Auto Insurance News Archive for 2011

• Proposed insurance changes may result in reduced care and higher costs – victims tell lawmakers

  by Richard Burton
  

  Ted Vonk testified along with his Spectrum Health Orthopedic Specialist on Tuesday. He told the state House Insurance Committee that he was still recovering from the injuries he suffered in an accident. However, he also stated that he had managed to return to his duties as the Vice Chairman of Kent County Commission only because of the care he had received after the accident. He fears that the others may not receive similar care if any changes are made to the no-fault auto insurance system in Michigan. Ted Vonk was involved in a serious motor vehicle accident in 2009 and … (more) October 13, 2011

• Grants of $23 million given to California DA’s to battle auto insurance fraud

  by Richard Burton
  

  Grants of about $23 Million would be given to the District Attorney’s offices in and around the state of California to battle auto insurance fraud. Maria Ramirez who heads the division has stated that their department has literally been ‘operating on fumes’ due to the scaled-down budgets as well as the rise in crime. She has a tough job fighting insurance fraud in one of the most populous counties in the state. This announcement seems to have brought in a lot of cheer to her department. Insurance Commissioner, Dave Jones had announced funds, which totaled to $15.2 million and this … (more) October 12, 2011

• Insurance companies are dictating our legislation say some sections that are opposed to the proposed changes

  by Richard Burton
  

  Michigan currently offers it residents, reasonable and necessary medical cover for victims involved in motor vehicle accidents as per the no-fault law. However, the proposed House Bill 4936 is aimed at bringing about reforms in the current auto insurance systems, which allow us to choose the level of PIP protection. This proposal is meant to bring about changes that will help save money for the Michigan residents and will make auto insurance far more affordable for thousands of drivers who remain uninsured. While there are some sections that are opposing these new changes, insurance companies are happy to see these … (more) October 11, 2011

• Grants of $23m have been given to California DA’s to tackle auto insurance fraud

  by Richard Burton
  

  The District Attorney’s offices around the state of California will now get grants of about $23 million to tackle the auto insurance fraud. Maria Ramirez has a tough job fighting auto insurance fraud in the most populous county in the state. Her division had been going through a lot of hurdles due to the rise in crime and the scaled-down government budgets. Hence, this announcement brought in a lot of cheer. Dave Jones, Insurance Commissioner in the state announced funds that totaled to $15.2 million. This was distributed to around 35 counties as part of the regular auto insurance fraud … (more) October 9, 2011

• Proposed changes in auto insurance likely to be debated in Michigan legislature

  by Richard Burton
  

  The auto insurance system in Michigan is quite unique and this is a privilege that they have enjoyed for quite some time now. However, proposals have been made to change the auto insurance system in Michigan and that does not seem to have gone down too well with some people. This issue is likely to be debated in the Michigan Legislature. Michigan is the only state that mandates unlimited coverage for individuals who suffer catastrophic injuries in accidents. This is the only state in the US where they follow this system. Now, proposals are being made to change this system … (more) October 7, 2011

• No credit check auto insurance – where has it gone

  by Richard Burton
  

  Not so long ago we had the privilege of being able to get a no credit check auto insurance policy if we had a good driving record, paid insurance on time, had good credit history etc. However, that does not seem to be the case anymore, as insurance providers don’t really care if you have kept up your payment schedule nor have a good credit history etc. Today, even if you or your spouse end up losing your job due to the economic downturn, the auto insurance companies can still nail you with hiked premiums or worse they can even … (more) October 6, 2011

• Lawmakers in Michigan trying hard to exempt insurance claims resulting from use of medical marijuana

  by Richard Burton
  

  None of the companies that offer health insurance policies cover medical marijuana cost. If the lawmakers in Michigan get their way, even the auto insurance companies in this state will not cover the cost of treatment for accidents caused due to use of medical marijuana. The Senate Judiciary committee of this state unanimously voted to pass the law the prohibits auto insurance providers from paying out claims for mishaps that are related to usage of medical marijuana. Insurance Institute of Michigan’s executive director, Peter Kuhnmuench, has said that the response was really surprising. Most of the auto insurance companies in … (more) October 4, 2011

• Florida County takes measures to curb auto insurance fraud

  by Richard Burton
  

  Florida is one of the many states in the United States that is reeling under the problem of auto insurance frauds. Despite strict checks in place, there has been a consistent rise in the number of frauds being reported in the state. Though the state government is still contemplating on the various measures that it can implement to tackle this fraud, one frustrated county in the state has decided to go ahead and implemented a law to curb this menace. While the state government is trying to fix the loopholes in the no-fault insurance law, this county has passed an … (more) October 3, 2011

