Crack down on auto insurance cheats

The Independent Democratic Conference wants to target what they call “auto insurance cheats,” and hold them accountable for supposed wrongdoings. The IDC wants to crack down on rate evasion, in which drivers living in areas whose auto insurance rates are high register their vehicles out of state to take advantage of cheaper coverage. Diane Savino, Senator of Staten Island, decried the practice as “an illegal and costly scam.” She claims that rate evasion steals nearly $1 million in revenue for the state each year from registration and other fees. Savino…

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Pennsylvania health care for low income families in danger

Children’s Health Insurance Program kids

The low-cost health insurance program for Pennsylvania is on shaky ground today.   The low-cost health insurance program for Pennsylvania is on shaky ground today. Providing coverage for more than 40,000 adults, the program is in deep danger of being shut down due to dwindling funds.  In a recent announcement, Governor Ed Rendell office stated that money for this program will run dray by the end of February. Governor-elect Tom Corbett is encouraging the state’s nonprofit health insurance providers to allow enrollees into “Special Care” plans, funded by insurers. On…

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Americans opting for higher deductible health plans may pay the price down the road

Americans opting for high deductible health plans may pay the price down the road

Health experts agree, people with higher deductibles see the doctor less due to threat of high “out of pocket” medical costs, and are more likely to end up in the emergency room due to undetected disease. A recent survey showed the average workers have increased their deductible to over a $1000, this figure has more than tripled over the past four years. Along with individual health plans, consumers are opting for deductibles as high as $10,000 to keep premiums low. Higher deductibles have become more and more popular with small…

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New York employees receiving health insurance from employers decreasing

New York employees receiving health insurance from employers decreasing

Before 2001, 69% of New York workers received health insurance from their employers.   That year, those covered by employer health plans dropped to 58%. This puts city workers below the state average. Sixty-five percent of workers nationwide obtain their health insurance from their employers.  Seventy percent of New York companies offer health insurance; this has stayed steady. In 2009 only 60% of companies nationwide offered health insurance. According to David Sandman, senior vice president of the New York State Health Foundation, “Job-based coverage is the backbone of the United…

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Insurance companies hesitant to insure motorcycle taxis

Insurance companies hesitant to insure motorcycle taxis

Insurers are not providing new products for motorcycle taxi owners. This is because of the increasing number of accidents.  Last month, the government required that all motorcycle taxis have to be insured, the riders must wear helmets, drivers must have a valid license and standard fare rates are a necessity. Despite the new reforms, insurance companies have excluded motorcycle coverage.  Insurers say it is because there has been a high loss ratio regarding theft and accidents.  The losses are significantly higher than it is for private vehicles. According to the…

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