Attorney General Calls for Massachusetts Auto Insurance Rate Hearing

Attorney General Martha Coakley's Office issued a request to the Department of Insurance (DOI) to initiate the administrative review to assess the rates of a new auto insurance company in the market in Massachusetts. Occidental Fire and Casualty Insurance Company of North Carolina (Occidental) returns to the drivers of Massachusetts charging rates that are based on the rates the company charges”high risk” drivers. The company also seeks additional fees and surcharges that the further increase in costs for a number of potential drivers. In its rate filing Occidental failed to provide required data to justify additional rate is charged to policyholders, including the good drivers and do not justify their proposals for fees and surcharges.

"We have serious concerns Occidental proposed rates and this will have an impact on drivers without insurance different choices," said Attorney General Coakley. "We have recently learned that a number of auto insurers in Massachusetts are not renewing contracts with multiple agents or agents of the city in less affluent, minority areas. Occidental If only companies offering insurance in these areas, many consumers are directed to pay these unjustified and excessive contributions. "

The Attorney General's Office has the right to challenge the proposed premium rates under Massachusetts law. In accordance with state law, if the Attorney General's Office challenges the rate of application, the Commissioner of Insurance can not approve Occidental's feet without a public hearing. At the hearing, Attorney General's Office is entitled to cross examine the testimony of witnesses and to ensure by independent experts on the proposed rate.

Occidental submitted its initial rate filing for 13 February 2009. The company proposes to charge the base rate which is higher than 10% of the basic rate charged by Massachusetts' residual market last year. Residual market pool of drivers is that insurance companies consider to be "high risk" and usually do not have to offer policies. A "high risk "driver is someone who is insured, usually with poor driving record, which has to pay the losses that are above average. While the residual market interest rates are generally much higher than average rates because they are based on high-risk pool drivers, Occidental does not provide support or justification in its submission to charge similar rates to all its consumers, not just those who are high risk.

The Attorney General's Office is also a challenge to various provisions of Occidental's application to be unfair or in any other manner inconsistent with the law in Massachusetts. Here are some examples:

• The company proposes to add 35% surcharge on each policy that can not verify your driving record. This includes any official from a foreign country that can not be obtained in English. Under this policy, each of the recent immigrants do not speak English, the country can not be charged to evaluate the inexperienced driver, but in addition, 35% surcharge, which the Attorney General challenges unjustified.
• Occidental high fees and unnecessary charges, including $ 25 policy fee "to" cover the costs necessary to attract the customer and write, "and $ 8 an installment fee in violation of Massachusetts law if the fees are not justified.
• Occidental requires consumers to pay a deductible in addition to comprehensive general deduction of glass on glass claims in violation of Massachusetts law.
• Occidental may prevent consumers from its policy after the restoration of their receipt of the notice of appeal for nonpayment, which is contrary to the law of Massachusetts.

This case is handled by Assistant Attorneys General Monica Brookman and Peter Leight Attorney General Coakley to the insurance and financial services Division.

High Point Auto Insurance Partners With the New Jersey Soccer Group

High Point Auto Insurance is proud to partner with the New Jersey Soccer Group by offering its members special discounts on car insurance in High Point. High Point, a leading auto insurance company in New Jersey, has been building a solid group and affinity marketing program for the last 18 months - more than 75 cooperation with the New Jersey-based employers' associations and groups to date.

High Point Auto Insurance is thrilled to announce a new partnership with New Jersey Soccer Group, "said Jim Tignanelli, President, High Point Auto Insurance. "With over 40,000 members in New Jersey, this new partnership will offer thousands of families in the country the chance to save on car insurance."

This discount is in addition to the many discounts that High Point has now, which could save users up to 50% in New Jersey car insurance!

"We are very pleased to partner with High Point and offer our members additional benefits," said Andy Sones, Chairman of the Board, New Jersey Soccer Group. "Our partnership with High Point, not only help our current members save on a large house-hold to buy, but also provides us with greater opportunities to expand our membership Statewide," said Sones.

In addition to New Jersey Soccer High Point Group provide annotations and form partnerships with more than 75 New Jersey-based employers' associations and groups. Marketing through these partnerships has been beneficial for the High Point and its partners. The current group of programs exclusive to the approval of the New Jersey State Chamber of Commerce, OnStar, New Jersey Dental Association, New Jersey Society of Certified Public Accountants and a number of local fitness throughout the state.

