Disability Insurance: U.S. workers underinsured

A recent survey performed by The Hartford insurance company showed that over 50 percent of US workers are without disability coverage and the percentage continues to climb.  The research suggested that only 44 percent of U.S. workers have a form of long-term disability coverage, while 49 percent have short-term disability coverage.  When compared to 2010 the percentage for long-term disability insurance dropped by 3 percent and short-term disability insurance fell by 6 percent.  Executive vice president, Ron Gendreau for the Group Benefits at The Hartford said that “We are concerned…

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Forecast predicts a third of companies will cut health benefits

A new study from prestigious consulting firm McKinsey & Company suggests that as much as 30% of the nation’s employers will be making drastic changes to the insurance they provide to their employees. The firm suggests that the more these companies learn about upcoming insurance changes stemming from last year’s Affordable Care Act the more likely they are to make such changes. The study anticipates that these businesses will cease offering health care benefits or restrict access to such benefits to a select few in their service. If the study…

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Risk Management Services hurricane catastrophe model approved by Florida Commission

The residential property insurance marketplace in the state of Florida is expected to face an even greater amount of volatility after the modeling commission for the state approved the use of a new catastrophe model by Risk Management Services (RMS).  The RMS U.S. Model Version 11.0 was approved by the Florida Commission on Hurricane Loss Projection Methodology, which allows insurance companies to use it for the calculation of the potential exposure to hurricane loss.  That said, this model has not been without controversy, especially in terms of its changes to…

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Arkansas farming industry calculate high millions in lost crops

Residents and farmers from the eastern part of Arkansas are getting their first looks at the destroyed homes and ruined farmland that have resulted from the massive flooding in that region.  Many parts of the state rely primarily on agriculture as their main industry.  According to the Arkansas Farm Bureau, an estimated $500 million has been lost in crops due to farm flooding, with an estimated millions more having been lost as a result of other damage such as to equipment.   The Farm Bureau also stated that agriculture typically brings…

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New bill in Maine calls for lawmakers to pay health insurance tax

Republican legislators in Maine have proposed a new bill that would levy a $4 monthly health insurance tax throughout the state. The bill notably exempts federal and state employees from the tax, drawing harsh criticism from both Democrats and citizens. Democrats had submitted amendments to the bill late last week that would remove the exemption for lawmakers, but the notion was dismissed by Republicans. However, Senator Richard Whittemore, R-Skowhegan, issued an emergency legislation that would require state legislators to be included in the tax. The reasoning behind the proposed tax…

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