Fire victims lose temporary shelter
Daytona Beach News-Journal - DAYTONA BEACH -- After 11 today, a family who lost their home in a fire a week ago will have nowhere to go. Samuel and Lovely Butts, three of their children, and their three grandchildren -- the youngest is 2 -- will be out on the street after they

A.M. Best assigns Attorneys' Title an A- rating
Orlando Business Journal - A.M. Best Co. gave a financial strength rating of A- (excellent), with a stable outlook, to Attorneys' Title Insurance Fund Inc. Orlando-based Attorneys' Title received the positive rating for its "solid capitalization, favorable operating results

Putting on a festive face
Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel - Click here or call 1-877-READ-SUN. No one could accuse these insurance agents of being stodgy. At least not this holiday season. From a hurricane holiday display to "Whoville," a Boca Raton insurance agency is putting on a festive face for Christmas

Storms driving up insurance rates
News-Star - BATON ROUGE -- Look for your insurance premiums to go up an average of 15 percent next year to help the state-backed Citizens Insurance Plan rebuild its emergency stash after hurricanes Katrina and Rita. After that year-long increase expires, you'll

Devices zapped, owners jolted
Newsday - June Mirando watched Saturday night television into the wee hours in her Bay Shore home on Nov. 19, a small reading lamp burning dimly nearby. Around 1 a.m., as her husband Tony slept, the lamp became unusually bright and the television began to

Ardaman & Associates awarded $4M contract
Orlando Business Journal - Ardaman & Associates Inc. landed a $4 million, three-year contract with the South Florida Water Management District to provide continuing geotechnical engineering and construction materials testing services. The contract involves work throughout the


Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel - Click here or call 1-877-READ-SUN. Insurers pretty much formed a queue in Tallahassee this year, rate requests in hand. And, according to Newton's Third Law of Rate Increases, certain neighborhoods in South Florida often had to swallow triple or

Delta Now Offering Dental Insurance to AARP Members in 48 States
Senior Journal - Dec. 14, 2005 The Delta Dental insurance plan managed through AARP Services has now opened for business to AARP members in 10 new states bringing the total to 48 states and the District of Columbia. Sold as the AARP Dental Insurance Plan, it

Katrina victims may lose ruined home
Union - Jeff and Merideth Wright do not want your sympathy, simply your ear. The Nevada City couple and their two young children did not feel the strength of Hurricane Katrina, but their Gulfport, Miss., home did, ruined by 100-mph winds and a sea that

Leaders in Congress Agree on Aid for Gulf Recovery
New York Times - GULFPORT, Miss., Dec. 18 - Since Hurricane Katrina hit, billions of dollars in federal aid has poured into the devastated areas of Mississippi and Louisiana, primarily for the most critical emergency needs: providing temporary housing, restarting

Hilton buying UK Hilton Group for $5.7B
Orlando Business Journal - Hilton Hotels Corp. said Thursday it will acquire Hilton Group Plc. of the United Kingdom for $5.7 billion. The companies announced the negotiations in mid-October. The deal, expected to close during the first quarter of 2006, is set to unite Hilton

Votran boardings up 3.3% for 2005
Orlando Business Journal - Higher fuel prices, population growth and service enhancements meant more Volusia residents took advantage of the county's Votran transportation system in 2005, estimates from the agency show. During fiscal 2005, Votran recorded more than 3.4 million

On narrow Hooper Island, man works to keep the sea at bay
Daily Times - HOOPER ISLAND -- Richard White once told reporters he drank bottled water because his well was contaminated by saltwater. He could tie a boat to his century-old home sandwiched between the Chesapeake Bay and the Honga River and row away. Then came

Publix issues warning on key lime pies
Orlando Business Journal - Key lime pies sold between Dec. 13 and Dec. 27 at Publix Super Market stores in Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, Alabama and Tennessee were labeled incorrectly, the grocery chain said on Thursday. According to a voluntary allergen warning issued by

5 Steps to Preparing and Filing Your Homeowners Insurance Claim
About - Cities & Towns, NY - Dec 12, 2005 1.Give immediate notice to your insurance company of your homeowners insurance claim. Call your agent of any damages you feel you

Mine action delayed
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, PA - 12 hours ago percent of the home's value. Homeowners' insurance doesn't cover losses related to mining, she said. Maureen Wiggins claimed she

Homeowner grants pending
Biloxi Sun Herald, USA - Dec 20, 2005 flood zone when the hurricane hit. Grant recipients also must have had other homeowners' insurance. "We're not bailing out irresponsible

Wildfires Rage in Texas and Oklahoma; At Least 4 People Killed in
Insurance Journal - Dec 29, 2005 Recognizing the impact of the fires on homeowners insurance, Oklahoma Insurance Commissioners reminded citizens of her state to "make sure their homeowners

Sedgwick CMS Holdings Agrees to Acquisition by Fidelity National
PR Newswire (press release), NY - Dec 27, 2005 FNF is also provider of specialty insurance products including flood insurance, homeowners insurance and home warranty insurance.

Barbour says grant proposal crucial to coast homeowners
Biloxi Sun Herald, USA - Dec 19, 2005 when the hurricane hit Aug. 29. Grant recipients also must have had other homeowners' insurance. "We're not bailing out irresponsible

Attention Texans: Shop for Insurance, Make Marketplace Work for
Yahoo! News (press release) - Nov 30, 2005 doing business in Texas and some insurers recently filed rates with the Texas Department of Insurance reflecting rate reductions for homeowners insurance of up

Building, labor costs go through the roof
Times Picayune, LA - Dec 15, 2005 Leading homeowners insurance companies say they'll make every effort to replace what policyholders lost -- if they have the right policies for coverage.

Katrina victims may lose ruined home
The Union of Grass Valley, CA - Dec 23, 2005 Their homeowners insurance is paying only 20 percent for wind damage and they had no flood coverage - as most in the area didn't - because of its Lloyd's of

Several home insurers plan to keep Cape policies
Boston Globe, United States - Dec 9, 2005 insurance," MacPhee said. ''We don't see these homeowners insurance availability problems in other New England states.". The Massachusetts

Long & Foster Launches New Web-Based Tool for Sales Associates
RisMedia.com, CT - Dec 15, 2005 and links to brochures and other Web sites such as: Prosperity Mortgage for mortgage pre-certification or Long & Foster Insurance to obtain homeowners insurance

Rules overlooked for underinsured
Lakeland Ledger, FL - Dec 23, 2005 can't find coverage in the private market, was created in 2002 when the Legislature merged the windstorm and the state's last-resort homeowners insurance pools

Rules overlooked for underinsured
Tampa Bay's 10, FL - Dec 23, 2005 market. It was created in 2002 when the Legislature merged the windstorm and the state's last-resort homeowners insurance pools.

