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Aug30
Iraq War Protestor Asked For Proof Of Insurance By County Officials
Andrew Smyth August 30, 2006
Know More: Consumers, Iraq war protestor, homeowners insurance 2.0, Iraq war protestor
Every week on Wednesday a northern Indiana women, Martha Seroczynski, protests the Iraq war outside the Porter county courthouse square according to insurancejournal.com.  She has been asked by the Porter County Board of Commissioners to show proof of homeowners’ insurance to continue her protests.

Seroczynski is claiming this is an assault on her First Amendment free speech rights.  Commissioner John Evans is claiming asking for proof of insurance is “standard procedure for anyone using the public square.  Every person, organization or group has to be covered by insurance to use the grounds of the courthouse.”

Seroczynski was not told of the insurance requirement when she requested a permit on May 30th and then renewed the permit on June 20.  Ivan Bodensteiner, the lawyer for Seroczynski, “hasn’t “heard of many municipalities requiring protesters to have insurance.” 

Let’s hope the proof of insurance is indeed a requirement and not a way to harass war protestors.  But I suppose the important question is why does a protestor need homeowners’ insurance?  What if a person rents or doesn’t have homeowners’ insurance?  Are they then unable to protest?  Does anyone have any ideas? 
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Aug29
Strokes On The Rise in Minnesota Among Women Ages 41-64
Andrew Smyth August 29, 2006
According to nationalunderwriter.com Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota report women aged 41-64 in Minnesota experienced an increase of strokes by 24% between 2001 and 2005.   Strokes among females of this age group are “one of the fastest growing... Continue Reading
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Thrivent Financial For Lutherans Helped Generate $17 Million For Hurricane Relief
Andrew Smyth August 29, 2006
The large life insurance company and fraternal benefit society Thrivent Financial for Lutherans of Minneapolis announced its contribution to Hurricane Katrina relief efforts over the past year.  Through Thrivent Financial and its nearly 3 million members they were able to... Continue Reading
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Aug28
401(k) Balances Grow Due To Consistent Participation
Andrew Smyth August 28, 2006
Access to 401(k) accounts has resulted in consistent participation that has helped balances grow from 1999 to 2005 according to a report on the Employee Benefit Research Institute (EBRI) website.  Between 1999 and 2005 the average 401(k) account increased 50... Continue Reading
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Young Adults Lack Interest In Health Care
Andrew Smyth August 28, 2006
A new survey conducted by Aetna Inc. (AET) and released on their website aetna.com shows young adults don’t have much respect or interest in health care.  Aetna surveyed 1,000 employed American men and women aged 18-to-24 and found that “44... Continue Reading
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Insurance Association Disagrees With Claim Filing Extension
Andrew Smyth August 28, 2006
During the last legislative session in Louisiana two laws were passed “extending by one year the deadlines for insurance claims resulting from hurricanes Katrina and Rita” according to insurancejournal.com.  Recently Louisiana District Court Judge Kay Bates ruled, “that the two... Continue Reading
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Marsh & Mclennan Allowed To Accept Some Contingent Commissions
Andrew Smyth August 28, 2006
Marsh & Mclennan has come to an agreement with New York Attorney General Eliot Spitzer and New York Superintendent of Insurance Howard Mills “to amend its agreement barring the broker from accepting all contingent commissions” according to nationalunderwriter.com.  The agreement... Continue Reading
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Forum Addresses Illegal Immigration Impact On Indiana Medical Care
Andrew Smyth August 28, 2006
Apparently the Grand Old Party (GOP) is holding forums across the country on illegal immigration and its impact on our health care system.  A recent forum focused on the impact of illegal immigration on Indiana’s health care system according to... Continue Reading
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Aug27
Insurance Rates Forcing Many To Reconsider New Orleans Zip Code
Andrew Smyth August 27, 2006
If you are trying to purchase a home in New Orleans chances are you are struggling to figure out how to pay for the insurance premiums.  According to an article on insurancejournal.com potential homeowners are looking at paying from $5,000... Continue Reading
