California News

2010 A Revolutionary Year for Truckers Insurance

The year 2010 might be considered revolutionary, as it is ushering in more changes for those who provide insurance for truckers than the industry has seen in a decade. Motor carriers, defined as anyone who uses a vehicle that has …

Downey Named CEO of AAA Northern California

AAA has named current company president Paula F. Downey CEO of AAA Northern California, Nevada and Utah and its insurance affiliate, the California State Auto Group. According to the company, Downey is the only female chief executive among top property …

Safety Advocates Propose National Database to Track Jockey Injuries

Horse racing safety advocates are proposing national systems for tracking jockey injuries and sharing horse pre-race medical records in an effort to reduce accidents. The third annual Welfare and Safety of the Racehorse Summit, sponsored by the Jockey Club, focused …

CMTA and CompWest Form Workers’ Compensation Partnership

The California Manufacturers and Technology Association (CMTA) and CompWest Insurance Company have formed a partnership to provide a group workers’ compensation program for California’s manufacturing sector. The program will be effective July 1, 2010 and will include over 120 classes …

Insurers Divest Nearly $400M in Iran-Related Assets

California Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner announced that his focus on reducing the exposure of California policyholders to risky Iran-related investments resulted in insurers selling nearly one-fifth of the assets the industry holds in the 50 companies the California Department of …

Michigan Man, Fired for Legal Pot Smoking, Sues Wal-Mart

A Michigan man has sued Wal-Mart Stores Inc. for firing him after he tested positive for medical marijuana he was using legally to treat pain from an inoperable brain tumor and sinus cancer. Joseph Casias, 30, said he was fired …

AIG’s Cassano Says U.S. Bailout Too Generous to Goldman

The former head of the AIG unit that nearly crippled the insurer said the 2008 taxpayer bailout of up to $182 billion was too generous to customers like Goldman Sachs. Goldman Sachs, in turn, insisted it simply followed its agreement …

Flood Insurance Program Back in Business Until Sept. 30

The U.S. Senate last night approved a temporary reauthorization of the federal flood insurance program until Sept. 30. The reauthorization of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) is retroactive to June 1, the date the program was halted. The unanimous …

U.S. Launches Pre-Existing Condition Health Insurance Plan

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced today the launch of a Pre-existing Condition Insurance Plan (PCIP) that will offer coverage to uninsured Americans who have been unable to obtain health coverage because of a pre-existing health …

Senate Committee Votes to End Oil Spill Liability Cap Retroactively

A U.S. Senate committee Wednesday voted to eliminate limits on liability that oil companies would face for damages stemming from offshore spills like the one in the Gulf of Mexico. The change, if approved and made law, would apply retroactively …