Iowa News

USDA Mulls Options on Midwest Flood Aid

The U.S. Agriculture Department (USDA) will look “at everything possible” to aid Midwest farmers hurt by the worst flooding in more than 15 years, Agriculture Secretary Ed Schafer said in late June. Agricultural losses in Iowa may be “in the …

Iowa Agents in Flooded Areas Meet the Challenges

Well Thought Out Disaster Plans Make the Difference Midwest agents with offices located in flooded areas are facing the challenge of “staying afloat,” so to speak, during the devastation of what some have called the 500-year flood event. Iowa has …

It Figures

14,500 Dog bites now account for one-third of all homeowners insurance liability claims, costing $356.2 million in 2007, up 10.5 percent from the previous year, according to the Insurance Information Institute (I.I.I.). An analysis of homeowners insurance data by the …

When is a Collapse a Collapse?

Navigating the Field of Conflicting Views Consider the following scenario: An earthquake, tornado, flood or similar natural catastrophe causes significant structural damage to an insured’s home. Although the building is still standing, the structural engineers conclude that the structural integrity …

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. International Energy Package Market Detail: MarketScout provides a market for clients needing coverage for foreign …

Iowa’s EMC Insurance: Storm Losses Lower 2008 Earnings Estimate

Des Moines, Iowa-based EMC Insurance Group Inc. says Midwest storm losses will reduce its profit for the year. The property and casualty insurer is lowering its guidance to a range of $1.20 to $1.45 per share from the previous range …

Iowa Gets Increase in Federal Disaster Assistance

President Bush is making additional federal disaster assistance available to Iowa to help with the deadly storms and flooding that have ravaged the state since late May. Under an order signed on on June 30, the federal share of total …

U.S. Agriculture Chief Cites Obstacles to Aid to Farmers Hurt by Flooding

The U.S. agriculture secretary says he is concerned that legal hurdles prevented much immediate federal help for Midwestern farmers faced with serious setbacks because of flooding. “I think everybody is frustrated because there’s never enough you can do,” Ed Schafer …

Allstate Study: Sioux Falls Safest Driving City for Third Year

An insurance study has once again found that Sioux Falls has the safest drivers in the nation, marking the third straight year that South Dakota’s largest city has topped the list. Researchers with Allstate Insurance Co. analyzed two years of …

America’s Safest Drivers Travel the Roads in America’s Heartland

Residents in Sioux Falls, S.D., continued to top the chart as the safest drivers in the U.S., according to the fourth annual Allstate America’s Best Drivers Report. The average driver in Sioux Falls experiences an auto collision every 14.6 years. …