Most Recent Auto Insurance News in State Insurance News

• Cost Of Car Insurance Cramming Up. How To Lower That Your Rate

  by Jeanny Hopper
  

  If you live in Arizona, you are probably paying a very expensive car insurance rate. It is being ranked as the 14th highest in the nation today. However, there are little things you can do which will effectively lower down your current costs. One producer from ABC15 was notified that her insurance premium will be subjected to an increase of about $100, from $140 to $240 monthly, which is equivalent to 70 percent. The insurance company told her that the increase is necessary because of the minor accident she had in her driving record. After running a quick online check … (more) March 25, 2010

• Georgia Drivers Urged to Consider Part Replacement Insurance Coverage

  by Jeanny Hopper
  

  In the event of a severe road mishap, any smart driver would be concerned about the damage caused to their cars as well as how these cars would be repaired. With broken or dented fenders, original equipment manufacturer (OEM) parts and after-market parts (AMP) are in the middle of a tug-of-war for any customer’s concern over durability and price. Executive director of the Georgia Insurance Information Service, David Colmans, explains that since a majority of car owners express concern regarding what their auto insurance policy may say about repair, it would always be wise to take the initiative and to … (more) March 22, 2010

• Auto Insurance Coverage in Brooklyn

  by Jeanny Hopper
  

  Residents of Brooklyn, Alabama are required to purchase an auto insurance policy to legally drive in this state. This city is actually no exception to the rule and if you are a resident here, you must shell out some money to have yourself and your vehicle covered. Securing an insurance card can get really expensive, but if you consider this an investment for the future, then this could be your best option. Premiums do not come cheap, but find ways to lessen your rate while still being minimally and sufficiently covered. The first thing you need to find out is … (more) March 17, 2010

• New Bill Can Take Uninsured Drivers off Oklahoma Roads

  by Jeanny Hopper
  

  New legislation that has recently been approved in the House of Congress can discourage or deter uninsured Oklahoma drivers from hitting the road.  With the new bill, drivers who get pulled over by police officers and upon verification are found not to have auto coverage can have their vehicles towed.  This new law is the brainchild of Oklahoma representative, Steve Martin, who has received numerous requests and appeals in the past from constituents to institute measures to protect insured drivers from drivers without auto insurance policies. In addition, the Oklahoma Department of Public Safety has equipped all patrol cars with … (more) March 15, 2010

• Increasing Auto Insurance Rules May Give Policyholders a Harder Time

  by Jeanny Hopper
  

  MICHIGAN – The idea that introducing more automobile insurance rules will make life easier for drivers is a farce, according to Pete Kuhnmunech, Executive Director of the Insurance Institute of Michigan, Lansing. Singling out Michigan State Representative Barb Byrum, Kuhnmunech said that the legislator is not prioritizing what really matters. He said that Byrum’s promotion of increased regulation and tighter price controls is actually detrimental to the “stable” insurance industry job market. This industry provides jobs for an estimated 55,000 residents. Ohio, however, has taken advantage of the impending scenario by offering an “extensive public information campaign” to attract some … (more) March 14, 2010

• Maryland Auto Insurance Fund May Be Disputed by Maryland Senator’s Bill

  by Jeanny Hopper
  

  MARYLAND – Anne Arundel Democrat Sen. John C. Astle intends to file a bill to curb the spending practices of the Maryland Automobile Insurance Fund (MAIF). The Maryland lawmaker will take initiative to end the firm’s practice of giving out bonuses to managers and workers, as well as hiring lobbyists on their behalf. At the Joint Appropriations Committee hearing earlier this month, the MAIF justified using $74,000 to spend on outside lobbyists from 2008 to 2009. Moreover, MAIF also justified internal changes allowed by their board of directors to lessen restrictions to give out employee bonuses. About $1.4 million in … (more) March 13, 2010

• Florida Number One in Auto Insurance Fraud Cases

  by Jeanny Hopper
  

  Florida has now gained the unenviable distinction of being the number one hotspot in the US in terms of auto insurance fraud.  The past six months have seen a surge in fraudulent claims and staged accidents in the state according to the National Insurance Crime Bureau. These incidents have been a cause of concern for some time now for Floridian authorities and insurance companies.  Unfortunately, it is the innocent drivers who ultimately are affected and who are made to suffer in the end. The spate of dubious claims has led to a spike in insurance premiums in the state, as … (more) March 8, 2010

• North Dakota has 3rd Lowest Auto Insurance Rate in US

  by Jeanny Hopper
  

  According to Insurance Commissioner Adam Hamm, North Dakota state has the 3rd lowest automobile insurance rate in the entire nation. The official results were reported by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners’ in their recently issued “Auto Insurance Database Report (AIDR) 2006/2007.” This report, though seemingly outdated, is the most recent official report from the national association. In the report, North Dakotans pay 28 percent lower on average than the national average for auto insurance. The annual auto insurance expenditure in the sate is $657.63. The national average is $911.84. Hamm expressed that the result is a testament to the … (more) March 5, 2010

• Insurance Claims in Baltimore Spike Up Due to Record Snowfall

  by Jeanny Hopper
  

  The aftermath of the record levels of snowfall on Greater Baltimore in February has prompted insurance agents to move double time to aid clients who needed to file claims for car damages ranging from crumpled fenders to fallen gutters. There has been a sharp increase in calls for insurance claims since the onset of the snowstorms which began on February 6 and 9 to 10. The state has reported an economic loss of $830 million. Baltimore insurance agency Mason & Carter president Clark Carter said that the recent flurry of snowfall has been the worst natural catastrophe by far that … (more) February 26, 2010

