TheInsurancePolicy: November 2006 Archives

« October 2006 | Main | December 2006 »

Nov14	Securities Regulators Worried About Aging Baby Boomer Population Andrew Smyth November 14, 2006 Know More: Insurance News 2.0, Insurance News In more ways than one securities regulators are worried about the aging of the baby boomer generation. Especially, according to nationalunderwriter.com, as a “looming compliance problem.” The chairwoman of the National Association of Securities Dealers (NASD), Mary Schapiro, said in a message delivered at the launch meeting of the Securities and Financial Markets Association (SIFMA) “Sellers of financial products had better be careful about what they sell and how they sell to aging baby boomers.” Schapiro went on to say: SIFMA member companies should test their products and strategies offered to seniors, train sales supervisors and sales representatives well, and make sure that they have appropriate internal oversight in place. Continue Reading Posted at 7:00 AM \| Permalink \| Comments
Nov10	How Do Life Insurance Benefits Effect Children? Andrew Smyth November 10, 2006 Parents often buy life insurance to provide benefits to their children if the parents were to die prematurely. This reason is one of the biggest behind life insurance purchases and is critical for protecting family’s responsibilities. An article on forbes.com... Continue Reading Posted at 7:00 AM \| Permalink \| Comments
Nov 9	NYC And Long Island Should Prepare For Major Hurricane Andrew Smyth November 9, 2006 During a panel discussion at the Downstate Insurance Associations Council Regional Conference the subject of preparing for a major hurricane hitting Long Island or New York City came up. According to nationalunderwriter.com Sharon Emek, chairperson of the Independent Insurance Agents... Continue Reading Posted at 7:00 AM \| Permalink \| Comments
Nov 8	Idaho Implementing Statewide Long Term Care Program Andrew Smyth November 8, 2006 Idaho has joined several other states in a long-term care partnership program that “encourages consumers to protect themselves against the cost of long-term care” according to nationalunderwriter.com. Congress initially limited the program participants to 4 state pilot programs but recently... Continue Reading Posted at 9:00 AM \| Permalink \| Comments
	Survey Says Many Americans Relying On Social Security Too Much Andrew Smyth November 8, 2006 The Retirement Corporation of America Inc. conducted a survey about individual’s reliance and expectations of Social Security according to nationalunderwriter.com. The survey revealed “many Americans expect to depend on Social Security as a significant source of income after they retire.” ... Continue Reading Posted at 8:00 AM \| Permalink \| Comments
	Mid-term Elections Seat New Insurance Commissioners Andrew Smyth November 8, 2006 As I’m sure you are well aware the mid-term elections have produced some spectacular results, Nancy Pelosi, and some not so great results, Schwarzenegger. Considering this is not a political blog that is all I will say for now about... Continue Reading Posted at 7:00 AM \| Permalink \| Comments
Nov 7	Lloyds Of London Official Warns Insurers Of Precipice Andrew Smyth November 7, 2006 Insurers should be aware that they may be “teetering on the brink of disaster unless they exercise financial responsibility, embrace globalization and educate the public about their industry” according to a Lloyd of London official at the annual meeting of... Continue Reading Posted at 11:00 AM \| Permalink \| Comments
	Insurance Organizations Lend Helping Hand For Nonprofits & In New Orleans Andrew Smyth November 7, 2006 Two separate insurance industry organizations, the Million Dollar Round Table Foundation (MDRT) and the National Association of Independent Life Brokerage Agencies (NAILBA), are helping out Katrina survivors and charities.The MDRT sent “a team of 45 volunteers to help rebuild 6... Continue Reading Posted at 10:00 AM \| Permalink \| Comments
	NASD: Tax Savings Of 529 College Savings Plans Not Discussed With Clients Andrew Smyth November 7, 2006 The National Association of Securities Dealers (NASD) has issued a warning to member firms “to tell college savings clients about the possible tax advantages of using home-state savings programs” according to nationalunderwriter.com.The NASD has fined MetLife Inc. (MET) and JP... Continue Reading Posted at 9:00 AM \| Permalink \| Comments
