Uninsured Drivers Pose Serious Financial Threat
Friday, March 28, 2008
Even though it may be against the law, more drivers than you realize have no auto insurance. The Insurance Research Council reports that about one in seven at-fault drivers in a collision with another vehicle will be uninsured.According to Steve Cox, vice president of the Council of Better Business Bureaus, what happens to the insured victim after this type of accident can be upsetting and expensive....

 Fast Lane
Friday, March 28, 2008
THINK GAS IS COSTLY? Gas prices are now at a national average of $3.28 a gallon this year. Those prices could ease going into the summer before climbing again later in the year, and again focus attention on a fuel often overshadowed by the market for gasoline....

 Gov: Biz Fees for Mass. Health Care May Rise
Friday, March 28, 2008
Hundreds of businesses may be hit up for more money due to the escalating costs of the state's new universal health-care system.Gov. Deval Patrick yesterday refused to rule out a possible increase in the $295 annual assessment some firms have to pay per employee for the new Commonwealth Care program.The state has already estimated that the projected $869 million cost of Commonwealth Care for next fiscal year may have to be revised upward yet again due to the continuing influx of people into the program....

 USAA Members in Massachusetts Start Seeing Auto Insurance Rate Reductions - 15% on Average
Friday, March 28, 2008
Massachusetts drivers are now benefiting from the kind of insurance regulatory reform USAA has supported for many years. The reductions are the direct result of efforts by the Massachusetts Division of Insurance to improve the state's regulatory environment. The regulatory change went into effect last year to allow private insurers to set their own rates for the first time in nearly 30 years....

 Patrick Urges: Shop Around for Best Rates to Insure Cars
Friday, March 28, 2008
Mar. 27--BOSTON -- Motorists should use an updated Web site as they navigate the state's new competitive auto-insurance system, Gov. Deval Patrick said yesterday. The Web site, mass.gov/autorates, will help guide consumers to the best coverage packages as an April 1 deadline for many drivers to renew their auto insurance approaches. "Starting April 1st, consumers will see how managed competition translates into better rates and better choices for responsible drivers everywhere in Massachusetts," said Patrick....

 Progressive Takes #1 Spot on Auto Insurance Customer Respect Study
Friday, March 28, 2008
Online car insurance customers looking for a little R-E-S-P-E-C-T, don't have to look any further than progressive.com according to a recent study by The Customer Respect Group (CRG). The group ranked Progressive #1 for positive Web-based customer experiences.Progressive earned a 7.5 on a 10-point scale -- an "Excellent" rating -- on the Customer Respect Index, which measures customers' online interactions with a company....

 Agents Cry Foul Over State's Car Insurance Web Site
Thursday, March 27, 2008
The state Division of Insurance's new auto insurance Web site apparently has been popular with consumers, generating an average of about 19,500 hits a day since its launch a month ago.But the InsureMASS site, which is designed to be a roadmap to help navigate the competitive insurance market that begins here next month, isn't winning any popularity contests in insurance industry circles.That rate comparison system has created plenty of buzz among insurance agents, although it's probably not the kind of buzz that Insurance Commissioner Nonnie Burnes would have wanted....

 COMPETITIVE FORCES ; Insurers Broaden Their Targeted Discounts to Lure Drivers Under New Market Rules
Thursday, March 27, 2008
Competitive auto insurance arrives in Massachusetts on April 1, bringing the promise of smaller bills for most drivers and a buffet of discounts for everyone from good students to hybrid owners.Insurers also are adding enhanced coverage packages, enabling drivers to insure pets from injury, get discounts on oil changes and receive 24-hour roadside assistance.John Donohue, CEO of Quincy-based Arbella Insurance Group, said competition has brought about a climate of free-market innovation compared with the previous system of rates set by the state insurance commissioner....

