| New State Farm agent carrying on tradition
IRONWOOD -- The new agent heading the State Farm Insurance office in Ironwood isn't really new to the area, and, in fact, is carrying on a family tradition in the business. Pam Kauppila, who has been a State Farm agent in Marquette, will be operating full-time at the company's office in Sunnyside Plaza beginning in early May. Right now, she is working out of both offices before making the permanent move here. Kauppila's father, Ron Johnson, was a State Farm agent in Ironwood for 40 years, and her great-uncle was an agent in Iron Mountain. "A few people have asked why I'm moving here from Marquette," she said. "That's easy -- because I want to. It's a great opportunity." Kauppila says she views her work as "a mission" to provide the company's services and to help customers.
State Farm Insurance California: Customers Paying Too Much
San Diego, CA: California State Farm Auto Insurance policyholders may have paid an illegal accident surcharge if they bought their car insurance with the company any time from 1997 to 2002. The fee was charged to people who were either previously uninsured or who could not prove that they had insurance prior to buying insurance from State Farm. The accident surcharge violates the California Insurance Code, which states that a person's lack of previous insurance cannot be used as a factor when an insurance company determines insurance premiums and Good Driver Discounts. The surcharge was also known as the "Non-Verifiable Accident Record Surcharge." People who paid the surcharge may be eligible for reimbursement if a class action lawsuit is filed against State Farm Insurance. Consumers are becoming sick of how they are being treated by companies like State Farm.
Insurance Industry's Profits Rose In 2006
NEW YORK -- The headline numbers were eye-popping: Allstate reported a record $5 billion profit for 2006. State Farm Insurance's profit climbed 65 percent for the year. St. Paul Travelers' earnings rose sixfold in the fourth quarter, American International Group's rose eightfold. A year and a half after Hurricane Katrina devastated the Gulf Coast, profits at the nation's major property-casualty insurance companies soared -- and are expected to be strong again in 2007, according to estimates by the A.M. Best Co. rating agency. Critics charge that the insurers are doing well financially by shorting the people who bought their products -- including hundreds of consumers who still haven't gotten settlements for their Katrina claims. The industry, in turn, denies taking advantage of consumers, crediting its growing profitability instead to fewer storms last year and improved business procedures.
Could solar cars be the answer to random pricing?
As I sat down to write this column I received a phone call. My State Farm insurance agent called to let me know that my auto insurance rates had gone down. After picking myself up off the floor I politely thanked her and started to think about pricing of items in general.
I'm typing this on a computer that cost me less than the word processor, a glorified typewriter for all intents and purposes; I bought when I started college back in the late '80s. Even the flat-screen monitor I stare at for hours on end went for $700 when first released two short years ago, yet I picked this one up a month ago for under $200.
I'm looking at a telephone that I just used to call Sweden for business. Sweden is included in my all-in-one long distance plan that sets me back roughly the cost of a couple of movie tickets and a large tub of popcorn.
Blumo Unveils The Mobile Experience Agency
Blumo, Inc. today announced it is officially open for business. The Phoenix based mobile experience agency has been operating under the radar while developing its MobilePowered(TM) platform, working exclusively on projects for Chevron and State Farm Insurance. Phoenix, Arizona (PRWEB) April 9, 2007 -- UTC - Blumo, Inc. today announced it is officially open for business. The Phoenix based mobile experience agency has been operating under the radar while developing its MobilePowered(TM) platform, working exclusively on projects for Chevron and State Farm Insurance. The agency was formed to meet the ever-growing demand for technology products and services that make it easier for brands to engage and interact with their audiences. In addition to a powerful technology platform, Blumo offers a core set of competencies in creative and marketing strategy.
Scared straight: Hand keys to teens with tough love
Twins Rachel and J.P. McDaniel, of Bossier City, have had special restrictions concerning driving placed on them by their mother, Lisa. In addition to drivers training, the teens also took a course offered by State Farm Insurance that required them to keep a driving log. .