• Auto insurance providers fined by insurance regulators in the state of Washington

  by Richard Burton
  

  Mike Kreidler, the insurance commissioner in the state of Washington, recently announced levying fine on auto insurance, home insurance and other insurance policies for violating various laws set down by the state government. The total fine amount totals to a little over $1 million till date. Of the many violations by these insurance providers, the main ones are improper advertising, unapproved rates and failure to offer young children health care coverage. Also, Kreidler has requested all the residents of the state to reach out to the state insurance department in case they need any assistance in regard to the complaints … (more) October 2, 2011

• Nationwide negotiating with Harleyville group to buy them out

  by Richard Burton
  

  The eighth biggest auto insurance provider in the United States is negotiating with the parent firm of Harleysville Group Inc, an auto insurance company based in Pennsylvania in order to purchase the company, informed sources who is privy to these negotiations. These sources, who wanted to ensure anonymity due to the confidentiality of the discussions, also went on to say that the final deal may be signed in a matter of days. However, they also said that there are chances that the negotiations may fall apart. The market value of Harleysville Group as of 22nd September, 2011 was $690 million. … (more) October 1, 2011

• Auto insurers in Michigan keen on controlling the rising medical costs in the state

  by Richard Burton
  

  All the auto insurance providers in Michigan are keen on making changes to the no-fault system in the state that has been in existence for over two decades now. This need, they attribute, to the increasing cost of medical facilities in the state. Insurance Institute Of Michigan’s executive director, Peter Kuhnmuench, said that the no-fault auto insurance law in the state has worked without any concerns till date, the burgeoning costs of medical facilities in the state is calling for a  change to this law to curb this before things roll out of control. This law was brought into implementation … (more) September 30, 2011

• Auto insurance coverage without credit check

  by Richard Burton
  

  Long gone are the days when customers could show their impeccable driving record, void of any speeding tickets or accidents, and proof of paying their insurance premiums regularly and expect to be rewarded in return by the auto insurance provider in the form of discounted auto insurance premiums. Today, auto insurance providers do not pay as much attention to these aspects, as they do to the credit history and the fact that your spouse or partner getting the pink slip due to the downward spiraling economy. Therefore, even insurance holders with good driving records and good payment scheduled are still … (more) September 29, 2011

• Michigan auto insurance premiums can be lowered with optimum level of medi cover

  by Richard Burton
  

  The no-fault auto insurance law in the state of Michigan entitles the person with catastrophic injury to claim lifelong benefits for medical expenses and rehabilitation costs. However, with the increasing cost of availing medical facilities it will be very tough for many residents of the state to be able to avail this policy. Over the last ten years, the cost of availing medical facilities has upped the average of the PIP claims by at least 166%. The cost that stood at $13,617 in the year 2000 has now risen to $36,245 in the year 2010. Through these years, the Catastrophic … (more) September 28, 2011

• Changes in auto insurance would be debated in Michigan legislature

  by Richard Burton
  

  Michigan has always boasted of a unique auto insurance system when compared to the rest of the states. However, there are proposals to bring about some changes to this system. This would be a hot topic for discussion in the Michigan Legislature. Michigan is the only state in the US that provides unlimited medical coverage for those who are seriously injured in motor vehicle accidents. However, if the proposed changes come into effect, all of that is bound to change. Motorists will then have an option of choosing a less expensive insurance coverage where they would only get limited PIP … (more) September 27, 2011

• Paying for the fraud you did not commit

  by Richard Burton
  

  There are consumers who are unhappy about the rising auto insurance prices which are attributed to the increase in the number of auto insurance frauds. Most of them also believe that this is a reason that is being cited without enough proof to substantiate it. For those who feel that this is all hogwash, here is a reality check. The number of fraudulent auto insurance claims is indeed increasing not just in one state, but across the country. There is also evidence to prove the same. Numerous fraudsters who allegedly ran an auto collision ring by staging accidents and filing … (more) September 26, 2011

• 25% of the drivers in the state of Oklahoma driving without auto insurance

  by Richard Burton
  

  The Insurance Research Council is a body that regularly conducts surveys to find out the most recent happenings in the world of auto insurance and compile the results for comparative analysis at a later time. One of the latest surveys conducted by this council has revealed that close to 25 percent of the drivers in the state of Oklahoma do not have a valid auto insurance policy. These figures are a cause of concern in the industry circles because of the impact it can have not just on the auto insurance providers, but also those people who actually have a … (more) September 25, 2011

• $30 million increase in Medicaid costs if proposed Michigan auto insurance changes get approval

  by Richard Burton
  

  One of the recent studies conducted has revealed that there will be an increase of $30 million in the Medicaid program in Michigan if the legislature gives a nod to the changes proposed to the state’s no-fault insurance law which has been in existence for nearly 39 years now. In fact, the no-fault auto insurance law in this state is considered to be so good that many other states use this model to build of the no-fault laws for their respective states. One of the changes proposed is to allow drivers to select different levels of coverage for PIP (personal … (more) September 24, 2011