Live Insurance News

Flood insurance program bailout in front of Congress soon

November 24, 2012April 30, 2013

As the claims from Sandy continue pouring in, the troubled federal program is about to face important decisions. The National Flood Insurance Program, the only federal coverage against flooding in the United States, will face an estimated additional $6 to $12 billion in claims as a result of Hurricane Sandy, said the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The program can only borrow $2.9 billion more, after racking up an $18 billion debt from Katrina in 2005. Flood insurance news reports from the deputy associate administrator for federal insurance at FEMA,…

National Flood Insurance Program may not withstand assault from Hurricane Sandy

November 14, 2012November 13, 2012 S.Vagus

National Flood Insurance Program braces for massive impact from claims Hurricane Sandy has brought many issues to light in the U.S., especially those concerning climate change and the country’s energy grid. Amidst the turmoil the storm has caused, federal officials have begun evaluating ways to improve the country’s defenses against natural disasters. At its peak, Hurricane Sandy was a Category 2 storm, but dwindles to a Category 1 and tropical storm status by the time it reached the northeastern states. Despite the storm’s weakening presence, it still managed to produce…

Homeowners insurance claims could take several weeks to process

November 5, 2012April 30, 2013

Adjusters are backed up from thousands of claims from the superstorm. Because of the destruction all along the Atlantic coast of the country, customers with homeowners insurance claims should expect quite a delay before adjusters will be able to make it to their homes to move the process forward. This is especially true among policyholders who have not experienced damage leaving the home unlivable. This is leaving many homeowners insurance customers unable to proceed with the repairs of their homes. Many hesitate to take any action before the adjuster can…

Thousands of flood insurance claims coming from Louisiana in wake of Isaac

September 11, 2012September 11, 2012 Nordstrom

State announces thousands of flood insurance claims generated by Hurricane Isaac Hurricane Isaac has come and gone and the storm has left devastating floods in its wake. Louisiana was struck hard by these floods, with many of the state’s southern counties being inundated with water. According to Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon, thousands of flood insurance claims have been generated by the storm, many of which coming from throughout the state. State officials note that a scant 31% of Louisiana residents have flood insurance coverage, leaving many with damaged property without…

Allstate to raise rates on homeowners insurance in Chicago after spate of recent disasters

January 12, 2012January 12, 2012 Marc

Allstate is looking to raise rates on homeowners insurance in Chicago. The company has plans to raise rates by an average of 10% throughout the state, citing a rise in water, wind and hail damage claims over the past year. State regulators will not need to review the rate proposal, as the average rate increase does not exceed the 10% mark. The insurer plans to enact the new rates on March 26 this year. 2011 has become notorious for its natural disasters. These natural disasters took a toll in Chicago…

Louisiana Supreme Court reinstates suit against states Citizens Property Insurance group

December 21, 2011December 21, 2011 Marc

The Louisiana Supreme Court has voted to reinstate a $92.8 million suit against the state’s Citizens Property Insurance Corp. this week. The suit originated in early 2006 and claims that the state-run insurance organization was intentionally slow in adjusting insurance claims resulting from Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. The 24th Judicial District Court had awarded some 18,000 homeowners with roughly $5,000 after hearing the case. The action, however, violated state law and put the suit on hold for some time. The ruling has found a staunch enemy in the state’s Insurance…

New York insurance regulators still contending with FEMA over insurance claims generated by Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee

December 20, 2011December 20, 2011 Marc

In the wake of Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee, New York insurance regulators have been inundated with consumer complaints regarding claims. State regulators have been aggressively pressuring insurers and FEMA to resolve complaints and pay out claims, but their actions have run afoul of federal regulators who claim that the state is over stepping its boundaries. In October, FEMA issued a statement regarding the New York Department of Financial Services, decrying the department’s efforts in obtaining information from insurance companies. State regulators, in response, have only continued to work…