From Maine to Virginia, Courts Tackled Insurance in 2005
Insurance Journal - Dec 29, 2005 the nation's oldest insurers with roots in the 1700s and one of only a handful of companies still selling perpetual homeowners insurance policies, terminated

Who do politicos fear most?
Bradenton Herald - Which Republican candidate for governor would Democrats prefer to take on in November, Charlie Crist or Tom Gallagher? And would Republicans rather face U.S. Rep. Jim Davis or state Sen. Rod Smith in the gubernatorial general election? "Rod Smith

Duda creates subsidiary structure for operations
Orlando Business Journal - A. Duda & Sons Inc. announced that two of its primary agricultural divisions -- fresh fruits and vegetables and frozen processed vegetables and beverages -- will become wholly-owned subsidiaries in 2006. Effective Jan. 1, the company's nationwide

Fire victim's dream deferred
Free Lance-Star - Yvonne Eppolito of Spotsylvania holds one of her new dogs, Stella, a Chihuahua. Eppolito lost her home, nearly all of her possessions, 11 dogs and five cats to a 2004 fire. Her insurance policy wouldn't cover the house's replacement cost. Eppolito

The hidden costs of moving
MSN MoneyCentral - Cancellation and late fees. If I was ever unsure about the advisability of automatic debits and online bill payment, those doubts were erased the last time we moved and the U.S. Postal Service forwarded our mail -- for weeks -- to a complete stranger

Osceola commissioners OK Shingle Creek land acquisition agreement
Orlando Business Journal - Osceola County commissioners have approved an interlocal agreement for the purchase, management and usage of land adjacent to Shingle Creek. Previously, the county received two grants from the State of Florida Communities Trust for more than $8.1

Delta Now Offering Dental Insurance to AARP Members in 48 States
Senior Journal - Dec. 14, 2005 The Delta Dental insurance plan managed through AARP Services has now opened for business to AARP members in 10 new states bringing the total to 48 states and the District of Columbia. Sold as the AARP Dental Insurance Plan, it

Votran boardings up 3.3% for 2005
Orlando Business Journal - Higher fuel prices, population growth and service enhancements meant more Volusia residents took advantage of the county's Votran transportation system in 2005, estimates from the agency show. During fiscal 2005, Votran recorded more than 3.4 million

Katrina survivors left in the lurch
Pioneer Press - ATLANTA - Phyllis Jackson-Agee thought she'd done everything she was supposed to do. The New Orleans Realtor had flood insurance as well as

When a home trumps houses
Morris County Daily Record - Norma Fluke stands in front of the Stanhope home and business that she may lose to the borough because of a vague eminent domain law. 'I'm sure they don't want our business next to the beautiful condos they are going to build,' she said. Her parents

Leaders in Congress Agree on Aid for Gulf Recovery
New York Times - GULFPORT, Miss., Dec. 18 - Since Hurricane Katrina hit, billions of dollars in federal aid has poured into the devastated areas of Mississippi and Louisiana, primarily for the most critical emergency needs: providing temporary housing, restarting

La. attorney general probes insurance check issues (USATODAY.com via Yahoo! News)
Louisiana Attorney General Charles Foti announced an investigation Thursday into whether mortgage lenders are withholding insurance checks from people whose homes were damaged by this year's deadly hurricanes.

Local News (The Tucson Citizen)
Two Allstate Insurance Co. units have agreed to new procedures to evaluate coverage needs of homeowners, a move sought by Arizona regulators after consumers' complaints following the devastating 2003 wildfire on Mount Lemmon.

From Maine to Virginia, Courts Tackled Insurance in 2005 (Insurance Journal)
From Maine to Virginia, many of the insurance headlines in 2005 dealt with compensation and reinsurance probes, just as they did across the country, casting the industry's reputation in a bad light.

Bank of America to issue branded American Express cards
Orlando Business Journal - Bank of America Corp. has reached an agreement with American Express Inc. , calling for the issuance of Bank of America branded American Express cards. The deal calls for the Charlotte, N.C., bank to issue and market the cards through more than 5,800

Publix issues warning on key lime pies
Orlando Business Journal - Key lime pies sold between Dec. 13 and Dec. 27 at Publix Super Market stores in Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, Alabama and Tennessee were labeled incorrectly, the grocery chain said on Thursday. According to a voluntary allergen warning issued by

Mine action delayed
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review - On Thursday, Maureen and Ryan Wiggins believed that the federal Office of Surface Mining would offer fast action on their North Huntingdon Township home, which began collapsing this month, apparently from mine subsidence. On Friday, the couple said

A.M. Best assigns Attorneys' Title an A- rating
Orlando Business Journal - A.M. Best Co. gave a financial strength rating of A- (excellent), with a stable outlook, to Attorneys' Title Insurance Fund Inc. Orlando-based Attorneys' Title received the positive rating for its "solid capitalization, favorable operating results

Devices zapped, owners jolted
Newsday - June Mirando watched Saturday night television into the wee hours in her Bay Shore home on Nov. 19, a small reading lamp burning dimly nearby. Around 1 a.m., as her husband Tony slept, the lamp became unusually bright and the television began to

Unhappy holiday outlook from Electronics Arts
Orlando Business Journal - Video game giant Electronic Arts Inc. warned after markets closed on Tuesday that its earnings and revenue for the next two quarters will be "well below" estimates. Redwood City, Calif.-based EA (Nasdaq: ERTS), whose EA Tiburon division is in

Votran boardings up 3.3% for 2005
Orlando Business Journal - Higher fuel prices, population growth and service enhancements meant more Volusia residents took advantage of the county's Votran transportation system in 2005, estimates from the agency show. During fiscal 2005, Votran recorded more than 3.4 million

Miss. Flood Insurance Policyholders May Receive Funds to Rebuild Higher (Insurance Journal)
Flood insurance policyholders in Mississippi rebuilding in the wake of Hurricane Katrina may be eligible for up to $30,000 to help cover the cost of bringing their property into compliance with local

Gulf Coast to bear brunt of insurance pain in 06 (Reuters via Yahoo! News)
U.S. property and casualty insurance rates are expected to rise in 2006, with sharply higher prices in regions like the hurricane-ravaged Gulf Coast, where the cost of insuring items such as an offshore oil rig will soar.

Rising sinkholes claims may bring tighter rules (St. Petersburg Times)
Legislation aims to make it harder for homeowners to get insurance payouts. They'll have to offer proof.