	Many Long Term Care Insurance Claimants Under 65 Andrew Smyth November 7, 2006 According to an article on nationalunderwriter.com UnumProvident Corp. (UNM) has released a profile of long term care claims activity that shows that 58 percent of claimants were under age 65. This statistic applies to both group and individual LTC insurance... Continue Reading Posted at 8:00 AM \| Permalink \| Comments
	Medicare & Long-Term Nursing Home Care Andrew Smyth November 7, 2006 As more and more people in this country hit 65 and start to use Medicare important questions need to be answered regarding insurance coverage. In an online Q&A on hernandotoday.com a reader asked columnist Adon Taft about Medicare and whether... Continue Reading Posted at 7:00 AM \| Permalink \| Comments
Nov 6	Aflac Inc. Duck Quacks For Charity Andrew Smyth November 6, 2006 I’m sure you have heard and seen your share of commercials and advertisements by the famous duck of Aflac Inc. (AFL). If that wasn’t enough they are now selling the stuffed Alfac Duck toys at Macy’s stores in Arizona, Georgia,... Continue Reading Posted at 11:00 AM \| Permalink \| Comments
	SEC Focuses On Annuity Sales Methods To Seniors & Pre-Retirees Andrew Smyth November 6, 2006 Annuities have always faced close scrutiny from the financial world and are great products when sold correctly. The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission is currently conducting a nationwide “sweep to find specific problems with the methods used to sell annuities... Continue Reading Posted at 10:00 AM \| Permalink \| Comments
	Insurance Tidbits: Medicare, Retirement Readiness, Pension Protection Act Andrew Smyth November 6, 2006 I came across these three short insurance news tidbits that could be of use to consumers and employers. Considering they each don’t warrant a single post I have decided to include them all in this one post.Medicare:America’s Health Insurance Plans... Continue Reading Posted at 9:00 AM \| Permalink \| Comments
	Pennsylvania Health Bill Aids Children’s Health Insurance Program Andrew Smyth November 6, 2006 Gov. Edward Rendell signed into law a bill that sailed through the Pennsylvania Senate and House “that will increase eligibility limits for subsidized coverage from the state’s Children’s Health Insurance Program” according to nationalunderwiter.com. The text of the new law... Continue Reading Posted at 8:00 AM \| Permalink \| Comments
	Small Business Retirement Plan Participation Drops Andrew Smyth November 6, 2006 Smaller companies are experiencing a precipitous drop in retirement plan participation according to an article on nationalunderwriter.com. U.S. employers with 10 to 99 employees have seen participation rates fall close to 3 percent between 2004 and 2005.Researchers at the Employee... Continue Reading Posted at 7:00 AM \| Permalink \| Comments
Nov 5	Weekly Insurance Scammers Exposed: 17th Installment Andrew Smyth November 5, 2006 I have not posted an insurance scammers installment in several weeks so I thought I would bring it back into the fold. One of the cases really gets under my skin because the accused schemed hundreds of thousands of dollars... Continue Reading Posted at 11:00 AM \| Permalink \| Comments
	South Carolina Smoking Ban Close To Approval Andrew Smyth November 5, 2006 I live in a state that prohibits smoking inside restaurants and take that luxury for granted, although I think everyone that doesn’t smoke shouldn’t be forced to inhale smoke if they want to go eat out. The city of Greenville... Continue Reading Posted at 10:00 AM \| Permalink \| Comments
	Amerigroup Corp. Must Cough Up $48 Million In Damages Andrew Smyth November 5, 2006 Amerigroup Corp. (AGP) lost in federal court and must pay $48 million in damages for discriminating against pregnant women according to insurancejournal.com. Lawyers involved in the case said damages would ultimately total $144 million when all is said and done.Amerigorup... Continue Reading Posted at 9:00 AM \| Permalink \| Comments
	Garamendi Recommends Workers Comp Rate Cut Of 9.5% Andrew Smyth November 5, 2006 The California Insurance Commissioner John Garamendi has recommended a cut to workers compensation pure premium rate by 9.5 percent according to a press release. This recommendation stems from worries Garamendi has “concerning substantial decreases in total permanent disability payments, and... Continue Reading Posted at 8:00 AM \| Permalink \| Comments
