Author: H. Cutner

USAA Settlement Offers Millions to Data Breach Victims

H. Cutner
USAA Settlement

USAA has reached a $3.25 million class-action settlement following a 2021 data breach that exposed customers’ personal information. If you’re a USAA customer impacted by the breach, it’s time to take action; filing a claim before the April 7 deadline is essential to securing your share of the settlement. How to File a Claim in the USAA Settlement If you were affected, you may have already received a unique notification from USAA by email or mail. These notifications include key details, such as a unique ID number and specific codes…

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Liberty Mutual to Refund Louisiana Homeowners Over Assessment Overcharges

H. Cutner
Liberty Mutual refund

Why Louisiana Homeowners Deserve Answers If you’re one of the 138,000 Louisiana residents insured by Liberty Mutual, you may soon see a small refund coming your way. For four years, the insurance giant overcharged policyholders for the Louisiana Citizens Property Insurance Corp. assessment. This surcharge is intended to help homeowners who cannot find coverage on the private insurance market due to natural disaster risks, but errors in Liberty Mutual’s calculations left many consumers paying more than they should have. The overcharges, which total about $4 million, might not break the…

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Liberty Mutual’s Big Move: Why Safeco Insurance Is Retiring After 100 Years

H. Cutner
Liberty Mutual

Safeco Insurance to Retire Brand Name by 2026, Liberty Mutual Consolidates Personal Lines Under Its Banner The insurance industry is undergoing another round of transformation, with Liberty Mutual Insurance announcing plans to retire the Safeco Insurance brand name in 2026. Safeco, a name synonymous with the independent agent channel for home, auto, and specialty insurance, will no longer serve as a standalone identity. All of Liberty Mutual’s personal lines products will instead operate exclusively under the Liberty Mutual name. Safeco’s Legacy of Strength and Partnership Since its founding in 1923…

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The Ripple Effect of High Tort Costs on Texas Insurance Rates

H. Cutner
High Tort Costs on Texas Insurance Rates

How Texas Stands Out in Tort Lawsuit Costs Texas is no stranger to big numbers—whether you’re talking about its size, economy, or legal landscape. But one area where the Lone Star State makes an unfortunate mark is in tort lawsuit costs. With an average of $4,594 per household in 2022, Texas ranks 10th nationwide for its tort costs, even outpacing many larger states. What makes Texas different, and why does this matter to you as a resident? A Legal System Known for High Stakes One key factor is Texas’s reputation…

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Helene & Milton vs. FEMA’s Wallet – How Two Hurricanes Changed the Flood Insurance Game

H. Cutner
Flood Insurance - Hurricane Helene and Milton

FEMA Borrows $2 Billion to Cover Flood Claims After Hurricanes Helene and Milton According to an article in the Florida Weekly, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is borrowing $2 billion to cover National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims after back-to-back devastation from Hurricanes Helene and Milton in Florida’s Gulf Coast last year. The sheer scale of damage and the tens of thousands of claims made have underscored the challenges of funding flood insurance in a time of increasingly severe weather. Storms Bring Catastrophic Flooding and Widespread Damage Hurricane Helene…

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Miami Lawmaker Takes Aim at Condo Insurance for Noncompliant Buildings

H. Cutner
Miami Condo Insurance

Noncompliance with Building Safety Laws Draws Scrutiny A Miami lawmaker is spearheading efforts to hold condominium associations accountable for adhering to Florida’s newly implemented building safety regulations. These laws, adopted in the aftermath of the tragic Surfside condo collapse in 2021, are designed to ensure the safety and sustainability of residential buildings, particularly those three stories and higher. Under state law, condominium associations were required to complete a building inspection and conduct a funding study for future repairs by December 31, 2022. However, of the 11,270 associations mandated to comply,…

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Legislative Reforms and New Programs Drive Florida’s Insurance Rate Reductions

H. Cutner
Florida Insurance Rate Reductions

Florida Insurance Market Relief Gains Momentum Floridians may experience meaningful financial relief as recent insurance rate reductions are announced for both homeowners and drivers. While the newly proposed budget for fiscal year 2025-26 includes additional measures to lower costs moving forward, the current savings are largely the result of older legislative reforms that are only now beginning to yield results. Impact of Older Legislative Reforms Recent decreases in insurance rates can be traced back to a series of reforms passed across previous years aimed at addressing deep-seated issues in Florida’s…

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