Hurricane Irene has come and gone but the storms effects may linger for several years. To date, the storm accounts for an estimated $7 billion in damages throughout the East Coast, making it one of the most costly natural disasters to strike the nation. The costs of damage are expected to influence property insurers who have long been leery of offering coverage to homes and businesses in risk prone areas. Consumers may be seeing higher premiums this year as a result of the hurricane. Higher premiums have been the theme…
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Hurricane Irene threatens to make landfall in the U.S. this week
The first major hurricane of the season has manifested in Irene, and it has been gaining strength as it surges toward the Bahamas. Weather trackers from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration are predicting that Irene may make landfall as soon as Thursday. The hurricane has been growing in strength since its formation early Tuesday and has yet to show signs of slowing. Florida will be the first state that is hit by Irene should the hurricane reach the U.S., but both South Carolina and North Carolina will bear the…
Read MoreArkansas Insurance Commissioner issues moratorium due to storms
In light of the recent occurrences of severe and destructive weather, the Insurance Commissioner of Arkansas, Jay Bradford, has announced a moratorium for policyholders residing in the most affected areas of the disaster. The Arkansas Insurance Department issued a bulletin to the states insurers informing them of the 60-day moratorium. The initiative will target those who have not paid their latest round of premiums. The Department is urging residents to contact their insurance providers to see if they qualify for the moratorium. Bradford hopes that the move will help ease…
Read MoreStorm chasers prey on unsuspecting homeowners in times of chaos
Senate Bill 101 passed by an almost unanimous vote, sending the consumer protection law on to Missouri Governor Jay Nixon. The bill was created to protect homeowners from being ripped off by scamming contractors and home repair workers. Unfortunately, in times of disaster, some people will see it as a money making opportunity. They know that typically, after an area is hit by a natural disaster, state and government funds are poured into that region to help aid and recovery efforts. The officials call these unethical people “storm-chasers”. This is…
Read MoreCould be just the beginning as deadly storms rip through the U.S.
Spring storms tore through the southern portion of the states last week leaving massive damage and loss of life in its aftermath. Virginia is no stranger to bad weather; over the last sixty years, they’ve had almost 600 tornados. But the previous storms were not like this one. Initial figures have eleven deaths total, and over 7.5 million in damages in one county. Virginia is used to getting thunderstorms and even tornados. However, most are EF1, or an EF2 and short lived. They don’t stay formed for very long and…
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