Higher insurance and reinsurance prices may be linked to new RMS catastrophe model

State Farm customers in northeastern Louisiana may soon be paying more for their homeowners insurance as the company looks to state regulators for approval of a rate increase of 19.5%. The insurer claims that higher rates are the result of recent fires, tornados and other natural disasters occurring in the state. Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says that he has never before experienced such a steep increase in insurance rates, especially in the northern part of the states that are not often subject to such rate increases. The rate at which…

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Louisiana insurance investigator killed raises safety concerns for industry

Early this week, two insurance investigators in Louisiana were found shot to death whilst in the midst of a fraud investigation. The incident caused concern amongst state regulators who have been railing against the prevalence of fraud in Louisiana. Now, the state’s Insurance Commissioner, Jim Donelon, is considering whether his agents will begin carrying weapons as a means to defend themselves as the insurance landscape becomes more volatile. The state’s Insurance Department will conduct a review of safety procedures, but Donelon is likely to institute his measure at the end…

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An alarming rate of uninsured residents this hurricane season

The Louisiana Insurance Department is urging everyone in the state to purchase flood insurance as hurricane season begins. Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon has been expressing the need for flood insurance for several months. With the April storms causing severe flooding along the Mississippi River, more people are aware of the damage high waters can do, but few are taking steps to protect their homes and property. Commissioner Donelon claims that the number of homes with flood insurance has fallen back to pre-Katrina levels – a disturbing report as hurricane season…

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