UPCIC writes its first Georgia homeowners insurance policies

Universal Insurance Holdings, Inc., has announced that its Universal Property and Casualty Insurance Company (UPCIC) subsidiary has now written its first Georgia homeowners’ insurance policies for an official start within that state. Chief operating officer of the vertically integrated insurance holding company, Sean Downes, said that the entrance of UPCIC into the homeowners’ marketplace in Georgia “marks the fifth state where UPCIC conducts business and continues our expansion beyond Florida.” He added that the insurer is anticipates a strong expansion of its network of agents within that state, as well…

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Hawaiian Insurance Commissioner calls for home insurers to submit new, reduced rates

A recent inquiry into the rates of homeowner’s insurance in Hawaii has led the state’s Insurance Commissioner, Gordon I. Ito, to call for drastic actions. The state’s Insurance Department ruled that the current rates for homeowner’s insurance are far too excessive. The department used data supplied by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners to form a benchmark against which Hawaii’s rates were tested. Now, Ito is calling for insurers to submit new rate filings for review. Ito first issued a memorandum for insurers to send their justifications for their rate…

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Hawaii’s hurricane fund in jeopardy of being drained

Hawaii may lose their state hurricane fund in an attempt to balance a 232 million dollar deficit. The fiscal year ends in three months and state officials are scrambling to find a way to balance the budget.  One approach that is being considered is to use part of, or all, of the 117 million dollars sitting in the hurricane relief fund. The state fund was started after the 1992 disaster from hurricane Iniki, which caused most insurers to stop writing policy coverage for hurricanes and related damage.  It took 10…

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