The Consumer Federation of America (CFA) and the property/casualty insurance industry are clashing. Late last week, the CFA released a report titled “The Insurance Industry’s Incredible Disappearing Weather Catastrophe Risk.” The report accuses the P/C insurance industry of “overcapitalizing” and making no effort to cover the risks of floods and terrorism. The CFA is urging state and federal insurance regulators to take action and prevent insurers from imposing any more costly rate hikes. Insurers have a different perspective. As a whole, the industry is decrying the report. They are arguing…
Read MoreTag: federal insurance regulators
Department of Health and Human Services seizes control of rate review process in Arizona
Arizona insurance companies are falling prey to federal insurance regulators as the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) seizes control of the rate review process in the state. Last year, federal regulators began reviewing rates proposals from a company that sought approval for a 40% increase. Regulators decried this as one of the most unreasonable rate proposals they had seen since the passing of the Affordable Care Act and have vowed to fully investigate proposals coming from 32 other health insurance companies. Federal regulators will be reviewing any proposal…
Read MoreImperial Holdings targeted by federal insurance regulators after allegations of fraud
Imperial Holdings has become the target of a federal criminal investigation after insurance regulators caught wind of allegations concerning the life insurance branch of the company – Imperial Finance and Trading. The investigation applies only to the company’s life insurance premium finance business and no other aspect of the company. A multitude of class action lawsuits have been filed against Imperial Holdings since September of last year. Many of these lawsuits are coming from shareholders who claim that the company is committing fraud. Federal regulators seized control of the company’s…
Read MoreOld Republic maybe getting a second look
Old Republic International, a multinational insurance organization, exited the mortgage insurance business just over two months ago. The company had been operating under a waiver provided by federal insurance regulators that allowed it to sell policies. When the waiver expired, the company took the opportunity to renovate its mortgage policies to accommodate changes made to insurance laws in a number of states. Now, the insurer is looking to re-enter the national market, hoping to gain favor with federal regulators and investors. Old Republic’s goal hinges on whether the company can…
Read MoreThe National Association of Insurance Commissioners withdraws its support of an insurance bill on its way to Congress
Insurance brokers have been rallying behind a controversial bill before Congress. The bill was first introduced last month by Senator Mike Rogers of Michigan. The legislation seeks to remove the sales agent fees from insurers’ administrative costs. Supporters of the bill assert that it will help protect the jobs of agents. Furthermore, by reducing costs, insurers will be able to transfer the savings down to consumers. For insurers, the bill holds such promise that they were hoping that federal insurance regulators would endorse it. Regulators, however, have a much different…
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