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Personal Injury Protection (PIP) is an insurance coverage for medical and other expenses resulting from an automobile accident, for people specified in the policy, regardless of who is at fault in the accident. The best way to find out about your personal injury protection (PIP) coverage is by contacting your insurance company or agent.

Florida drivers trying to follow the changes in PIP ( personal injury protection in the event of a crash) might have experienced whiplash keeping track of the law's demise and revival.

The state stopped mandating $10,000 in PIP coverage on Oct. 1. Days later, lawmakers approved legislation that makes PIP mandatory again, but not until Jan. 1.

Now that three-month suspension of the PIP requirement is about to end. Some drivers never lost PIP coverage and will see no change, but others will pay more for their insurance to get PIP back in their policies.

"It has been very confusing for folks, because it has been all over the place," said Dan Tarantin, chief executive officer of Direct General Insurance Company, which sells insurance through the Florida No-Fault, Cash Register and Direct General brands. "I think there are a lot of people who don't know about it really."

Tarantin said the most vulnerable drivers are those who dropped PIP coverage after Florida's no-fault auto insurance system expired on Oct. 1. In addition, he said drivers who bought auto insurance after Oct. 1 also might lack the coverage required by Florida law Tuesday.

Drivers who went without PIP coverage could save money. But Tarantin said when the requirement resumes Tuesday, the law has "real teeth." Reinstatement fees for a suspended license range from $150 to $500, according to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. By law, insurance companies must cancel the polices of drivers that do not have PIP and notify the department, which will then suspend those drivers' licenses. [...]

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One way to save on auto and homeowner's insurance is to increase your deductible. Raising your deductible on your homeowner's insurance from $500 to $1,000, for instance, could save you up to 25% on your annual premium, according to the Insurance Information Institute.[...]

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Nationwide, DUI accidents kill someone every 31 minutes and injure others every two minutes.

DUI stats.
Law enforcement agencies will be out in force this holiday season to curb drunk driving. And they're asking for help.

"Drunk driving is the top priority for the California Highway Patrol and other motorists on the roads are one of the best weapons we have against drunk drivers," says the California Highway Patrol (CHP) Commissioner Mike Brown.

"We're asking the public to report drunk drivers by calling 9-1-1 and providing the location and a complete description of the vehicle. This will help us know who we're looking for and where to look," Brown said.

CHP will saturate freeways with patrols during the holidays, so there's a good chance an officer will be nearby when a driver tips them off about a drunk driver.

"If you give us a good description right away, we can catch the drunk driver," said CHP Officer Joe Zizi at their Santa Fe Springs office.

Traffic officials said to look for the following clues to tell if a driver may be drunk:

1. straddling the center of the road,
   
2. zigzagging,
   
3. turning abruptly,
   
4. following too closely or
   
5. driving slower than 10 miles per hour below the speed limit.

So police are asking motorists to take a minute to call 9-1-1 whenever they spot a drunk driver. Motorists should include the license plate number, Zizi said. The reporting motorist may remain anonymous. [...]

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The Texas Tomorrow Fund II

A scaled-back version of the Texas Tomorrow Fund – the state's prepaid college tuition program that has been closed to newcomers for four years – would be created in the fall of 2008 under legislation approved Thursday by the Senate.

The new program, called Texas Tomorrow Fund II, would again allow parents to purchase a future college education for their children at today's prices – though the costs would be considerably higher and the state would no longer guarantee the tuition contracts.

The 80th Texas Legislature recently passed House Bill 3900 that authorizes a new prepaid tuition plan, the Tomorrow Fund II. The Tomorrow Fund II will offer prepaid tuition contracts starting September 1, 2008 and will be a separate program from the existing Texas Guaranteed Tuition Program. If you want to start saving for college expenses sooner, you should consider Texas College Savings Plan, which is a qualified 529 savings plan offered through the state.

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Many credit cards provide some coverage for collision and theft. That insurance usually piggy-backs onto your personal auto policy. Learn what insurance you have before you reach the car rental counter.

Many consumers waste money buying car rental insurance they don't need, says the National Association of Insurance Commissioners.

But some drivers neglect to buy coverage that they should get. They wind up placing themselves at risk.

"Check your auto insurance policy in advance," said Jane Cline, insurance commissioner of W.Va.

The exclusions section should list property, perils, persons, or situations not covered. In that section or the coverages section, look for reference to "non-owned auto."[...]

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The Christmas holidays are descending upon us, and many of you will be packing for that annual pilgrimage to see your loved ones over the festive period. However, according to the RAC, around 20% of car write-offs take place in November and December. So as well as being a period of festive cheer, Christmas could also be a time to turn your focus towards your car insurance.[...]

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ALLSTATE MAKES FINDING AUTO INSURANCE EASIER
Allstate recently unveiled two new online interactive auto insurance-related tools on Allstate.com that answer common questions in plain English and help consumers better understand their insurance needs.

• Bumper-to-Bumper Basics- is an interactive, video-enhanced guide that quickly helps consumers assess their state-specific auto insurance needs.
• Ballpark Estimator- allows users to remain anonymous while obtaining an estimated auto insurance quote from Allstate.

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John Edwards tonight cited the case of a 17-year-old California girl who died after her insurance company refused coverage on a liver transplant to save her life as a call to action to change the current system of healthcare in America. [...]

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One bright spot for airlines struggling with competition and high fuel prices is insurance premiums, which have fallen significantly this year and are unlikely to rebound much in 2008 despite a sharp jump in payouts.[...]

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GEICO will celebrate the careers of 29 Stafford County associates who represent a combined total of 935 years of dedicated service to GEICO customers. GEICO President and CEO Tony Nicely will be in Fredericksburg on Friday, Dec. 21 to personally congratulate those associates celebrating their milestone 25, 30, 35, 40 and 45-year company anniversaries.

Among them will be Garry Folkerts of Fredericksburg, a 35-year GEICO veteran, who has another GEICO distinction to his credit. He encouraged his sons and daughters to consider GEICO in their future plans and they did. All six of his children worked at GEICO at one point or another in their careers, definitely making GEICO a Folkerts family affair. [...]

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THE INSURANCE INSTITUTE FOR HIGHWAY SAFETY (IIHS)
The IIHS is raising concerns about vehicle bumpers contending that weak federal standards permit automakers to build cars that suffer thousands of dollars in collision damage even at very low impact speeds.

The industry-funded research group, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, based in Arlington, Va., says the worst performer among six 2008 minivans it recently subjected to four low-speed crash tests was the Nissan Quest, with resulting damage that would have cost more than $8,000 to repair.[...]

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Saul Friedman explains-
All these members of Congress, who earn $185,000 a year and have taxpayer-subsidized health insurance that will last the rest of their lives.