 Auto Insurance Bills Will Increase April 1
Thursday, March 27, 2008
Mar. 26--AUSTIN -- Drivers who carry the minimal liability coverage for bodily injury and property damage will be paying higher premiums for a higher level of mandated coverage that goes into effect next month. "We are estimating that your premiums will be going up 4 to 6 percent if you currently have the minimal liability coverage," said Jerry Hagins, a spokesman for the Texas Department of Insurance. Currently, drivers must be covered for at least $20,000 for each injured person in an accident up to a total of $40,000 for everyone injured in the accident and $15,000 for property damage....

 JPMorgan Increases Bid for Bear Stearns
Thursday, March 27, 2008
Shareholders in Bear Stearns will get more than they initially thought out of a pending acquisition by JPMorgan Chase, now that the larger investment bank has sweetened its buyout offer to $10 a share from $2 a share.As part of the new offer, JPMorgan first will get a nearly 40 percent stake in Bear Stearns.BOSTON - A contractor that provides subscriber phone service for The Boston Globe will cut fewer than 100 jobs at a Waltham call center now that the paper has decided to hire a new contractor as part of a cost-cutting measure, the Boston Business Journal reported....

 Progressive Names Chief Marketing Officer
Thursday, March 27, 2008
The Progressive Corporation today announced the appointment of Larry Bloomenkranz as Chief Marketing Officer effective April 28, 2008. At UPS, he went on to become Director of International Brand Communications before assuming the position of Vice President of Brand Management, Advertising and Sponsorships. Mr. Bloomenkranz was instrumental in the development of the current UPS brand strategy and identity....

 GEICO Earns Top Spot Again for Customer Loyalty on Brand Keys Index
Thursday, March 27, 2008
GEICO for the second consecutive year earned top honors among car insurance companies for its ability to create loyal customers in the 2008 Brand Keys Customer Loyalty Engagement Index. GEICO led auto insurers, ranking ahead of State Farm, Allstate, Nationwide and Progressive.The study is conducted by Brand Keys Inc., a marketing research company....

 Auto Club Analysis Shows Most &Amp; Least Expensive Vehicles to Insure in Southern California
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
The cheapest car to buy doesn't necessarily come with the cheapest insurance rate, according to a new analysis by the Automobile Club of Southern California comparing car prices with estimated insurance premiums from its insurance affiliate.The least expensive car to insure was the 2007 Toyota Scion xD, which lists for $14,000 and has a total premium of $1,104. The most expensive vehicle is the 2007 Chevrolet Corvette, listing at $44,170 and insuring for $2,039....

 Citibank Teams Up With AXA to Offer Auto Insurance Payment Scheme
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Citibank and AXA Group have launched an auto insurance payment scheme whereby a Citibank cardholder can choose from a range of auto insurance plans offered by AXA Group and pay for it in nine monthly installments at 0% interest rate, using Citibank's Easy Installment Plan.The Easy Installment Plan is a credit card purchase plan developed by Citibank and is available across a merchant partner network, which includes major consumer brands in Bahrain. The plan offers cardmembers the convenience of converting all purchases made on Citibank credit cards into installment plans of up to 36 months at an interest rate of 1.1% per month....

 SafeAuto Insurance Offers Five Tips to Save Money on Car Insurance
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
SafeAuto Insurance Company offers drivers five tips to save money on car insurance. SafeAuto's tips are based on more than a decade of experience in the automobile insurance industry, offering state required insurance coverage to an underserved market."The combination of high gas prices and an unsteady economy has consumers keeping an eye on every dollar they spend, and automobile insurance is no exception," Jon Diamond, president of SafeAuto said....

 Wheel Scots: Mar 26, 03:56 AM
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
THE great motoring getaway has begun, with the annual escape from the dreary daily routine led by Britain's half-million strong army of caravanners.Many motorists will have serviced their cars ready for towing the extra weight of a caravan, which will also have been given the once- over after enduring some severe winter weather.That has prompted caravan and motorhome insurance specialists Safeguard have issued an alert to the nation's enthusiasts - make sure you are properly insured or face the consequences....