La. attorney general probes insurance check issues (USATODAY.com via Yahoo! News)
Louisiana Attorney General Charles Foti announced an investigation Thursday into whether mortgage lenders are withholding insurance checks from people whose homes were damaged by this year's deadly hurricanes.

Allstate Units Agree to Coverage Checks Sought After Ariz. Wildfire (Insurance Journal)
Two Allstate Insurance units have agreed to implement new procedures to re-evaluate coverage needs of homeowners - steps sought by Arizona regulators in the wake of consumer complaints after a devasta

Allstate units agree to coverage checks sought after Mt. Lemmon wildfire (KVOA Tucson)
PHOENIX -- Two Allstate Insurance units have agreed to implement new procedures to re-evaluate coverage needs of homeowners, steps sought by Arizona regulators in the wake of consumer complaints after a devastating 2003 wildfire on Mount Lemmon.

Rule keeps insurance in place (New Orleans Times-Picayune)
The Louisiana Department of Insurance moved Thursday to avert a crisis by enacting an emergency rule that prevents insurers from dropping policyholders waiting on hurricane repairs.

Farmers Insurance Group(R) Enters Float in 2006 Pasadena Tournament of Roses Parade (Business Wire via Yahoo! Finance)
LOS ANGELES----Dec. 30, 2005--Farmers Insurance Group is proud to participate in the 2006 Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, California. This is Farmers' 47th year of participating in the parade.

Rule keeps insurance in place (New Orleans Times-Picayune)
The Louisiana Department of Insurance moved Thursday to avert a crisis by enacting an emergency rule that prevents insurers from dropping policyholders waiting on hurricane repairs.

Gulf Coast to bear brunt of insurance pain in 06 (Reuters via Yahoo! News)
U.S. property and casualty insurance rates are expected to rise in 2006, with sharply higher prices in regions like the hurricane-ravaged Gulf Coast, where the cost of insuring items such as an offshore oil rig will soar.

Miss. Flood Insurance Policyholders May Receive Funds to Rebuild Higher (Insurance Journal)
Flood insurance policyholders in Mississippi rebuilding in the wake of Hurricane Katrina may be eligible for up to $30,000 to help cover the cost of bringing their property into compliance with local

La. attorney general probes insurance check issues (USATODAY.com via Yahoo! News)
Louisiana Attorney General Charles Foti announced an investigation Thursday into whether mortgage lenders are withholding insurance checks from people whose homes were damaged by this year's deadly hurricanes.

Allstate Units Agree to Coverage Checks Sought After Ariz. Wildfire (Insurance Journal)
Two Allstate Insurance units have agreed to implement new procedures to re-evaluate coverage needs of homeowners - steps sought by Arizona regulators in the wake of consumer complaints after a devasta

Parents become business partners
San Gabriel Valley Tribune - Ryan Sanden was ready to move out of his parents' home, but he didn't want to pay rent something he considered a waste of money. Still in his early 20s, Sanden hadn't saved enough yet to make a down payment on the small condo he was eyeing in Long

Katrina survivors left in the lurch
Pioneer Press - ATLANTA - Phyllis Jackson-Agee thought she'd done everything she was supposed to do. The New Orleans Realtor had flood insurance as well as

Hilton buying UK Hilton Group for $5.7B
Orlando Business Journal - Hilton Hotels Corp. said Thursday it will acquire Hilton Group Plc. of the United Kingdom for $5.7 billion. The companies announced the negotiations in mid-October. The deal, expected to close during the first quarter of 2006, is set to unite Hilton

With Coastline in Ruins, Cajuns Face Prospect of Uprooted Towns
New York Times, United States - Dec 26, 2005 Agency. How will aging parents and grandparents climb those stairs? Will anyone provide flood and homeowners' insurance? At what cost?

WIND OR WATER?
Biloxi Sun Herald, USA - Dec 21, 2005 The states allow homeowners' insurance policies to exclude all damages caused by rising water, while the federal flood insurance program targets only flood

Rising sinkholes claims may bring tighter rules (St. Petersburg Times)
Legislation aims to make it harder for homeowners to get insurance payouts. They'll have to offer proof.

Gone for the Holidays: Safeguarding Your Home
InsureMe gives tips for keeping burglars at bay during holiday travel. DENVER (PRWEB) December 19, 2005 -- With the Bureau of Transportation Statistics reporting a 23% travel increase over the holidays as compared to the rest of the year, it’s no surprise that experts anticipate home theft to

45FIX Makes Home Improvement As Easy As 1-2-3
With the rising house prices continuing to escalate more homeowners are chosing to invest in their present dwelling through remodeling or additions. The 45FIX Network of service providers can help homeowners make home improvement decisions easier. (PRWEB) November 7, 2005 -- With house prices contin

Allstate Units Agree to Coverage Checks Sought After Ariz. Wildfire (Insurance Journal)
Two Allstate Insurance units have agreed to implement new procedures to re-evaluate coverage needs of homeowners - steps sought by Arizona regulators in the wake of consumer complaints after a devasta

Miss. Flood Insurance Policyholders May Receive Funds to Rebuild Higher (Insurance Journal)
Flood insurance policyholders in Mississippi rebuilding in the wake of Hurricane Katrina may be eligible for up to $30,000 to help cover the cost of bringing their property into compliance with local

Allstate units agree to coverage checks sought after Mt. Lemmon wildfire (KVOA Tucson)
PHOENIX -- Two Allstate Insurance units have agreed to implement new procedures to re-evaluate coverage needs of homeowners, steps sought by Arizona regulators in the wake of consumer complaints after a devastating 2003 wildfire on Mount Lemmon.

Santa Ana Winds Have Met Their Match!
2004 was a devastating year for homeowner’s in Los Angeles and surrounding counties. In 2005, Home owners can better prepare themselves for the devastation. (PRWEB) December 16, 2005 --

Farmers Insurance Group(R) Enters Float in 2006 Pasadena Tournament of Roses Parade (Business Wire via Yahoo! Finance)
LOS ANGELES----Dec. 30, 2005--Farmers Insurance Group is proud to participate in the 2006 Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, California. This is Farmers' 47th year of participating in the parade.