Virtually every presidential candidate would solve the crisis of the 47 million medically uninsured Americans with "individual mandates," requiring that they buy private health insurance just as they must buy auto insurance if they drive.

Democrats would subsidize part of the cost, while Republicans would grant tax credits.

But if the private insurance market is so wonderful and effective, wouldn't it have solved the nation's health care mess by now?[...]

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The America's Health Insurance Plans, a trade group of health-benefit providers, pegged the average premium cost at
$2,268 for a single person, and $4,424 for a family of three.

The numbers are enough to scare you sick.

Some 60% of companies now offer health benefits, down from 69% in 2000, according to the 2007 annual health benefits survey from the Kaiser Family Foundation.

Small businesses are even less generous: Just 45% of companies with three to nine workers offer health benefits. Total number of uninsured Americans: roughly 47 million, or 16% of the U.S. population.[...]

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A.M. Best Co. has upgraded the financial strength rating and the issuer credit rating (ICR) of Aspen Insurance Limited (AIL) (Bermuda).


The rating upgrades reflect a sustainable improvement in AIL's stand alone risk-adjusted capitalisation, which is likely to be supported by strong retained earnings of above USD 150 million in both 2007 and 2008.

For Best's Ratings, an overview of the rating process and rating methodologies, please visit www.ambest.com/ratings.

Founded in 1899, A.M. Best Company is a global full-service credit
rating organization dedicated to serving the financial and health care
service industries, including insurance companies, banks, hospitals
and health care system providers.

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MOVING AHEAD ON CAR INSURANCE
Geico, the fourth-largest auto insurer in the United States, just signed up its 8 millionth customer, continuing a growth rate that could push it ahead of rival Progressive Corp. in the next year.

The Berkshire Hathaway unit, whose cavemen mascots even have their own television sitcom, still lags far behind larger rivals, but that is quickly changing as Chevy Chase, Md.-based Geico outsmarts competitors on advertising and pricing, said one analyst.

"Ask 10 people whose advertising they remember best" of the largest auto insurers, said analyst Donald Light of Celent LLC in an interview. "It's not Allstate, State Farm or Progressive."[...]

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HOMEOWNER STATUS AND OTHER FINANCIAL INFO
Senate Majority Leader Fred Berry, D-Peabody, yesterday blasted the governor's plans for deregulating the way automobile insurance rates are set.

The administration's plan came under scrutiny yesterday when consumer groups and lawmakers filed legislation requiring insurers to set rates based only on a person's driving record and not financial or homeowner status.

Berry said Insurance Commissioner Nonnie S. Burnes, a judge before she was appointed commissioner earlier this year, was "totally off track" for recently approving rules that forbade the use of credit scoring when setting rates but did not prohibit those other factors.

"I think the judge has been misled," Berry said. "I'm concerned. There's evidence that Geico and Progressive and other insurers use these variables that should not be used when calculating insurance rates."

He also took aim at the administration, pointing out that, in 1977, the Dukakis administration approved a deregulation plan that caused urban drivers' rates to soar. Berry represents the cities of Peabody and Salem.[...]

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GEICO PRICE BREAK
Thousands of Northern California AAA policyholders will get a price break on their auto insurance rates this coming year.

Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner will officially announce today approval of a $105 million rate cut by the California State Automobile Association, the state's sixth largest auto insurer.

Almost 1 million CSAA policyholders will see an average rate reduction of 6.5 percent, or annual savings of $106 per policy. The auto club has about 156,000 policyholders in the Sacramento region.

With the announcement, CSAA joins a handful of carriers to completely meet the new rate rules under Proposition 103, the landmark insurance initiative approved by voters in 1988. By lowering rates now, insurers such as CSAA and GEICO, the state's 16th largest auto insurer, are hoping to attract new business.[...]

The average expenditure on auto insurance in California began declining two years ago, dropping to $845 for basic coverage from $847, according to the latest data from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners.

California ranked 18th among states in 2005, above the national average of $829 but well below the average expenditure of more than $1,100 in New York, New Jersey and Massachusetts.

Although statewide averages for last year are unavailable, the trend toward lower rates in California is continuing.

The state Department of Insurance approved $789 million in auto rate reductions last year, ranging from 4 percent to 7 percent, for 77 insurers in the $20 billion California market.

In the scramble for customers, observers say Geico is reshaping the way auto insurance is marketed.

“The volume of advertising has shot through the roof,” said Brian Sullivan, editor of the Auto Insurance Report, a weekly newsletter published by Risk Information in Dana Point. “The main reason is that Geico has proved they can make it work.” [...]

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MONITORING YOUR TEENS' DRIVING
When 17-year-old Anna Kinderman takes a turn too fast in her parents' sedan or jams the brakes too hard, she apologizes aloud even when no one else is in the car. "Sorry, Dad," she says, looking up at the camera mounted on the rear-view mirror.
Mom and Dad will see the incident on video soon enough, after all.
Several U.S. auto insurers have begun offering in-car cameras or global positioning equipment to help parents monitor their teenagers' driving behavior, hoping to reduce the alarming number of crashes involving young new motorists.
Industry experts say it's too soon to gauge the effectiveness of programs like American Family Insurance Co.'s Teen Safe Driver, used by the Kindermans in Madison, Wis. But the case for needing to improve highway safety for teens is compelling. [...]

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We liked the ads, Geico. We really did. Even though some of them at this point probably don’t need another repeat airing.
But when we heard that ABC was going to create a series based on the Geico cavemen, we had mixed emotions. On one hand, stretching out a funny joke for 30 minutes was probably a bad idea ("Saturday Night Live" has problems doing it for five minutes at a time). On the other hand, … OK, so the emotions weren’t exactly mixed.
Then came the news that the show's producers wouldn’t be showing the first episode in advance to critics. That’s not always a bad thing. Usually critics will declare a show must be terrible if it doesn’t get screened for critics. This is only partly true. A movie can be truly bad, yet studios don’t need to screen it because it has a huge built-in audience that doesn’t care what middle-aged print media writers think – just think of every teen slasher movie that’s been made in the past five years. [...]

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800 NUMBER SERVICES ARE SO YESTERDAY
comScore , a leader in measuring the digital world, today released the results of a study of online servicing of auto insurance policies, which revealed that e-servicing activity climbed 15 percent in the second quarter of 2007, more than twice the rate of growth in total visits to the auto insurer sites included in the analysis. E-servicing, which includes activities such as bill payment, viewing and changing coverage, adding or removing a driver, adding or removing a car, and changing an address, represents a potential time-savings for the customer and a cost-savings opportunity for auto insurers by reducing the need to have company personnel answer phone calls or enter data. [...]

