Most Recent Auto Insurance News in Headlines

  • Medical costs to be cut in NJ auto insurance

    by Richard Burton
    Medical costs to be cut in NJ auto insurance

    Auto insurance rules are likely to be revamped if everything goes as per the proposals made on Monday in Governor Chris Christie’s administration. They claim that it will help in controlling auto insurance costs, if the medical costs for those injured in accidents are curtailed. A number of revisions to the PIP system in the state will change the fees that are paid to some of the same-day surgery centers and will also bring down the costs that are associated with alternative therapies such as chiropractors and the rest. It will also help in clamping down on the attorney’s fees … (more) August 15, 2011

  • Automobile accident victims can get full value of medical treatment – court ruling applauded by lawyer Patrick J. Tighe

    by Richard Burton
    Automobile accident victims can get full value of medical treatment – court ruling applauded by lawyer Patrick J. Tighe

    Now, customers can rejoice with the latest court ruling that plaintiffs who are injured in auto accidents can introduce bills for the full value of treatment they have received. This comes as a major victory and has been hailed by Florida Insurance lawyer Patrick J. Tighe (Fourth district, Case Number – 4D09-1659). This had earlier become a contentious point of law to many. Tighe stated that the major insurers such as Allstate, Progressive, Geico, and State Farm may not like the ruling, but for all the others it is a moment to rejoice. Tighe is a senior advocate for accident … (more) August 11, 2011

  • Approximately one in seven drivers are uninsured, states report

    by Richard Burton
    Approximately one in seven drivers are uninsured, states report

    Summer is that time of the year when people tend to go on long motorbike rides and road trips. Even the number of trips to the swimming pools and playgrounds is at its maximum. Hence, every motorist is more exposed to the dangers on the roads. Although, the chances of being involved in an auto accident during such trips may not be very common, but every motorist is likely to be involved in maybe one car accident at least during their lifetime. The pertinent question that would arise is – what would happen if either parties or one of them … (more) August 4, 2011

  • AARP auto insurance program now available through BB&T oswald trippe and company insurance services

    by Richard Burton
    AARP auto insurance program now available through BB&T oswald trippe and company insurance services

    The Hartford Financial Services Group has made an announcement today that it would make the award-winning AARP auto insurance program available via BB&T Oswald Trippe and Company Insurance Services in Southern and Central Florida. The BB&T Oswald Trippe and Company Insurance Services has been chosen after it managed to satisfy a series of eligibility criteria that included showing a commitment towards community services, meeting very high levels of business ethics, and successfully completing a training program that had been designed exclusively to highlight the requirements of those who were in the 50+ age groups. Tom Coyne, VP at The Hartford … (more) August 3, 2011

  • Protection for volunteer drivers at charities through legislation

    by Richard Burton
    Protection for volunteer drivers at charities through legislation

    There is a legislation that has been co-sponsored by a couple of North Jersey lawmakers and it would offer protection to volunteer drivers at charities. It will help in keeping the auto insurance rates low due to the volunteer work they are involved in and it would also help in limiting their liabilities in the event of an accident. However, the sponsors of the bill as well as the non-profit groups that are advocating the passage of this bill agree that there is no evidence that insurance companies are increasing auto insurance premiums for volunteers or that they are facing … (more) July 25, 2011

  • GM offers free auto insurance to help new car buyers

    by Richard Burton
    GM offers free auto insurance to help new car buyers

    Uninsured motorists pose a serious problem especially in states like California. So, General Motors (GM) is trying out an experiment in two states where it will help insure new car buyers. It is conducting this test in Washington and Orlando and new car buyers in these states will receive free auto insurance for one year. This is an offer from GM and the policy would be offered by MetLife. The policy also includes the physical damage coverage and liability. It exceeds the requirements in both the states. This offer is on 2010, 2011, and 2012 Buick, Chevrolet, GMC, truck, Cadillac … (more) July 20, 2011

  • Auto thefts are on the decline and is the lowest since 1967

    by Richard Burton
    Auto thefts are on the decline and is the lowest since 1967

    Auto thefts in the US have reached the lowest levels since 1967. There had been a drop of 7.2% during 2010. It is the 7th consecutive year that there has been a decline in auto thefts and this is largely due to the safety features as well as measures taken by the police force. This has acted as deterrents state experts in the auto insurance sector. The number of thefts has declined steadily. The figures were at 794,616 during 2009, but there has been a decline of 7.2% during 2010, as per the preliminary reports from the National Insurance Crime … (more) July 18, 2011

  • Public auto insurance is the best, provided it is executed well

    by Richard Burton
    Public auto insurance is the best, provided it is executed well

    The IBC or the Insurance Bureau of Canada has been actively convincing the British Columbians since the last four years stating that the private insurance system provides the best service and would be much better than ICBC. However, there seems to be overwhelming evidence to show that when the government takes up something and does it right, the choice between private and public would become quite obvious. Just last week Lindsay Olso had argued on behalf of the IBC and stated that the insurance rates in B.C. would actually decline if it had to come under the private system. Olson … (more) July 14, 2011

  • Fraudsters now insure their luxury vehicles as farm vehicles to avail hefty discounts

    by Richard Burton
    Fraudsters now insure their luxury vehicles as farm vehicles to avail hefty discounts

    The unpaid premiums have gone up to a tune of around $150 million each year due to improper application of discounts, states an executive from a firm which checks the data for auto insurance companies. Insurance fraudsters are now turning to other innovative ways to cheat on the amount of insurance they pay. They claim their luxury cars to be farm equipment and are reaping the benefits by way of hefty discounts on their auto insurance premiums. The San Francisco Company Quality Planning is in charge of the verification of the policyholder’s data for auto insurers and this company has … (more) July 13, 2011

