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Friday, January 19, 2007
Monday, January 08, 2007
Insurance Industry Posts Record Profits In 2006
The insurance industry made record profits in 2006, and a new report out Monday said it's at customers' expense.Some consumer groups said companies are paying out lower claims and charging higher premiums than in the last 50 years.After the Florida hurricanes of 2004, consumer groups said the insurance industry made record profits. After Katrina in 2005, the industry broke that record in how much it took in. And in 2006 --- with no major disasters -- the industry made $60 billion in profits.The Consumer Federation of America said the disasters from years past allowed companies to raise their prices."People are paying much more and getting a lot less. The insurance companies are just making money hand over fist," said J. Robert Hunter of the federation.Julie Rochman of the American Insurance Association said profits are a good thing for customers and said some prices are dropping."We need a lot of capital to pay claims. We pay out about $300 billion in claims each year. That's not money you can build up overnight," Rochman said.Both groups said now is a good time to shop for car insurance and homeowners' insurance, except for those who own property on the coast."We don't want people who live in Missouri or Illinois to be subsidizing people in Florida. Unfortunately, what that means for people in Florida (is) the costs are going to be a little bit higher," Rochman said.Hunter said those who live near the coast are "in trouble. ... Prices are skyrocketing."Officials with the consumer federation said both state and federal government have not been doing enough to help regulate the industry and eliminate gouging, saying insurance should receive the same scrutiny as the gasoline industry.-Renee Cardelli & Megan Hughes, NEWS9
New Ideas For Judging Auto Safety
(CBS) WASHINGTON The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has released a 26-page report suggesting ways the government can improve its crash testing and public safety ratings for new automobiles. But this won't result in any quick mandated changes, and any rules requiring new tests would appear to be years away. Among the highlights: Frontal Crashes: The government is considering changing the 35 mph frontal crash tests to evaluate leg and thigh injuries. Currently only head, neck and abdomen injuries are measured. In addition, the government may consider conducting some "slower speed" tests since a large number of real world injuries are seen in crashes which happen at speeds below 25 MPH. Side Impact Crashes : The existing 38.5 MPH side test has not been changed since the wide adoption of side airbags and curtains. The government says it needs to review the test protocol to better understand what kinds of injuries are still happening even in those cars protected by side airbags and curtains. NHTSA would consider increasing the speed or weight of the striking barrier. In addition, the government would like to add a "pole test" to simulate what happens when a vehicle slides into a narrow barrier, utility pole, etc. This would help car makers to develop better head protection systems. Rollover Evaluations: The government now bases its rollover ratings on a static measurement (based on the car's height and width) and a test track "tip-test." But with more and more cars now being equipped with Electronic Stability Control, NHTSA needs to refine its analysis to better protect the safety benefit provided by ESC. Rear Crash Ratings: The government is considering adding public rating information about rear-end crashes. Currently NHTSA does not rate for rear crashes, but the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety does. None of these changes are binding, but NHTSA says these "ideas" reflect the government's latest thinking.
Uganda: Insurer Pays Sh10m Claim
THE National Insurance Corporation (NIC) has paid a sh9.5m claim to a taxi- driver Ismael Ssepuya. Ssepuya's car was crushed in an accident at Kamengo on Masaka Road last year. Western Union "Our customer acquired a comprehensive Third Party insurance policy," NIC's chief marketing manager, Jocelyn Ucanda, said while handing over the cheque to Ssepuya at the Old Taxi Park in Kampala. Ucanda said they are committed to paying all claims, adding that settling claims is a true measure of the strength of an insurance company. She urged the public to avoid risks by taking advantage of the company's numerous insurance products. "We have products that meet the needs of all classes of Ugandans," she said.