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While the debate rages on whether to le t illegal immigrants get driver's licenses, Yonkers car dealer Rulaman De Leon is looking at some of the practicalities.
In business for 20 years, he often sees car buyers paying in cash, leaving for a few days and coming back with out-of-state plates and insurance. He can venture a guess that these customers are undocumented immigrants, heading to states where they can get driver's licenses and registrations. Other potential buyers keep asking if there's some way to get a New York license without a Social Security number. [...]

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PEACE OF MIND CAR INSURANCE?

Auto insurance is supposed to provide peace of mind. But the wrong policy can provide a false sense of security - and leave consumers in jeopardy of serious financial losses.

You have to know what you're buying, especially if you apply for a policy by phone, by mail or on the Internet. Some consumers assume they'll have adequate coverage as long as they buy state-mandated minimums. However, most states only require motorists to carry liability insurance, which pays for injuries you cause to another person or property damage you cause to someone's car.

If you want to protect your own car, you need to buy extra coverage. Collision pays for damage to your car when it hits another vehicle, rolls over or collides with an object, like a tree. Comprehensive protects you when such things as fire, theft, storms, floods or vandalism result in damage to your car.

Some lenders and leasing companies require collision and comprehensive as a condition for financing a car, so make sure you comply with the terms of your contract. [...]

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From THE GLOVE COMPARTMENT CAR CARE BOOK:

Independent shops can provide all the necessary scheduled maintenance, and are cheaper than car dealerships. If you have an extended warranty, make sure you can have your car serviced at an independent service garage. Independent shops that are part of national chains, such as Goodyear or Firestone, have all the latest high-tech equipment necessary for tune-up on today's computerized cars and are generally very reliable.
Local gas stations are ok for oil changes and checking brakes, but they probably won't have the proper diagnostic equipment for a tune-up.
Avoid shops that specialize in 30-minute oil changes, as they won't check your brakes and or rotate tires.
Try get to know the service manager like you would your dentist or doctor. If he knows you and your car, you'll have a much easier time determining what service is necessary. [...]

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THE CHANGING SCENE OF AUTO INSURANCE LAW

Changing Florida's car insurance system apparently isn't so easy a caveman could do it.

The requirement that Florida drivers carry no-fault personal injury protection is set to expire Oct. 1. Lawmakers, however, are expected next week to try to pass a measure to re-enact it, but in a form that aims to reduce the fraud many say plagued the system.

Insurance companies, however, have been planning for more than a year to see the personal injury protection - or PIP - system disappear. They say it's not so easy to simply undo their preparations. It takes time to reprogram computers, and refigure and apply for new rates. [...]

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Brooke Franchise Corp. has agreed to buy 60 insurance agency locations, including six in the St. Louis area, from companies related to J and P Holdings Inc.

The local agencies are in Overland, Florissant, Fairview Heights, Granite City and two in St. Louis. Other locations are in Kansas, Colorado, Texas and Illinois.

Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed. The deal is expected to close on Friday.

The agencies sell auto insurance under the trade names Lone Star Auto, Insurance Xpress, Car Insurance Store, Hallberg Insurance Agency and Hallberg Xpress, according to the release. [...]

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INSURANCE FOR ALL IN UTAH?
Imagine a Utah where everyone has health insurance.
Coverage would be purchased from the private market, but at affordable prices. Benefits would encourage consumers to adopt healthier lifestyles without skimping on medical care. No one, not even the poorest families, would be denied basic care.
Such are the promises delivered in a blueprint for health-care reform quietly authored by a think tank of 130 Utah business leaders and backed by economic and health advisers to Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. [...]

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HEALTH CARE IN AMERICA
Back in July, while trying to justify his opposition to expanding government health care coverage for children, President Bush made a telling comment. The uninsured, he said, "have access to health care in America. After all, you just go to an emergency room."[...]

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FLORIDIANS FYI ON AUTO INSURANCE
Floridians may have to pay higher auto premiums -- and health premiums -- if a state law mandating no-fault auto insurance is allowed to expire next month.
Insurers say switching to a tort system, in which the driver at fault in an accident pays, can only benefit consumers because there will be fewer fraudulent claims, lowering costs. But consumers and health care providers are concerned that the savings won't necessarily be passed along to policyholders. [...]

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The NAIC has created the Insure U – Get Smart About Insurance program to help consumers make educated decisions about insurance. The Web site provides insurance information specific to each life stage - Young Single, Young Family, Established Family and Empty Nester.

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MEDICAL INSURANCE
Opportunistic politicians want you to believe that the government must save you from the evil medical industry. If the greedy doctors and nurses didn't want to be adequately reimbursed for the years of medical training, the insurance companies wouldn't even be needed. After all fifty years ago medical insurance was a rarity. But today medical insurance is a necessity.

True medical costs have been increasing but so have all the wonderful drugs and medical devices that save and prolong life. But an unspoken element of medical costs is the medical malpractice insurance that the doctors and hospitals must carry. Without malpractice insurance medical practitioners could lose their life savings.

John Edwards, Democrat presidential candidate, made his fortune suing medical practitioners. One such trial, Edwards made a psychic connection to sway the jury. Such despicable conduct is common in lawsuits.[...]

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CHILDREN HEALTH INSURANCE
Right down to the wire, the battle over children's health care is burning in Washington.

Earlier this year, lawmakers thought it would be easy to reauthorize legislation extending medical coverage to millions of needy children. But the fight has been brutal.

Why? After years of being a third rail of American politics, health-care reform is back on the national agenda, raising the issue's political profile.[...]

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BUSH: NO SCHIP
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid called on President Bush to drop his veto threat against a bipartisan bill that would increase funding of a health care program for impoverished children.

Earlier today, Mr. Bush said the bill, which would expand coverage and increase funding in the SCHIP program by $60 billion over five years, was "a step toward federalization of health care." [...]

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INSURANCE FOR CATS AND DOGS
Car insurance for dogs and cats?

No, they're not being trained to drive. An insurer named Progressive wants to protect pets from stupid human tricks at the wheel.

Progressive is believed to be the first auto insurer promising to pay its own customers for dog or cat injuries or death - up to $500 per accident - when their pets are hurt while riding in their vehicles. [...]

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Since the better word is inappropriate, let's just say that stuff happens. And not knowing when it will, or to whom, Texas drivers have been required by law to prepare for the costs since 1951, and since 1981 we have been required to carry proof of our "financial responsibility."

Next year, that will be easily verifiable by any law enforcement officer through a database. [...]

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Allstate Insurance officials will be called to account at a hearing this month on its practice of canceling the policies of homeowners who don't also buy their auto insurance, which state insurance regulators say is illegal.