Stop Putting Off Financial Decisions and Start Making Progress
365Gay.com - Dec 16, 2005 Also, it s easy to overlook money savings on auto and homeowners insurance, but you may be able to lower premiums by increasing deductibles or switching

Today's Budget Tomorrow's Plan
Intelligent Enterprise, CA - 14 minutes ago ahead, these budget keepers probably know they'll have to spend more on necessities like energy and, thanks to all the hurricanes, homeowners insurance in 2006

Lessons From the Storms
Kiplinger.com, DC - Dec 7, 2005 Homeowners insurance is supposed to protect you in case of disaster. But what if the disaster is the costliest in US history? And

From Maine to Virginia, Courts Tackled Insurance in 2005
Insurance Journal - 11 hours ago the nation's oldest insurers with roots in the 1700s and one of only a handful of companies still selling perpetual homeowners insurance policies, terminated

Katrina survivors left in the lurch
Fort Worth Star Telegram, TX - Dec 18, 2005 By ANNA VARELA. The New Orleans Realtor had flood insurance as well as homeowners insurance on her house a few blocks from Lake Pontchartrain.

What lies ahead?
Bradenton Herald, United States - Dec 25, 2005 After a year of spiraling property values, a lack of affordable housing, plenty of condo conversions and high homeowners insurance, 2006 is expected to see

Leaders in Congress Agree on Aid for Gulf Recovery
New York Times, United States - Dec 18, 2005 Yet standard homeowners' insurance offered by private companies includes a provision that excludes water damage caused by "flood, surface water, waves, tidal

Pharmacists busy explaining Plan D
Peoria Journal Star, IL - 8 hours ago isn't the best.". All three men likened Plan D to car or homeowners' insurance - it's there if you need it. Antonacci called it peace

Shore up any flood insurance oversights
Palm Beach Daily News, FL - Dec 10, 2005 Why is the lien we paid off years ago still appearing on it? Why is the amount of coverage on the structure lower than that on my homeowners insurance policy?

Insurance squabble delays cemetery cleanup
Shreveport Times, LA - Dec 17, 2005 we should contact each of our lot owners whose monuments have been affected by the tree debris and let them know that their homeowners insurance will have to

Building, labor costs go through the roof
Times Picayune, LA - Dec 15, 2005 Leading homeowners insurance companies say they'll make every effort to replace what policyholders lost -- if they have the right policies for coverage.

Ardaman & Associates awarded $4M contract
Orlando Business Journal - Ardaman & Associates Inc. landed a $4 million, three-year contract with the South Florida Water Management District to provide continuing geotechnical engineering and construction materials testing services. The contract involves work throughout the

Sinking feeling stirs landowners
News-Review - GREEN Rain threatens Duane and Jodee Corwin s home. But as it falls all they can do is watch the back of their property as it slowly slips from the hill. What began as a fissure on their adjacent neighbor s property in May has developed into

Barbour: Grant Proposal Crucial To Coast Homeowners
16 WAPT - JACKSON, Miss. -- Gov. Haley Barbour said a bill pending in Congress would establish grants of up to $150,000 for people whose homes were left uninhabitable by Hurricane Katrina. The bill has passed the House and could be voted on by the Senate this

Sen. Cochran announces agreement for hurricane recovery assistance
Biloxi Sun Herald - JACKSON, Miss. - Congressional Republicans have come to a hefty hurricane relief agreement, Sen. Thad Cochran said Sunday. Cochran, R-Miss., chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, said that he has negotiated a deal to provide more than $29

Fire victim's dream deferred
Free Lance-Star - Yvonne Eppolito of Spotsylvania holds one of her new dogs, Stella, a Chihuahua. Eppolito lost her home, nearly all of her possessions, 11 dogs and five cats to a 2004 fire. Her insurance policy wouldn't cover the house's replacement cost. Eppolito

Devices zapped, owners jolted
Newsday - June Mirando watched Saturday night television into the wee hours in her Bay Shore home on Nov. 19, a small reading lamp burning dimly nearby. Around 1 a.m., as her husband Tony slept, the lamp became unusually bright and the television began to

Rising sinkholes claims may bring tighter rules
St. Petersburg Times, FL - 7 hours ago "We have a 60 percent increase statewide in homeowners insurance rates, yet we have not been hit by a hurricane," said state Rep.

Homeowner grants pending
Biloxi Sun Herald, USA - Dec 20, 2005 flood zone when the hurricane hit. Grant recipients also must have had other homeowners' insurance. "We're not bailing out irresponsible

Barbour says grant proposal crucial to coast homeowners
Biloxi Sun Herald, USA - Dec 19, 2005 when the hurricane hit Aug. 29. Grant recipients also must have had other homeowners' insurance. "We're not bailing out irresponsible

Insurer's decision to cost customers
Bradenton Herald, United States - Dec 23, 2005 find coverage in the private market, was created in 2002 when the state Legislature merged the windstorm and the state's last-resort homeowners' insurance pool

Katrina victims may lose ruined home
The Union of Grass Valley, CA - Dec 23, 2005 Their homeowners insurance is paying only 20 percent for wind damage and they had no flood coverage - as most in the area didn't - because of its Lloyd's of

Storms driving up insurance rates
The Daily Advertiser, LA - Dec 15, 2005 After that year-long increase expires, you'll have a 10 percent hike for the next 25 years to cover bonds the high-risk homeowners' insurance pool is selling

Shore up any flood insurance oversights
Palm Beach Daily News, FL - Dec 10, 2005 Why is the lien we paid off years ago still appearing on it? Why is the amount of coverage on the structure lower than that on my homeowners insurance policy?

Nationwide Insurance begins state expansion effort (Puget Sound Business Journal)
Nationwide Insurance Co. of America has opened its first eight agencies in Washington state, with officials of the Ohio-based insurer saying another eight will open within a year.

Rising sinkholes claims may bring tighter rules (St. Petersburg Times)
Legislation aims to make it harder for homeowners to get insurance payouts. They'll have to offer proof.

Insurance company owner involved in community (The News-Press)
Tami Baker is very current when you start asking questions about the insurance industry, but mention the words "growth and Lehigh Acres" and a passion is discovered.

From Maine to Virginia, Courts Tackled Insurance in 2005 (Insurance Journal)
From Maine to Virginia, many of the insurance headlines in 2005 dealt with compensation and reinsurance probes, just as they did across the country, casting the industry's reputation in a bad light.

Rule keeps insurance in place (New Orleans Times-Picayune)
The Louisiana Department of Insurance moved Thursday to avert a crisis by enacting an emergency rule that prevents insurers from dropping policyholders waiting on hurricane repairs.

La. attorney general probes insurance check issues (USATODAY.com via Yahoo! News)
Louisiana Attorney General Charles Foti announced an investigation Thursday into whether mortgage lenders are withholding insurance checks from people whose homes were damaged by this year's deadly hurricanes.