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Aug26
Unigard Insurance Group Awards 12 Students With $1,000 Scholarships
Andrew Smyth August 26, 2006
Learning about insurance companies that award scholarships to students is always welcome news.  A Bellevue, Washington based insurer Unigard Insurance Group has awarded “12 outstanding students with renewable $1,000 scholarships for college” according to insurancejournal.com.As I’m sure you are well... Continue Reading
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Aug25
Weekly Insurance Scammers Exposed: 12th Installment
Andrew Smyth August 25, 2006
Insurance fraud is a common occurrence but when I learn of a husband who kills his own wife for $300,000 in insurance money it gives me pause.  Unfortunately this type of abhorring action happens too many times.  I for one... Continue Reading
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Aug24
Chubb Cuts Auto Insurance Rates By 34% In California
Andrew Smyth August 24, 2006
The Chubb Group of Insurance Companies in a press release announced they will be dropping auto insurance rates in California by an average of 34% and also introducing higher limits of liability protection.  According to the Chubb press release California... Continue Reading
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Aug23
Real Estate Market Receives Insurance Rate Bad News
Andrew Smyth August 23, 2006
Aon Corporation (AOC) conducted a Web presentation, “Real Estate Property Insurance: Crisis or Hysteria”, on insurance topics with “three Aon executives painting an unattractive picture of rising rates and diminished capacity in catastrophe-prone regions, with minimal relief in sight.”  Nationalunderwriter.com... Continue Reading
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Aug22
Mass Mutual Extends LifeBribge Free Life Insurance Program
Andrew Smyth August 22, 2006
I wrote about the LifeBridge program in a previous post.  The program offers free life insurance up to $50,000 for eligible parents and legal guardians.  Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company is expanding their market for the LifeBridge initiative to the... Continue Reading
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Aug21
IRS Rejects Employer Efforts To Help HRA Holders
Andrew Smyth August 21, 2006
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) decides to not help out health reimbursement arrangement holders (HRA) who have no spouses or children according to nationalunderwriter.com.  Currently “employers that run an HRA program can use HRA funds to pay for medical care... Continue Reading
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Aug20
Bank Annuity Sales Soar To New Heights
Andrew Smyth August 20, 2006
The numbers are in for bank annuity sales for May of this year.  Nationalunderwriter.com reports that compared to May of 2005 bank annuity sales are up by 36% to $4.9 billion.The breakdown of the annuities was variable annuities rising by... Continue Reading
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Aug19
Workers Compensation Not Affected By Graying Workforce
Andrew Smyth August 19, 2006
The annual Workers Compensation Educational Conference held a session title “Are Baby Boomers a Bust For Workers’ Compensation”.  According to nationalunderwriter.com Harry Shuford, practice leader and chief economist for NCCI Holdings Inc., said, “It does not look like a factor... Continue Reading
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Aug18
Nationwide Wins First Post-Katrina Court Test Of Flood Exclusion
Andrew Smyth August 18, 2006
A Mississippi judge ruled in favor of Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company (NFS) in the first post-Katrina court test of the flood exclusion according to nationalunderwriter.com.  Nationwide was arguing that “the great majority of damage to a Mississippi home was caused... Continue Reading
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Aug17
Passenger Vehicle Improvements Reason For Motor Vehicle Death Rate Decline
Andrew Smyth August 17, 2006
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) released a study in a news release about declining death rates per registered vehicle and the main reasons for the steady decline since 1994.  It turns out better drivers and improved roadways are... Continue Reading
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Aug16
Substandard Annuities Are Not Up To Standard
Andrew Smyth August 16, 2006
If you have health problems but want an immediate annuity to fund Long Term Care Insurance premiums or other expenses you will have few companies to choose from.  According to a press release on limra.com substandard annuities is an untapped... Continue Reading
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Aug15
