News Briefs
ALABAMA
Alabama Expects 50,000 Claims
More than 50,000 claims are expected in Alabama from hurricane damage, however, complete cost estimates won’t be available until this month.
Ragan Ingram, Department of Insurance assistant insurance commissioner, told the Huntsville Times his agency hasn’t seen companies rushing to increase rates, but predicts hikes are likely.
Former Commissioner DeBellis Dies
Former Insurance Commissioner Michael “Mickey” DeBellis died in Greenville, Ala., on Nov. 15. He was 77.
DeBellis was commissioner under Governors George C. Wallace and Fob James. He was well-known for his advocacy for the legislation requiring insurance providers to take continuing education courses. DeBellis joined the DOI in 1973, working as an investigator, consumer specialist, legislative affairs director, deputy commissioner and assistant commissioner. In 1986, Gov. Wallace appointed DeBellis as commissioner and he served a year until the end of Wallace’s administration in 1987. DeBellis stepped down, working elsewhere in DOI until appointed again by Gov. James. He served only three years, and left the office on his 70th birthday. Until 1998, he was a senior adviser to the insurance commissioner.
DeBellis is survived by his wife Sue and daughter Susan. Funeral arrangements, which are being coordinated by Dunklin-Herndon Funeral Home in Greenville, had yet to be completed at press time.
FLORIDA
EMA Director Addresses Weaknesses
The failures that left thousands of Florida residents unprepared for Hurricane Wilma should be addressed by launching a new election-style marketing campaign, expanding the tax-free shopping week and beefing up Florida’s evacuation plans, according to Craig Fugate, the state’s emergency management director.
Fugate told the Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel that Wilma, which left millions of South Florida residents without food, water and power for days, showcased the urgent need to boost public awareness.
FAIA Young Agents Council Formed
A new Young Agents Council has been formed by the Florida Association of Insurance Agents in Tallahassee, Fla., to perpetuate the future of the independent insurance agency system by serving as a unified voice of young agents in Florida.
The Young Agents of Florida include FAIA member agencies and associate personnel who have been in the business less than 10 years or are under 40 years of age.
Miami/Dade County Young Agents
More than 40 property and casualty producers, company representatives, association members, and life and health representatives attended a recent party in Coral Gables at which everyone celebrated the formation of the Young Agents Committee of the Independent Insurance Agents of Dade County. The committee was formed to give young insurance professionals in Miami-Dade County the opportunity to network, socialize and get involved.
The effort to revitalize YAC was launched earlier this year by Mike Keeby. The IIADC had a Young Agents group in the mid-80s and early-90s. Several members of IIADC’s current board were active in that effort and suggested YAC’s reestablishment.
Phil Yanan, an IIACE board member, with Wilson, Washburn & Forster Insurance, was selected by the board to lead YAC.
GEORGIA
Residents Urged: Remove Ordinance
Macon, Ga.-area homeowners now living in Camp Wheeler, a World War II training camp have been warned there is a good possibility mortars and grenades could be buried on their land. Experts warn they could see their homeowners claims denied, policy costs shoot up, or even lose their coverage altogether unless they permit the government remove the live ordinance from their land.
Several residents told the Macon Telegraph they didn’t know about the training camp when they bought the land. The area was recently identified by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers as the most dangerous of five contaminated areas in the 14,000-acre former camp.
“Once you have knowledge and you do not take prudent action, that can be considered negligence,” John Oxendine, Georgia Insurance Commissioner said. “And negligence can be a reason an insurance company uses to deny a claim.”
Oxendine said a comparable example would be a homeowner who does not remove a diseased or dead tree before it falls and
damages property.
SOUTH CAROLINA
SCID Risks, Rates, Expert Resigns
Dean Kruger, the South Carolina Insurance Department’s chief expert on risks and rates, was asked to resign after he criticized the National Council on Compensation Insurance.
Kruger criticized the way NCCI made calculations that affected workers’ compensation rates in South Carolina. Earlier this year, Kruger and others criticisms led legislators to order the insurance department to establish a special study committee to suggest what role the council would have in South Carolina’s workers’ compensation insurance system in the future.
WEST VIRGINIA
PCI Applauds Governor
The Property Casualty Insurers Association of America has applauded West Virginia Gov. Joe Manchin for calling a special session of the state legislature to finalize any remaining details of the state’s new workers’ compensation program.
The program’s transition from a public program to a privately run company, approved earlier this year by the legislature, is scheduled to take effect Jan. 1, 2006.
“PCI applauds Gov. Manchin for his continued dedication and focus on finalizing the upcoming workers compensation program,” said Angela Zaydon,” regional manager for PCI. “With the program’s start date looming around the corner, there is not much time to spare. We urge state lawmakers and the Legislature to act quickly and pass legislation making the necessary modifications.”
Deer Claims Average $1,700
The average cost of an automobile claim directly attributable to a driver having a collision with deer or wildlife is more than $1,700 per claim and totaling approximately $33 million, according to an annual study sponsored by the West Virginia Insurance Commission in Charleston, W.Va.
West Virginia Insurance Commissioner, Jane L. Cline announced that according to the study over 19,000 deer and wildlife claims were paid by the auto carriers in the state. Auto related accidents involving deer and other wildlife increase during October, November and December.