Yearly Archives: <span>2008</span>

Auto Insurers Seek to Attract Latinos

Majority of advertising appearing in Spanish language media Automobile insurers are hungering for the Hispanic market’s premium dollars, according to a new report by Hispanic Market Weekly that analyzed marketing and media trends being used by the industry. Automobile insurers …

Insurance Companies Face Global Warming Claims

Corporations exposed to liability for greenhouse gas emissions The industry is about to enter an era of global warming insurance claims. Scientists have been warning about the impact global warming could have if greenhouse gas emissions are not reduced. Because …

People

Markel Corp.’s Board of Directors elected Anthony F. (Tony) Markel vice chairman and Paul W. Springman president and chief operating officer. Markel served Markel Corp. for more than 40 years, most recently as president and chief operating officer since 1992. …

Claims of Agent’s Professional Negligence Can Be Assigned To Third Party

The Supreme Court of Arizona ruled that an insurance agent’s clients may assert claims for professional negligence against the client and may assign such claims to third parties. According to D. Jere’ Webb v. Victoria Gittlen, in 2000, Neal and …

Texas Review Board Says Insurance Department Works Well but Offers Changes

Department could do a better job regulating property/casualty rates Texas Sunset Advisory Commission staff in a report released in May 2008 said the Texas Department of Insurance functions well but that the state’s “overall approach to insurance regulation” may need …

GINA: A Solution in Search of a Problem?

New law prohibits insurers from genetic discrimination Congress passed — and the President signed — a bill prohibiting discrimination by health plans and employers based on an individual’s genetic makeup. The Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008 (GINA) will apply …

Dispute Between State Farm and Texas Goes On

State Farm Insurance does not have to refund consumers some $650 million in alleged overcharges while its dispute with Texas regulators over homeowner rates is reviewed. A state appeals court ruled the insurer was denied its due process rights in …

La. Supreme Court upholds appeals court decision in wind versus water case

The Louisiana Supreme Court on May 21 upheld an appeals court’s decision regarding the state’s “valued policy law” (VPL) in a “wind versus water” case stemming from Hurricane Rita in 2005. The plaintiffs in Mark Landry and Barbara Landry V. …

Declarations

A Crime Epidemic “The increasing value of copper has made it a valuable commodity, and subsequently an attractive target for criminals. … This is a crime happening throughout the state, and it’s costing our citizens hundreds of thousands of dollars …

$50M in Insured Losses Expected From May Storm in Austin

Earlier North Texas storms rack up more than $200 million in damages Trees downed in May 14 storm damaged this house in central Austin. Back-to-back storm systems that surprised Central Texas overnight May 14-15 with intense winds and heavy hail …