	Aegon N.V. Purchases Clark Inc. For $293 Million Andrew Smyth November 5, 2006 One of the largest financial services companies in the world, Dutch based Aegon N.V., has agreed to buy a major player in the U.S. executive benefits market, Clark Inc. according to nationalunderwriter.com.The transaction will involve $293 million, or $16.55 per... Continue Reading Posted at 7:00 AM \| Permalink \| Comments
Nov 4	National Insurance Crime Bureau’s Reports Most Stolen Vehicles In U.S. For 2005 Andrew Smyth November 4, 2006 The National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) has released their annual study of most stolen cars in the United States in a press release. Not surprisingly Honda takes the first two slots with a Toyota Camry coming in third. I was... Continue Reading Posted at 11:00 AM \| Permalink \| Comments
	Is Our Health Insurance System Adequate For The Masses? Andrew Smyth November 4, 2006 A blog post on InsureBlog titled “Good News??” shows some results of a joint poll done by ABC News, USA Today and the Kaiser Family Foundation. The chart on the blog is title “What Bothers People About Their Own Heal... Continue Reading Posted at 10:00 AM \| Permalink \| Comments
	UnumProvident Corporation Ends Practice Of Paying Undisclosed Commissions Andrew Smyth November 4, 2006 The California Insurance Department has announced in a press release on their website a settlement with UnumProvident Corporation (UNM) to end the practice of paying undisclosed commissions for Employee Benefit Group Insurance. This is a watershed moment as “the settlement... Continue Reading Posted at 9:00 AM \| Permalink \| Comments
	AARP Study: Health Care Not Top Priority For Older Voters In Maryland Andrew Smyth November 4, 2006 Which is more important to you, access to health care or crime or energy costs? Nationalunderwriter.com reported that according to a survey done by a Baltimore-based chapter of AARP health care is not a top priority. The study was done... Continue Reading Posted at 8:00 AM \| Permalink \| Comments
	HesMorganHouse L.L.C.: A Fee-Only Life Insurance Consulting Firm Andrew Smyth November 4, 2006 A handful of life insurance veterans have aligned to start a fee-only life insurance consulting firm, HessMorganHouse L.L.C. according to nationalunderwriter.com. The three founders, Jim Hess, Charlie Morgan and Aimee Viola all come from the life industry with decades of... Continue Reading Posted at 7:00 AM \| Permalink \| Comments
Nov 3	North Dakota Insurer Pays $50,000 To Resolve Theft Of Policyholder Info Andrew Smyth November 3, 2006 A unit of insurer Humana Inc. (HUM), Louisville, Ky., in North Dakota “has agreed to pay $50,000 to resolve regulators’ concerns about the theft of policyholders’ data” according to nationalunderwriter.com. Apparently there were “two separate incidents of theft” where thieves... Continue Reading Posted at 11:00 AM \| Permalink \| Comments
	Council For Disability Awareness Launches Consumer Website Andrew Smyth November 3, 2006 If you have ever worried about becoming disabled or thought about purchasing disability insurance then the new website from the Council for Disability Awareness (CDA) might come in handy. The website, www.disabilitycanhappen.org, is focused on educating consumers about everything disability... Continue Reading Posted at 10:00 AM \| Permalink \| Comments
	Employee Benefits Security Administration Loosens Reigns For Defined Benefit Pension Plans Lending Andrew Smyth November 3, 2006 Defined benefit pension plans have been given more flexibility by the Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA) “to increase revenue by lending securities to a wider range of borrowers” according to nationalunderwriter.com. This lending extends to “broker-dealers and banks in Canada,... Continue Reading Posted at 9:00 AM \| Permalink \| Comments
	Kenneth Lay-Enron Life Insurance Suit Settled Andrew Smyth November 3, 2006 According to an article on chron.com Enron Corp. has “struck a deal to collect $250,000 on a life insurance policy covering its founder, Kenneth Lay, who died just weeks after he was convicted of fraud charges related to the company’s... Continue Reading Posted at 8:00 AM \| Permalink \| Comments
