Illinois News

Ark. Gov.: 5 Counties Disaster Areas Due to Tornado, Thunderstorm

Ark. Governor Mike Beebe declared Benton, Conway, Craighead, Poinsett and Pope Counties state disaster areas due to the damage caused by thunderstorms and tornadoes on Jan. 7 and Jan. 8. Beebe’s declaration releases $250,000 from the Governor’s Disaster Fund to …

Ariz. Court Goes Against State Farm in Uninsured Motorist Case

An Arizona Supreme Court ruling issued late last week blocks insurance companies from lowering underinsured motorist payments to injured people who have received workers’ compensation. The ruling against Bloomington, Ill.-based State Farm insurance could affect cases where insurers cut payments …

ISO: Insurers to Pay $6.5 Billion in 2007 Catastrophe Claims

U.S. property/casualty insurers are expected to pay homeowners and businesses $6.5 billion for 2007 property losses from 23 catastrophes — the eighth lowest cost in a decade and the seventh lowest frequency for the same period, according to preliminary analysis …

Sometimes It’s Good to Lose

For the first time in six years, Illinois’ Madison County has not led the list of “judicial hellholes” put forth by the American Tort Reform Association (ATRA). (See page 6for full story.) For Illinois, not making the list is good. …

Mo. Earthquake Insurance Task Force to Review Market Changes

Although Midwesterners worry most about tornadoes, snow and ice storms, lurking in the back of every homeowner’s mind is the knowledge that we, like our California brethren, lie just above a major earthquake fault line — New Madrid. Although no …

Illinois’ Madison County Dropped from ‘Judicial Hellhole’ List

Ann Callis knows Madison County’s court system has taken mighty public knocks, from President Bush branding it an example of medical malpractice litigation run amok to a special-interest group calling the venue a “judicial hellhole.” As the county’s chief judge, …

Declarations

Big Brother? “These cameras are another important tool that motorists can use when deciding if they should head out on the road.” —Darin Bergquiest, South Dakota Transportation secretary comments on how new cameras might save lives or prevent injuries. Motorists …

New Markets

The following markets were selected from the MyNewMarkets database of 25,000 coverages and programs. To find additional markets, or to submit markets, go to www.MyNewMarkets.com. Jewelers Block Nuts & Bolts: Jewelers Block is offering coverage including retail, wholesale and manufacturing …

Midwest States Fall Below National Average for Homeowners Premiums

A new National Association of Insurance Commissioners’ (NAIC) report shows Ohio homeowners and most Midwestern states pay some of the lowest homeowners’ insurance rates in the nation. The Ohio Department of Insurance announced that new figures from the NAIC show …

New Markets

The following markets were selected from the MyNewMarkets database of 25,000 coverages and programs. To find additional markets, or to submit markets, go to www.MyNewMarkets.com. Jewelers Block Nuts & Bolts: Jewelers Block is offering coverage including retail, wholesale and manufacturing …