Colorado Court Rules On Hitting Large Animals
Andrew Smyth August 15, 2006
According to an article on insurancejournal.com the Colorado Court of Appeals ruled, “Motorists who take reasonable action to avoid hitting large animals on the road cannot be held liable for negligence.”  This ruling would seem to make logical sense considering... Continue Reading
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Aug14
Follow-up To Jailed Minnesota Man Beaten To Death By Inmate
Andrew Smyth August 14, 2006
I wrote a post several days ago about a man from Elk River Minnesota who was in jail for not having auto insurance and was subsequently beaten to death by another inmate.  A recent article follows up on this horrible... Continue Reading
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Illinois Insurance Director Comments On Workers Comp Fraud
Andrew Smyth August 14, 2006
In Illinois alleged workers compensation insurance fraud is being reported at a clip of six cases per week according to Illinois insurance director Michael McRaith in an article written by Scott Miller on www.pantagraph.com.  McRaith was stopping through Bloomington Illinois... Continue Reading
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Louisiana “The Road Home” Program Signs Up 100,000 Homeowners
Andrew Smyth August 14, 2006
I was not aware of The Road Home program before reading this press release on Louisiana Governor Kathleen Babineaux Blanco’s website, www.gov.state.la.us.  The Road Home is a program developed by Gov. Blanco to help “Louisiana residents affected by Hurricane Katrina... Continue Reading
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All CA Licensed Insurance Agents Must Complete New Ethics CE
Andrew Smyth August 14, 2006
If you are a CA fire and casualty broker-agent or life agent you are now required by the California Department of Insurance (DOI) to complete a “four-hour “ethics approved” course each renewal period starting Jan. 1, 2007” according to insurancejournal.com.In... Continue Reading
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AIG Says Recent Terrorist Plot Not Seen As Having An Economic Impact
Andrew Smyth August 14, 2006
According to a nationalunderwriter.com article American International Group Inc. (AIG) Chief Executive Officer Martin Sullivan commented on the recent “foiling of a plot to blow up planes on transatlantic routes.”  Sullivan does not foresee any economic impact in light of... Continue Reading
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Aug13
Nationwide Study Shows Arkansas’s Uninsured Children Drops By 60%
Andrew Smyth August 13, 2006
A study done for the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) found “the percentage of uninsured kids in America has decreased by 20 percent since the government-funded State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) was approved by Congress in 1997.”  Visit www.coveringkidsnadfamilies.com... Continue Reading
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Early Christmas Present Of $566,000 Restitution For California State Fund
Andrew Smyth August 13, 2006
The California State Compensation Insurance Fund received a large chunk of restitution from a Marin County roofing company owner, Kenneth Scott Cooper of San Rafael, convicted of workers compensation fraud according to insurancejournal.com.  It took almost a year for the... Continue Reading
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Study Strengthens Contingency Commission Argument
Andrew Smyth August 13, 2006
The Independent Insurance Agents and Brokers of America (IIAA) commissioned a study on “The Role of Insurance Producers and Compensation in the Insurance Industry.” Three professors from Terry College of Business at The University of Georgia and The Florida State... Continue Reading
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New Vehicle Total Loss Senate Bill Not Quite What Insurer Groups Want
Andrew Smyth August 13, 2006
Apparently a new Senate bill, S3707, “requiring that whenever a carrier declares a vehicle a total loss, that data is immediately available electronically” is not quite on target with insurer groups according to nationalunderwriter.com.  The proposed bill specifically “requires auto... Continue Reading
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Two World Trade Center Insurers Will Pay Developers
Andrew Smyth August 13, 2006
The funding for the rebuilding of new buildings on the World Trade Center (WTC) site has been a controversial subject.  However, according to an article on nationalunderwiter.com two insurers, Zurich American Insurance Company and Employers Insurance of Wausau, have decided... Continue Reading
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Aug12
Which Is Better: Buying Insurance Directly Or Through An Agent?