	Are You Unemployed In Oklahoma? The State Has You Covered. Andrew Smyth November 3, 2006 According to an article in the insurancejournal.com the Oklahoma unemployment insurance trust fund is at its highest funded level since 1997. A whopping $705 million is currently sitting in the fund largely due to a strong economy.Unemployment taxes for employers... Continue Reading Posted at 7:00 AM \| Permalink \| Comments
Nov 2	Medi-Share: Christian Cost-Sharing Ministry Not Insurance Program Andrew Smyth November 2, 2006 A Christian cost-sharing ministry based in Kentucky, Medi-Share, is facing shut-down by a Franklin County Circuit Judge due to "a motion by the Kentucky Office of Insurance for a permanent injunction against the Medi-Share program” according to insurancejournal.com. The head... Continue Reading Posted at 11:00 AM \| Permalink \| Comments
	Delta Dental Plans Injects Reality Check Into Negative Affects Of Halloween Candy Andrew Smyth November 2, 2006 The Delta Dental Plans Association (DDPA) released a cautionary press release about the perils of modern food on our teeth. Apparently Halloween candy should be the least of our worries when faced with daily food options according to insurancejournal.com.Sugar has... Continue Reading Posted at 10:00 AM \| Permalink \| Comments
	Massachusetts Proves Expensive To Businesses Andrew Smyth November 2, 2006 The expense of doing business in Massachusetts might be threatening the economic future of the state according to a study released by Pioneer Institute for Public Policy Research. The study, “Measuring Up? The Cost of Doing Business in Massachusetts,” has... Continue Reading Posted at 9:00 AM \| Permalink \| Comments
	Employee Theft On The Rise, Employers Not Buying Crime Insurance Andrew Smyth November 2, 2006 Are you a disgruntled corporate worker for a private company looking for a way to pay back your company because layoffs might be coming down the line? According to an article on nationalunderwriter.com from the Chubb Group of Insurance Companies... Continue Reading Posted at 8:00 AM \| Permalink \| Comments
	I Want My Identity Theft Coverage! Andrew Smyth November 2, 2006 Demand is on the rise and consumers are not standing for it anymore. They want their homeowners insurance carrier to offer coverage for identity theft! Isn’t that really what everyone wants in this life? According to a press release on... Continue Reading Posted at 7:00 AM \| Permalink \| Comments
Nov 1	Divorce Causes More Health Problems For Women Andrew Smyth November 1, 2006 A New York Times article about a new effects of divorce on womens health study from Iowa State University says “women may give up more than a husband by divorcing -- they may also lose some of their good health.” ... Continue Reading Posted at 11:00 AM \| Permalink \| Comments
	BlackBerry Use Triggers Worker Compensation Insurance Worries Andrew Smyth November 1, 2006 Has incessant BlackBerry use now crept into the world of workers’ comp insurers and risk managers? According to a blog post, BlackBerry Anonymous, on A View From The Press Box by Sam Friedman “there is a repetitive stress factor at... Continue Reading Posted at 10:00 AM \| Permalink \| Comments
	California Consumer Warning Of Faxed Discount Health Insurance Offerings Andrew Smyth November 1, 2006 If you receive unsolicited offers through fax then beware of a health insurance offer currently showing up in fax machines statewide. The California Department of Insurance (CDI) is warning consumers through a press release on their website of discount health... Continue Reading Posted at 9:00 AM \| Permalink \| Comments
	The Dangers Lurking When “Visiting” A Hospital Andrew Smyth November 1, 2006 I came across a humorous article written by Bob Caudle online in The Morning News, a newspaper that serves Northwest Arkansas, about hospitals and their “latest scam.” The “scam” involves the payment process after visiting the emergency room of a... Continue Reading Posted at 8:00 AM \| Permalink \| Comments
	Racial Discrimination Charges Filed Against Erie Insurance Group Andrew Smyth November 1, 2006 Erie Insurance Group has been charged of violating the Fair Housing Act by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) according to nationalunderwriter.com. HUD maintains these violations are correct because of an investigation they conducted after a complaint... Continue Reading Posted at 7:00 AM \| Permalink \| Comments

« October 2006 | Main | December 2006 »

