Catastrophe Declaration Clears Way for Emergency Adjusters in Oklahoma
In the wake of massive ice storms that virtually shut down the state of Oklahoma in late January, Insurance Commissioner Kim Holland has declared a state of emergency that allows the commissioner …
State Farm Begins Sending Non-Renewal Notices in Florida This Week
Thousands of State Farm Florida property insurance customers will be seeing notices in their mailboxes this week saying their policies will not be renewed, a company spokesman said. The first wave …
Oklahoma Under Emergency Declaration as Winter Storm Shuts Down State
Oklahoma, Gov. Brad Henry declared a state of emergency for all 77 Oklahoma counties and state officials implemented emergency response preparations as a winter storm blanketed the state overnight …
Obama Job Drive Earns Business Plaudits at Davos
Wall Street executives welcomed U.S.
Kansas State Fair Wants to Opt Out of Workers’ Comp Pool
Kansas State Fair officials are asking the legislature to allow the fair to opt out of the state workers' compensation insurance pool. Fair officials want to be able to buy insurance from a …
Oregon Emergency Service Volunteers Entitled to Workers’ Comp Benefits
Emergency service volunteers that are injured while assisting with a state of emergency may be entitled to workers' compensation benefits, according to the state Department of Consumer and …
Kentucky Supreme Court Curbs State Use of Private Agency Funds
In a case involving two workers’ compensation funds, the Kentucky Supreme Court has ruled that lawmakers and the governor cannot replenish the state’s general fund using monies from …
Poll: Connecticut Voters Want Seat Belts on School Buses
A new poll says almost three of every four Connecticut voters support legislation requiring seat belts on school buses in the state. The Quinnipiac University survey released Thursday says the …
Colorado Gov. Studies Workers’ Comp Insurer Sale
Colorado Gov. Bill Ritter is meeting with an investment banker to study the possible sale of the state's interest in Pinnacol Assurance, a state-chartered workers compensation insurer, his chief …
California Lawmakers Fail to Report Gifts
Did the health insurance industry, among others,
West Virginia Seeking to Restore Confidence In State Supreme Court
Gov. Joe Manchin and the state Supreme Court hope to shore up public confidence in a West Virginia judicial system that has been scrutinized by the nation's highest court and branded a “hellhole'' …
Oklahoma House Republicans Roll Out Their Workers’ Comp Reform Plan
Republicans in the Oklahoma House of Representative followed their counterparts in the state Senate on Jan.
Ohio Partially Upholds Workers’ Comp Ruling Against Former AG Aide
A committee has partially upheld the state's decision that a former top aide to fallen Attorney General Marc Dann improperly classified workers at his private construction company when determining …
Insurers Group Sues State of New York
A trade group for insurers in New York is suing the state, claiming lawmakers are illegally using assessments paid by insurers to fund unrelated state activities. At issue is the state's use of …
Unusual Cold Spell Imperils Florida Crops, Homes
Here's something you don't often see in this town at the heart of the state's $9 billion citrus industry: a sign at the public library that says, “ICE! On sidewalk. Be careful!'' Growers were …
Bill Filed in Oklahoma Would Allow Uninsured Vehicles to Be Impounded
Oklahoma State Rep.
North Dakota Has 3rd Lowest Auto Insurance Rates, Commissioner Says
North Dakota Insurance Commissioner Adam Hamm says drivers in his state are still paying among the lowest auto insurance premiums in the nation, according to the “Auto Insurance Database Report …
California Gov. To Push For Budget Reforms, Sale of State Fund Assets Unlikely
Californians can expect more tax increases and cuts in state services, but it’s unlikely that a sale of some of the state workers’ compensation insurer’s assets will be used to …
Richardson Named State Auto Middle Markets Western Region VP
Todd Richardson has been promoted to regional vice president – State Auto Middle Markets Insurance (SAMMI) for the company’s Western region, which includes Utah, Colorado, Arizona, …
Washington Saves $128 Million By Fighting Fraud
The fight against fraud in the workers’ compensation system brought in $128 million to Washington last year, according to a new report from the state Department of Labor & Industries …
Two Proposals to Amend New New Hampshire Sprinkler Regulations
The New Hampshire Legislature is expected to consider two bills that would prevent the state from enforcing amendments to building codes that expand requirements for sprinkler systems. Last month …
Connecticut Chiropractic Board to Consider Stroke Risk
Connecticut's State Board of Chiropractic Examiners is considering whether to require chiropractors to warn their patients about a possible risk of stroke from neck manipulation. The board is …
Report: Florida’s Workers’ Comp Market is Competitive
A new report released by the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation concludes the state's workers' compensation insurance market is competitive. The report, based on data from 2008, shows the …
Oregon Enhances Death Benefits for Fatal Worker Injuries
Oregon is enhancing the death benefits available to surviving family members when a worker has a fatality, by expanding the scope of the burial benefit and doubling it to 20 times the state …
January 1 Is Deadline for ‘Fire Safe’ Cigarettes in Texas
As of Jan. 1, 2010, all cigarettes sold in Texas must be certified fire standard compliant (FSC), the Texas Department of Insurance and the State Fire Marshal’s Office announced. All FSC …
Louisiana Secretary of State Named Chief Deputy Insurance Commissioner
Louisiana Commissioner of Insurance Jim Donelon has named Secretary of State Al Ater to serve as chief deputy commissioner of insurance, effective Jan. 11, 2010. Ater was chief deputy commissioner …
Florida’s Homeowners Choice Assumes 23,000 Policies from Citizens
State officials have authorized a private Florida insurer to accept 23,000 policies from the state-owned insurer, Citizens Property Insurance Corp.
Idaho Launches New Health Coverage Denial Appeal Process
The Idaho Department of Insurance is notifying the public about the new process to aid the state's consumers in appealing health insurance claims denied by their insurance carriers. The Idaho …
Wisconsin Teen Drivers Buckling Up More Than They Used To
Wisconsin teenagers are buckling up more than they used to. A new survey of the state's high school students shows that only 15 percent say they rarely or never wear a seat belt when in a car …
Massachusetts AG Sues Agency Accused of Collecting Bogus Fees
Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley’s Office has filed a lawsuit against the owners and agents of a Bay State insurance agency, alleging the business pocketed $3.4 million in fees …