Author: Julie Campbell

Julie Campbell has been writing professionally for over 15 years, following a brief career in the insurance industry, in which she took emergency claims while guiding and supporting policyholders through some of the most difficult moments in their lives. Today, she reports on the latest stories and most recent news in the insurance industry, with a particular focus on how current events are impacting everyday people. Follow Julie Campbell on Google+

Not all travel insurance covers coronavirus risk, so check your policy

Julie Campbell
Travel insurance covers coronavirus - Person wearing mask

Americans with traveling plans may want to look at their coverage if they’re worried about an outbreak. If you’re headed away from home for a vacation or business purposes, it’s a good idea to check if your travel insurance covers coronavirus outbreak-related losses if you’re headed to a potentially affected area. China has implemented travel bans unlike anything that has been tried before in a number of its cities. The coronavirus outbreak couldn’t have come at a less convenient time in China. At the height of the Lunar New Year…

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Nationwide announces new bird and exotic pet insurance product

Julie Campbell
Exotic pet insurance - Macaw Parrot

Americans keep many animals other than dogs and cats in their homes and want coverage for them. Nationwide recently announced the launch of a new type of bird and exotic pet insurance plan. It acknowledges that there are many other types of animal friends in American homes than dogs and cats. The coverage is designed to protect legal pets that may require veterinary care in their lifetimes. Current estimates show that about 15 percent of American pet owners have an exotic animal or a bird. These can include anything from…

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Will State Farm lose its US auto insurance dominance to Geico?

Julie Campbell
US Auto insurance - Hands and car

If current trends continue, the United States will have a new top vehicle insurer by 2022. For decades, State Farm has held onto the top spot among US auto insurance companies. That said, if recent trends keep up as they have been, it won’t be long before it loses its crown to a much younger rival. State farm has suffered business losses as a result of several steep rate hikes in recent years. The leader in US auto insurance has suffered steep losses after a spectrum of notably large rate…

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Washington Insurance Commissioner Kreidler fines Starbucks insurer $24 million

Julie Campbell
Washington Insurance Commissioner - Starbucks Coffee Shop

The state commissioner ordered the coffee chain’s insurer to pay taxes, penalties and interest. Washington Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler ordered a Starbucks owned insurer to pay almost $24 million in fines. The insurance company is required to pay the total amount in taxes, penalties and interest. The full amount of the fine is the result of Starbucks’ insurer’s alleged unauthorised insurance sales. If, when all is said and done, Starbucks is required to pay the complete amount the Washington Insurance Commissioner, it would approach $24 million. This would be the…

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Allstate intends to phase out Esurance auto insurance brand

Julie Campbell
Esurance Auto Insurance - goodbye sign

The insurer has revealed its plans to hang up the brand eight years after having first acquired it. Eight years after purchasing Esurance auto insurance and homeowners coverage, Allstate has decided to divest itself of the brand. According to Allstate’s chief exec, Tom Wilson, the insurer is making the preparations necessary to say goodbye to the brand. The insurer has decided to continue the sale of the policies while phasing out the brand name. Allstate will still be selling the same home policies and Esurance auto insurance coverage the brand…

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Judge gives the nod to Pacific Gas and Electric $24.5 billion plan

Julie Campbell
Pacific Gas and Electric - person holding money on fire

Two settlements have received approval, one for the victims of the wildfires and one for insurance companies. A San Francisco federal bankruptcy judge has approved two settlements from Pacific Gas and Electric Corp. for its role in the 2018 wildfires in Northern California. The two settlements total $24.5 billion and acknowledge PG&E equipment sparked several fires. The two settlements from Pacific Gas and Electric Corp are for the victims of the fires that devastated regions throughout Northern California, as well as the insurance companies that were required to pay wildfire…

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California residents with no health insurance risk tax penalties

Julie Campbell
No Health Insurance - Person holding money

Uninsured people living in the state may have to shell out for failing to enroll in a health plan. California residents are being advised that a new state law says that if they have no health insurance, they may face a significant tax penalty. This regulation would apply to next year’s health plans and those in following years. That said, it’s important to note that not all people with no health insurance will be required to pay. There are certain exceptions that will allow some residents to be able to…

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