N.S. Tories, police attempt damage control in fallout from minister's crash
A Nova Scotia cabinet minister who quit his post after being accused by witnesses of leaving the scene of an accident is now taking a leave of absence from the Conservative caucus. Ernie Fage, the former human resources minister, announced his decision Monday, just hours after Premier Rodney MacDonald and police made attempts at damage control over the incident that has shaken the province's political and justice scenes. "It allows me time to deal with my personal issue that is under investigation at this time," Fage told reporters about his decision. Fage, a farmer from central Nova Scotia, rose to national prominence last week when photographs taken on a cellphone camera showed him driving away from the scene of the Nov. 24 collision in downtown Halifax. Three witnesses told The Canadian Press they smelled liquor on his breath. No charges have been laid and none of the allegations has been proven. "I'm very disappointed in how this has unfolded and quite frankly not pleased at all," MacDonald said shortly before Fage's announcement. Twenty-two seconds of grainy video shot by photographer David Gamble - who happened on the scene - showed Fage back at his apartment building, not responding as he's asked, "Why did you leave the scene?" Within hours of last Thursday's broadcast of the images, Fage was out of his cabinet post. As the legislature resumed Monday, MacDonald quickly distanced himself politically from his former minister. Last week, MacDonald claimed that he only learned complete details of the Fage car crash when the media reports aired. This, despite being told about the accident by his chief of staff on Dec. 4 and again by Fage on Dec. 16. "I wish he had given me more detail and he should have given me more detail," MacDonald said. "There should have been more information shared with me, but that wasn't the case." Fage denied keeping anything from his boss. "What I revealed to the premier was what happened," he said. "There was an auto accident and I responded appropriately by contacting police and co-operating with them fully." MacDonald brought Fage back into cabinet following the June election, after the Amherst, N.S., politician supported the youthful leader in his surprise victory at the Tory leadership convention. Fage was a controversial choice, having resigned his economic development portfolio under former premier John Hamm. He'd failed to tell cabinet colleagues that a potato farm slated to receive a $250,000 government loan rented land from his family. Frank Beazley, Halifax's chief of police, held his first news conference since the story broke to defend his department's handling of the investigation. Beazley said it took five days after the accident for the provincial Transportation Department to identify Fage as the driver of the government-leased vehicle. Asked why there was a delay, Beazley said: "That's a question to be asked of the department." "We called on several occasions. We were referred from one department to another department. It took us a long period of time to do that." Two days after Fage was identified by the department, he personally called to report the accident to police. Under the law, drivers involved in auto crashes that cause more than $1,000 damage must exchange insurance and licence information with the other driver involved and then report the collision to police within 24 hours. Fage waited a week. Beazley said police weren't in any way attempting to delay their investigation or cover anything up. "This is a property damage, car accident investigation that would take under normal circumstances six weeks to two months to do," he said. Delays created problems from the moment of the collision. It took an hour and 40 minutes for police to arrive at the scene after the first calls were received. Beazley himself noted that police normally attempt to administer a breathalyzer within two hours of accidents like this. He said without that evidence, it's hard to pursue impaired driving charges. "I would say that's a long stretch. . . . It would be very difficult to prove." A passenger in the struck car described the speed of the police response as poor. "In this case I think they bungled it," Steve Bezanson said Monday. "It seems very unusual that it took an hour and 40 minutes to come three blocks" from the police station. Asked why it took four weeks for the police to eventually contact the photographer who had the images and video, Beazley said delays are normal. "He (the officer) was following it through. He was making appointments. He was waiting for people to get back to him with information. It started coming together after Christmas." The witnesses to the accident were asked to give statements again Monday. Fage said he's paid for the damage to his vehicle. "I've looked after the expense for repairing and I really can't comment any more than that."
Callous thieves torch pensioner's car
CALLOUS thieves have torched a Latrobe pensioner's only means of looking after her 92-year-old aunt. Legacy widow Heather Traill was yesterday struggling to come to terms with how people could be so cruel, after her uninsured car was stolen from her Fenton St home in the early hours of Saturday and found burnt out at East Devonport. She said the Toyota Camry was a write-off and she was now stranded. She could not afford another car. "I've got no money at all. "I only get a pension." She said she had been unable to afford car insurance and did not know how she could look after her aunt. "It's a bit of a bummer because I've got a 92-year-old aunt a couple of doors down. "I do her shopping and I've got an 82-year-old sister at Latrobe and I check on her and take her shopping." Mrs Traill has had a knee replacement, needs another, and struggles to walk far. Even getting to her aunt's was difficult and required rest breaks, she said. "I had to walk to my aunt's and had to keep stopping and leaning on my 11-year-old grandson." She said the fire had also destroyed items of sentimental value. They were her late mother's walking stick and her late husband, Stan's, collection of Slim Dusty tapes. "If they wanted to joy ride why couldn't they take it and leave it without destroying it?" Mrs Traill was not home when the car was stolen and her daughter, Kellie Traill, slept through the theft. "She's just devastated," Mrs Traill said. Police said the silver 1986 Camry appeared to have been dumped and set on fire in Tarleton St. They were called by a member of the public at 2.08am and believed the car was stolen between about 12.30am and about 2.30am. They said it appeared entry had been gained by breaking the driver's side lock and that the car had been pushed down the road before being started. Police are investigating and charges have not yet been laid. Anyone with information is asked to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 005 555 or Devonport Police on 64217511. Source: The Advocate.
