TweetAs health care reform moves forward, one of the most important functions the federal government will fulfill is that of watch dog. In a way, you really can’t blame insurers. They are in business. But in an effort to counterbalance … Continue reading
TweetIn the recently released J.D. Power and Associates survey on consumer satisfaction with auto insurance coverage, the statistics showed a big drop — a full 10 points — over 2009. Most people are unhappy with their auto policy because it … Continue reading
TweetAs Chuck Jaffe of MarketWatch.com’s “Stupid Investment of the Week” pointed out on August 6, sometimes the best insurance advice is in what not to buy. Jaffe’s article for the day looks at a highly specialized form of coverage, and … Continue reading
TweetA study by the research group Packaged Facts showed that from 2003 to 2007, the number of insured pets (cats, dogs, and exotic animals) in the United States increased 56 percent. Worldwide in 2008 it was estimated that 2 million … Continue reading
TweetIt’s that time of year again. A new crop of freshmen are headed off for their first year at college and their parents have questions. Kids have a lot of expensive stuff these days: laptops, flat screen TVs, gaming systems, … Continue reading
TweetThis year seems to have been the one for disrupted travel plans. Volcanic ash in Europe. The oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. Unrest in Greece, Jamaica, and Thailand. We all know that trips today require a lot of … Continue reading
TweetHere’s a sobering statistic for you. The Insurance Agents & Brokers of America, a trade association, conducted a survey of people who run a business from their homes. Forty percent incorrectly believed that their homeowners insurance would provide any coverage … Continue reading
TweetMost cases of auto insurance fraud are a result of desperation. In 2009, as the recession was ramping up to its worst levels (unemployment climbing toward 10%, auto industry going bankrupt), the National Insurance Crime Bureau tracked the rate of … Continue reading
TweetAn investigation by Bloomberg’s Market Magazine (“Fallen Soldiers’ Families Denied Cash as Insurers Profit, 28July10″) has cast new light on an old life insurance industry practice. Basically, when a claim is filed, the beneficiaries receive something that looks like a … Continue reading
TweetAlthough health care reform has been technically enacted, the laws to really make it happen are still being written. One provision in particular has the insurance companies doling out money to their lobbyists to achieve maximum flexibility in the interpretation … Continue reading