Florida drivers face changes as PIP could expired
If current no-fault insurance law isn't replaced or extended, Florida drivers may need to buy extra coverage to be sure medical payments are covered in case of accidents. BY BEATRICE E. GARCIA bgarcia@MiamiHerald.com TALLAHASSEE - Come October, the way Floridians buy auto insurance could change dramatically. That's when the state's current no-fault insurance law is set to expire. Along with it would go the required $10,000 personal injury protection drivers now buy to cover medical expenses and lost wages when there's an accident, regardless of who is at fault. Several major insurers including State Farm Insurance of Florida and Allstate Florida are lobbying hard to let the no-fault law sunset because it breeds massive fraud and runs up charges for often unnecessary and expensive medical procedures to exhaust the $10,000 that's provided in every accident.
Crist: Premiums Will Drop More
TALLAHASSEE -- Gov. Charlie Crist sought Wednesday to reassure Floridians that they would get larger reductions in their insurance premiums than the single-digit price cuts the industry proposed last week. "You need relief, and we know it and we feel it," Crist said. "Don't believe your rates aren't going to go down as much as we would like. They are. I guarantee it. They're going to keep going down." The insurance-industry rate filings, prompted by a law crafted in January by Crist and the Florida Legislature, were far less than the reductions predicted by the state's political leaders. Insurance Commissioner Kevin McCarty had estimated average rate reductions of 24 percent on their overall premiums.
State Farm Florida Insurance Co., the state's largest private home insurer, last week requested a statewide average decrease of 7 percent.
Markel Insurance Renews as Title Sponsor for USEF Young Horse ...
The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) is pleased to announce the continuation of a multi-year partnership with Markel Insurance to sponsor the USEF Young Horse Dressage Program. This sponsorship also includes the Markel/USEF Young Horse Dressage National Championship presented by Collecting Gaits Farm and the Markel/USEF Young Horse Dressage Selection Trials. "Markel came on board to sponsor this program early in our strategy to build our developing horse and rider programs which are critical to our future success in international competition," said John Long, USEF Chief Executive Officer. "This young horse program has been extremely successful and we thank Markel for their vision, enthusiasm and continued support." Whether you are dreaming of competing internationally at the FEI World Championships for Young Dressage Horses or aiming for the Markel/USEF Young Horse Championships in September, DressageDaily Young Horse Talent Scouts will be following your progress, throughout the year.
State Farm CEO: 2006 Was 'Break-Even' Year
He even called 2006 a "break-even" year, considering the multibillion-dollar losses State Farm suffered in 2001 and 2002. In some ways, 2007 could prove tougher than 2006, the year Hurricane Katrina's counterpart didn't strike. Now, forecasters are predicting a nasty hurricane season this year. In that sense, insurers likely hit a "profitability peak" in 2006, said Robert Hartwig, president and chief economist of the Insurance Information Institute in New York. While Hartwig expects a "strong" 2007, "it's almost impossible to be as strong as last year." State Farm reported a record $5.32 billion profit in 2006, up from $3.24 billion in 2005, and the insurer's net worth grew nearly 16 percent to $58.1 billion. Rust, meanwhile, made $11.66 million last year, including a $9.89 million bonus. That's a $5.26 million bump from his 2005 income of $6.4 million.
State Farm dropping rates
Not only is the state's largest auto insurance company dropping its rates in Hamilton and surrounding areas, it's passing out free money, too. State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company — State Farm's auto division — is decreasing customer rates nationwide as a result of company performance and a drop in the number and severity of claims during the past three years. .
Murrieta State Farm expands hours
Murrieta State Farm Agent Scott Koth announced his office is now able to bind automobile insurance coverage 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Koth said he is responding to the dynamics of the California marketplace and recognizes that most cars are purchased during non-traditional business hours, so it makes sense that the company be available during non-traditional hours.
To learn more call Koth at (951) 461-4979.
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