Declarations

Disaster discussions
“I know there is no great political constituency for it, but we can avert these disasters for not very much money if they can be put into the public debate and people understand clearly what’s going to happen.”

— Past President Bill Clinton speaking about disaster planning at a recent forum at Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government. Clinton said disasters such as worldwide famine and an obesity epidemic are threatening the country’s stability. He suggested America’s leaders take small actions; never appoint incompetent political allies to positions of disaster response; never let political ideology blur scientific evidence; and cooperate nationally and internationally.

Boomers big on brands
“Boomers are most loyal when companies give customized service, a natural reflection of Boomers’ desire for personalized attention and rewarding brand experiences. And they are willing to pay more for value if a product or service demonstrates the ability to help make their complicated and stressful lives easier.”

— Heather Stern, director of marketing for marketing research firm Focalyst, commenting on Baby Boomers’ and older consumers’ brand loyalty. For auto and home insurance, medical insurance, life insurance and banks, consumers tend to remain loyal. But for apparel, cars, prepared foods, and airlines, customers are likely to switch service providers.

Tell the truth
“If you … listen to the press, listen to the stories, listen to the people, who are getting in front of the microphones, it is a constant barrage of the criticism, of hyperbole, that seem to tell the story to the American people that almost no one has been paid, and that everyone is very dissatisfied.”

— Miami insurance agent and president of the Independent Insurance Agents and Brokers Alex Soto, noting that the public’s perception of Hurricane Katrina is that the insurance industry failed consumers in the handling of claims. However, Soto said the reality is much different. “A overwhelming majority of the Katrina claims have been settled. Surveys that have been made that actually indicate that the majority of the people are satisfied with the way they were treated and the way they were paid,”he said.

Question of ethics
“This is the worst case of PIP insurance abuse I have ever seen. We have letters from Sadler’s doctors that confirm State Farm’s delay of the surgery is the reason for her paralysis.”

— Karen Koehler, an attorney with the law firm Stritmatter Kessler, representing Washingtonian Tara Sadler in a lawsuit against State Farm. Sadler claims that because State Farm delayed in approving a claim for surgery to repair her neck following an automobile accident, she was not able to get immediate treatment and subsequently became paralyzed. The suit was filed in King County Superior Court in Seattle and seeks monetary damages.