Consumer advice

Declarations

“The reality is that Citizens offers a one-size-fits-all policy that often leaves coverage gaps and there is a higher probability that assessments could wipe out any perceived savings.”

— Jeff Grady, Florida Association of Insurance Agents, upon his group’s release of a report advising consumers that insuring with state-backed Citizens Property Insurance Corp. may not always be the best choice.

Windstorm option

“Passage of this legislation will ensure that in future disasters homeowners won’t have to hire lawyers, engineers, and public adjusters to prove what damage was caused by wind and what was caused by flooding.”

— Rep. Gene Taylor, a co-sponsor of the bill passed by the House that would add windstorm coverage as an option under the federal flood insurance program.

Shifting liabilities

“Shifting liabilities for windstorm damage from the private sector to the NFIP would be fiscally irresponsible. Federal government insurance would displace insurance that is already provided by the private market. Expansion of the NFIP would also undermine economic incentives to mitigate risks because the program would likely distort rates from their market-determined values.”

— The White House in a statement from the Office of Management and Budget opposing Rep. Taylor’s bill that would add windstorm coverage to the National Flood Insurance Program.

Caveman show

“It feels like its origin is somewhat polluted, like it’s taking advantage of something that’s popular in the culture. But there’s places to go (with the series) and specific stories to tell, and we feel really proud about the cast.”

— Executive producer Will Speck of the TV show based on the Geico commercial character, Caveman, acknowledging he has faced skepticism about how the insurance company TV commercials would translate to a series.

Veto signal

“We believe that there is enough support in Congress to override a threatened Presidential veto. In addition, we are not convinced that the President will veto the bill that will emerge from a House-Senate conference, which will probably address at least some of the Administration’s stated concerns.”

— Patricia A. Borowski, senior vice president, for the National Association of Professional Insurance Agents, after the House passed an extension of the federal terrorism insurance program despite a veto signal from the White House.