Nov14	Securities Regulators Worried About Aging Baby Boomer Population Andrew Smyth November 14, 2006 Know More: Insurance News 2.0, Insurance News In more ways than one securities regulators are worried about the aging of the baby boomer generation. Especially, according to nationalunderwriter.com, as a “looming compliance problem.” The chairwoman of the National Association of Securities Dealers (NASD), Mary Schapiro, said in a message delivered at the launch meeting of the Securities and Financial Markets Association (SIFMA) “Sellers of financial products had better be careful about what they sell and how they sell to aging baby boomers.” Schapiro went on to say: SIFMA member companies should test their products and strategies offered to seniors, train sales supervisors and sales representatives well, and make sure that they have appropriate internal oversight in place. Continue Reading Posted at 7:00 AM \| Permalink \| Comments
Nov10	How Do Life Insurance Benefits Effect Children? Andrew Smyth November 10, 2006 Parents often buy life insurance to provide benefits to their children if the parents were to die prematurely. This reason is one of the biggest behind life insurance purchases and is critical for protecting family’s responsibilities. An article on forbes.com... Continue Reading Posted at 7:00 AM \| Permalink \| Comments
Nov 9	NYC And Long Island Should Prepare For Major Hurricane Andrew Smyth November 9, 2006 During a panel discussion at the Downstate Insurance Associations Council Regional Conference the subject of preparing for a major hurricane hitting Long Island or New York City came up. According to nationalunderwriter.com Sharon Emek, chairperson of the Independent Insurance Agents... Continue Reading Posted at 7:00 AM \| Permalink \| Comments
Nov 8	Idaho Implementing Statewide Long Term Care Program Andrew Smyth November 8, 2006 Idaho has joined several other states in a long-term care partnership program that “encourages consumers to protect themselves against the cost of long-term care” according to nationalunderwriter.com. Congress initially limited the program participants to 4 state pilot programs but recently... Continue Reading Posted at 9:00 AM \| Permalink \| Comments
	Survey Says Many Americans Relying On Social Security Too Much Andrew Smyth November 8, 2006 The Retirement Corporation of America Inc. conducted a survey about individual’s reliance and expectations of Social Security according to nationalunderwriter.com. The survey revealed “many Americans expect to depend on Social Security as a significant source of income after they retire.” ... Continue Reading Posted at 8:00 AM \| Permalink \| Comments
	Mid-term Elections Seat New Insurance Commissioners Andrew Smyth November 8, 2006 As I’m sure you are well aware the mid-term elections have produced some spectacular results, Nancy Pelosi, and some not so great results, Schwarzenegger. Considering this is not a political blog that is all I will say for now about... Continue Reading Posted at 7:00 AM \| Permalink \| Comments
Nov 7	Lloyds Of London Official Warns Insurers Of Precipice Andrew Smyth November 7, 2006 Insurers should be aware that they may be “teetering on the brink of disaster unless they exercise financial responsibility, embrace globalization and educate the public about their industry” according to a Lloyd of London official at the annual meeting of... Continue Reading Posted at 11:00 AM \| Permalink \| Comments
	Insurance Organizations Lend Helping Hand For Nonprofits & In New Orleans Andrew Smyth November 7, 2006 Two separate insurance industry organizations, the Million Dollar Round Table Foundation (MDRT) and the National Association of Independent Life Brokerage Agencies (NAILBA), are helping out Katrina survivors and charities.The MDRT sent “a team of 45 volunteers to help rebuild 6... Continue Reading Posted at 10:00 AM \| Permalink \| Comments
	NASD: Tax Savings Of 529 College Savings Plans Not Discussed With Clients Andrew Smyth November 7, 2006 The National Association of Securities Dealers (NASD) has issued a warning to member firms “to tell college savings clients about the possible tax advantages of using home-state savings programs” according to nationalunderwriter.com.The NASD has fined MetLife Inc. (MET) and JP... Continue Reading Posted at 9:00 AM \| Permalink \| Comments
