Auto insurance fines create controversy in Louisiana

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Office of Motor Vehicles sends more than 1 million letters to drivers for lapsed insurance coverage The Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles has sent out more than 1 million letters to drivers, seeking to collect some $400 million in fines associated with lapsed auto insurance coverage. These letters were sent to approximately 550,000 Louisiana drivers, many of whom have more than one vehicle, or were unable to insure their vehicles for a period of time. Some drivers are facing fines as high as $656 for driving without auto insurance coverage.…

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Homeowners insurance rates in Texas are set to spike yet again

homeowners insurance rates increase

Homeowners in Texas will see an increase in their insurance premiums next year Residents of Texas are seeing their homeowners insurance premiums grow. The state is home to the third highest homeowners insurance rates in the United States, with the average annual premium being $1,745. The Texas Department of Insurance notes that these premiums have grown by more than 26% between 2010 and 2014. Only Florida and Louisiana have higher homeowners insurance premiums, on average. For some homeowners, premiums are growing by a greater margin than what others are seeing.…

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Auto insurance fines spark controversy in Louisiana

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Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles aims to collect on fines that are decades old Louisiana Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon is taking aim at the state’s Office of Motor Vehicles. Last week, the agency issued notifications to consumers throughout the state, seeking to recoup millions of dollars in fines for auto insurance lapses. A significant portion of these fines are quite old, with some coming from violations dating back as far as 1986. Notices issued to consumers caused an outcry, which got the attention of the Louisiana Department of Insurance. State…

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Commissioner Donelon seeks extension on deadline for flood insurance claims

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Commissioner petitions FEMA to extend insurance claims filing period Louisiana Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon is petitioning the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to extend the deadline for homeowners to submit flood insurance claims. The vast majority of homeowners in the state receive their flood protection from the National Flood Insurance Program and per the provisions of the program these people are required to submit proof of loss forms within 60 days after a flood. This may be a problem for homeowners, however, as many have reported needing more time to…

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Businesses want a better flood insurance program

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Business leaders call for improvements to the National Flood Insurance Program Business leaders in Louisiana want to see flood insurance rate hikes reined in throughout the region. A coalition of businesses from the construction and real estate industries attended a meeting at the University of New Orleans where they shared their thoughts concerning the National Flood Insurance Program with lawmakers. The federal program offers flood insurance coverage to homeowners and businesses, but the program has been struggling with financial problems for years. As such, rates for policies offered through the…

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