 Lawsuit Accuses Trio in LV
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
CARSON CITY - Allstate Insurance Co. has filed a federal complaint against a Southern Nevada chiropractor, his wife and a medical doctor alleging fraudulent claims for injuries including billing for medical work that was not performed.Noorda is the grandfather of Jennifer Nassiri, the business manager of advanced chiropractic.Obteen Nassiri works out of his Advanced Accident Chiropractic Care business at 2100 South Maryland Parkway....

 Texas Drivers Face First Liability Hike in 22 Years
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Mar. 26--AUSTIN -- Texas drivers who carry the minimum amount of state-mandated liability coverage will need to buy more insurance beginning Tuesday, a reflection of higher-priced vehicles and rising medical costs. The Texas Department of Insurance said Tuesday that the new requirements will increase the liability cost of auto policies by 4 percent to 6 percent, adding $15 to $22 to the annual cost of an average Texas policy. The insurance department and individual insurance companies have begun to notify drivers of the new limits, although most won't have to pay anything extra until their policy comes up for renewal or when they buy a new policy....

 Ask The Lawyer
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Question: My husband and I hold title to our house as joint tenants. Answer: Quoting the Web site of the Los Angeles County assessor, "The transfer of property between husband and wife does not cause a reappraisal for property tax purposes. Answer: The Miranda warning is to be given by law enforcement to a suspect in custody, or in a custodial situation, prior to that individual being asked questions concerning the commission of a crime....

 Business Briefs - Insurance Rates
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Insurance rates to drop in April Nearly 2 million Allstate Auto Insurance customers will see their rates drop nearly 16 percent in April under a recent order by California Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner. Allstate requested no change in premiums when it filed a new rate structure with the Department of Insurance in 2006....

 Aioi Insurance to Beef Up Capital of U.K. Unit
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Tokyo, March 24 (Jiji Press)--Aioi Insurance Co. said Monday that it will pump 24 million pounds in fresh capital into fully owned British unit Aioi Motor and General Insurance Co. of Europe by the end of this month.The step is intended to strengthen the unit's operations following its business launches in Spain and Italy last year, Aioi Insurance officials said.The subsidiary sells automobile insurance products to buyers of vehicles of Toyota Motor Corp. , the top shareholder of Aioi Insurance....

 NJM Cuts Personal Auto Policy Rates 5%
Monday, March 24, 2008
New Jersey Manufacturers Insurance Company, West Trenton, which historically has charged some of the lowest Personal Auto, insurance premiums in New Jersey, has reduced rates an average of 5 percent. In total, policyholders will save about $34.6 million in the first year alone.NJM is the state's largest Personal Auto insurer, covering more than 740,000 vehicles....

 Progressive ''Pumps'' Up Truckers' Wallets With $150,000 in Free Fuel
Monday, March 24, 2008
It's no secret that rising fuel costs are a big stress on business owners and truckers. In fact a recent survey by leading commercial auto insurer, Progressive, found that 69 percent of truckers say fuel costs are their most concerning business expense.To relieve some of that stress, the insurer is giving away more than $150,000 in free fuel with the "Progressive Pumps Up the Savings Free Fuel Giveaway," including three $25,000 grand prizes....

 Dream Holiday Could End Up Driving You Round the Bend ; PERSONAL FINANCE
Sunday, March 23, 2008
British motorists could be running the risk of their dream holiday turning into a costly crisis by not checking their car insurance cover before driving abroad this summer. Some 17.2 million drivers are completely unaware of the level of car insurance cover they have when travelling overseas. With three million British motorists heading to Europe this year, this could have a serious impact on their finances if they have to make a claim....

 Teen Drivers Need Training
Saturday, March 22, 2008
MSNBC reports in the past five years, 35,000 people have been killed in accidents when a teenager was driving.Studies show that at ages 16 and 17, the physiological development of the teen-age brain is incapable of making good decisions on risk control.The state's junior operator bill encourages Advanced Driver Training classes, something parents should insist on....