The state Insurance Department issued a citation to Allstate Tuesday that requires the company appear on Sept. 19 in Manhattan. [...]

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For career opportunities in one of our 14 primary offices including auto damage adjusters and other claims careers throughout the country. [...]

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A car's air conditioning should be checked at least every couple of years, to prevent any possible permanent damage to the system due to low levels of Freon.

The air conditioning system should be checked for leaks. Freon leaks can occur especially in a car over three years old.

If there isn't enough Freon in the system, the air conditioner will not cool the car. If the Freon is low it can be replaced by a certified air conditioning technician. Replacing the Freon is called an "evacuation and charge".

If you believe your car's Freon is leaking it should be checked as Freon is harmful to the environment.

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Life Insurance Companies Ranked on How They Treat Online Customers in Customer Respect Group Study.
The top companies in the latest study were:

Company	CRI
Thrivent Financial	7.0
Mutual of Omaha	6.5
Nationwide	6.3
Symetra	6.3
Genworth	6.2
Principal Financial	6.2
Industry Average	5.0

A full Scorecard including the CRI scores for the Life Insurance companies reviewed is available from The Customer Respect Group at (978) 834.6700 [...]

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Now is a great time to shop for auto insurance.

Along with the rest of the property/casualty insurance industry, the auto insurance industry is in a soft market. The nationwide average annual cost for auto insurance premiums in 2007 was expected to decrease for the first time since 1999, according to the Insurance Information Institute, a non-profit organization supported by the insurance industry. The institute attributes the more favorable conditions for consumers to a more competitive marketplace, safer cars and aggressive fraud-fighting that has reduced bogus claims. [...]

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Progressive Insurance, the Champlain Valley Fair's (in Vermont) title sponsor, is planning to give away $20,000 in free gas cards at the fair, which runs Aug. 25 through Sept. 3.

Progressive will also give away a $10,000 grand prize.

Visitors to the fair will have plenty of chances to win. On opening day, and again on Sept. 1, thousands of Progressive contest cards will be handed out to visitors over the age of 18. Each game card will feature a code. Participants will then log onto www.progressive.com/fair and enter the code and see if they're an instant winner of a $20 gas card. [...]

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The California Department of Insurance has announced it has approved GEICO's 10.8 percent rate reduction in personal auto insurance policies. The reduction should translate into $65.8 million in overall savings for GEICO customers. Commissioner Steve Poizner also recognized GEICO's early compliance with the Department of Insurance auto rating factor regulations, rewarding good drivers for their behavior. [...]

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Auto insurer GEICO announced it's reducing rates for its New Jersey customers by an average of 4.1 percent, or $81 per year. The decrease represents $30.8 million in savings for its Garden State customers. [...]

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The air conditioning compressor under your car's hood pumps Freon gas under pressure through the air conditioning system. When Freon expands it becomes very cold and it cools the metal pipes it is flowing through. A fan then blows air by the cold pipes which cools the air.

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Sheilas' Wheels is a new car insurance brand designed to offer women a competitive price (because everyone knows we make better drivers!) with more benefits for your money.
The basics are great - we have a no claim discount that rises to a huge 75% and a free courtesy car if yours is being repaired by one of our repairers. But there's a lot more in a Sheilas' Wheels policy. [...]

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AMERICAN EXPRESS PREMIUM CAR RENTAL PROGRAMNational Atlantic Holdings Corporation , a provider of specialized property-casualty insurance products and related insurance services based in Freehold, New Jersey, today announced that it has reached an agreement in principle with an A+ rated domestic Texas insurance company, which will underwrite its BlueStar Car Insurance(SM) product to consumers in the standard and preferred market segments.

BlueStar Car Insurance(SM) provides highly flexible insurance coverage options, allowing independent agents and their customers to reduce their current premium costs by purchasing the car insurance coverage they need to insure their current life situation. Web-based tools will make it easy for agents to select the proper amount of coverage and quote each customer. [...]

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When it comes to the larger issues of Web site usability, communication and trust, Progressive and GEICO lead the way, according to consumers answering a survey for the Customer Respect Group (CRG), an international research and consulting firm that focuses on how corporations treat their online customers. This marks the fourth study in a row in which Progressive is ranked at the top.
A full scorecard including the CRI scores for the hotel companies reviewed is available from The Customer Respect Group at (978) 834.6700 or visit www.customerespect.com.[...read more...]

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"But to do it, they've got to know about it," says Sturgeon. In an effort to get the word out, Sturgeon accepted the invitation to have the 2000 HP Drive Your Dream exotic car tour featured in a new savings magazine launching in the Dallas Fort Worth market called Save On Everything. The 2000HP Tour places car enthusiasts at the controls of the Ferrari 360 F1, BMW M6 Convertible, Aston Martin V8 Vantage, Lamborghini Gallardo, and Corvette Z06. For full details visit www.dfwdriveyourdream.com or call 817.838.7368. [...read more...]

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Just before midnight, the Senate passed a sweeping energy bill requiring all cars and SUVs to average 35 miles a gallon by the year 2020.

Majority Leader Harry Reid held off the vote until late into the evening and shortly before midnight, senators voted 62-32 to cut off debate, and followed by passing the bill 65-27. The measure now awaits action by the House.

The bill is aimed to increase average fuel economy by 40 percent to 35 mpg for cars, SUVs and pickups by 2020.

It's the first significant change in fuel standards in 20 years, the first increase in vehicle fuel efficiency since the current 22.7 mpg for cars was put in place in 1989 and the first time Congress has imposed a new auto efficiency mandate in 32 years.

For automakers, the new bill means tougher standards, but not as tough as they'd expected. For drivers, it means cars that get better gas mileage. [...read more...]

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After years of complaints, Alberta drivers finally got a break in 2004 when the provincial government instituted reforms to what many considered were inflated insurance premiums. Since that time, the AIRB has played a regulatory role, reducing mandatory insurance rates for exemplary Alberta drivers by 18 per cent. At the same time, premiums for new- or less-experienced drivers were capped by a grid, and as they gain experience and drive without claims and convictions, they move down the premium grid.

During public consultation this past Monday and Tuesday, insurers pressed the AIRB to raise premiums, arguing that current rates are not sustainable.[...read more...]

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http://www.dced.state.ak.us/insurance/
907-269-7900

The Division of Insurance is responsible for regulation of all aspects of the insurance industry in the state. The mission of the division is to protect and serve Alaska by developing, interpreting and enforcing the insurance statutes and regulations, protecting and educating the Alaskan consumer and enhancing the insurance business environment.

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Congratulations to

• Matthias Herman, Illinois in the 6-8 yo group.

• Grace Zhang, New Jersey in the 9-11 yo group.