Gulf Coast to bear brunt of insurance pain in 06 (Reuters via Yahoo! News)
U.S. property and casualty insurance rates are expected to rise in 2006, with sharply higher prices in regions like the hurricane-ravaged Gulf Coast, where the cost of insuring items such as an offshore oil rig will soar.

Florida Insurance Council EVP Predicts Hurricane Insurance Will Be of 'Utmost Concern' in 2006 (Insurance Journal)
Hurricane insurance will be the most significant property and casualty issue on a state level in 2006, just as it was in 2005, Sam Miller, executive vice president of the Florida Insurance Council tol

Homeowner insurance bills to soar in state
New Orleans Times-Picayune - Dec 16 1:15 PM
BATON ROUGE -- Hurricane Katrina delivered a strong punch to Louisiana this summer, and now its impact on a state insurance fund will deal a double blow to homeowners' insurance premiums statewide for the next quarter century.Save to My Web

Rules overlooked for underinsured
WINK TV Southwest Florida - Dec 23 9:13 AM
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. A decision by Citizens Property Insurance Corp. on calculating hurricane claims has left all of Florida's insurance consumers paying more to bail out the company, a newspaper reported Friday.Save to My Web

Citizens failed to enforce penalties
St. Petersburg Times - Dec 22 10:57 PM
The decision to overlook rules for the underinsured inflated the deficit that all state policyholders are paying off.Save to My Web

Horace Mann Lowers Auto Rates for Texas Educators
The Auto Channel - Dec 21 3:13 PM
SPRINGFIELD, Ill., Dec. 21, 2005 -- Horace Mann Educators Corp. announced it has lowered auto insurance rates in Texas effective Sept. 16, 2005. The rate reductions apply to customers and prospects who are members of the education community.Save to My Web

Helping out one of their own
Dallas Morning News - Dec 21 6:56 AM
This is a holiday of giving for John and Trudy Voigt and their two children, who recently lost everything in a Plano house fire.Save to My Web

Insurer's methodology could prove costly
Orlando Sentinel - Dec 24 4:10 AM
All policyholders must help pay for Citizens' decision not to penalize those whose homes were underinsured. A decision by Citizens Property Insurance Corp. about calculating hurricane claims has left all of Florida's insurance consumers paying more to bail out the company, a newspaper reported Friday. Save to My Web

Horace Mann Lowers Auto Rates for Oregon Educators
[Press Release] PR Newswire via Yahoo! Finance - Dec 21 9:16 AM
Horace Mann Educators Corp. announced it has lowered auto insurance rates in Oregon an average of 4.6 percent effective Oct. 16, 2005.Save to My Web

Sinking feeling stirs landowners
News-Review, OR - 11 hours ago Even though homeowners insurance doesn t cover repairs to the landslide either, Corwin said he s not serious about litigation.

When a home trumps houses
DailyRecord.com - Dec 19 5:43 AM
Her parents raised eight children in the house and built a business in the backyard that still supports three generations of her family. She lives on her pension as a postal worker, and the tree service owned by one of her brothers pays the property taxes and the homeowners' insurance.Save to My Web

Horace Mann Lowers Auto Rates for North Dakota Educators
[Press Release] PR Newswire via Yahoo! Finance - Dec 21 9:18 AM
Horace Mann Educators Corp. announced it has lowered auto insurance rates in North Dakota an average of 7.0 percent effective Jan. 16, 2006.Save to My Web

Foti investigating complaints against Calif. mortgage company (New Orleans Times-Picayune)
BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) The state attorney general's office is investigating a California-based mortgage company following complaints that the firm has taken too long to release insurance money meant for Louisiana residents whose homes were damaged by hurricanes.

Insurance rates pinch homeowners (St. Petersburg Times)
Pasco will suffer the highest increases in the state, and proposed bills in Tallahassee face opposition from lawyers and insurers.

Nationwide Insurance begins state expansion effort (Puget Sound Business Journal)
Nationwide Insurance Co. of America has opened its first eight agencies in Washington state, with officials of the Ohio-based insurer saying another eight will open within a year.

Blue Financial Promotes More Exposure for FTC's Free Credit Report Program
Blue Financiual says all consumers should benefit from FTC requirement Phoenix, AZ (PRWEB) October 23, 2005 -- Blue Financial says The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) requiring each of the nationwide consumer reporting companies —- Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion -— to provide consume

Florida Insurance Council EVP Predicts Hurricane Insurance Will Be of 'Utmost Concern' in 2006 (Insurance Journal)
Hurricane insurance will be the most significant property and casualty issue on a state level in 2006, just as it was in 2005, Sam Miller, executive vice president of the Florida Insurance Council tol

Figuring tax deduction for casualty losses (Bankrate.com)
Dear Tax Talk, We have had an interesting year in South Florida. We had some of our glass doors and windows blown out by Hurricane Wilma. Our homeowners insurance company has paid us for some of the other damages.

New Web Tool Helps Consumers Avoid Costly Loss to Personal Property
Each year consumers painfully learn they don't have enough insurance to replace their personal property. The cFluent Personal Property Analyzer, a new web tool for insurance agencies and companies to make available to insurance consumers, determines replacement cost estimates in less than two

Paramount Disaster Recovery Provides Hurricane Relief: Hurricane Wilma Victims Can Get Immediate Assistance with Their Hurricane Damage Insurance Claims
Paramount Disaster Recovery Inc. has mobilized its Emergency Response Team. Hurricane Wilma victims can now get immediate assistance with their hurricane damage claims at Paramount’s hurricane-claims.com site. Palos Verdes, CA (PRWEB) November 3, 2005 -- In order to provide relief to Hurrican

Navigating Through Insurance Options: Homeowners Insurance
Feature Xpress (press release) - Nov 28, 2005 (Phillipsburg, KS) November 28, 2005 While most people realize the importance of having homeowner's insurance, for many people, understanding the complex

AARP Dental Insurance Plan Now Available in Ten More States
Business Wire (press release), CA - Dec 14, 2005 Specific products include Medicare supplemental insurance; automobile and homeowners insurance; member discounts on rental cars, cruises, vacation packages and

Allstate Offers Advice for Minimizing Flood Danger, Damage
Business Wire (press release), CA - 2 hours ago Customers can access Allstate products and services such as auto insurance and homeowners insurance through Allstate agencies, or in select states at allstate

The hidden costs of moving
MSN MoneyCentral - Cancellation and late fees. If I was ever unsure about the advisability of automatic debits and online bill payment, those doubts were erased the last time we moved and the U.S. Postal Service forwarded our mail -- for weeks -- to a complete stranger

