Maryland court sides with Allstate’s decision to not write new policies for coastal properties

Maryland’s highest court has sided with Allstate this week in a case regarding the insurer’s move to stop writing new homeowners policies in coastal regions. The case emerged in 2007 when the insurer chose to step away from the coastal market due to the potential for natural disasters. The insurer’s move was spurred by a catastrophe model that suggested that losses in these regions as a result to hurricanes or other storms could be gargantuan. The Maryland Court of Appeals chose to uphold the rulings of lower courts, agreeing that…

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Forms of insurance coverage not always considered by consumers

Though consumers are typically aware that they need homeowners’, renters’, and automobile insurance, there are other forms of coverage that can be offered by policies of which they may be entirely unaware unless they are highly knowledgeable about the various types of protection available. Some of them include: • Personal Electronic Equipment Insurance – this is a very practical insurance for consumers who have expensive electronic devices at home, such as televisions, audio equipment, or computers. It covers loss and damage and might even pay for repairs and replacement, depending…

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Florida catastrophe fund faces major financial deficit

Florida’s hurricane fund is facing a major financial shortfall, according to Jack Nicholson, chief operating officer of the fund. The fund, which was established in the wake of 1992’s Hurricane Andrew, provides money to insurance companies in order to help those displaced by natural disasters. Nicholson issued a warning to state legislators this week that noted that the fund faces a $3.2 billion deficit and will not be able to offer aid in the event of a major storm for the immediate future. This year, the fund has provided insurers…

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Allstate proposes higher rates for Pennsylvania homes

Allstate of Pennsylvania has issued a new rate proposal for its property and casualty insurance lines. The company is seeking to raise its rates due to the unprecedented frequency of national disasters befalling the state. These disasters have placed the insurer under enormous financial pressure as it attempts to mitigate the damage caused by this year’s multitude of storms. The insurer is asking state regulators for approval to raise its rates by an average of 20% for the 195,000 policies in effect in Pennsylvania. This year’s storms have caused damage…

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Understanding the basics of condo insurance

Condo owners, similar to owners of houses, can greatly benefit from the coverage provided by insurance that protects them from damage to their property, as well as from liability. Many condo owners do have questions about condo insurance, however, as it is slightly different from the typical homeowners policy. Though they remain quite similar, there are some ways in which they differ due to the nature of the condo itself. In order to find out what types of insurance are available to your condo, speak with an insurance provider. Many…

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