• Christina Li, New Jersey in 12-15 yo group.

Each student won an additional $450 and $500 for their school to use towards art supplies.


The report also shows that 5,141 lives were saved by a safety belt the year GEICO started this poster contest in 1987.

In 2005, 15,632 lives over age four were saved.

Congratulations to all of the students who entered the 20th annual Safety Belt Poster contest. We encourage students to help save lives and enter again in fall 2007!
[...read more...]

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GEICO takes pride in being one of the nation’s fastest growing auto insurance companies.

Part of GEICO’s corporate mission is to encourage active, involved citizenship.

GEICO associates read, build, mentor, walk, run, coach — we do whatever it takes to help organizations and people in need.

Through GEICO Corporate Community Citizens (GCCC) more than 2,000 associates volunteer an average of five hours a week helping many worthwhile organizations.

• 06.25.07 Blood Drive, American Red Cross, Fredericksburg, VA

• 06.18.07 Chip Moody Golf Classic, Children's Medical Center of Dallas, 214-456-8360, Dallas, TX

• 06.16.07 Relay for Life, American Cancer Society, San Diego, CA

• 06.15.07 Father's Day Cookie Sale, Breast Cancer 3-Day Walk, 800.996.3DAY, ext. 948, San Diego, CA

• 06.09.07 Relay for Life, American Cancer Society, Buffalo, NY

• 06.08.07 Root Beer Float Sale, Breast Cancer 3-day Walk, 800.996.3DAY, ext. 948, San Diego, CA

• 06.08.07 Special Olympics, CT

• 06.06.07 Distracted Driver Awareness Day, DRIVE SMART Virginia, 804-340-2870, Virginia Beach, VA

• 06.02.07 Children's Miracle Network Telethon, 13 WMAZ & The Children's Hospital, 478-633-7389, Macon, GA

• 06.02.07 Virginia Beach Relay For Life, American Cancer Society, 757-493-7955, Virginia Beach, VA

• 06.02.07 Race for the Cure, Susan G. Komen, Washington, DC

• 06.02.07 2007 Fish and Wildlife Festival, Lower Great Lakes Fish Resource Department, Hyde Park, Niagara Falls, NY

• 06.02.07 Relay for Life, American Cancer Society, Rockville, MD

• 06.01.07 Penny Wars, American Heart Association, Ph 858-410-3829 Fax 858-455-0020, San Diego, CA

• 06.01.07 "Make a Difference Day", Hawaii. [...read more...]

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Another break for parents:

Effective May 21, 2007, Farmers Insurance Group of Companies will recognize new parents in Virginia by offering a new parent discount auto insurance policy.

The discount will be available to all existing Farmers’ new parent policyholders as well as new customers.

Contacts
Farmers Insurance Group
Michelle Levy
Media Relations Manager
512-791-7445

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A: There is no such thing as “full coverage.” In most states, liability insurance is mandatory – this covers the amount your liable to pay, up to the dollar limits you select when you buy a policy, for an accident in which there is damage or injury to other vehicles, property or people.

There are also optional physical damage coverages like comprehensive and collision; comprehensive generally covers weather-related damage (hail, etc.) as well as theft claims, while collision generally covers crashes you’re involved in with objects other than animals.

And then there are coverages like rental reimbursement which pays for the cost of a rental car if your personal car is in the shop as a result of an accident. Long and short: there are lots of coverage options out there.

It’s best to have a good understanding of what they are, what they cover and select the ones you want and need based on your personal situation.

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When you find a great deal on a car rental, the rate quickly increases when taxes, fees and options are added.

The rate also increases dramatically if you buy insurance through the rental company.

The good news is that you're probably already covered by auto insurance or when you pay with a major credit card for the Collision Damage Waiver.

Also known as Loss Damage Waiver, the CDW covers the cost of the rental car if it's damaged or stolen.

To activate this coverage, you must decline CDW coverage from the rental company.

Rates typically range from $10 to $20 per day if you buy it through a rental agency.[...read more...]

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Communicate in writing your intentions to protect your credit history.

You may choose to terminate your auto insurance policy for any number of reasons. Maybe you're moving to another state, getting rid of your car altogether, or maybe you're just dissatisfied with your existing company's service. Beware, however, that if you don't give your insurer sufficient notice, it could end up costing you money, or negatively affecting your credit history. [...read more...]

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American Express offers primary damage and theft insurance on rentals with the Premium Car Rental Protection program (PCRP).
This is supplemental insurance. Travelers will be charged $19.95 or $24.95 per rental, depending on coverage, for rentals of up to 42 consecutive days.

Premium Car Rental Protection is underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company, Administrative Office, Green Bay, WI. Coverage is subject to the terms, conditions, and exclusions of Master Policy AX0456. This program may be modified, terminated, or suspended upon notice to you. 1 Except vehicles rented in Australia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica and New Zealand. Other restrictions apply. Please be aware that New York residents are not eligible to enroll at this time. FEATURES: Coverage is activated when you use your enrolled Card to reserve and pay for the Rental Auto, Coverage is for you and your Passengers, Up to $100,000 for theft of or damage to the rental car, Up to $100,000 for Accidental Death or Dismemberment (up to $10,000 for a Passenger), For California Residents, up to $250,000 for Accidental Death or Dismemberment for the Cardmember and each Passenger, Up to $15,000 per person for medical expenses, Up to $5,000 per person for theft of personal property, Check your claim status online, Certain limitations and restrictions apply.

https://www152.americanexpress.com/fsea/travel/car_rental/product.do

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The beautiful Erin Esurance saves you money on car insurance

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America's #1 Auto Insurer!

State Farm® has been in the business of providing excellent automobile coverage at an affordable price since 1922. Responding to our customers' needs keeps us the leader in auto insurance.[...read more...]

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New bill could prove costly for citizens of the state of Georgia. Senate Bill 276 passed the Senate, 46-3, on March 27.

Georgia drivers would pay an added $400 million annually in premiums, under provisions of the bill.
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My question is if the car seat is unsafe and more people are injured because of it. Shouldn't the car makers foot the bill on the subsequent increase in car insurance premiums?

Seat and head restraints in more than 60 percent of car models fall short of state-of-the-art protection for neck injuries and whiplash, a new study has found.

Only 22 of 75 cars tests rated good for rear crash protection in collisions, according to a new test of car seats by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), an industry group.
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Allstate has developed a better, more affordable way to help keep safe drivers covered and rewarded. Accidents happen – we understand. We also understand you deserve something back when they don’t. Now it’s time you get the auto insurance you’ve always wanted. The auto insurance features listed in the chart above are available in many states and provide greater choices and the rewards you deserve – from day one and at an affordable rate.

