Articles by Bob Christie

Insurers Back Arizona Bill Cutting Required Auto Glass Coverage

Rock-shattered windshields are such a common occurrence on Arizona roads that insurance companies have long been required to replace broken glass for free to drivers with full coverage policies. It ends up being a big expense to insurance companies that …

Arizona Governor Offers Proposals for Health Insurance Overhaul

Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey is urging Congress not to repeal former President Barack Obama’s health care overhaul without a well-developed replacement plan, suggesting in a letter that it may take three years for a new system to be fully implemented. …

Insurance, Specialty License Plate Bills Go Forward in Arizona

Bills that would create standard designs for specialty license plates and free auto insurance companies from limits on non-renewals moved in the Arizona Legislature. Senate Bill 1101: Standard designed for specialty license plates Democratic Sen. Steve Farley of Tucson has …

New Rules For Ridesharing Firms OKd by Arizona House

The Arizona House has approved an overhaul of regulations for ridesharing companies like Uber and Lyft. Republican Rep. Karen Fann unveiled details of a deal she’s negotiated between taxi firms, ride-hailing companies and insurers on Wednesday. The House then voted …

Negotiations in Arizona to Update Ridesharing Law Underway

A key lawmaker said talks she’s leading among taxi firms, rideshare companies such as Uber and insurers on an updated law regulating the new and growing rideshare industry are progressing. Rep. Karen Fann, chair of the insurance committee, said parties …

Tesla Could Skip Dealers Under Arizona bill

Electric car manufacturer Tesla Motors would be allowed to sell cars in Arizona without establishing a dealer network under a bill approved by a state Senate committee this week. House Bill 2123 is strongly opposed by traditional auto manufacturers and …

Arizona House Approves Tax Credits For Three Insurers

The Arizona House gave final approval to a bill granting new tax breaks of $50 million over three years for insurance companies that invest in high technology companies. The bill being pushed by Republican House Speaker Andy Tobin is designed …

With Wildfires Contained, Arizona Shifts to Thwarting Summer Floods

The biggest forest fire in Arizona history is all but contained, and authorities are shifting their focus to preventing massive flood damage as summer storms begin to hit. The specialized firefighting management teams that had battled the blaze in eastern …

Environmentalists Say Flood Insurance Program Threatens Desert Riverbeds, Endangered Species

An environmental group is trying to slow development near ecologically fragile dry washes and desert riverbeds in Arizona by targeting the federal agency that provides the flood insurance essential to building there. WildEarth Guardians’ novel approach in its lawsuit against …

Flood Insurance Program Sued in Arizona to Protect Species

An environmental group is trying to slow development near ecologically fragile dry washes and desert riverbeds in Arizona by targeting the federal agency that provides the flood insurance essential to building there. WildEarth Guardians’ novel approach in its lawsuit against …