	Many Long Term Care Insurance Claimants Under 65 Andrew Smyth November 7, 2006 According to an article on nationalunderwriter.com UnumProvident Corp. (UNM) has released a profile of long term care claims activity that shows that 58 percent of claimants were under age 65. This statistic applies to both group and individual LTC insurance... Continue Reading Posted at 8:00 AM \| Permalink \| Comments
	Medicare & Long-Term Nursing Home Care Andrew Smyth November 7, 2006 As more and more people in this country hit 65 and start to use Medicare important questions need to be answered regarding insurance coverage. In an online Q&A on hernandotoday.com a reader asked columnist Adon Taft about Medicare and whether... Continue Reading Posted at 7:00 AM \| Permalink \| Comments
Nov 6	Aflac Inc. Duck Quacks For Charity Andrew Smyth November 6, 2006 I’m sure you have heard and seen your share of commercials and advertisements by the famous duck of Aflac Inc. (AFL). If that wasn’t enough they are now selling the stuffed Alfac Duck toys at Macy’s stores in Arizona, Georgia,... Continue Reading Posted at 11:00 AM \| Permalink \| Comments
	SEC Focuses On Annuity Sales Methods To Seniors & Pre-Retirees Andrew Smyth November 6, 2006 Annuities have always faced close scrutiny from the financial world and are great products when sold correctly. The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission is currently conducting a nationwide “sweep to find specific problems with the methods used to sell annuities... Continue Reading Posted at 10:00 AM \| Permalink \| Comments
	Insurance Tidbits: Medicare, Retirement Readiness, Pension Protection Act Andrew Smyth November 6, 2006 I came across these three short insurance news tidbits that could be of use to consumers and employers. Considering they each don’t warrant a single post I have decided to include them all in this one post.Medicare:America’s Health Insurance Plans... Continue Reading Posted at 9:00 AM \| Permalink \| Comments
	Pennsylvania Health Bill Aids Children’s Health Insurance Program Andrew Smyth November 6, 2006 Gov. Edward Rendell signed into law a bill that sailed through the Pennsylvania Senate and House “that will increase eligibility limits for subsidized coverage from the state’s Children’s Health Insurance Program” according to nationalunderwiter.com. The text of the new law... Continue Reading Posted at 8:00 AM \| Permalink \| Comments
	Small Business Retirement Plan Participation Drops Andrew Smyth November 6, 2006 Smaller companies are experiencing a precipitous drop in retirement plan participation according to an article on nationalunderwriter.com. U.S. employers with 10 to 99 employees have seen participation rates fall close to 3 percent between 2004 and 2005.Researchers at the Employee... Continue Reading Posted at 7:00 AM \| Permalink \| Comments
Nov 5	Weekly Insurance Scammers Exposed: 17th Installment Andrew Smyth November 5, 2006 I have not posted an insurance scammers installment in several weeks so I thought I would bring it back into the fold. One of the cases really gets under my skin because the accused schemed hundreds of thousands of dollars... Continue Reading Posted at 11:00 AM \| Permalink \| Comments
	South Carolina Smoking Ban Close To Approval Andrew Smyth November 5, 2006 I live in a state that prohibits smoking inside restaurants and take that luxury for granted, although I think everyone that doesn’t smoke shouldn’t be forced to inhale smoke if they want to go eat out. The city of Greenville... Continue Reading Posted at 10:00 AM \| Permalink \| Comments
	Amerigroup Corp. Must Cough Up $48 Million In Damages Andrew Smyth November 5, 2006 Amerigroup Corp. (AGP) lost in federal court and must pay $48 million in damages for discriminating against pregnant women according to insurancejournal.com. Lawyers involved in the case said damages would ultimately total $144 million when all is said and done.Amerigorup... Continue Reading Posted at 9:00 AM \| Permalink \| Comments
	Garamendi Recommends Workers Comp Rate Cut Of 9.5% Andrew Smyth November 5, 2006 The California Insurance Commissioner John Garamendi has recommended a cut to workers compensation pure premium rate by 9.5 percent according to a press release. This recommendation stems from worries Garamendi has “concerning substantial decreases in total permanent disability payments, and... Continue Reading Posted at 8:00 AM \| Permalink \| Comments