Smokes On the Rise?
Will your smokes cost you more money? If it's up to Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels, they will soon. Daniels has proposed a cigarette tax increase to fund low income families with health insurance. NEWS 25 went to a local smoke shop to find out how this proposed tax could impact business. We talked to the owner of an Evansville smoke shop who told us, depending on the day, he brings in two to six hundred dollars from cigarette sales. But he said if the cigarette tax goes up, he'll feel the pinch. It's a small smoke shop that has always competed with the big chain gas stations for sales, but now, it may have to hold it's own against another, cheaper, State when it comes to smokes. "All they have to do is drive five to ten minutes to get a cheaper price, it's really going to hurt the business," Owner of Burn 'Em Down smoke shop, Jeremy Adams said. It hasn't happened yet, but it's some lawmakers top priority: pass a cigarette tax increase to fund insurance for low income Hoosiers and hopefully get people to kick the habit at the same time. If the tax passes, Adams says people will jump in their car and head for Kentucky to buy cheaper smokes. Indiana's cigarette tax is currently 55 and a half cents per pack while Kentucky's is only 35 cents. But if Governor Daniel's proposal to raise the tax by 25 cents passes, smokers could save almost fifty cents a pack. Tony Hazelwood told NEWS 25 he went across the border just Monday for cigarettes. "I paid almost a dollar cheaper then over here in Indiana. Anything to save a penny right now," Hazelwood said. And what about the theory that a stiffer tax would make for fewer smokers? Adams said he isn't buying it. "No way. All that's going to do is make them find the cheaper store to go to fill their supply," he told us. But one woman told NEWS 25 a higher price per pack would be just the incentive she needs to kick the habit. "I'm trying to quit smoking so I don't like paying over three dollars for a pack of cigarettes anyway, with the tax increase it's going to make it way more than I'm willing to spend," Samantha Dickens said. Regardless if customers take their business to Kentucky or quit all together, Adams said he's already thinking of more ways to keep customers coming in his store, in case the tax is passed. We talked to a man working at Smokes For Less on Highway 41 in Henderson who told us he has a lot of customers who already come from Indiana and said if the tax increase passes, he'll see many more. NEWS 25 also talked to Democrat State Representative, Dennis Avery, on the phone who told us it would be foolish for legislators not to look at the economic impact this tax would have on border businesses when considering this bill.
Technology Companies Are Exposed to Security Breach Litigation
Security breaches are becoming more frequent as businesses increasingly rely on technology to store and transfer assets and sensitive information, such as customer names and credit card numbers. With each security breach, there is the risk that a lawsuit or regulatory action could damage a company's reputation and do serious financial harm. Some retailers and financial institutions already have faced litigation and regulatory actions, and some of these firms are now trying to hold their technology vendors and others accountable. "Any technology provider that sells a product or service that includes a security feature is at risk of being sued," said Jim West, senior vice president at Chubb & Son and worldwide manager of Chubb's Information & Network Technology segment. But West warns that many technology companies buy insurance that does not address the many exposures related to security breaches. "Depending upon the circumstances, a single breach can trigger a variety of insurance policies, including crime, errors and omissions, employment practices liability, general liability, property and even directors and officers liability," West said. "With the advent of so-called 'cyber' policies, we are concerned that technology companies are buying insurance that addresses only one facet of the exposure," he said. "Technology companies should take an enterprise-wide approach that includes insurance for business income, impairment of computer services, general liability, data recovery costs, privacy lawsuits, reputation injury and communications liability, and errors and omissions." Much has been written about "cyber" risks and the theft of information, money and identities through the Internet. Since February 2005, there have been more than 260 major security breaches involving nearly 100 million personal records, according to Privacy Rights Clearinghouse. But West warns that any organization that focuses just on its cyber exposures is not fully protected against security breaches. In March 2006, for example, a laptop containing personal information on 196,000 workers at one company was stolen from a rental car in California. "Since the time when confidential papers were locked inside desk drawers and wall safes or otherwise hidden from public view, the duty to protect non- public personal information has been a fundamental business principle," West said. "But the risk of losing sensitive information has risen dramatically because of the high concentration of data that can be stored on a computer hard drive." West advises technology companies to work closely with their agents or brokers and insurance companies to identify and address gaps in their insurance portfolio. The member insurers of the Chubb Group of Insurance Companies form a multi-billion dollar organization providing property and casualty insurance for personal and commercial customers worldwide through 8,000 independent agents and brokers. Chubb's global network includes branches and affiliates in North America, Europe, Latin America, Asia and Australia. Chubb Group of Insurance Companies CONTACT: David Hilgen, +1-908-903-4165, dhilgen@chubb.com
Refinancing Can Relieve Your Car Payment Burdens