"In search of unique marketing programs designed to provide discounted auto insurance in New Jersey families based on their affiliation with various associations and groups such as the New Jersey Soccer Group is one of the ways in which High Point is more than just insurance "said Tignanelli.

High Point Auto Insurance is one of the largest auto insurance companies exclusively serving New Jersey customers. Customer Service # 1 High Point customers. High Point Auto Insurance is a Plymouth Rock Managed Company and is underwritten by High Point Property and Casualty Insurance, 331 Newman Springs Road, Suite 304, Red Bank, NJ 07701-5692. More information can be found http://www.highpointins.com/

In New Jersey Soccer Group offers unbeatable one-stop-shop for soccer in New Jersey. For more information, click on http://www.njsoccergroup.com/

Woman Ticketed for No Insurance After Levant Crash

Local woman apparently cut off another driver Wednesday morning, causing a rollover was requested without car insurance, a breach that has a $ 171 fine.

No one was seriously injured in an accident, which occurred at 9:44 am near the intersection of Street Road and Wing, according to Sgt. William Sheehan of the Penobscot County Sheriff's Department.

Sheehan said Wednesday that Sheila Bilodeau, 46, was in the process of lawmaking, in turn, Wing Road to Union Street in his Ford Edge when pulled out on the road in front of the Ford Focus driven by Shawna Miles, 37, the Levant.

In its attempt to avoid a collision, Miles lost control of his car, which rolled over on its hood and skidded several feet before coming to rest in a snowbank, within a few feet utility pole.

Sheehan said Miles, whose airbags deployed, he was able to get on it by Focus crawling out the back window, which broke out in the open or the result of an accident.

"She was very happy," said Sheehan.

Bilodeau in the vehicle, which remained in an upright position, winding up perched a top of the snowbank on the opposite side of the street, Sheehan said. Although Bilodeau complained about pain in the accident scene, does not require a stay in hospital, he said.

According to Sheehan, both drivers were wearing safety belts at the time of the accident. He estimated damage Miles "Focus on 7000 dollars and Bilodeau's Edge for 3000 dollars

AIG Loses Car Insurance Suitor in Fresh Blow

Already one of the biggest corporate casualties of economic Meltdown, is facing another setback in the Zurich Financial, the preferred bidder in an attempt to car insurance arm sale, 21st Century, has withdrawn from the auction. AIG, which seeks to share any way you can repay the loans that the U.S. government helped to preserve the liquidity of financial support, he began to auction off with a delay of last year. AIG had over the last weeks of talks with Zurich entered in the sales unit, which can fetch up to $ 2BN (1.4 billion), but the Swiss company pulled out.

Insurance.Com Announces New CEO

Insurance.com, the leading network of independent agencies auto insurance in the United States, announced today that the Board of Directors Robert Klapper has appointed as a new managing director. Rob succeeds CEO and founder Dave Roush, who is chairman of the Board and serve as a strategic advisor during the transition.

"With his extensive marketing, planning and insurance experience, the leader Rob is the right leader to help drive our growth strategy and propel Insurance.com to the next level, said Dave Roush, Insurance.com Chairman and founder. "We're excited to leverage our success we continue become the place of destination, and information on the rates for all types of insurance."

"Rob is a seasoned executive with a strong track record of building and driving growth brand recognition," said a member of the board Deborah Arrington with StarVest Partners and head of CEO search committee. "We were impressed by his leadership style, motivational and ability to achieve outstanding results."

Rob has been CEO at One Day University, learning firm force, where the company expanded geographic footprint and out its build the infrastructure to support economic growth. Before the start of One Day University, Prosper CMO Rob was in the market, the leading network of peer-to-peer lender and one of Time Magazine's Top 50 places in 2007. As CMO at 21stCentury he helped drive growth in this $ 1.3B company by overhauling auto insurance marketing strategy, capabilities and organizations. Rob spent 14 years at Charles Schwab where he was recognized as one of the best business builders and team leaders in the company. He General Manager and Senior Vice President of places in the Schwab Advisor Network's Independent Investor & Annuity and Insurance business. Rob’s initiatives in this and previous roles Schwab’s significant to economic growth. Prior to Schwab, Rob held several products Management positions at Colgate Palmolive. He is a graduate of Franklin and Marshall College and has a MBA degree from the University of Virginia.

"This is an exciting time to Insurance.com," Klapper said. "The company has transformed how consumers shop and buy auto insurance by streamlining the process for easy online experience.Insurance.com has huge potential and I am shocked to our efforts how to help consumers find a better solution for their insurance needs".