Depending on your situation, your car insurance coverage needs will vary. Whether you're buying a new car or adding your teenager to your car insurance policy, Allstate has auto insurance coverage options that can help provide the liability, property and injury protections that are right for you. And, if you drive a safe car or if your teenager has good grades, you may even qualify for our auto insurance discounts.
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Conn. auto body repair industry is unhappy with insurance companies.

By Jason Vallee
The Auto Body Association of Connecticut made a clear statement to legislators Tuesday - they want laws enacted to prevent auto insurance companies from choosing where cars are fixed and they want local and state bodies to take action against any company that violates Connecticut licensing statutes for automotive repairs.
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If both sides are unhappy who wants this law?

A Senate insurance committee on Tuesday took the Legislature's first major stab at rewriting the state's mandatory automobile insurance laws.

In so doing, the members unanimously passed a bill that manages to irritate just about everybody: doctors, hospitals, lawyers and most auto insurance companies.
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Auto insurance in Mass is a $3.9 billion industry but insurance companies still struggle to make a profit.

By Bob Kievra
The 25-page report, which was dated March 15 but released only yesterday, points to several problems in Massachusetts’ one-of-a-kind system of insuring cars. But it falls short of former Gov. Mitt Romney’s recommendation to overhaul the entire system and introduce competitive pricing in the Bay State.

The recommendations of the task force were eagerly awaited by auto insurers in Massachusetts, who have waged both private and public campaigns over the past several years that would enable insurers to set their own prices in the $3.9 billion Massachusetts automobile insurance industry, the 11th-largest in the country.


Mr. Patrick, to date, has yet to sketch out his views on the topic. In a statement yesterday he labeled the report “a meaningful first step in achieving a balance which maintains affordability throughout the Commonwealth while introducing a level of competition which will prove beneficial to all Massachusetts drivers.”

Massachusetts is unique in that regulators set rates for all automobile insurance companies, while in every other state insurers determine their own prices based on their own rating variables. Mr. Romney sought to give insurers greater flexibility in pricing their own policies, noting that 35 insurance companies have left the state since 1990, leaving only 19 insurers to write policies for the state’s 4 million drivers.
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Auto Insurance Customized for You
Regardless of your driving record or vehicle type, AIG Agency Auto has an auto program that can be customized just for you. Our agents and brokers are insurance professionals dedicated to offering you the expertise you need to ensure you and your family have the right protection at the right price.
Coverage Options - We offer a variety of coverage options that can be tailored to meet your specific needs including liability limits up to $1 million CSL.
Flexible Pay Plan Options - We offer direct bill, paid-in-full and Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) payment options to meet the demands of any budget. You can also pay with your Visa, MasterCard and Discover or by check or money order.
Significant Discounts - In addition to our competitive rates, we offer many savings opportunities with discounts on multiple-vehicle policies, airbags/ABS (antilock brakes), homeowners, defensive driver courses, senior accident prevention course, good driver, paid-in-full and EFT policies. Availability of discounts varies by state.
Fast, Fair, Accurate and Customer-Focused Claims Service - Unfortunately, accidents happen. Filing a claim doesn't have to be a burden. Our claims reporting service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week by calling 1-888-244-6163.
Security - We offer insurance backed by the world's largest insurance and financial services organization.
Click here to locate a local AIG Agency Auto authorized representative. Our representatives will provide you with a free quote on an automobile policy customized to meet your needs.

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Want to buy car insurance in New Jersey? Insurance companies wants to know if you went to college first. The state Senate Commerce Committee met last week to consider S-1714, a bill that would prohibit using education and occupation as rating factors in selling auto insurance in New Jersey.

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.
There is something these ads are selling and it is not just car insurance:

By Seth Stevenson

...Look at the clip we've posted—and imagine that you're sitting on your couch, idly waiting for SportsCenter to come back on, rather than hunched attentively over your computer screen. Personally, I'm lost from the moment the ad begins. Who are these animated characters? What's their relationship? Why are they playing football, against robots, in outer space? And—just like that—I've lost interest. I'm sipping my beer, gazing out the window until the next commercial comes on, and hey, it's the Geico caveman! He sells online car insurance! I love that guy!

The other ads in the Esurance campaign also feature bizarre plotlines that in no way relate to car insurance. (And before you shout that the caveman also has nothing to do with car insurance, remember that Geico runs a wide variety of spots on TV—some of which are straightforward, conventional pitches. Esurance runs only these weirdo cartoons, with no simple, down-to-earth spots to back them up.) Each Esurance ad features the pink-haired Erin Esurance. Though we never hear her name in the ads, we are made to understand she is a superspy of some sort. On the Esurance Web site, you can watch an ad that shows Erin battling robots in a Wild West shoot'em-up; another where she clashes with ninjas who are breaking into an art museum; and still others that I just don't get at all. Yes, in each spot the dialogue makes salient points about the benefits of Esurance. But those confusing, busy plotlines drown out the message. While we're hearing this: "At Esurance, if we can't give you the best deal we'll show you where you can—and help you buy the policy right away," we're seeing this: a robot, in a cowboy hat and duster, firing a machine gun at a woman with pink hair. Wha?

Animation can work brilliantly in advertising. In this animated Charles Schwab campaign, the drawings are so simple and static that they force our attention to the words being spoken. But the Esurance campaign's animation does just the opposite.

I called Esurance to get their side of the story and learned that these ads were made in-house, without any help from an advertising agency. (No surprise there. What decent agency would commit the Advertising 101 mistake of letting the message get lost in the clutter?) The woman I spoke with was Kristen Brewe—who created this campaign from scratch, continues to write all the ads, and is very proud of the whole concept. Brewe considers the ads a "labor of love" and excitedly told me about upcoming plotlines in which Erin Esurance will battle clones and global warming. Which made me feel bad about the fact that I hate her campaign.

Still, Brewe offered two good defenses of these ads:

1) She says Esurance's business is way up this year, and that the "needle moves" in every market when they debut the ads. I believe her. But it's also true that business is better for all car insurance providers (apparently, people are getting in fewer accidents these days, so the margins are better—which explains why you're seeing so many car insurance ads on TV). And I'm not surprised the ads are having some effect when they hit a new market. If you buy as much airtime as Esurance does, you're bound to win over at least a few people—no matter how bad your campaign is.

2) Brewe says men are a big target of this campaign. She's bought airtime on ESPN, SciFi, Adult Swim on Cartoon Network, and other guy-heavy outlets. Why? Brewe discovered that Erin Esurance has become a bit of a sex symbol for a certain kind of dude. Indeed, a quick Web search soon found graphic, nude drawings of Erin Esurance performing sexual acts. Scary. But possibly very good news for Esurance.

.

