Author: Marc

State Farm homeowners insurance not required to cut rates, says judge

Marc
State Farm homeowners insurance - State Farm Office

The California Department of Insurance has been fighting a legal battle with the insurer over premiums. The California insurance commissioner was wrong in saying that State farm homeowners insurance rates had to lower. A judge ruled that the insurer was not required to charge its home and renter policyholders less. The decision stepped around a current unresolved question regarding Proposition 103 and its reach. Proposition 103’s author was among those who criticized the decision regarding State Farm homeowners insurance rates. California Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones accused State Farm of profiting…

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Insurance fraud fighting gets a boost in North Carolina

Marc
Insurance Fraud - North Carolina Boosts number of Insurance Fraud Agents

The state’s Insurance Department has added 15 agents to its team of scam hunters. The North Carolina Department of Insurance has announced the expansion of its insurance fraud investigation team. Fifteen new special agents will take part in criminal investigations. North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey made the announcement. The additional insurance fraud investigating team members have doubled the previous size of the department, said Causey. The N.C. Insurance Commissioner has implemented a new strategy for eliminating scams and fraudulent activities involving insurance in North Carolina. The expansion of the…

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California health insurance premiums may spike, analysis

Marc
California health insurance premiums - American and Californian flag

Covered California predicts a possible spike in rates residents are paying for policies. California health insurance premiums may sharply rise over the next few years. In fact, Covered California’s own analysis predicts a 35 percent increase by 2021. When compared to the current rates, Californian consumers may pay 35 percent more over three years. The state is among a total of 15 predicting average rate hikes of 35 percent by 2021 compared to their current rates. Across the United States, consumers purchasing coverage on an insurance exchange may pay more.…

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Health insurance complaints rise 30 percent, breaking previous records

Marc
Health Insurance Complaints - Frustrated Woman

The Private Health Insurance Ombudsman recorded a striking spike in the number of complaints filed. The total number of health insurance complaints rose by 30 percent from 2016 to 2017, says the Private Health Insurance Ombudsman in Australia. The Ombudsman recorded the massive rise in the number of filings it received, bringing the total to 5750 in 2016-2017. There were many issues involved in the complaints, but the majority were driven by Medibank. The Ombudsman’s most recent State of the Health Funds report said that the “increase of over 1300…

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Gun owners insurance policies thin out following Florida shootings

Marc
gun owners insurance

MetLife and Chubb have severed their ties with the National Rifle Association. The Florida shootings may make it more challenging to purchase gun owners insurance. Both Metlife and Chubb have made decisions to sever their relationships with the National Rifle Association. Chubb announced it would no longer underwrite National Rifle Association branded insurance policies. The company stated that its gun owners insurance underwriting would cease under the NRA’s brand. That coverage is designed to assist gun owners in paying their legal costs should their firearms be used in self defense.…

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Louisiana car insurance rates are getting higher this year

Marc
Louisiana car insurance rates auto

Premiums for auto coverage are rising across the country but this state has particular issues causing a spike. Drivers in nearly every state are watching their premiums rise this year and, due to unique conditions in the state, Louisiana car insurance rates are rising significantly. In fact, the current environment in the state is making sure auto policies are among the most expensive in the U.S. Upon hearing the news of the rate hikes, drivers in the state have expressed significant frustration. Local papers reporting on the Louisiana car insurance…

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Idaho autism insurance reform in spotlight from advocate group

Marc
Idaho autism insurance

This is one of only four states in the country without a mandate requiring coverage for those on the spectrum. A new Idaho insurance reform effort is underway as a result of an advocate group that wants to bring the state up to the national standard. There are only four states left in the country that do not require private insurance companies to provide autism treatment coverage. The new movement is designed to encourage reform in autism health insurance coverage. Over the weekend, advocates for Idaho autism insurance met in…

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Abortion insurance bill moves through Washington Senate

Marc
abortion insurance bill Woman Using Her Mobile Phone

The measure is now on its way to the state House, in which previous years have passed it. The Washington Senate recently passed an abortion insurance bill, sending it forward to the House. Should the measure become law, it would mean that insurance companies in the state that offer maternity care would also be required to provide coverage for contraception and elective abortions. Senate Bill 6219 passed the Senate with a vote of 26-22, including the vote of one Republican. In this vote, Senator Joe Fain (R) voted along with…

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California lawmakers are attempting to improve natural disaster preparedness and response

Marc
california natural disaster preparedness insurance hollywood los angeles

The state has been plagued by different types of catastrophe over the last few months. The catastrophes in California over the last few months have been fatal to dozens of people, spurring natural disaster preparedness efforts among state lawmakers. Emergencies have been widespread and frequent, revealing a need to improve readiness and response strategies. Governor Jerry Brown and state lawmakers are seeking to change state regulations to improve disaster response. The various factors to be included in the state national disaster preparedness changes will include the emergency alert systems, insurance…

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Usher’s accuser sues insurance broker for sharing private herpes medical information

Marc
lawsuit Usher’s insurance broker company

Laura Helm has filed a lawsuit against the team that shared her sensitive data in the Usher case. The case involving women accusing Usher of willingly spreading his herpes has returned to the headlines with a lawsuit against an insurance broker. This time, one of the accusers, Laura Helm, has sued three health insurance companies that allegedly shared her private medical records without her permission. Helm’s lawsuit is against Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Louisiana, United Healthcare, and Golden Rule Insurance Company. She claims to have filed her “private…

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