Latest California Headlines

News Currents

Jul 24 2006 // Former FEMA director promotes state, federal disaster mediation Federal and state governments need to work with insurance companies to sponsor disaster mediation programs before something happens, before people who have...

The excess flood market steps up when national flood program falls short

Jul 24 2006 // The historical lessons learned from Katrina and Rita, and looming predictions of a future with bigger and stronger storms have made flood insurance popular these days — even in locations where it was previously...

Auto Club of SoCal reduced rates take effect in December

Jul 24 2006 // California’s fourth-largest provider of auto insurance has agreed to base its rates on safety and driving frequency rather than primarily on where a driver lives. The plan, to take effect Dec. 1, would cut some $133...

Fire officials on edge as California fires burn; state of emergency issued for San Bernardino

Jul 24 2006 // With a spate of wildfires in Southern California and an explosion of lightning-ignited blazes in the northeastern part of the state, the start of this year’s fire season has many officials on edge. As of mid-July,...

California revises proposed mileage verification regulations

Jul 24 2006 // The California Department of Insurance has revised its proposed “odometer verification” regulations, deleting provisions that would have authorized insurers to require agents to verify the mileage if they met...

Former FEMA director promotes state, federal disaster mediation

Jul 24 2006 // Federal and state governments need to work with insurance companies to sponsor disaster mediation programs before something happens — before people who have worked all their lives for everything they have, all of a...

Jul 24 2006 // People Minneapolis, Minn.-based ING named Susan Anderson president and CEO of ING Trust USA. Anderson will lead the growth and development of personal trust and directed institutional trusts nationally. She has 15 years of...

News Currents

Jul 24 2006 // California agency approves change in auto insurance law A state administrative office approved changes to California’s insurance law, clearing the way for regulations that will force insurers to base premiums on...

News Currents

Jul 24 2006 // Reforms pushing California workers’ comp rates, losses down The Workers’ Compensation Insurance Rating Bureau of California has completed its report summarizing insurer loss and premium experience through March...

California, Florida, Texas Lead Nation in Motorcycle Thefts

Jul 24 2006 // California (9,110 thefts) leads the nation in motorcycle theft rates in 2005, with Florida (6,324) following in second, and Texas (5,755)coming in third, according to the National Insurance Crime Bureau. Other states...

Soaring California Temperatures Prompt Record Power Use

Jul 24 2006 // Triple digit temperatures smashed records across California over the weekend, straining thermometers and air conditioners and prompting dozens of scattered electricity outages that left residents sizzling. A major Northern...

The excess flood market steps up where NFIP drops off

Jul 24 2006 // The historical lessons learned from Katrina and Rita and looming predictions of a future with bigger and stronger storms highlight more than ever before the importance of flood insurance, even in locations where it was...

Reforms pushing California workers’ comp rates, losses down

Jul 24 2006 // The Workers’ Compensation Insurance Rating Bureau of California has completed its report summarizing insurer loss and premium experience through March 31, 2006, which suggested legislative reforms are...

Former FEMA director promotes state, federal disaster mediation

Jul 24 2006 // Federal and state governments need to work with insurance companies to sponsor disaster mediation programs before something happens, before people who have worked all their lives for everything they have, then all of a...

Insurers File Lawsuit to Stop Calif. Auto Insurance Regulations

Jul 20 2006 // Three insurance trade groups have filed a lawsuit seeking declaratory and injunctive relief to stop enforcement of California Department of Insurance (CDI) auto rating regulations, which they say are “unfair”...

California Announces Protections for Disability Insurance Consumers

Jul 20 2006 // California Insurance Commissioner John Garamendi announced a settlement with several insurance industry associations over proposed restrictions on disability income contract provisions. Under the agreement, a framework has...

Word & Brown General Agency Introduces California CPA ProtectPlus

Jul 20 2006 // The Word & Brown General Agency based in Orange, Calif., has introduced California CPA ProtectPlus, a benefits program designed for certified public accountant (CPA) employers with two to 199 employees, offering it...

Berkshire Hathaway Subsidiary Acquires Two Calif. WC Companies

Jul 19 2006 // Columbia Insurance Company, a member of the Berkshire Hathaway Group of Insurance Companies, has agreed to acquire American All-Risk Insurance Services (AARIS) and American Commercial Claim Administrators (ACCA), both...

Californians Eligible, But Don’t Often Sign Up for Health Insurance

Jul 18 2006 // Approximately 43 percent of the reported 6.7 million California residents that qualify for government-sponsored health insurance aren’t signed up, according to statewide studies. Upon discovering this information,...

NetRate Systems Enables Commerce West Insurance Company to Implement Straight-Through Processing.

Jul 18 2006 // OKEMOS, MI – NetRate Systems has successfully partnered with Commerce West Insurance Company to enable Commerce West to implement rate/ quote/ issue of Personal Auto policies. The process utilizes a NetRate Systems...