Figures

$68.6 million

The amount of the dividend that malpractice insurer Medical Mutual Liability Insurance Society of Maryland should return to the state, instead of the $32.5 million it has proposed as part of its exit from a subsidy program designed to lower doctor premiums, according to the Maryland Insurance Administration. An assistant attorney general said the insurer could have used the $68.6 million to reduce rates for the doctors it insured, but instead decided to declare a dividend, and now should return the money to the state.

100

The number of accidents at American laboratories handling the world’s deadliest germs and toxins since 2003, according to The Associated Press, which also reported that and the number is increasing steadily as more labs across the country are approved to do the work.

7.6%

The average workers’ compensation rate decrease for the industrial classes in the voluntary market approved in the District of Columbia. Officials also approved a 10.6 percent cut for the residual market. The new rates become effective Nov. 1, 2007. These decreases are in addition to the voluntary decrease of 7.9 percent and assigned risk decrease of 5.6 percent for this year.

18%

The cut in homeowners insurance rates charge by the Massachusetts FAIR Plan urged by Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley. Coakley’s proposal includes a 29 percent decrease for residents on Cape Cod and surrounding islands. Insurance Commissioner Nonnie Burnes is currently weighing a FAIR Plan request for a 25 percent rate hike for Cape Cod residents, the second in two years, and an overall average 13.8 percent increase across the state.

2

The number of full-fledged hurricanes the U.S. can expect in the final months of the 2007 Atlantic hurricane season, according to forecasters at Colorado State University. Overall, the two-month period of October-November is expected to experience a total of four named storms, two of which are expected to become hurricanes with one becoming a major hurricane with sustained winds of 111 mph or greater (Category 3-4-5). As of Oct. 1, a total of 13 named storms, 4 hurricanes and 2 major hurricanes had developed this season.