Facilities Inc.

Los Angeles-based Heritage General Agency, a managing general agent and operating division of Worldwide Facilities Inc., has changed its trade name to Worldwide Facilities Inc. There will be no change in staff, offices or contact information other than the Worldwide …

Washington To Tackle Credit Scoring, Streamline Agent/Broker Licensing

Bills to improve health care, protect consumers, ban the use of credit scoring , streamline the licensing of agents and brokers, and broadening the definition of what’s considered “emergency care” are all on Washington’s Office of the Insurance Commissioner’s (OIC) …

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