Andrew Smyth August 12, 2006
I found a very informative article on (YHOO) written by a staff member from the Motley Fool.  If you have ever wondered about whether you should purchase insurance through an agent, the Internet or directly then you should read this article. ... Continue Reading
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The Task Force For The Future Sets Objectives For Insurance Education
Andrew Smyth August 12, 2006
A group of 18 major life insurance industry groups formed the Task Force For The Future in 2003 in order to help Americans meet basic financial security needs.  They have recently released a list of objectives to help better educate... Continue Reading
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Four ING Group N.V. Related Companies Hit With Penalties From NASD
Andrew Smyth August 12, 2006
The nationalunderwriter.com reported the National Association of Securities Dealers Inc. (NASD) has “imposed $7 million in penalties on 4 related broker-dealers in connection with allegations of problems with compensation arrangements.”  The four broker dealers are Financial Network Investment Corp. Inc.,... Continue Reading
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Garamendi Praises Judge’s Rejection Of Insurance Industries Challenge To His Reforms
Andrew Smyth August 12, 2006
As you may or may not know California Insurance Commissioner John Garamendi has been fighting a battle to end ZIP code discrimination with the insurance industry.  I have written several posts before on this topic here, here and here.In a... Continue Reading
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Horrific Tragedy Of Jailed Man Beaten To Death By Inmate In Minnesota
Andrew Smyth August 12, 2006
The insurancejournal.com reported Carl Edward Moyle, 28, was beaten to death by another inmate while being held at Sherburne County Jail because of a misdemeanor traffic violation of driving without insurance.  According to Moyle’s family “he was driving his brother's... Continue Reading
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Aug11
Weekly Insurance Scammers Exposed: 11th Installment
Andrew Smyth August 11, 2006
There were quite a few frauds and scams going on this week.  I especially noticed the health care fraud by a doctor in Iowa.  He is awaiting sentencing on 82 counts of health care fraud stemming from “fabricating patient notes... Continue Reading
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Rep. Richard Baker Attempts To Improve SBA Gulf Opportunity Loan Program
Andrew Smyth August 11, 2006
Many of the businesses in parishes and counties hardest hit by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita did not have insurance or are battling the insurance companies for money to rebuild or fix their businesses.  An alternative route being taken by many... Continue Reading
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Insurance Break For Child Day-Care Businesses
Andrew Smyth August 11, 2006
While the specifics of this deal were not released it could prove worthwhile to child day-care owners.  ATWEC Technologies, a manufacturer of pre-school and daycare safety products as it relates to the transportation industry, stated in a press release they... Continue Reading
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Typhoon Saomai Batters Southeastern Coast Of China
Andrew Smyth August 11, 2006
It seems as if everywhere in the world people are having to face off with Mother Nature.  According to insurancejournal.com Typhoon Saomai that hit Chinas southeastern coast was the most powerful typhoon China has seen in five decades.  The sheer... Continue Reading
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Insurance Low On Wealthy Consumers List For One-Stop Shopping
Andrew Smyth August 11, 2006
The Spectrem Group of Chicago, they work with financial service firms and other providers of products and services to the affluent and retirement markets, released the results of a study on wealthy consumers according to nationalunderwriters.com.  The study was conducted... Continue Reading
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Aug10
Have You Ever Heard Of The Malacca Straits?
Andrew Smyth August 10, 2006
I have not traveled to Singapore, Indonesia or Malaysia so I had never heard of the Malacca Straits.  Apparently Lloyds of London has deemed the Straits safe and has taken it off their “list of sea lanes with a war... Continue Reading
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Virginia Insurance Agents Social Security Numbers Exposed
Andrew Smyth August 10, 2006
This is a scary factoid for Virginia insurance agents.  Through a press release the Virginia Bureau of Insurance is letting agents know their social security numbers “may have been accessible on the Bureau’s website for a six-week period.”  The good... Continue Reading
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Federal Court Rules On Pension Plan Contributions
Andrew Smyth August 10, 2006
A ruling came down this week from a federal appeals court that could affect how the U.S. Supreme Court looks at “whether contributing equal amounts for young and old pension plan members amounts to age discrimination” according to nationalunderwriter.com.  International... Continue Reading
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Study Shows “Being Good” Helps Life Insurer’s Bottom Line
