Declarations

Surprising Amount

“We are both surprised and disappointed by the amount of the fine.”

—Michelle Levy, Spokesperson for Foremost, reacting to a $230,000, near-record fine levied against the company by the state of Connecticut. The fine came after regulators found some staff members in the offices of Foremost-appointed agents who were writing business for the company, but held no individual appointments with Foremost.

Secret Taxis

“I go wherever they want me to go. They call me or knock on my door… There are secrets. But if I need work done around here, (Amish friends) do it. I get gifts. My kids get gifts. It’s bartering. What’s the problem?”

—Bonnie Huzinec, a Luthersburg, Pa., resident who is one of 350 so-called “Amish taxi drivers” who regularly ferry around Amish residents in several counties of Central Pennsylvania in exchange for work and other favors. The state is cracking down on the drivers, who it says are operating taxis without a license.

Lifesavers

“That simple inexpensive device has saved an incredible number of lives in recent decades.”

—Stephen McCausland, spokesman Department of Public Safety in Maine, which saw the fewest number of fire deaths last year —11 —since 1995, crediting smoke alarms for saving lives.

All Factors

“The requirement for agents to provide quotes for all their represented companies had placed an unnecessary obligation on insurance agents and did not serve consumers because it failed to take into account all factors that agents consider when offering coverage options to consumers.”

—President Jack Lynn of the Professional Insurance Agents of New Jersey, commenting on a newly passed Garden State regulation that relaxes rules for writing personal auto insurance. N.J. agents no longer need to offer each client quotes from every single carrier, nor three alternate coverage scenarios as part of a quote.

Home Protection

“We will fight on every available front to protect homeowners from abusive practices by the insurance industry.”

—Delaware Insurance Commissioner Matthew Denn, after a superior court ruled he overstepped his authority when he prohibited property insurers from refusing to renew a homeowner policy based solely on whether the insured had filed a recent claim or made an inquiry. Denn vowed to appeal the decision.

Buffett Zone

“We welcome (Warren) Buffett and his organization to this marketplace.”

—N.Y. Superintendent of Insurance Eric R. Dinallo, whose department expedited the licensing process for Berkshire Hathaway Assurance Corp. in an effort to boost the number of municipal bond insurers in the Empire State.