	Aegon N.V. Purchases Clark Inc. For $293 Million Andrew Smyth November 5, 2006 One of the largest financial services companies in the world, Dutch based Aegon N.V., has agreed to buy a major player in the U.S. executive benefits market, Clark Inc. according to nationalunderwriter.com.The transaction will involve $293 million, or $16.55 per... Continue Reading Posted at 7:00 AM \| Permalink \| Comments
Nov 4	National Insurance Crime Bureau’s Reports Most Stolen Vehicles In U.S. For 2005 Andrew Smyth November 4, 2006 The National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) has released their annual study of most stolen cars in the United States in a press release. Not surprisingly Honda takes the first two slots with a Toyota Camry coming in third. I was... Continue Reading Posted at 11:00 AM \| Permalink \| Comments
	Is Our Health Insurance System Adequate For The Masses? Andrew Smyth November 4, 2006 A blog post on InsureBlog titled “Good News??” shows some results of a joint poll done by ABC News, USA Today and the Kaiser Family Foundation. The chart on the blog is title “What Bothers People About Their Own Heal... Continue Reading Posted at 10:00 AM \| Permalink \| Comments
	UnumProvident Corporation Ends Practice Of Paying Undisclosed Commissions Andrew Smyth November 4, 2006 The California Insurance Department has announced in a press release on their website a settlement with UnumProvident Corporation (UNM) to end the practice of paying undisclosed commissions for Employee Benefit Group Insurance. This is a watershed moment as “the settlement... Continue Reading Posted at 9:00 AM \| Permalink \| Comments
	AARP Study: Health Care Not Top Priority For Older Voters In Maryland Andrew Smyth November 4, 2006 Which is more important to you, access to health care or crime or energy costs? Nationalunderwriter.com reported that according to a survey done by a Baltimore-based chapter of AARP health care is not a top priority. The study was done... Continue Reading Posted at 8:00 AM \| Permalink \| Comments
	HesMorganHouse L.L.C.: A Fee-Only Life Insurance Consulting Firm Andrew Smyth November 4, 2006 A handful of life insurance veterans have aligned to start a fee-only life insurance consulting firm, HessMorganHouse L.L.C. according to nationalunderwriter.com. The three founders, Jim Hess, Charlie Morgan and Aimee Viola all come from the life industry with decades of... Continue Reading Posted at 7:00 AM \| Permalink \| Comments
Nov 3	North Dakota Insurer Pays $50,000 To Resolve Theft Of Policyholder Info Andrew Smyth November 3, 2006 A unit of insurer Humana Inc. (HUM), Louisville, Ky., in North Dakota “has agreed to pay $50,000 to resolve regulators’ concerns about the theft of policyholders’ data” according to nationalunderwriter.com. Apparently there were “two separate incidents of theft” where thieves... Continue Reading Posted at 11:00 AM \| Permalink \| Comments
	Council For Disability Awareness Launches Consumer Website Andrew Smyth November 3, 2006 If you have ever worried about becoming disabled or thought about purchasing disability insurance then the new website from the Council for Disability Awareness (CDA) might come in handy. The website, www.disabilitycanhappen.org, is focused on educating consumers about everything disability... Continue Reading Posted at 10:00 AM \| Permalink \| Comments
	Employee Benefits Security Administration Loosens Reigns For Defined Benefit Pension Plans Lending Andrew Smyth November 3, 2006 Defined benefit pension plans have been given more flexibility by the Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA) “to increase revenue by lending securities to a wider range of borrowers” according to nationalunderwriter.com. This lending extends to “broker-dealers and banks in Canada,... Continue Reading Posted at 9:00 AM \| Permalink \| Comments
	Kenneth Lay-Enron Life Insurance Suit Settled Andrew Smyth November 3, 2006 According to an article on chron.com Enron Corp. has “struck a deal to collect $250,000 on a life insurance policy covering its founder, Kenneth Lay, who died just weeks after he was convicted of fraud charges related to the company’s... Continue Reading Posted at 8:00 AM \| Permalink \| Comments