Andrew Smyth August 10, 2006
An article on nationalunderwriter.com reported a study called, “The Economic Consequences of Voluntary Quality Certification Programs” conducted by Robert Klein and Martin Grace of Georgia State University’s Center for Risk Management and Insurance Research “analyzed the economic value of membership... Continue Reading
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“Dumb Drivers” In Minnesota Could Face Fines If Gubernatorial Candidate Is Elected
Andrew Smyth August 10, 2006
Independence Party gubernatorial candidate Peter Hutchinson wants to crack down on “dumb drivers” who cause accidents according to insurancejournal.com.  His definition of a dumb driver is one who is “wolfing down hamburgers or applying mascara” while driving.  His transportation plan... Continue Reading
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Aug 9
Texas Action Council on Theft Launches Its’ Website
Andrew Smyth August 9, 2006
According to a news release on the Southwestern Insurance Information Service (SIIS) website the Texas Action Council on Theft (TACT) launched their anti-theft website, www.texasactioncouncil.org.  TACT is administered by SIIS, a public information organization of insurance companies in Texas and... Continue Reading
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Secura Insurance Joins Ranks Of Environmentally Conscience Hybrid Drivers
Andrew Smyth August 9, 2006
Wisconsin based insurer, Secura Insurance Companies, has decided to lease over 65 Ford Escape Hybrids for company car usage according to nationalunderwriter.com.  This decision is based on “concerns about the environment and rising gasoline costs.”This is an especially interesting case... Continue Reading
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Oklahoma Governor Forbids You From Setting Fires Outdoors
Andrew Smyth August 9, 2006
According to insurancejournal.com last week Oklahoma Governor Brad Henry decided to put a ban on outdoor burning in all 77 counties because of hot, windy and dry conditions.  The longest drought in history is visiting Oklahoma along with dangerously high... Continue Reading
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Dynamic Restoration Offers Hurricane Aftermath Repairs Within 24 Hours
Andrew Smyth August 9, 2006
A Pennsylvania based damage remediation company, Dynamic Restoration, “is offering a hurricane program for business customers, which guarantees it will have a crew on their site repairing damage within 24 hours”  according to nationalunderwriter.com. Dynamic helps commercial real estate owners,... Continue Reading
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New Florida Loan Program Helps St. Johns Insurance Company Inc. Offer Coverage
Andrew Smyth August 9, 2006
A new program in Florida called the “Insurance Capital Build-Up Incentive Program” offers loans for Florida insurers writing business in Florida.  St. Johns Insurance Company Inc. announced in a press release on their website they have received approval for a... Continue Reading
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Aug 8
Washington Residents Confused About Renters Insurance
Andrew Smyth August 8, 2006
A Seattle based insurer PEMCO Mutual Insurance Company released the results of a renters insurance survey on in a press release on their web site pemco.com.  The poll was conducted by Informa Research Services Inc. with 600 Washington renters and... Continue Reading
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Aetna Faces Letter Writing Campaign From Determined Parents
Andrew Smyth August 8, 2006
I found this heart-wrenching story on nationalunderwriter.com about the parents of a two year old with a terminal disease seeking coverage extension from Aetna Inc. (AET).  This is another example of this country needing universal health care.Elizabeth and Josh Margulies... Continue Reading
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Monstrous Blue Shield & Blue Cross Database Being Created
Andrew Smyth August 8, 2006
According to nationalunderwriter.com 20 Blue Cross and Blue Shield plans with a total 79 million patients are joining together to form a huge database.  This database is being named the “Blue Health Intelligence system.”  The purpose of the database is... Continue Reading
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Lloyds Releases U.K. Broker Study. Problems Lie With Distribution
Andrew Smyth August 8, 2006
Lloyds of London conducted a study called, What British Insurance Brokers Think, available on their website lloyds.com.  The study indicates “that new distribution trends such as direct writers, the internet, and the creation of ‘Super-brokers’ through the acquisition of firms... Continue Reading
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Bill Passage Gives SEC Authority To Regulate Credit-Rating Agencies
Andrew Smyth August 8, 2006
The Credit Rating Agency Reform Act bill was passed last week by the Senate Banking Committee that gave “the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission authority to regulate credit-rating agencies” according to nationalunderwriter.com.  Companies affected by the bill are companies you... Continue Reading
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Aug 7
Senate Passes Pension & Life Insurance Related Bill (Pt 2)
Andrew Smyth August 7, 2006
