Auto Insurance News Archive for February, 2012

• Austin auto insurance states that it is still possible to avail cheap car insurance

  by Richard Burton
  

  Austin Auto Insurance has advised car owners to take a look at the factors that affect auto insurance rates. Insurance firms look at various aspects while deciding on the auto insurance premiums. So, car owners have to keep themselves updated on these issues if they wish to avail cheap or affordable auto insurance. Every individual will be charged different auto insurance rates depending on a number of factors. Even if you drive the same make and model as someone else in the same area, the insurance premiums will vary. Paying the same auto insurance premium is just a myth because … (more) February 28, 2012

• Tropical storm Irene causes rise in insurance rates

  by Richard Burton
  

  The after effects are being felt by business owners and home owners in New Jersey after the tropical storm Irene had struck them. They are likely to feel the heat for many more years to come, state analysts and representatives in the insurance industry. Around $915 million may be spent by the private insurers to cover damages caused by the storm in the state of New Jersey, according to the estimates provided by ISO, which is an insurance risk advisory committee. Apart from these insured losses, another $150 million to cover the freak snowstorm that occurred in the month of … (more) February 24, 2012

• Innumerable proposals on auto insurance reforms – no consensus on any

  by Richard Burton
  

  Although there are a number of proposals that are being put forth by Republicans, there seems to be no consensus on any of them. Lawmakers in the state have been trying to bring about reforms with regard to the no-fault insurance laws in the state. As per the existing law, motorists carry a no-fault coverage of up to $10,000, where auto insurance companies are being forced to shell out the money regardless of who was at fault at the time of the accident. There are a number of fraudulent claims being made each year and this year alone the fraudulent … (more) February 22, 2012

• Governor Rick Scott comes out strongly in support of bill with the emergency room mandate

  by Richard Burton
  

  According to the new bill, all auto-related accident victims will now be forced to go the emergency rooms, instead of availing treatment from their family doctors. This would be the case even if there are minor injuries. This bill had been cleared on Wednesday by the Florida House subcommittee. The Florida House Banking and Insurance Subcommittee had approved the bill HB 119. The bill aims at cutting down fraud, which is rampant in PIP coverage in the state. Gov. Rick Scott offered his full support and also stated that he had no issues with the emergency room mandate in the … (more) February 18, 2012

• Facts and myths about motorists in new Hampshire busted

  by Richard Burton
  

  Despite the fact that New Hampshire drivers don’t have a law where wearing seat belts are compulsory, they seem to be buckling up. Wearing seat belts reduces fatalities and injuries to a very large extent. As per the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, wearing seat belts help in reducing fatalities by 45% and risk of suffering serious injuries by 50% for those who are sitting in the front. The surprising fact is that New Hampshire drivers seem to be buckling up much more than the drivers in Massachusetts. During 2010, New Hampshire had ranked last in the entire nation, when … (more) February 15, 2012

• Additional reforms necessary due to a rise in auto insurance costs

  by Richard Burton
  

  As per the reports from the NAIC or National Association of Insurance Commissioners, New Jersey had seen a rise in the combined average premium on personal auto insurance, during 2009.Sources from the insurance industry state that PIP costs have to be readjusted in order to maximize dollars for consumers and medical service providers as well.During 2010, the Department of Banking and Insurance had stated that increased rates were due to higher PIP costs. Hence, new PIP regulations had been proposed, where over 1,000 procedures would be added to the existing medical fee schedule. It also included bringing about reforms to … (more) February 12, 2012

• Accident victims should report to emergency room orders Florida bill

  by Richard Burton
  

  The Florida House of Representatives have approved the proposal, where crash victims would be required to report to the hospital emergency rooms within 72 hours in order to be eligible for PIP coverage benefits. The subcommittee has given its approval in a bid to crack down on fraudulent PIP claims that are perpetrated via ‘pain clinics’ throughout the state. The proposed HB 119 statute managed to sail through the House Insurance and Banking Subcommittee 10-5 on January 11. Even the House Civil Justice Subcommittee would be considering it shortly. Florida Legislature had convened the 2012 regular session on Jan 10 … (more) February 10, 2012

• ZIP codes can cause a steep rise in your auto insurance rates

  by Richard Burton
  

  Most people don’t realize that just residing in a particular ZIP code can cause a steep rise in auto insurance rates. Even if you have moved from a particular ZIP code to another within the same city, you may see a rise in your auto insurance rates. This can happen despite having the same driving record, vehicle, and claims history. As per a study, around half a dozen ZIP codes were found to have different auto insurance rates in Tampa, Florida. There was a difference of over $400 per year for a 40-year-old male, living in a posh suburban neighborhood, … (more) February 8, 2012

• New mobile apps used by auto insurance companies

  by Richard Burton
  

  Mobile apps are now being used by car insurance companies to obtain insurance quotes. For instance, Progressive’s new mobile app can be used by any of the Smartphone users. They can obtain auto insurance quotes after taking a picture of their driver’s license. This is known as ‘image capture’ and it works on most Smartphones and iPhones.

• Proposed State Initiative To Be Put On November Ballot

  by Richard Burton
  

  Auto insurance rates are likely to see a steep increase for Californians and this proposed initiative will be put on the November ballot. Debra Bowen, California Secretary states that the measure had been sponsored by Mercury Insurance, the auto insurance giant, who has managed to get adequate number of signatures required to qualify for the November ballot, which already has two other measures. The auto insurance initiative required at least 504,760 valid ‘petition signatures’ in order to qualify for the November ballot. This is equivalent to 5% of the total number of votes that were cast for the Governor during … (more) February 6, 2012

• Auto insurance initiative to appear in the November ballot

  by Richard Burton
  

  While voters in U.S. move towards the Nov. ballot, they’ll confront the problem of discounted initiatives for car insurance known the Automobile Insurance Discount Act, 2012 that was over ninety nine percent financed by the Mercury Insurance chairman. A latest car insurance proposal will be found on the Nov ballot in California, which allows chauffeurs to get a break on constant coverage also when they decide to go to some other company. Discount on drivers always sounds interesting but voters do have to finalize on several matters. There are two side of a coin and it is quite difficult to … (more) February 5, 2012

• Auto brawl resurfaces again – parties insist it is not personal

  by Richard Burton
  

  The auto brawl has resurfaced gain, but Harvey Rosenfield and George Joseph insist that it is not personal. The rivalry dates back to 2009, when a billboard in Wilshire Boulevard in LA, declared that Mercury Insurance, founded by George Joseph – cannot be trusted. Harvey Rosenfield had written the 1988 initiative, which regulated auto insurance. The two of them have been at loggerheads for more than a quarter century. However, they always insist that the rivalry is not personal. Consumer Watchdog is an advocacy group based in Santa Monica, and was founded by Rosenfield. Last week, attorneys from Consumer Watchdog … (more) February 2, 2012