Votran boardings up 3.3% for 2005
Orlando Business Journal - Higher fuel prices, population growth and service enhancements meant more Volusia residents took advantage of the county's Votran transportation system in 2005, estimates from the agency show. During fiscal 2005, Votran recorded more than 3.4 million

Osceola commissioners OK Shingle Creek land acquisition agreement
Orlando Business Journal - Osceola County commissioners have approved an interlocal agreement for the purchase, management and usage of land adjacent to Shingle Creek. Previously, the county received two grants from the State of Florida Communities Trust for more than $8.1

Homeowner grants pending
Biloxi Sun Herald - JACKSON - A bill pending in Congress would establish grants of up to $150,000 for some whose homes were left uninhabitable by Hurricane Katrina, Gov. Haley Barbour says. The grants are part of the $29 billion hurricane-recovery package that's

Rules overlooked for underinsured
Fort Worth Star-Telegram - Submit a press release: It's easiest to contact our beat reporters directly. If we don't have a reporter who covers your area of interest, please contact one of our editors. Click here for more information. TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - A decision by

Katrina victims may lose ruined home
Union - Jeff and Merideth Wright do not want your sympathy, simply your ear. The Nevada City couple and their two young children did not feel the strength of Hurricane Katrina, but their Gulfport, Miss., home did, ruined by 100-mph winds and a sea that

Publix issues warning on key lime pies
Orlando Business Journal - Key lime pies sold between Dec. 13 and Dec. 27 at Publix Super Market stores in Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, Alabama and Tennessee were labeled incorrectly, the grocery chain said on Thursday. According to a voluntary allergen warning issued by

Duda creates subsidiary structure for operations
Orlando Business Journal - A. Duda & Sons Inc. announced that two of its primary agricultural divisions -- fresh fruits and vegetables and frozen processed vegetables and beverages -- will become wholly-owned subsidiaries in 2006. Effective Jan. 1, the company's nationwide

Shore up any flood insurance oversights
Palm Beach Daily News, FL - Dec 10, 2005 Why is the lien we paid off years ago still appearing on it? Why is the amount of coverage on the structure lower than that on my homeowners insurance policy?

Sen. Cochran announces agreement for hurricane recovery assistance
Biloxi Sun Herald, USA - Dec 18, 2005 "This will boost the prospects of recovery for thousands of families who had homeowners insurance, but not flood insurance and lost their homes to the storm

Storm victims get help with insurance mediation
BizNewOrleans.com, LA - Dec 23, 2005 BATON ROUGE (AP) Louisiana hurricane victims unhappy with claims settlements offered by their homeowners insurance companies will soon have a free

Insurance mediation to begin
2theadvocate.com, LA - Dec 22, 2005 Louisiana hurricane victims unhappy with claims settlements offered by their homeowners insurance companies will soon have a free alternative to costly, time

With Coastline in Ruins, Cajuns Face Prospect of Uprooted Towns
New York Times, United States - Dec 26, 2005 Agency. How will aging parents and grandparents climb those stairs? Will anyone provide flood and homeowners' insurance? At what cost?

Homeowners insurance bills will increase to cover borrowing plan
KATC, LA - Dec 15, 2005 LCPI, created in 2003 as a state-sanctioned "insurer of last resort", provides homeowners insurance to those who couldn't get it on the open market.

Who do politicos fear most?
Bradenton Herald - Which Republican candidate for governor would Democrats prefer to take on in November, Charlie Crist or Tom Gallagher? And would Republicans rather face U.S. Rep. Jim Davis or state Sen. Rod Smith in the gubernatorial general election? "Rod Smith

Valley needs to take proactive stance against meth epidemic
Desert Sun - That methamphetamine now ranks as the No. 1 drug of choice in the Coachella Valley is alarming, to say the least. Indeed, we're a center for the national distribution of methamphetamine, also known variously as meth, ice and crystal meth. Once

Leaders in Congress Agree on Aid for Gulf Recovery
New York Times - GULFPORT, Miss., Dec. 18 - Since Hurricane Katrina hit, billions of dollars in federal aid has poured into the devastated areas of Mississippi and Louisiana, primarily for the most critical emergency needs: providing temporary housing, restarting

Insurance squabble delays cemetery cleanup
Shreveport Times - Light rain won't delay a Christmas luminary planned for 5:30 p.m. today in Forest Park Cemetery on St. Vincent Avenue, just south of Claiborne Avenue, in Shreveport. But in the event of heavy rain, an alternate date will be announced. There's a 50

Daily Briefing
Atlanta Journal Constitution - Ford Motor Co. must pay $20.5 million to a New Jersey woman who suffered brain injuries in a Bronco II rollover accident in 1995, a federal jury ruled. Ford is liable to Kimberly Valentini, 35, who drove a Bronco that rolled four times after she


Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel - Click here or call 1-877-READ-SUN. Insurers pretty much formed a queue in Tallahassee this year, rate requests in hand. And, according to Newton's Third Law of Rate Increases, certain neighborhoods in South Florida often had to swallow triple or

Barbour: Grant Proposal Crucial To Coast Homeowners
16 WAPT - JACKSON, Miss. -- Gov. Haley Barbour said a bill pending in Congress would establish grants of up to $150,000 for people whose homes were left uninhabitable by Hurricane Katrina. The bill has passed the House and could be voted on by the Senate this

Rules overlooked for underinsured
Fort Worth Star-Telegram - Submit a press release: It's easiest to contact our beat reporters directly. If we don't have a reporter who covers your area of interest, please contact one of our editors. Click here for more information. TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - A decision by

It s winter time to protect your home
Quad City Times, IA - Dec 4, 2005 Water damage and freezing account for almost 22 percent of all homeowners insurance claims, and average $4,024 per claim, according to the Insurance

Henderson fire rating improves
Henderson Daily Dispatch, NC - Dec 21, 2005 fires in its district. Higher ratings can also significantly lower homeowners insurance rates in that fire district. I'd like

Cleaning up after most crimes is left to private sector
Arkansas Democrat-Gazette (subscription), AR - Dec 18, 2005 is disposed of safely. Most homeowners insurance will cover the cleanup after a deductible is paid, Grubbs said. And the Arkansas

Insurance squabble delays cemetery cleanup
Shreveport Times, LA - Dec 17, 2005 we should contact each of our lot owners whose monuments have been affected by the tree debris and let them know that their homeowners insurance will have to

Bills, slow insurance drain evacuees' patience
Atlanta Journal Constitution (subscription), GA - Dec 17, 2005 "My house is still sitting the way it was, or the way it has been since August.". Soon, her homeowners' insurance will be up for renewal.

