Currents for April 2006

• Critics allege wind modelers influenced by insurers
• Labor says workers’ comp reform doesn’t work for permanently disabled
• Top meteorologist predicts 17 named storms will form in Atlantic Basin
• Banks, shippers, oil companies — not just insurers — face Katrina-related suits
• Critics allege hurricane risk modelers influenced by insurers
• GEICO settles lawsuit over discount policy
• States balk at growing trend of federal preemption
• Colorado targets 180 ‘sham’ affiliated businesses
• Kids and Cars puts in motion a grassroots campaign to reduce backovers
• AG McMaster appeals to S.C. Big ‘I’ members to help fight fraud
• Texas judge’s ruling partially favors Allstate and Sterling
• Senators introduce Optional Federal Charter legislation
• Judge rejects Allstate request to dismiss hurricane lawsuit
• Stolen Fidelity laptop computer held sensitive data on retirement accounts
• Younger adults and those earning above $75K most likely to suffer ID theft
• FAIA briefs agents about Florida bills, holds meetings with legislators
• Bill will require study before Calif. auto rating factors can change
• U.S. tort costs reach a record $260 billion, Tillinghast study reports
• Contingent fees become focus in R.I. lead paint case
• Safeco weighs Internet sales of auto insurance
• Insurers well-braced for next big California earthquake
• Private companies at increased risk of liability lawsuits, Chubb & Son survey reports
• Safeco weighs Internet sales of auto insurance
• Independent agents score a victory on SB 2006
• Construction, insurance, banking industries to develop moisture management standards
• Critics allege wind modelers following politics over science
• Southeast states lagging in legal system fairness rankings by Chamber of Commerce
• Utah city expects $2.5 million fire insurance settlement
• States balk at growing trend of federal preemption
• Dale expands Miss. hurricane mediation program
• Safeco considering internet-based auto insurance sales
• Northeast states fair well in legal system fairness rankings by Chamber of Commerce
• Director Kitzman encourages S.C. competition; expected policy cutbacks never occurred
• The Hartford teams with Blue Cross of California affiliate
• Mass. makes health insurance history by making it compulsory
• Public regulation commission suspends New Mexico’s superintendent
• California hidden tax legislation doesn’t go before committee
• Deadly storms hit Midwest again in new round of spring tornadoes
• Hawaii lawmakers propose tax credits for recent rain and flood victims
• Declining rates fuel stand-alone terrorism market
• Insurers unlikely to alter credit scoring as agencies pursue uniformity
• Arizona establishes new penalties for late surplus lines tax payments
• Utah city expects $2.5 million fire insurance settlement
• Tort reform remains an issue in South Central states
• California automobile repair bill modified to allow for additional study
• Archdiocese uses reserves to settle sex-abuse claims, pays $5.25 million
• ATV helmet measure moves to Okla. house floor
• Former 49er Wersching indicted on $8M insurance fraud and tax evasion
• New law pushed by agents may hamper Nevada mining watchdog group
• Poe/Southern Family changes Fla. underwriting
• Dam breaks on Kauai, strong winds, rain down 12 poles on Oahu
• Fla. AG Crist files complaint against Marsh
• Consumer group accuses Geico, other insurers of unfair underwriting
• Sirius Intl. withdraws its Fla. license application
• Katrina not enough to cause many homeowners to buy flood coverage
• Lawyer: Whistleblower helping build case against insurer in Hurricane Katrina lawsuit
• Consumer group accuses Geico, other insurers of unfair underwriting
• Bailey challenges Scruggs: ‘Put up, or shut up!’
• Zurich agents caught in compensation disclosure web
• States addressing widening tragedy of teen driver deaths
• Commissioner Long calls for strengthening N.C. building codes
• Fitch: Deterioration in profits for U.S. P/C sector
• ‘Kids and Cars’ campaigns to reduce backover accidents
• Idaho law would increase attorney’s awards
• Pennsylvania Gov. Rendell not shy with his veto pen
• Mississippi wind versus flood lawsuit remanded back to state court
• Northeast warned ‘historic’ weather disaster could hit this year
• Washington Legislature moves quickly in election year
• Insurers unlikely to alter credit scoring as agencies pursue uniformity
• Risk Management Solutions predicts hurricane activity to increase losses by 40 percent
• Banks, shippers, oil companies — not just insurers — face Katrina-related suits
• Workers barred from Michael Jackson’s Neverland Ranch due to insurance
• New uniform credit agencies’ scoring system not likely to impact insurers
• Oil pipe corrosion big threat as Alaska marks Exxon spill anniversary
• TDI’s Selden explains department’s high tech, high touch approach
• Keys left in car? Arizona bill would allow insurance hit
• Bailey challenges Scruggs: ‘Put up or shut up!’
• Small Business California finds employers concerned about workers’ comp
• Louisiana, Texas look to bonds for cat funding
• Report ranks the nation’s top most and least expensive automobiles to insure
• Texas insurers see profits despite Hurricane Rita
• Utah names directors, adds market conduct division

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