Government News

Pennsylvania Ponders Increased Auto Liability Limits

A new bill introduced to the Pennsylvania senate would double the minimum liability amounts of auto insurance policies in the state. Current laws set minimum liability limits for bodily injury at $15,000 per person and $30,000 for a group of …

Fewer Properties Expected in Flood Plain With South Dakota Project

A flood-control project in the works for more than 20 years should be completed next year, removing 1,500 properties from Sioux Falls, S.D.’s flood plain, a city official said. Once the flood-control measures are in place, probably by the end …

Indiana Ins. Commissioner Carol Cutter

Indiana Insurance Commissioner Carol Cutter passed away Sept. 6, 2010, in Indianapolis, the National Association of Insurance Commissioners reported. “We are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of our colleague, Indiana Insurance Commissioner Carol Cutter. Carol brought a wealth …

Florida Insurer Blames Exit on Fraud

With a letter sent out a few weeks ago, Explorer Insurance announced that it will no longer write private automobile policies in Florida because there is too much fraud. “The company is taking this action in light of poor ongoing …

Pennsylvania Jury Awards No Damages in 1993 Gas Spill Suit

A northeastern Pennsylvania jury has decided against awarding damages to four people who claim they were sickened by a gasoline spill that contaminated hundreds of homes almost two decades ago. The Luzerne County jury decided that the two couples waited …

Business Moves

Unisource Program, U.S. Risk Specialty lines underwriting manager and wholesale broker U.S. Risk Insurance Group Inc. has taken over Florida-located Unisource Program Administrators, a wholesaler of workers’ compensation, for an undisclosed sum. The deal will enable the Dallas-based U.S. Risk …

Senate Panel to Hear Extending Flood Insurance Program This Week

The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) is set to expire on Sept. 30, just as the 2010 Atlantic Hurricane Season reaches its height. The House has already passed an extension, while a Senate panel is slated to hear a bill …

Post-Katrina Duties and Liabilities of Insurance Agents and Brokers

The Louisiana Supreme Court Weighs In Following Hurricane Katrina, many insurance agents and brokers were sued by customers who found they were underinsured for their losses caused by the hurricane. It is fair to say that most of those claims …

Indiana Jury Awards $23M in Pesticide Misuse Case

A southern Indiana jury has awarded $23.5 million to a family whose lawsuit alleged that pesticides sprayed in their apartment afflicted two children with severe neurological problems. The Floyd County jury’s verdict came 14 years after Todd and Cynthia Ebling …

Wind Inspectors in Louisiana Say Insurers Vary on Proof for Discounts

In the entire state of Louisiana, there are only 16 of them, and they want business. They are certified wind inspectors, and for $150 to $200 they say they can knock hundreds of dollars off homeowners’ annual insurance premiums. “I …