It is not uncommon for car owners to find themselves in a situation where their car payments become a bigger financial drain than they anticipated. This can happen for many different reasons: job loss, sudden unexpected expenses, or simply because the car payments aren't in line with income. But rather than risk having your car repossessed, or missing a few car payments and ruining your credit rating, consider refinancing your auto loan at a lower interest rate. "Many people don't realize that you can refinance your auto loan just like you can refinance your mortgage," says Chris Brown, CEO of rateGenius, an online resource for doing just that. When you refinance, you will get a new lender for an existing loan, often for a better rate. You can also extend the payment term, skip a few payments, add or remove a co-applicant and add products (such as GAP insurance and extended warranties) to a loan. Auto loan refinancing works very much like home refinancing, with one big difference - with the exception of a title transfer fee required by law, there are no costs for the consumer. "With a mortgage refinance, you pay a lot of fees," notes Brown. "There's a loan origination fee, closing costs, points, inspection costs. Those fees can really add up and eat into the financial benefits of refinancing." Take a few minutes to apply for auto refinancing by visiting www.rateGenius.com, or over the phone via the company's toll free number. A loan adviser then compares offers from the company's network of lenders to find the best deal for your individual situation. rateGenius has partnered with numerous lending institutions that provide customers with one of the most financially stable and diverse lending networks in the industry. The entire process can be completed in 24 to 48 hours. In some cases, the company is able to arrange loans that allow up to 90 days with no payments. The savings consumers will see vary, but can be substantial. For example, if you have a $30,000 loan payable over 60 months at 12.5 percent interest, your monthly payment will be $674.95. By refinancing with rateGenius at a new interest rate of 7.5 percent, your monthly payment will drop to $601.14. "Your process and customer service was excellent," says J. Cottrell, a customer from Arlington, Texas. "I would rate your service a 10. The turn around time of my package and willingness to answer my questions really bolstered my confidence that I was with a first class organization. If I ever have another financing need or could refer you future business, I will." The company has been in business since 1999 and has brokered over 27,000 loans. To find out how much you can save, visit www.rategenius.com or call (866) 439-5533.
Crash girl, 10, screams 'I hate you' at driver who killed relative
A 10-year-old girl who lost part of a leg when a hit and run driver killed a member of her family screamed "I hate you" at him yesterday as he was led to the cells. Alan Steel, 26, who had 13 previous convictions for driving while disqualified, was told he was "a complete menace to the community". Despite being given an indefinite jail term after admitting causing death by dangerous driving, he can seek parole in five years, less 106 days spent on remand. The heroin user had bought a Jeep Cherokee for £700 one afternoon last September and twice stopped to inject himself, Newcastle Crown Court heard. Witnesses saw him driving "like a maniac" in the hours before he mounted a pavement and ploughed into Paula Stead, 32, a school dinner lady, who was walking with her daughter Bridie, 11, and her cousin's daughter, Danica Green. Mrs Stead was thrown over the bonnet as she shielded the girls, who had been her bridesmaids the previous year, but Bridie suffered a fractured elbow and a broken foot and Danica was left on the ground after the wheels struck her legs and feet. She had to have her right leg amputated below the knee after developing gangrene and, although still undergoing treatment to her injuries and awaiting an artificial limb, insisted on attending court. She was able to walk for the first time last week. As Danica screamed at Steel in court, other family members shouted "scumbag" from the public gallery. Steel was driving at between 50 mph and 70 mph in a built up area and left the ground when passing over speed bumps. The vehicle had been fitted with new front brakes before he bought it but he wore them out in the few hours before the crash. Afterwards, he struck another car and drove the wrong way up a one-way street but was recognised before fleeing the scene. Later in the evening he persuaded a friend to give him a skinhead haircut in an effort to change his appearance. After being arrested, he told police that the Jeep had been stolen and he was "a victim of crime" adding: "I hope you catch the real culprit and are not going on my previous convictions." Steel, from Sunderland, also pleaded guilty to driving whilst disqualified, without insurance and failing to stop or report an accident. Judge David Hodson, the Recorder of Newcastle, told him: "You have demonstrated that you are a thoroughly amoral individual with no regard for the safety of others and one who ignores orders made by the court. You are a complete menace to the community. "You made a dreadful situation worse when you ran from the scene and took steps to alter your appearance." He passed an indefinite sentence with a minimum term of 13 and a half years, reduced to five under Home Office guidelines and with credit for a guilty plea. Steel was also banned from driving for 12 years. Mrs Stead had learnt on the day she died that she and her family were about to escape the crime-ridden Ford estate in Sunderland where they lived. She had sent her husband John, 37, a landscape gardener, a text saying they had been allocated a new home but the message did not arrive until after the crash. Mr Stead has been taking medication for depression since the incident and Bridie has been having counselling. Danica had both legs crushed and is still receiving treatment. Her family declined to comment yesterday, but her mother Claire, 29, has said previously: "This has had a devastating impact on all of us. "Danica is coping remarkably well considering everything she has gone through but she still has a long way to go with her left leg and foot." Det Insp Arthur Cowell, of Northumbria Police, said: "Steel has shown himself to be to a callous and uncaring individual who has no thought for anyone but himself. "Throughout, he has never shown remorse and never enquired about the welfare of the children or the family to whom he has caused so much pain, suffering and loss."