Stop Putting Off Financial Decisions and Start Making Progress
365Gay.com - Dec 16, 2005 Also, it s easy to overlook money savings on auto and homeowners insurance, but you may be able to lower premiums by increasing deductibles or switching

Devices zapped, owners jolted
Newsday, NY - Dec 28, 2005 Dec. 23 that it was not responsible for the damages and that they instead could use their homeowners' insurance to cover costs.

Tri-Cities Fire Department Makes Case For New Fire Station
Bristol Herald Courier, TN - Dec 14, 2005 Peter Lemkin lives just off the Bristol Highway, more than five miles away from the nearest fire station, and he pays for it in homeowners insurance.

Citizens failed to enforce penalties
St. Petersburg Times, FL - Dec 22, 2005 t find coverage in the private market, was created in 2002 when the state Legislature merged the windstorm and the state's last-resort homeowners insurance pool

Insurance mediation to begin
2theadvocate.com, LA - Dec 22, 2005 Louisiana hurricane victims unhappy with claims settlements offered by their homeowners insurance companies will soon have a free alternative to costly, time

Yaffe blast echoes year later
Muskogee Daily Phoenix, OK - Dec 25, 2005 The Halls also went through their homeowners insurance, which Hall said could have speeded up the process. We didn t wait on Yaffe, she said.

Cleaning up after most crimes is left to private sector
Arkansas Democrat-Gazette (subscription), AR - Dec 18, 2005 is disposed of safely. Most homeowners insurance will cover the cleanup after a deductible is paid, Grubbs said. And the Arkansas

Business Monday's Biz Quiz (Miami Herald)
You could measure much of 2005's business news using two figures: interest rates and barometric pressure. Cheap mortgages kept real estate prices soaring, though rates aren't as cheap as they used to be and that's slowed sales. And 2005's nightmare of a hurricane season has insurance premiums heading skyward and tourism boosters nervous. Along the way, some other numbers made headlines, including

Sedgwick CMS Holdings Agrees to Acquisition by Fidelity National Financial (Real Estate News)
RISMEDIA, Dec. 29 Sedgwick CMS Holdings, Inc. has announced the signing of definitive agreements whereby Fidelity National Financial, Inc. will acquire Sedgwick CMS Holdings, Inc. for approximately $635 million. The principal selling shareholders are Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. through its risk and insurance services firm Marsh Inc., and Trident II, L.P., a private equity fund managed by

Insurance rates pinch homeowners (St. Petersburg Times)
Pasco will suffer the highest increases in the state, and proposed bills in Tallahassee face opposition from lawyers and insurers.

Insurance company owner involved in community (The News-Press)
Tami Baker is very current when you start asking questions about the insurance industry, but mention the words "growth and Lehigh Acres" and a passion is discovered.

Gone for the Holidays: Safeguarding Your Home
InsureMe gives tips for keeping burglars at bay during holiday travel. DENVER (PRWEB) December 19, 2005 -- With the Bureau of Transportation Statistics reporting a 23% travel increase over the holidays as compared to the rest of the year, it’s no surprise that experts anticipate home theft to

Liberty Fire Department improves its insurance rating (Salisbury Post)
It took a little more than two years, but work by members of the Liberty Volunteer Fire Department has paid off in a new fire insurance rating. The rural department, which had been rated a 9, is now down to a 6.

Insurance rates pinch homeowners
St. Petersburg Times, FL - Dec 25, 2005 We're going to have to move.". In July, their homeowners insurance rate for the year increased from $1,079 to $2,152 on their $91,797 home.

Assignment: New Orleans
Springfield Connection, VA - Dec 8, 2005 that many because of the cost. It s usually as expensive as homeowners insurance, she said. It depends on what zone you

Inside Actual Memo From Judge Handling Ric Flair Divorce w
Wrestling-News.com, NY - Dec 7, 2005 for insurance on H, $25 for "car--other," $129 for personal property insurance, $283 for those very well-cared-for pets, $463 for homeowners insurance, $30 for

Sedgwick CMS Holdings Agrees to Acquisition by Fidelity National
PR Newswire (press release), NY - Dec 27, 2005 FNF is also provider of specialty insurance products including flood insurance, homeowners insurance and home warranty insurance.

IIAT Survey Reveals Improved Conditions in Texas Homeowners and
Insurance Journal - Dec 1, 2005 Independent insurance agents in Texas report improved homeowners insurance coverage and lower premium prices for both homeowners and auto insurance as the year

Fire Insurance Rating Improves At Dallas Bay
The Chattanoogan, TN - Nov 28, 2005 The big savings are to those homeowners, whom are outside the 1,000 foot boundary of a fire hydrant, and paying homeowners insurance at an ISO 9 rating.

Attention Texans: Shop for Insurance, Make Marketplace Work for
Yahoo! News (press release) - Nov 30, 2005 doing business in Texas and some insurers recently filed rates with the Texas Department of Insurance reflecting rate reductions for homeowners insurance of up

Fire victim's dream deferred
Free Lance-Star - Yvonne Eppolito of Spotsylvania holds one of her new dogs, Stella, a Chihuahua. Eppolito lost her home, nearly all of her possessions, 11 dogs and five cats to a 2004 fire. Her insurance policy wouldn't cover the house's replacement cost. Eppolito

A sewer nightmare spurs plea for help
Providence Journal - NORTH PROVIDENCE -- After seven years of hardship, Missy Johnston figured she was about to clamber out of the mire. Finally. This was back in October. At the time, Johnston, 40, was hopeful about leasing her condo and finding real-estate work out

PCI s Top Ten Stories of 2005
Insurance News Net - December 20, 2005 CHICAGO - From the record-breaking hurricane season to the 11th hour debate over extension of the Terrorism Risk Insurance Act (TRIA), 2005 has been a tumultuous and challenging year for insurers in the U.S. The Property

IRS limits charity deductions
Orlando Business Journal - Florida taxpayers who are deducting the market value of donated vehicles sold at auction may be in for a shock after a ruling by the Internal Revenue Service . The IRS reviewed the rules surrounding these sales and issued a clarification of the tax

C. Fla. among top destinations for New Year's, family vacations
Orlando Business Journal - While Las Vegas may be the top spot for New Year's Eve revelry, Orlando isn't far behind in the minds of tourists. A survey by Internet travel provider Priceline.com (Nasdaq: PCLN) of the destinations booked by travelers for the upcoming holiday

Parents could risk own credit for kids
Redlands Daily Facts - By Evan Pondel, Staff Writer Ryan Sanden was ready to move out of his parents' home, but he didn't want to pay rent - something he considered a waste of money. Still in his early 20s, Sanden hadn't saved enough yet to make a down payment on the small

