Uninsured Americans Rise to 27.1 Million in Early 2024, CDC Reports The latest figures from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are sounding alarms across the healthcare landscape. More than 8% of Americans were uninsured during the first months of 2024, a significant uptick from the record-low uninsured rates observed in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. According to the CDC’s National Health Interview Survey, an estimated 27.1 million Americans of all ages lacked health insurance by March 2024. This marks an increase of 3.4 million uninsured individuals…
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California Insurance Commissioner Announces Game-Changing FAIR Plan Reform
LOS ANGELES — In a significant move to address California’s ongoing insurance crisis,unveiled a breakthrough agreement to modernize the California FAIR Plan Association (FAIR Plan), the state’s “insurer of last resort.” This initiative is a key component of Lara’s Sustainable Insurance Strategy, marking the largest insurance reform since Proposition 103 was passed in 1988. Modernizing the FAIR Plan “Modernizing the FAIR Plan is a crucial step in our strategy to stabilize California’s insurance market,” said Commissioner Lara. “It’s critical for Californians to understand that a growing FAIR Plan contributes to…
Read MoreState Farm Seeks Major Rate Increase in California
State Farm, California’s largest insurer, is proposing sizable rate increases for its residential insurance policies in the state, potentially impacting millions of homeowners and renters. The company has filed for a 30% rate hike for its homeowners’ insurance, a 52% increase for renters, and a 36% escalation for condominium owners. This marks the third major change for State Farm in California within a year. State Farm’s Justification In a statement, State Farm indicated that these rate increases are necessary for the long-term sustainability of its California subsidiary, State Farm General.…
Read MoreState Farm Reverses California Policy Non-Renewals – With a Catch
State Farm, the largest insurance carrier in California, has announced a significant reversal of its earlier decision to not renew over 70,000 policies in the state, including 30,000 home insurance policies. This change comes after the company initially cited increasing wildfire risks as the primary reason for its decision back in March. However, the company’s renewed commitment comes with a notable caveat that is bound to impact policyholders significantly. State Farm Reversal and The Catch According to a statement from Sevag Sarkissian, State Farm’s California spokesperson, while the company will…
Read MoreFlow Specialty Emerges from Capitola Insurance Rebrand with New Leadership and Enhanced Capabilities
Backed by Munich Re Ventures and Lightspeed Venture Partners, the newly rebranded Flow Specialty (formerly Capitola Insurance) sets a new standard in the specialty wholesale insurance market. Integrating human expertise with advanced artificial intelligence (AI), Flow Specialty offers faster quotes, transparent communication, and reduced costs, providing unmatched service and access to premier markets. Enhanced Offerings for a Dynamic Industry Flow Specialty tailors its solutions to meet the unique needs of retail agents and carriers with a focus on: Professional Liability Insurance: Broad access across various markets catering to companies with challenging renewal…
Read MoreState Farm General Downgraded by AM Best Amidst Weakening Balance Sheet
Overview of State Farm Downgrade In a move that has caught the attention of policyholders and investors alike, AM Best has downgraded the Financial Strength Rating (FSR) of State Farm General Insurance Company (State Farm General). This marks a significant shift from an ‘A’ (Excellent) rating to a ‘B’ (Fair) classification, while the Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating (Long-Term ICR) dropped from “a” (Excellent) to “bb+” (Fair). Implications of Ratings – Balance Sheet Strength Assessed as Weak The Credit Ratings issued by AM Best take into account a variety of factors…
Read MoreFlorida Leaders Champion Bill to Slash Homeowner Insurance Costs by 25%
Amid escalating homeowner insurance rates, a glimmer of hope emerges from South Florida as two political figures spearhead a legislative initiative aimed at significantly reducing these financial burdens on homeowners. The proposed congressional bill sets its sights on a 25% cut in property insurance costs nationwide, promising particularly dramatic relief for Floridian home and condo owners. The legislation, coined the Natural Disaster Reinsurance Plan, is championed by U.S. Rep. Jared Moskowitz, a Democrat from Coral Springs, and Steve Geller, a former Florida legislator and current Broward County commissioner. It boldly…
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