Crash girl, 10, screams 'I hate you' at driver who killed relative
A 10-year-old girl who lost part of a leg when a hit and run driver killed a member of her family screamed "I hate you" at him yesterday as he was led to the cells. Alan Steel, 26, who had 13 previous convictions for driving while disqualified, was told he was "a complete menace to the community". Despite being given an indefinite jail term after admitting causing death by dangerous driving, he can seek parole in five years, less 106 days spent on remand. The heroin user had bought a Jeep Cherokee for £700 one afternoon last September and twice stopped to inject himself, Newcastle Crown Court heard. Witnesses saw him driving "like a maniac" in the hours before he mounted a pavement and ploughed into Paula Stead, 32, a school dinner lady, who was walking with her daughter Bridie, 11, and her cousin's daughter, Danica Green. Mrs Stead was thrown over the bonnet as she shielded the girls, who had been her bridesmaids the previous year, but Bridie suffered a fractured elbow and a broken foot and Danica was left on the ground after the wheels struck her legs and feet. She had to have her right leg amputated below the knee after developing gangrene and, although still undergoing treatment to her injuries and awaiting an artificial limb, insisted on attending court. She was able to walk for the first time last week. As Danica screamed at Steel in court, other family members shouted "scumbag" from the public gallery. Steel was driving at between 50 mph and 70 mph in a built up area and left the ground when passing over speed bumps. The vehicle had been fitted with new front brakes before he bought it but he wore them out in the few hours before the crash. Afterwards, he struck another car and drove the wrong way up a one-way street but was recognised before fleeing the scene. Later in the evening he persuaded a friend to give him a skinhead haircut in an effort to change his appearance. After being arrested, he told police that the Jeep had been stolen and he was "a victim of crime" adding: "I hope you catch the real culprit and are not going on my previous convictions." Steel, from Sunderland, also pleaded guilty to driving whilst disqualified, without insurance and failing to stop or report an accident. Judge David Hodson, the Recorder of Newcastle, told him: "You have demonstrated that you are a thoroughly amoral individual with no regard for the safety of others and one who ignores orders made by the court. You are a complete menace to the community. "You made a dreadful situation worse when you ran from the scene and took steps to alter your appearance." He passed an indefinite sentence with a minimum term of 13 and a half years, reduced to five under Home Office guidelines and with credit for a guilty plea. Steel was also banned from driving for 12 years. Mrs Stead had learnt on the day she died that she and her family were about to escape the crime-ridden Ford estate in Sunderland where they lived. She had sent her husband John, 37, a landscape gardener, a text saying they had been allocated a new home but the message did not arrive until after the crash. Mr Stead has been taking medication for depression since the incident and Bridie has been having counselling. Danica had both legs crushed and is still receiving treatment. Her family declined to comment yesterday, but her mother Claire, 29, has said previously: "This has had a devastating impact on all of us. "Danica is coping remarkably well considering everything she has gone through but she still has a long way to go with her left leg and foot." Det Insp Arthur Cowell, of Northumbria Police, said: "Steel has shown himself to be to a callous and uncaring individual who has no thought for anyone but himself. "Throughout, he has never shown remorse and never enquired about the welfare of the children or the family to whom he has caused so much pain, suffering and loss."
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