American Water Offers Unique O&M Services to Municipal Leaders
dBusinessNews.com - Denver: Fischer-Watt Sells Its Mexican Assets for $2.2 Million DENVER -- Fischer-Watt Gold Company, Inc. (OTCBB:FWGO) has Denver: All Aboard Toys Named BizRate Circle of Excellence Gold Honoree; Internet Toy Store Rated among ''Best of the Best

Who do politicos fear most?
Bradenton Herald - Which Republican candidate for governor would Democrats prefer to take on in November, Charlie Crist or Tom Gallagher? And would Republicans rather face U.S. Rep. Jim Davis or state Sen. Rod Smith in the gubernatorial general election? "Rod Smith

Assignment: New Orleans
Springfield Connection, VA - Dec 8, 2005 that many because of the cost. It s usually as expensive as homeowners insurance, she said. It depends on what zone you

Sober advice for the holiday season
Bristol Phoenix, RI - Dec 6, 2005 They're going to get every penny of homeowners insurance you have; then they're going to go after everything else you have to make up the difference" if your

Insurer's decision to cost customers
Bradenton Herald, United States - Dec 23, 2005 find coverage in the private market, was created in 2002 when the state Legislature merged the windstorm and the state's last-resort homeowners' insurance pool

Beachwalk Condominiums in Long Beach
SunHerald.com, MS - 18 hours ago They're just telling me to hurry up and build them," May said. "They had flood and homeowners insurance.". All the condos were sold before Katrina.

Leaders in Congress Agree on Aid for Gulf Recovery
New York Times, United States - Dec 18, 2005 Yet standard homeowners' insurance offered by private companies includes a provision that excludes water damage caused by "flood, surface water, waves, tidal

Ill. Insurance Dept. Offers Advice for Holiday Hosts, Travelers
Insurance Journal - Dec 20, 2005 Homeowners Insurance -- Homeowners insurance policies include coverage for your dwelling and personal property contents against perils such as fire, as well

Homeowners insurance soaring
Sun-Sentinel.com, FL - Dec 25, 2005 And, according to Newton's Third Law of Rate Increases, certain neighborhoods in South Florida often had to swallow triple or quadruple what other areas did.

Loan Protector's EasyData(SM) Streamlines Insurance Tracking for Lenders
[Press Release] Business Wire via Yahoo! Finance - Dec 19 7:00 AM
SOLON, Ohio----Dec. 19, 2005--Loan Protector, a leading independent outsourcer of servicing technology and services, announced the renaming of its EasyLink product to EasyData to better describe the product's attributes.Save to My Web

Building, labor costs go through the roof
New Orleans Times-Picayune - Dec 16 12:42 PM
Like many local homeowners, Gordon Serou Jr. spent the first few weeks after Hurricane Katrina shopping for repair estimates. His two-story Uptown home on Lowerline Street sustained extensive roof damage, and early estimates indicated the repair job would cost several thousand dollars.Save to My Web

Horace Mann Lowers Auto Rates for Maryland Educators
The Auto Channel - Dec 21 3:13 PM
SPRINGFIELD, Ill., Dec. 21, 2005 -- Horace Mann Educators Corp. announced it has lowered auto insurance rates in Maryland effective Jan. 1, 2006. The rate reductions apply to customers and prospects who are members of the education community.Save to My Web

This land is whose land? Battle lines are drawn as Shannon Hills attempts to annex 1,500 acres into city; voters get
Benton Courier - 2 hours, 30 minutes ago
Signs are everywhere. They are on trees, on houses, in yards and in other places. And they have the same message: Vote NO to Shannon Hills Annexation.Save to My Web

Sedgwick CMS Holdings Agrees to Acquisition by Fidelity National Financial
[Press Release] PR Newswire via Yahoo! Finance - Dec 27 7:00 AM
Sedgwick CMS Holdings, Inc. today announced the signing of definitive agreements whereby Fidelity National Financial, Inc. will acquire Sedgwick CMS Holdings, Inc. for approximately $635 million.Save to My Web

Horace Mann Lowers Auto Rates for Ohio Educators
The Auto Channel - Dec 21 3:14 PM
SPRINGFIELD, Ill., Dec. 21, 2005 -- Horace Mann Educators Corp. announced it has lowered auto insurance rates in Ohio an average of 5.5 percent effective Oct. 16, 2005. The rate reductions apply to customers and prospects who are members of the education community.Save to My Web

Katrina aid package would help homeowners
djournal.com - Dec 20 5:49 AM
TUPELO - Some evacuees from the ravages of Hurricane Katrina have mixed but good feelings about a bill pending in Congress that could establish grants of up $150,000 for people whose Gulf Coast homes were severely damaged by the storm.Save to My Web

A D V E R T I S E M E N T
The Union - Dec 24 8:38 AM
Jeff and Merideth Wright do not want your sympathy, simply your ear. The Nevada City couple and their two young children did not feel the strength of Hurricane Katrina, but their Gulfport, Miss., home did, ruined by 100-mph winds and a sea that surged through it.Save to My Web

Wrap 'em up for our economy
St. Petersburg Times - Dec 18 10:15 PM
Since shopping seems to rank up there with football and snack foods as our greatest obsessions, here's my holiday shopper's wish list for the Florida economy - for all of us in the Sunshine State. It's a list of only six gifts, but they may be hard to find.Save to My Web

Horace Mann Lowers Auto Rates for Utah Educators
The Auto Channel - Dec 21 3:15 PM
SPRINGFIELD, Ill., Dec. 21, 2005 -- Horace Mann Educators Corp. announced it has lowered auto insurance rates in Utah an average of 4.4 percent effective Oct. 16, 2005. The rate reductions apply to customers and prospects who are members of the education community.Save to My Web

Barbour says grant proposal crucial to coast homeowners
Picayune Item - Dec 20 11:48 AM
JACKSON (AP) - A bill pending in Congress would establish grants of up to $150,000 for people whose homes were left uninhabitable by Hurricane Katrina, Gov. Haley Barbour says.Save to My Web

Insurer's decision to cost customers
Bradenton Herald, United States - Dec 23, 2005 find coverage in the private market, was created in 2002 when the state Legislature merged the windstorm and the state's last-resort homeowners' insurance pool

IIAT Survey Reveals Improved Conditions in Texas Homeowners and
Insurance Journal - Dec 1, 2005 Independent insurance agents in Texas report improved homeowners insurance coverage and lower premium prices for both homeowners and auto insurance as the year