Louisiana 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 More

Federal officials ready to debate health insurance rate increase of 10% or more

U.S. officials are getting ready to debate whether or not increases in the rates for health insurance of 10 percent or more were excessive within seven states which have rate review processes that have been labeled ineffective.  The rate review systems for Louisiana, Alabama, Montana, Arizona, Wyoming, Idaho, Missouri, as well as four territories have been deemed to be insufficient by the Center for Consumer Information and Insurance Oversight (CCIIO). The CCIIO is a branch of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.   According to the CCIIO, federal officials, under…

Read More

State Farm of Louisiana seeks approval for rate hikes on homeowner’s policies

Insurance regulators in Louisiana are fielding a rate increase proposal from the state’s largest provider of home insurance, State Farm. The insurer is seeking approval to boost their premiums on homeowner’s policies by an average of 8.5%. According to the state’s Insurance Department, the rate increase will affect more than 300,000 policyholders and would net the insurer an additional $32.7 million in premiums annually. State Farm is pushing for approval and is planning on enacting the new rates on existing policies beginning October 1st. In March, State Farm submitted a…

Read More

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…

Read More