In my previous post I wrote about the pension part of the Pension Protection Act of 2006.  Now I want to look into the life insurance changes in this bill as well as the industry responses.According to nationalunderwriter.com the bill... Continue Reading
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Senate Passes Pension & Life Insurance Related Bill (Pt 1)
Andrew Smyth August 7, 2006
This past week the Senate voted a resounding 95-3 to pass Senate bill H.R. 4, the Pension Protection Act of 2006, and send it to the Presidents desk according to nationalunderwriter.com.  The bill “would change the rules governing defined benefit... Continue Reading
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Sunken Boat Brings Up Importance Of Updating Insurance Policy
Andrew Smyth August 7, 2006
Graham Sherrod Jr. learned the hard way about updating and understanding your insurance policy.  I found an article on timesdispatch.com written by Lee Graves about Sherrod and the unexpected sinking of his 24-foot boat in the Chesapeake Bay.  Sherrod did... Continue Reading
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New Jersey Gov. Mentions Possible Universal Health Care Program
Andrew Smyth August 7, 2006
New Jersey Governor Jon S. Corzine plans “to unveil a health insurance reform plan that would coincide with state efforts to study hospitals and health clinics” according to newsday.com.  Corzine spoke on a New York public radio station, WNYC, about... Continue Reading
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$70 Million Settlement In Soldiers Insurance Case
Andrew Smyth August 7, 2006
Insurance agents targeted young military recruits in more than 40 states through misleading sales tactics that has finally ended with a $70 million multi-state settlement according to kwtx.com.  Three Waco, Texas based insurance companies are part of this settlement.American-Amicable Insurance... Continue Reading
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Aug 6
Ex-Wife Of U.K. Insurance Multimillionaire Awarded $90 Million
Andrew Smyth August 6, 2006
According to bloomberg.com “the ex-wife of U.K. multimillionaire John Charman won a record 48-million pound ($90 million) divorce award.”  Charman not surprisingly said the award was “grotesque and unfair.”  Charman is the chief executive officer of insurer Axis Capital Holdings... Continue Reading
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Want Insurance? Coldwell Banker Has You Covered.
Andrew Smyth August 6, 2006
While many insurance companies are either pulling out of Florida or considering the option Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate Corporation is walking through the open door.  A subsidiary of Coldwell Banker’s parent company, NRT Insurance Agency will offer homeowner’s to... Continue Reading
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SEC Looking Into Regulatory Structures For Investment Advisors & Broker Dealers
Andrew Smyth August 6, 2006
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission has decided to initiate a request for formal study into “the different regulatory structures for investment advisors and broker dealers and how that affects investors” according to nationalunderwriter.com.This action is based upon the response... Continue Reading
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Post-Storm Population Count On Way In Parishes Hit By Hurricane Katrina
Andrew Smyth August 6, 2006
According to The Times Picayune website www.nola.com a population count is under way in parishes devastated by Hurricane Katrina.  Teams from the private non-profit group Louisiana Public Health Institute are dropping off information gathering packets and conducting personal interviews.The information... Continue Reading
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Would You Evacuate With A Hurricane On The Horizon?
Andrew Smyth August 6, 2006
The Harvard School of Public Health Project on the Public and Biological Security, whew, released the results of a survey of high-risk hurricane areas.  Residents were asked if they would leave their homes in the event of an evacuation order.A... Continue Reading
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Aug 5
Weekly Insurance Scammers Exposed: 10th Installment
Andrew Smyth August 5, 2006
A multi-million dollar auto scam ring was busted in New York involving so far 14 people.  Doctors were involved in this scam that took 20 months to bring down.  I am constantly amazed at the amount of people participating in... Continue Reading
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West Virginia Home Inspectors Must Have Certification & Insurance
Andrew Smyth August 5, 2006
As a way to combat fraud against consumers West Virginia home inspectors now are required to be certified by the State Fire Commission as of August 1 according to insurancejournal.com. Home inspectors must pass the National Home Inspection Exam for... Continue Reading
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Kansas Insurance Commissioner Distributes Firefighters Relief Fund Monies
Andrew Smyth August 5, 2006
In a press release on the Kansas Department of Insurance website, www.ksinsurance.org, Kansas Insurance Commissioner Sandy Praeger announced “that nearly $9 million is being distributed to Firefighter Relief Associations from the Firefighters Relief Fund this year.”  This is a very...