	Are You Unemployed In Oklahoma? The State Has You Covered. Andrew Smyth November 3, 2006 According to an article in the insurancejournal.com the Oklahoma unemployment insurance trust fund is at its highest funded level since 1997. A whopping $705 million is currently sitting in the fund largely due to a strong economy.Unemployment taxes for employers... Continue Reading Posted at 7:00 AM \| Permalink \| Comments
Nov 2	Medi-Share: Christian Cost-Sharing Ministry Not Insurance Program Andrew Smyth November 2, 2006 A Christian cost-sharing ministry based in Kentucky, Medi-Share, is facing shut-down by a Franklin County Circuit Judge due to "a motion by the Kentucky Office of Insurance for a permanent injunction against the Medi-Share program” according to insurancejournal.com. The head... Continue Reading Posted at 11:00 AM \| Permalink \| Comments
	Delta Dental Plans Injects Reality Check Into Negative Affects Of Halloween Candy Andrew Smyth November 2, 2006 The Delta Dental Plans Association (DDPA) released a cautionary press release about the perils of modern food on our teeth. Apparently Halloween candy should be the least of our worries when faced with daily food options according to insurancejournal.com.Sugar has... Continue Reading Posted at 10:00 AM \| Permalink \| Comments
	Massachusetts Proves Expensive To Businesses Andrew Smyth November 2, 2006 The expense of doing business in Massachusetts might be threatening the economic future of the state according to a study released by Pioneer Institute for Public Policy Research. The study, “Measuring Up? The Cost of Doing Business in Massachusetts,” has... Continue Reading Posted at 9:00 AM \| Permalink \| Comments
	Employee Theft On The Rise, Employers Not Buying Crime Insurance Andrew Smyth November 2, 2006 Are you a disgruntled corporate worker for a private company looking for a way to pay back your company because layoffs might be coming down the line? According to an article on nationalunderwriter.com from the Chubb Group of Insurance Companies... Continue Reading Posted at 8:00 AM \| Permalink \| Comments
	I Want My Identity Theft Coverage! Andrew Smyth November 2, 2006 Demand is on the rise and consumers are not standing for it anymore. They want their homeowners insurance carrier to offer coverage for identity theft! Isn’t that really what everyone wants in this life? According to a press release on... Continue Reading Posted at 7:00 AM \| Permalink \| Comments
Nov 1	Divorce Causes More Health Problems For Women Andrew Smyth November 1, 2006 A New York Times article about a new effects of divorce on womens health study from Iowa State University says “women may give up more than a husband by divorcing -- they may also lose some of their good health.” ... Continue Reading Posted at 11:00 AM \| Permalink \| Comments
	BlackBerry Use Triggers Worker Compensation Insurance Worries Andrew Smyth November 1, 2006 Has incessant BlackBerry use now crept into the world of workers’ comp insurers and risk managers? According to a blog post, BlackBerry Anonymous, on A View From The Press Box by Sam Friedman “there is a repetitive stress factor at... Continue Reading Posted at 10:00 AM \| Permalink \| Comments
	California Consumer Warning Of Faxed Discount Health Insurance Offerings Andrew Smyth November 1, 2006 If you receive unsolicited offers through fax then beware of a health insurance offer currently showing up in fax machines statewide. The California Department of Insurance (CDI) is warning consumers through a press release on their website of discount health... Continue Reading Posted at 9:00 AM \| Permalink \| Comments
	The Dangers Lurking When “Visiting” A Hospital Andrew Smyth November 1, 2006 I came across a humorous article written by Bob Caudle online in The Morning News, a newspaper that serves Northwest Arkansas, about hospitals and their “latest scam.” The “scam” involves the payment process after visiting the emergency room of a... Continue Reading Posted at 8:00 AM \| Permalink \| Comments
	Racial Discrimination Charges Filed Against Erie Insurance Group Andrew Smyth November 1, 2006 Erie Insurance Group has been charged of violating the Fair Housing Act by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) according to nationalunderwriter.com. HUD maintains these violations are correct because of an investigation they conducted after a complaint... Continue Reading Posted at 7:00 AM \| Permalink \| Comments

Devoted to the Insurance industry and all thing related

Advertise

Related Resources

recent comments

sponsored ads

topics