Latest Auto Headlines

All the headlines from our Auto Topic Page, ordered by recency.

Trucking Under the Influence

May 19 2008 // Number of Drug and Alcohol Abusing Truckers Unknown It is estimated that somewhere between 1 percent and 10 percent of drivers of commercial or “big rig” trucks are operating under the influence of drugs or...

Alabama Raises Required Auto Liability Limits for First Time Since 1983

May 19 2008 // The Alabama Legislature has voted to raise the minimum amount of auto liability insurance that motorists must purchase. The current limits under Alabama’s mandatory insurance law are $20,000 for a single injury or...

Weed, Whites, and Wine

May 19 2008 // “If you give me weed, whites and wine And you show me a sign I’ll be willin’ to be movin'” Those lyrics, from Lowell George’s song “Willin'” — recorded by Little Feat and Linda...

Trucking Under the Influence

May 19 2008 // Number of Drug and Alcohol Abusing Truckers Unknown It is estimated that somewhere between 1 percent and 10 percent of drivers of commercial or “big rig” trucks are operating under the influence of drugs or...

Update: Alabama Governor to Sign Bill Raising Auto Insurance Requirements

May 19 2008 // Some Alabama motorists may need to buy more auto liability insurance in a few months. Gov. Bob Riley said he intends to sign legislation raising Alabama’s minimum insurance requirements for the first time in 25...

Trucking Under the Influence

May 19 2008 // Number of Drug and Alcohol Abusing Truckers Unknown It is estimated that somewhere between 1 percent and 10 percent of drivers of commercial or “big rig” trucks are operating under the influence of drugs or...

Auto Reform Causes Major Upheaval for Mass. Agents’ Key Vendor

May 19 2008 // Suddenly all the rules changed for Boston Software and 90% of the state’s agents who depend on its product No tool is more indispensable to an insurance agency than a computer; after all, it’s where the rates...

State Farm Faces Class Action Lawsuit

May 15 2008 // A class action lawsuit was filed in U.S. Federal Court, Central District, alleging that State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Co. is enriching itself with payments rightfully belonging to its insureds in violation of...

Georgia Auto Insurance Legislation Leaves Regulator out of the Loop

May 15 2008 // Georgia Gov. Sonny Perdue signed a bill that will give automobile insurers the ability to establish rates without the consent of the state’s Insurance Commissioner. Perdue said he signed Senate Bill 276 because he...

Recent Tornadoes Underscore Risks of Taking Shelter in Cars

May 14 2008 // Trapped in his car on the way to a friend’s wedding, Rick Rountree and his family never stood a chance once a tornado packing winds of 170 mph hit southwest Missouri. “It’s like taking a handful of...

Missouri Businesses Sue to Stop Fee Increases on Vehicle Records

May 12 2008 // Three businesses sued on Friday, May 9th to halt a state fee increase for obtaining driver’s license and vehicle records, claiming the higher fee violates Missouri’s open-records law as well the state and...

Alabama Legislature Raises Auto Liability Insurance Minimums

May 12 2008 // The Alabama Legislature is ready to raise the minimum amount of auto liability insurance that motorists must purchase. The current limits under Alabama’s mandatory insurance law are $20,000 for a single injury or...

South Dakota High Court Says Auto Insurance Covers Gun Accident

May 9 2008 // The South Dakota Supreme Court says an auto insurance policy covers injuries caused when a rifle accidentally fired in a pickup being used to drive deer hunters to the field. A 14-year-old boy was shot in the ankle...

Louisiana House Panel OKs Hike in Car Insurance Minimum

May 9 2008 // In a move that insurers say could lead to Louisiana having the highest auto insurance liability rates in the nation, a House of Representatives committee has approved HB 1312, which would raise the minimum insurance...

Missouri Lawmaker Balks at Driver’s License Records Fee Increase

May 8 2008 // A leading House Republican said Tuesday, May 6, he will try before the legislative session ends next week to reverse a Department of Revenue decision to increase fees charged to access driver’s license...

Mass. Cuts High Risk Exemption for New Auto Insurers to 2 Years

May 8 2008 // New carriers in the Massachusetts auto insurance market will be exempt from high risk assignments for their first two years under an amended rule approved by Massachusetts Insurance Commissioner Nonnie Burnes. The original...

Louisiana House Committee OKs Repeal of Motorcycle Helmet Law

May 8 2008 // The Louisiana House Transportation committee has voted to approve a bill under which the state would stop forcing adult motorcyclists to wear helmets. Instead bikers would be required to undergo safety training before...

Mass. Agents Take Aim at Progressive Online; Insurer Defends Site

May 6 2008 // Independent agents in Massachusetts have charged that Progressive Insurance, which began selling auto insurance online in the state May 1, is skirting state regulations and misleading consumers with its Web site quoting...

High Risk Pass for New Mass. Auto Insurers Irks Established Players

May 5 2008 // Massachusetts auto insurers have been operating under a new managed competition auto insurance system for only a month now but a battle is well underway over how to treat newcomers to the state. The Patrick administration...

Richardson Joins State Auto’s Middle Market and Large Account Unit

May 5 2008 // Todd Richardson joined State Auto Insurance Company’s Austin, Texas-based Middle Market and Large Account (SAMMI) facility. Richardson brings more than 19 years of experience to his new role as a SAMMI account...