The Louisiana Supreme Court has voted to reinstate a $92.8 million suit against the state’s Citizens Property Insurance Corp. this week. The suit originated in early 2006 and claims that the state-run insurance organization was intentionally slow in adjusting insurance claims resulting from Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. The 24th Judicial District Court had awarded some 18,000 homeowners with roughly $5,000 after hearing the case. The action, however, violated state law and put the suit on hold for some time. The ruling has found a staunch enemy in the state’s Insurance…
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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…
Read MoreOwners of high value Louisiana homes can now choose customized P&C insurance coverage from PURE
Privilege Underwriters Reciprocal Exchange (PURE) has revealed that has enhanced its offerings for customized coverage through property and casualty insurance for homeowners of high-value, well-built Louisiana houses. According to the chief executive officer and president of PURE, Ross Buchmueller, two of the primary reasons that PURE is so keen to bring its customized services into the personal insurance marketplace in the state is because of the unprecedented investments that have been recently been made into the protection infrastructure of New Orleans and its surrounding area, as well as the professionalism…
Read MoreLouisiana insurance rebates remain unclaimed by policyholders eligible to claim the money
Louisiana Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says that $270 million in insurance rebates still remains unclaimed by policyholders this week. Late last month, Donelon issued a notice to policyholders explaining that they could be eligible for rebates. Thus far, however, no one has come forward looking to claim their share of the money. If the funds remain unclaimed, the state may seek to take control of the money. Such a move would only be possible if the state’s Legislature passes new laws regarding the matter. The money was recovered from property/casualty…
Read MorePrivate insurance companies to begin participating in Louisiana’s Citizens Property Insurance Corp
Private insurers are getting ready to start taking over Louisiana’s Citizens Property Insurance Corp. The state-run insurance agency has fared well in the past four years, experiencing periods of growth throughout 2007 and 2008. The state’s Department of Insurance is looking to “depopulate” the program, however, in an attempt to lower insurance rates for the majority of policyholders. To this end, regulators are inviting private insurance companies to begin selling policies through Citizens. Regulators believe that these policies will bring higher quality service to consumers. Part of the success behind…
Read MoreProperty insurance rates getting more and more competitive
Homeowners may actually start getting a break on their insurance policies; at least in Louisiana. A few new insurance companies have started business there; where just a few years ago they were closing shop and leaving. The homeowner’s didn’t have a lot of choice as far as insuring their homes; if they could get coverage at all. Now it looks like change is on the way. A survey done in 2008 showed Louisiana had the third highest insurance rates in the nation; leaving homeowner’s paying an average of $1400…
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