Surge in New York City Fires After Superstorm Sandy
The Fire Department of the City of New York (FDNY) responded to about 37 percent more fires last month.Officials blame the spike on the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy.
From Ashes of Penn. Estate Rises a Lawsuit for $20M Insurance Proceeds
The 53-page document reads more like a screenplay than a lawsuit. If Jerald Batoff’s claim is true, that’s how it may end up. More than seven months after his historic Main Line home, a 24,000-square-foot estate designed by Horace Trumbauer, …
Kingsway Startup to Sell Homeowners Insurance in Louisiana
Kingsway Financial Services Inc. announced it has completed the formation Maison Insurance Co. (Maison), a property/casualty insurance company primarily writing wind and hail homeowners coverage in Louisiana. Maison received its certificate of authority from the Louisiana Department of Insurance on …
Wildfires, Hail Take Toll On Colorado Home Insurance
Colorado now ranks among the top 10 for the highest share of homeowners insurance claims paid out due to catastrophes. The Insurance Research Council says catastrophes triggered only 26 percent of the claims made on homeowner policies from 1997 to …
LexisNexis, BuildFax Collaborate to Expand Homeowners Insurance Information
LexisNexis Risk Solutions has formed a strategic relationship with BuildFax to assist homeowners insurance companies with the challenges associated with insuring homes. Through this relationship, insurers will be able to acquire building permit information to enhance their ability to identify, …
Oregon Insurers Sue Landowners in Ashland Fire
Insurance companies that paid $1.7 million to six homeowners in a fire blamed on a homeless Ashland, Ore. man have sued the owners of a vacant lot where the fire started. The Ashland Daily Tidings reported the suit alleges the …
Explosion Levels Homes in Indianapolis; 2 Dead
A massive explosion sparked a huge fire and killed two people in an Indianapolis neighborhood where about three dozen homes were damaged or destroyed, authorities said. The powerful nighttime blast on Nov. 10 shattered windows, crumpled walls and could be …
Options Few for People Displaced by Huge Sinkhole in Louisiana
After three months living in a hotel while a sinkhole near his Louisiana home grows and grows, Carl Dugas has realized he won’t be moving back. When he left Aug. 3, he was willing return, though his wife was dubious …
Va. Court: Chinese Drywall Damage Excluded From Homeowners Policy
The Virginia Supreme Court ruled last week that home damages that were allegedly caused by Chinese drywall are excluded from TravCo Insurance Co.’s “all risk” homeowners insurance policy. TravCo Insurance is part of The Travelers Companies. The Virginia Supreme Court’s …
Minnesota Man Convicted of Setting House on Fire for Insurance
A Hillman, Minn., man whose home was facing foreclosure has been convicted of setting the house on fire for the insurance money. Jurors deliberated for four hours this week before finding 53-year-old Randy Donald Reed guilty of first-degree arson. A …