It Figures

$1 Million

The amount a federal judge has ordered jailed Alabama outdoorsman Edmond H. “Eddie” Smith IV to pay to an insurance firm that accused him of filing a bogus post-Hurricane Katrina damage claim for a riverfront mansion near Mobile. Lexington Insurance Co. sued Smith in May. U.S. District Judge William Steele granted Lexington’s request for a default judgment for a little over $1 million. Smith remains in jail awaiting trial on unrelated gun and escape charges. It’s uncertain how much money the company ever will be able to collect. Lexington accused Smith of submitting fraudulent construction invoices to substantiate claims that the Fowl River home, where he was living but which was titled under another name, sustained damage from Katrina in August 2005.

10%

The average rate cut announced by Allstate for its homeowners insurance customers in West Virginia. Allstate officials also said they have ambitious plans for expansion in the state. They plan to start hiring new agents to meet anticipated demand for the company’s products.

128

The number of occupational injuries and illnesses per 10,000 workers last year requiring days away from work, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department Labor. That was a decrease of 6 percent from 2005. There were 1.2 million cases requiring days away from work in private industry, which represented a decrease of 51,180 cases (or 4 percent). Median days away from work was 7 days in 2006, the same as the prior two years.

$500

The auto insurance collision benefit being offered by Progressive Corp. for customers’ dogs or cats at no additional premium cost. It will pay up to $500 if a customer’s dog or cat is hurt or dies in a car accident.