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SB 193 to provide for medical coverage (specifically trauma care):

The Colorado Senate Appropriations Committee is scheduled to vote on Friday on a bill that insurance associations say would force drivers to pay for mandated coverage that most consumers now choose to reject.

Senate Bill 193 would require an auto policy issued or renewed on or after July 1, 2007 to contain medical payments coverage for payment of medically necessary and accident-related health care expenses and rehabilitation for bodily injury arising out of the ownership, maintenance or use of a motor vehicle. Required coverages would include legal liability coverage for bodily injury or death of $25,000 to any person in any one accident, and $50,000 to all persons in any one accident and for property damage.

"This government mandate translates into a rate hike for most consumers of an extra $200 per car, per year," according to the American Insurance Association, National Association of Mutual Insurance Companies and Property Casualty Insurers of America, which issued a joint statement criticizing the bill. "For some, that adds up to as much as a 40 percent increase. For most people, this extra coverage duplicates their health insurance -- for seniors and military personnel, it requires them to buy insurance that is available to them for free through the federal government."

The associations said that because the bill automatically renews the extra coverage, consumers would have to reject the coverage in writing, so some might pay for extra coverage without realizing it is on their policy.

"Legislators got rid of no-fault in 2003 due to its out-of-control costs -- pushed by high mandated coverage and treatment abuses," said Tiffany O'Shea, public affairs director for the AIA. SB193 basically says all drivers should pay extra, whether they need it or not, to help fund the state's trauma system that was built in large part on Colorado's old no-fault auto insurance system, she said.

Source: Colorado General Assembly, AAA Colorado, AIA, PCI, RMIIA

[...read more...]

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When you comparison shop, inquire about discounts for the following:*

[ ] $500 deductible
[ ] $1,000 deductible
[ ] More than 1 car
[ ] No Accidents in 3 Years
[ ] No Moving Violations in 3 Years
[ ] Driver Training Courses
[ ] Defensive Driving Courses
[ ] Anti-Theft Devices
[ ] Low Annual Mileage
[ ] Air Bags
[ ] Anti-Lock Brakes
[ ] Daytime Running Lights
[ ] Student Drivers with Good Grades
[ ] Auto and Homeowners Coverage with the Same Company
[ ] College Students away from Home
[ ] Long-Time Customer
[ ] Other Discounts

The key to savings is not the discounts, but the final price. A company that offers few discounts may still have a lower overall price.

*The discounts listed may not be available in all states or from all insurance companies.

For more information, call the National Insurance Consumer Helpline (NICH) at 1-800-942-4242
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Don't forget to check your motorcycle insurance especially in West Virginia:

By Tom Maiden.
Spring has finally arrived in the Eastern Panhandle and motorcycle enthusiasts are ready to enjoy the nice weather. Whether you’re a hardcore motorcyclist or a weekend warrior, if you ride a motorcycle on public roadways, West Virginia requires a minimum amount of liability and uninsured motorist coverage.

If you like the freedom and lifestyle motorcycle riding offers on West Virginia’s country roads, don’t forget that the peace of mind that comes with insurance can add enjoyment to the time you spend in the saddle.

Choosing the right motorcycle insurance policy is much like choosing the right bike. You can customize the motorcycle policy to meet your personal preference. You can choose the type of coverage you need for your bike, the deductibles you want, and the payment plan that suits your wallet.

Bodily injury and property damage liability covers your legal liability for an accident that was caused by your negligence where there is injury to another party or damage to someone’s property, up to the limit of liability you select.

Medical payments coverage pays the cost of necessary medical care received, up to the limit of coverage, as a result of a motorcycle accident and can be used regardless of who is at fault. The coverage often is limited to medical treatment received within the first three years after an accident and is limited to a specific dollar amount.

When the at-fault party does not have insurance, uninsured motorists bodily injury will cover damages you incur that the at-fault party is legally liable for, such as medical treatment and lost wages.

If your injury expenses exceed the at-fault party’s liability limits, you can use underinsured motorists bodily injury overage to pay for the amount not covered by the at-fault person’s insurance. Uninsured motorists property damage covers damage to your motorcycle caused by someone who does not have insurance.

Similar to uninsured motorists coverage, underinsured motorists coverage is designed to cover the gap between the other person’s liability limits and the amount of your injury expenses, up to the underinsured motorists limits you select. Underinsured motorist coverage is an optional coverage in West Virginia.
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Esurance tries to make auto insurance as easy as possible:

Esurance, a subsidiary of White Mountains Insurance Group, Ltd. (NYSE: WTM), provides personal auto insurance direct to consumers online and through select online agents.

Esurance is dedicated to constantly improving the way people shop for, buy, and manage their auto insurance. By combining the best of technology with industry know-how, Esurance is able to offer hassle-free coverage with 24/7 customer service and claims handling at competitive prices.

Through Esurance’s Web site, www.esurance.com , customers can get instant quotes, view comparison quotes, buy an Esurance policy, and print their proof of insurance card- all in minutes.

Esurance also offers policyholders the ability to make policy changes and file claims instantly online, demonstrating its commitment to improving the entire insurance process from quote to claim.

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Esurance might be starting a trend that may be imitated by other insurance companies:

The Detroit Pistons announced they have entered into a one-year sponsorship agreement with Esurance, the direct-to-consumer auto insurance company.

The partnership will include standard sponsorship elements of television and radio commercials, an interactive Web program, a computer mouse giveaway for Pistons fans, and in-arena programming. The agreement also includes an additional charitable component. Esurance will contribute $5 for every assist the Pistons record this year to the Bikes for Kids program from Variety Children’s Charity. Further financial details of the agreement were undisclosed.

“Esurance is quickly making a name for themselves with their commitment to simplifying the tedium of shopping for, buying and managing auto insurance, something we can all relate to in the Motor City,” said Tom Wilson, president and CEO of Palace Sports & Entertainment. “Erin, Esurance’s animated pink-haired pop icon, represents the forward-thinking use of technology that is the Esurance brand. Erin was also the inspiration for this relationship.”

[...read more...]

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Car_thieve.
Here is a good reason to spend a few more dollars on your car:

Like many northern New Englanders, Burlington, Vermont contractor Greg Giro likes to make an occasional trip to take in some big-city life in Montreal.
Advertisement Top 100 Property/Casualty Independent Insurance Agencies Application Form

But increasingly, they are being targeted by car thieves, say Canadian authorities and a U.S. insurance industry group that tracks the crimes. Sophisticated organized crime car-theft rings target U.S. cars because they usually lack the tracking devices and other anti-theft technology that Canadian insurance companies require, investigators said.