• Low-Cost Auto Insurance Program in California is Gaining Popularity

  by Jeanny Hopper
  

  Several Californians enjoy the benefit of enrolling in the state’s Low Cost Automobile Insurance Program (CLCA). Since its inception in July 2000, the program has provided ‘low-cost liability insurance’ to car owners with good driving records that do not have the financial capability to avail of market-rate insurance. The economic recession in the previous year along with a state initiative to promote the CLCA has successfully encouraged more participation last year. The program’s policies are agreed upon by licensed insurance companies while the state administers it. Two years ago, Shasta County reported 175 successful sign-ups. It became first county to … (more) February 24, 2010

• Former Insurance Exec to Go On Trial in Louisiana

  by Jeanny Hopper
  

  After failing to enter into plea bargain with prosecutors, the case of the former head of Louisiana Citizens Property Insurance Corp. would go to trial this coming March 22. Terry Lisotta, the former executive, was accused of having committed theft by fraud. According to reports, Assistant Attorney General David Caldwell and defense lawyer David Courcelle held a more than an hour closed-door meeting in the presence of Judge Richard Anderson of the 19th Judicial District. The Louisiana Citizens Property Insurance Corp. is a non-profit organization aimed at providing insurance products “for residential and commercial property applicants who are in good … (more) February 21, 2010

• Cheaper Car Insurance Act’ in New York Aims to Curb Auto Insurance Fraud

  by Jeanny Hopper
  

  A New York senator is ushering in a proposal for federal law which he hopes will cause much needed rectification with regards to automobile insurance fraud crimes and criminals involved. New York Senator Chuck Schumer’s legislation, called the Cheaper Car Insurance Act of 2010, aims to bring in new federal penalties for automobile insurance fraud. Sen. Schumer said that the Cheaper Car Insurance Act would be able to prosecute fraudulent criminals with specific penalties. The Act was triggered by a recent report which shows that automobile insurance fraud incidents have been rising in New York which consequently increased insurance rates … (more) February 20, 2010

• Woman Nabbed in Massachusetts for Auto Insurance Fraud

  by Jeanny Hopper
  

  The arrest of a woman alleged of having committed insurance fraud brought the number of individuals charged for the same offense to 420 in the State of Massachusetts. According to reports made by the state’s Insurance Fraud Bureau, the lawsuit against Matilda Gabin is the latest in a string of crackdowns made by investigators since 2003. Authorities reveal that Gabin was turned over by his former husband after the latter had “hounded” him into conspiring to make her car “disappear.” It turned out that Gabin, 28, wanted to buy a new car and desired to get rid of her 1999 … (more) February 17, 2010

• Texas and New York transform into better states for insured drivers

  by Jeanny Hopper
  

  Texas and New York both take part in improving auto insurance for their local drivers. Senator Charles Schumer proposed a bill that will reinforce laws regarding car insurance fraud for New Yorkers. For Texas drivers, the public roads have become safer for motorists, which resulted to fewer accident claims and cheaper insurance costs. In New York, Senator Schumer has proposed a bill that will increase the penalty for auto insurance fraud and will create federal jail sentences for felons convicted of the said offense. Expediting the implantation of the said bill is Albany County State Senator Neil Breslin who is … (more) February 16, 2010

• Insurance Agents Lobby for Auto Insurance Verification System in Alabama

  by Jeanny Hopper
  

  Insurance agents headed by the Alabama Independent Insurance Agents, Inc. (AIIA) are lobbying Alabama’s Congress to enact a law that would pave the way for a real-time auto insurance verification system. The move, according to the trade group, would most likely be introduced at the state’s Senate. It must be noted that since 2000, automobile insurance has been mandated in Alabama. However, for a down payment of as low as $50, a driver could get a proof of insurance card which would be valid for six months. As such, even if the policy holder discontinues or has lapses in monthly … (more) February 15, 2010

• Proposed Law in Missouri Aims to Hold Uninsured Non-Resident Drivers Accountable

  by Jeanny Hopper
  

  Incidents such as this have sparked a new legislation in the State of Missouri. A resident of Jasper County was driving her car in Joplin, Missouri when she met a vehicular accident involving an Oklahoman driver. While the latter was at fault, authorities could not hold said motorist for having no insurance simply because the vehicle was registered out-of-state. The sad part is, the local driver did not have coverage for collision nor the finance to have her car fixed. According to state Senator Gary Nodler, this is exactly the “loophole” which ignited the introduction of a bill aimed at … (more) February 14, 2010

• Nevada to Implement New System to Target Uninsured Vehicles

  by Jeanny Hopper
  

  The State of Nevada would soon be using auto insurance — or more appropriately the lack thereof — in order to help augment the state’s budget deficiency. Thus, if a vehicle has no insurance or no registration, it would likely be the target of a new verification system set to take effect on March 15 this year. According to Lynn Hettrick, the state would hire a Chicago-based company in order to find-out if a vehicle has the necessary registration and insurance coverage as required by the state. Hettrick, who works as Governor Jim Gibbons’ deputy chief of staff, said that … (more) February 14, 2010