  • J.D. power & associates – consumers who combine policies are dissatisfied

    by Richard Burton
    J.D. power & associates – consumers who combine policies are dissatisfied

    According to J.D. Power & Associates, the satisfaction with the pricing among auto insurance customers is now comparable with those levels that were earlier reserved for those policyholders who bundled their homeowner’s policies and auto insurance policies. The study conducted by J.D. Power measured consumer satisfaction with the auto insurers based on 5 factors such as policy offerings, price, interaction, claims, and billing & payment. The study has found that satisfaction levels in those who had purchased a homeowner’s policy from another insurer and those who only had an auto insurance policyhad gone up now when compared to 2010 (it … (more) July 6, 2011

  • Catastrophic auto insurance suggested by Halifax lawyer

    by Richard Burton
    Catastrophic auto insurance suggested by Halifax lawyer

    A Halifax personal injury lawyer has suggested to the Nova Scotia government that there needs to be a boost in the medical rehabilitation benefits which are handed out to those who suffer ‘catastrophic’ injuries in motor vehicle accidents. John McKiggan has stated that those who suffer severe injuries in accidents required extensive medical treatment and should be eligible to receive more medical benefits, maybe up to $100,000. They must also have additional benefits such as income replacement of up to $1,000 for every week that the injured person is unable to go to work as a result of the accident. … (more) July 3, 2011

  • Rise in auto insurance rates inevitable due to auto insurance fraud

    by Richard Burton
    Rise in auto insurance rates inevitable due to auto insurance fraud

    The next time you open your mailbox and see a hike in your auto insurance bill, you must ensure that you don’t get upset with the insurance agent or your insurer. You must instead target all your anger on those who are responsible for this state of affairs – the auto insurance fraudsters. These are the people who have ruined the entire system and created this mess state the local officials. In the State of New York, the average auto insurance rates are the fourth highest and this is due to auto insurance fraud. This bit of information has come … (more) June 29, 2011

  • Public auto insurance a better option than private insurance

    by Richard Burton
    Public auto insurance a better option than private insurance

    In the last four years, the Insurance Bureau of Canada has tried its best to convince British Columbians that the for-profit private auto insurance system would be a better bet when compared to the ICBC. However, that argument is far from the truth as there is overwhelming evidence to support the fact that when the government agencies do it right, then this choice between private and public insurance is really a no-brainer. Lindsay Olsan argued on behalf of Insurance Bureau of Canada, that there would actually be a dip in the auto insurance rates in BC. It is a well-known … (more) June 24, 2011

  • Over 2,000 agents & agencies in ohio owe $21.7 million in tax liens

    by Richard Burton
    Over 2,000 agents & agencies in ohio owe $21.7 million in tax liens

    Around 2,230 agents & agencies have been identified by the Ohio Department of Insurance Fraud, Enforcement and License Division with the help of Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine’s office and it has been found that these agents and agencies own the state of Ohio $21.7 million in Tax Liens – sales tax, income tax, and workers comp premium payments. Mary Taylor, Ohio Lieutenant Governor and Department of Insurance Director has stated that the department is helping the  insurance agents in Ohio to comply with the state laws via a program that can help recover this huge unpaid amount. This was … (more) June 17, 2011

  • Usage-based insurance and telematics solutions for auto insurance industry as a result of collaboration

    by Richard Burton
    Usage-based insurance and telematics solutions for auto insurance industry as a result of collaboration

    An announcement was made by The Evogi Group a telematics solutions provider for vehicles and Exigen Insurance Solutions a provider of core systems for insurance about a partnership that has been forged between the two companies. This announcement was made at ACORD LOMA Insurance Systems Forum. This partnership will offer a complete usage-based insurance or UBI as well as pay-as-you-drive PAYD options for insurers. This collaboration between these two companies will provide insurers billing, full policy administration, claims, as well as account management for both commercial and personal auto usage-based insurance products with the help of GPS technology and telematics. … (more) June 9, 2011

  • Billion-dollar deal struck by allstate as it plans to buy esurance to increase online sales

    by Richard Burton
    Billion-dollar deal struck by allstate as it plans to buy esurance to increase online sales

    Auto insurance major Allstate has struck a billion-dollar deal with plans to buy Esurance as well as Answer Financial from White Mountains Insurance Group Ltd as it has major expansion plans with regard to its online sales. Thomas Wilson, CEO is now looking at ways and means to bring in more customers through the rest of the channels like the internet as the younger generation generally avoids insurance agents. Most often, online shoppers opt for insurance coverage from lesser known insurance companies. Allstate seems to have lost a lot of customers due to this since the last 3 years. Paul … (more) June 3, 2011

  • Unfair treatment meted out to low-cost auto insurance bill in senate hearing

    by Richard Burton
    Unfair treatment meted out to low-cost auto insurance bill in senate hearing

    The bill that was supposed to charge most motorists in Nevada a drivers’ fee in order to subsidize the low-cost insurance pilot program for those residents of Clark County who were eligible, ran into some tough questioning at the Senate hearing. This bill was the subject of a lot of vote trading in order to get the required two-thirds support that was needed to move it out of the assembly last month. This bill was sought by Assemblyman Kelvin Atkinson, D-North Las Vegas. The two-thirds vote was a prerequisite for the bill as it planned to impose a 50% fee … (more) June 2, 2011