Giro got the bad news three hours after parking in a Montreal hotel's garage. He noticed he had forgotten his reading glasses and went to retrieve them from his truck, a 2006 Toyota Tundra that he had just bought for about $28,000 in January.
It was gone.

"I went through the whole parking garage because I just couldn't believe it,'' Giro said.

He called police and reported the theft. Detectives told him his truck most likely would follow a common path for vehicles snagged by organized car theft rings operating in Canadian cities. It would soon be packed into a shipping container and loaded onto a freighter bound for some distant port — often in the Third World.
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GEICO (Government Employees Insurance Company) is the fourth-largest private passenger auto insurer in the United States.

It provides auto insurance coverage for more than 7 million policyholders and insures more than 12 million vehicles.

GEICO, a member of the Berkshire Hathaway group of companies, is rated A++ for financial stability by A.M. Best Company.

GEICO keeps its rates low by dealing directly with the customer. GEICO provides consumers with outstanding sales, service and claims capabilities on its geico.com Web site 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Consumers may also contact the company at its toll free 1-800-841-3000 number. 15 minutes could save you 15% on car insurance. For more information, go to http://www.geico.com/.

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A grant from the GEICO Philanthropic Foundation will help students at eight Florida high schools practice safe driving techniques through the use of driving simulators.

Each school participating in the program will receive a "peddle car" simulator to be used as a teaching tool for parallel parking and impaired driving awareness. These simulators will primarily be used at safety fairs in conjunction with "drunk goggles" to illustrate the impairment drinking can have on drivers. Young drivers will be able to test their driving skills when they get behind the wheel of the simulator and learn about the destructive possibilities of driving impaired.

The GEICO Philanthropic Foundation's grant to the Florida Safety Council is helping fund the state's driver's education program. GEICO's regional vice president, George Rogers, explained, "This grant will help improve driver's education initiatives throughout Florida. GEICO is focused on improving teen safe driving and giving teens the knowledge that is needed when learning to drive."
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I think this could work and be funny too. I have had enough from reality shows.

Turns out ABC is planning to give those sensitive cavemen from the Geico insurance commercials their own sitcom.

If they survive pilot season, the lovable, hirsute Neanderthals reportedly will "battle prejudice as they attempt to live as normal thirtysomethings in modern Atlanta."

[...read more...]

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If you or someone you know lives in Colonie, NY beware:

By MICHELE MORGAN BOLTON.
On trial are Joseph Houghtaling, 36; his brother, Frank, 32; their wives, Renee and Rhonda Houghtaling, who are 34-year-old twins; family matriarch, Donna Houghtaling, 58; and her daughter, Brenda Warner, 38.

Prosecutor Bradley Sherman is leading the jury, crash by crash, through what he has called a concerted effort by the defendants to rip off the system.

Earlier Monday, a Progressive Insurance adjuster testified that he alerted the company's special investigation unit on March 16, 1997, about another crash.

The adjuster, Kirk Field, said that after Frank Houghtaling reported he'd crashed his car into his father's Poplar Street garage in Colonie, Houghtaling insisted that the accident wrecked the garage and everything in it, including his brother Joe's motorcycle. But what caught his eye, Field recalled, was that Frank Houghtaling had purchased full auto coverage on a 12-year-old, 100,000-mile car just four days before the alleged crash.

Progressive eventually paid Joe Houghtaling $5,000 for damage to his bike; $5,000 to Alfred Houghtaling for the property damage; $886.05 to Frank Houghtaling for damage to his old car; and $200 for a rental car, he said.

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The Progressive Group of Insurance Companies, in business since 1937, is the country’s third largest auto insurance group and largest seller of motorcycle and personal watercraft policies based on premiums written, and is a market leader in commercial auto insurance.

Progressive is committed to becoming consumers’ #1 choice for auto insurance by providing competitive products and rates that meet drivers’ needs throughout their lifetimes, superior online and in-person customer service, and best-in-class, 24-hour claims service, including our concierge level of claims service available at service centers throughout the United States.

The Progressive Corporation
Patrick Brennan, 440-395-2370
http://www.progressive.com

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By James E. Guyette.
Amid widespread cheers from his industry colleagues, a New York collision repairer has filed a lawsuit against Progressive Insurance charging that the carrier has engaged in rampant steering in violation of existing Empire State statutes.

“The powers that be in the government aren’t doing anything about it, so my only recourse is through the courts,” says Greg Coccaro Sr., president of North State Custom of Bedford Hills, N.Y.

Coccaro, having hired a lawyer working on a contingency basis, is pursuing the lawsuit on his own volition. “This stems from ‘enough is enough,’” he maintains. “It’s been a pattern of abuses back to as far as I can remember. They’re just so blatant and arrogant about it, I thought I had to do something.”

The action was recently filed in Westchester County Supreme Court. A trial date has not been set.

When approached by ABRN about the lawsuit Progressive declined comment, issuing a statement that “it is our practice to not comment on pending litigation.”

The suit alleges that over the past several years, “Progressive engaged in a massive scheme whereby it steers its insureds to its DRP program shops by making claims that the independent shops might not be guaranteed, or fully covered, or overpriced, or that the work will be unduly delayed. It has implemented this massive scheme by having its servants, employees, adjusters and/or appraisers make misleading and knowingly false and/or exaggerated statements concerning North State, and other independent auto body shops, to its insureds/claimants, in an effort to coerce the insured/claimant to have their car repaired at Progressive’s DRP shop,” Coccaro contends.

“In the case of North State, defendants have habitually coerced its insureds/claimants to have their vehicle removed from North State and brought to a DRP upon defendants’ representations to their insureds/claimants that North State is not a reputable body shop.”

Containing eight separate “causes of action,” the suit further charges that Progressive “has violated through its unfair claims practices” New York State regulation section 2610 of the insurance law that states: “An insurance company cannot require that repairs be made to a motor vehicle in a particular place or repair shop. You have the right to have your vehicle repaired in the shop of your choice.” LINK.

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The funny guy from "Whose Line Is It Anyway?"

LINK.

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On Thursday, The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety released new crash test results and they show most car bumpers are not designed to protect the vehicle's expensive parts and that even the most minor accident could cost you thousands of dollars They're the kind of vehicle mishaps that happen thousands of times a day on American roadways.
But while the classic 'fender bender' usually doesn't result in injuries, newly released crash test results from the insurance institute for highway safety show a minor wreck can lead to major repair bills. LINK.

See Video
For more info go to: http://www.iihs.org/

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Finally some good news on car insurance.

By Marshall Loeb
In an age when a gallon of gas costs an average of $2.26, car owners can rejoice at a little bit of good news: The typical American driver will pay less for auto insurance this year than in 2006, according to the Insurance Information Institute. This is the first decrease in insurance premiums since 1999.LINK.

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