Ratings Recap: Southern General/GreenStar, Fairfield, Community Mutual, Wisconsin County

of Southern General Insurance Company (SGIC) and GreenStar Insurance Company, an affiliate of SGIC, both domiciled in Marietta, Georgia. The outlook for the FSR is stable, while the outlook for the ICRs has been revised to negative from stable. Best said the

View the Original article

Missouri Regulator: Barton County Mutual Back on Solid Ground

January 8, 2013Email ThisPrintNewslettersTweetArticle1 Comments

Financial conditions at Missouri’s Barton County Mutual Insurance Co. are strong enough that the company can be released from state oversight, a judge has ruled.

A Barton County judge has granted a motion by the department of insurance to release Barton County Mutual from department control.

Barton Mutual came to the brink of insolvency after paying claims from the 2011 Joplin tornado, the department said. At the department’s request, a judge placed the company in rehabilitation in December 2011.

“Keeping the company in business to serve rural Missourians was a top priority for the department.” said John M. Huff, director of the Missouri Department of Insurance. “Through an innovative arrangement with the Missouri Property and Casualty Insurance Guaranty Association, along with significant underwriting and management changes overseen by the department, Barton is now poised for a long and prosperous future. This is a win for policyholders, agents, the insurance industry and the city of Liberal, Mo., where Barton is the largest employer.”

Barton Mutual has about 29,000 policyholders. It had premium sales of $32 million in 2011, but reported claims of $48 million related to the Joplin tornado.

Source: Missouri Department of Insurance

 

Email ThisPrintNewslettersTweetCategories: Midwest NewsTopics: 2011 Joplin tornado, Barton County Mutual Insurance Co., insolvency, John M. Huff, Missouri, Missouri Property and Casualty Insurance Guaranty Association, rehabilitationHave a hot lead? Email us at newsdesk

View the Original article

Ore. County to ditch tsunami sirens; Resident Objects on Facebook

October 12, 2012Email ThisPrintNewslettersTweetArticle1 Comments

When the big one hits the Oregon coast, people won’t need sirens, say experts

View the Original article

Clark County Asks Nevada For Disaster Aid After Floods

October 4, 2012Email ThisPrintNewslettersTweetArticleComments

Clark County commissioners are asking the state of Nevada for disaster relief funds in the aftermath of flash floods that killed two people and caused an estimated $2.6 million in damages to government property.

The request that county leaders approved Tuesday could bring assistance for government agencies and low-cost loans for businesses damaged after record-setting rains Aug. 22 and Sept. 11.

The Las Vegas Review-Journal reported the money won’t go to help homeowners who don’t have flood insurance.

Clark County Fire Chief Bertral Washington told commissioners the state only has about a half-million dollars for disaster relief. But southern Nevadans can be eligible for federal aid if damages to public and private property top $6.6 million.

A state team is set to visit the area Wednesday to assess damages.

Copyright 2012 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.Email ThisPrintNewslettersTweetCategories: West NewsTopics: flood insurnace, Floods, NevadaHave a hot lead? Email us at newsdesk

View the Original article

County in Iowa Warns Residents of Records Breach

May 14, 2012Email ThisPrintNewslettersTweetArticleComments

Some 3,000 Warren County, Iowa, residents have been notified that their personal information may have been scattered by the wind in the aftermath of a December fire at a human services office.

Pat Penning, service area manager for the Department of Human Services region that includes Warren County, said it is unlikely the water-logged or burned records could be used for identity theft, but the state is treating the breach seriously.

View the Original article

Bexar County, Texas, Gets Special Insurance Fraud Prosecutor

May 25, 2012Email ThisPrintNewslettersTweetArticleComments

The Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) has expanded its fight against insurance fraud into San Antonio. TDI Commissioner Eleanor Kitzman has announced the placement of a special insurance fraud prosecutor and investigator who have joined the Bexar County District Attorney’s Office.

Bexar County now joins Dallas and Harris Counties where specialized fraud teams are tracking criminals involved with insurance fraud. Bexar County District Attorney Susan Reed said her new fraud fighters demonstrate her office’s ongoing dedication to the prosecution of white collar crime in Bexar County.

View the Original article

N.Y. Officials Target Safety on Dangerous Roadway in Nassau County

May 9, 2012Email ThisPrintNewslettersTweetArticleComments

Safety upgrades are planned for a New York highway that has averaged five pedestrian deaths annually since 2005.

Officials in Nassau County are targeting repainted crosswalks, increased signal time for walkers, and upgraded crossing signals.

Newsday reports the changes are coming to Hempstead Turnpike.

The 16-mile roadway that runs through the center of the county has seen an average of five pedestrian deaths annually between 2005 and 2011. State transportation officials say further safety improvements are also being studied.

The Tri-State Transportation Campaign, a transportation advocacy group, ranks roads for pedestrians annually. Hempstead Turnpike has topped its list of most dangerous roads for walkers in the New York region four times.

 

Copyright 2012 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.Email ThisPrintNewslettersTweetCategories: East NewsTopics: pedestrian safety, road safetyHave a hot lead? Email us at newsdesk

View the Original article

Dallas County Declares Local Disaster from Storms

April 6, 2012Email ThisPrintNewslettersTweetArticleComments

Dallas County, Texas, officials have declared a local disaster following a tornado that damaged or destroyed about 300 homes and businesses.

County Judge Clay Jenkins has asked Gov. Rick Perry to authorize government disaster assistance from the April 3 storms in Lancaster. Perry toured some of the devastated areas on May 5.

Jenkins, who signed the declaration, estimates road and bridge damage to Dallas County will exceed $1 million.

Dallas-based Oncor on April 5 reported about 700 customers still without electricity as utility crews worked to restore power.

More than 320 American Airlines and American Eagle flights were canceled at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport. Dozens of planes were still being inspected for possible storm damage.

 

Copyright 2012 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.Email ThisPrintNewslettersTweetCategories: Texas / South Central NewsTopics: Coastal, dallas, Disaster (Flood, EQ, etc.), lancaster, tornado, tornado recovery, W-FireHave a hot lead? Email us at newsdesk

View the Original article