Declarations

No NOAA

“I guess if they don’t talk about it, then it doesn’t happen.”

— Julie Kay Roberts, former National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) chief of staff, responding to the organization announcing it will “retire” its database of climate and weather disasters that caused at least $1 billion in damage. The free public tool tallies up direct economic losses, response costs, and the toll of business interruptions tied to the most damaging disasters to strike the U.S. in near real-time. The database is used by insurance and reinsurance industries, which otherwise need to invest in their own analysis or rely on costly aggregation services.

Hikes vs. Justification

“Voter-approved Proposition 103 says a rate hike shouldn’t come before the rate justification, but that’s what happened here. We urge the Commissioner to reject the proposed decision so State Farm policyholders, many of whom are struggling to get their claims paid by the company after the Los Angeles fires, aren’t overcharged.”

— Carmen Balber, executive director of Consumer Watchdog, opposing rate hikes for State Farm policyholders in California. State Farm would get a 17% increase in its non-tenant HO-3 line, a 15% increase in its renter/condo line, and a 38% increase in rental dwelling, while the carrier committed to refraining from a new round of non-renewals through the end of 2025. The agreement also stipulates that parent company State Farm Mutual make a $400 million capital infusion into State Farm.

Religious Self-Insurance

“This flexibility is important for organizations that may not fit into the standard insurance model but still need to make sure they’re following the rules. While this bill gives religious organizations the ability to self-insure, it also ensures that public safety isn’t compromised. If an organization stops meeting the financial requirements, the state can step in and revoke their self-insurance certificate. This will keep things in check to make sure everyone on the road is covered.”

— Maine State Senator Stacy Guerin (R-Piscataquis) testifying in support of a bill that would allow Mennonites to self-insure for motor vehicle insurance. Maine would join 18 other states with similar accommodations for religious groups.

Controlling Rates

“We can’t control the weather; we can’t control inflation. I can’t control the availability of building materials, and I can’t control how the houses that are already built were built, what standard they were built to.”

— Texas State Rep. Tom Oliverson, a Cypress Republican, acknowledging that many of the drivers of insurance costs are beyond lawmakers’ control. Texas lawmakers are looking for ways to lower homeowners’ insurance costs, which are some of the highest in the U.S. and climbed by double digits in recent years. Current proposals include requiring insurance department approval for increases over 10%.

A Sorry and a Settlement

“While not my intent, I understand that my actions in getting my rifle could reasonably have caused you to feel uncomfortable or intimidated, and for that, I apologize.”

— Former Grand Traverse County, Michigan, Commissioner Ron Clous after settling a lawsuit stemming from him flashing a rifle during a COVID-19-era public meeting on Zoom. Patricia MacIntosh accused Clous of trying to silence her right to free speech when he displayed the rifle during the public comment period in a 2021 county commissioner meeting. The county approved a $100,000 deal with MacIntosh, the Traverse City Record-Eagle reported. Insurance will cover it.

Climbing Complaints

“Insurers can be less accommodating in the claims process because of the legislative changes, and that can lead to more complaints. But, in addition, more claims from more storm activity and more complicated claims with wind versus water, compounded by higher premiums, will also lead to more unhappiness with the insurance product.”

— Professor Charles Nyce, chair of the Department of Risk Management and Insurance at Florida State University, discussing an uptick in complaints about Florida insurance companies. Overall complaints from residential policyholders, regarding 326 insurance carriers, have climbed from 10,219 in 2020 to more than 23,400 in 2024.