Headline News: Home & Auto

PR Newswire — November 5, 2009

 

Is New York’s No-Fault Auto Insurance Crisis Returning?

 

I.I.I. Analysis Finds Average Cost of No-Fault Claim Has Soared 56 Percent Since

2004

 

 

 

LATHAM, N.Y., Nov. 5 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — New York’s auto insurers saw their typical no-fault payment for the medical care of accident victims rise by

56 percent to $8,748 per claim in the second quarter of 2009. This represents a dramatic increase from late 2004, when the average no-fault payment stood at

$5,615 per claim, according to an Insurance Information Institute (I.I.I.) analysis.

 

 

 

The insurance industry, the New York State Insurance Department’s (NYSID) Frauds Bureau, the National Insurance Crime Bureau and law enforcement agencies continue to investigate suspicious claims vigorously, according to Dr. Robert Hartwig, the I.I.I. president and an economist. Yet loopholes in the no-fault system make it particularly vulnerable to fraud and abuse by a “no-fault industry” of corrupt medical professionals, attorneys, and street-level criminals who work on their behalf.

 

 

 

“In less than five years, New York’s auto insurers have seen an extraordinary 56 percent increase in the average cost of no-fault claims, to a great extent the result of abuse and, sometimes, outright fraud in the system,” stated Dr.

Hartwig, in remarks scheduled for delivery today to the New York Insurance Association’s (NYIA) annual meeting in Latham, NY. “The costs of fraud and abuse of the state’s no-fault system ultimately are borne by New York’s honest policyholders. New York’s no-fault claim costs are now the second highest in the country and are 111 percent higher than the U.S. average of $4,152.”

 

 

 

“State lawmakers need to make no-fault auto insurance reform a high priority when they reconvene in Albany for their 2010 session,” said Ellen Melchionni, president of the NYIA. “There are external forces which drive up the cost of auto insurance in this state which can and must be contained.”

 

 

 

The state Insurance Department’s Frauds Bureau, in its 2008 annual report, said that no-fault fraud reports to the NYSID had increased 22 percent since 2006, after the number of these same reports fell 35 percent between 2003 and 2006, Dr. Hartwig observed. Moreover, the Frauds Bureau has significantly expanded its number of no-fault investigations, its 2008 annual report stated.

 

 

 

The term “no-fault” auto insurance is often used to denote any auto insurance program that allows policyholders to recover financial losses, such as medical costs and lost wages, from their own insurance company, regardless of fault. The policyholder’s no-fault benefit coverage is listed under the personal injury protection (PIP) provision of their policy.

 

 

 

Dr. Hartwig said that several proposals have been advanced to combat New York’s growing no-fault crisis, including:

 

 

 

Institute Medical Protocols/Utilization Reviews: Implement medical treatment guidelines for specific auto accident-related injuries so as to reduce instances of over-treatment and/or unnecessary treatments. New York’s no-fault system is one of the few in the U.S. that allows for insurer payment of medical treatment providers while requiring neither mandatory protocols nor utilization reviews.

This virtual blank check drives up system costs dramatically because the PIP payment ceiling is a very generous $50,000.

 

 

 

Require Disputes Be Resolved via Arbitration:Implement an arbitration system to eliminate trial costs for all parties while also expediting claims resolution.

No-fault systems were created to avert courtroom battles. Yet, in New York, no-fault cases are clogging the judicial system’s calendar, especially in New York City. The city courts are so inundated with no-fault cases today that they are currently setting trial dates for 2011.

 

 

 

Streamline the Process for Adjudicating No-Fault Claims:Permit parties with no-fault disputes involving less than $5,000 to submit proof based on a sworn affidavit from doctors. Under today’s system, doctors must appear personally in court, time which could be better spent treating their patients.

 

 

 

Implement Fair Burden of Proof Requirements:Require that, in order to establish the plaintiff’s right to no-fault benefits, the plaintiff must produce a witness with personal knowledge of the facts alleged in the plaintiff’s complaint.

Furthermore, there should be no presumption of medical necessity based on documents submitted by non-medical plaintiffs and/or witnesses who do not have personal knowledge of the facts of the case. New York’s medical treatmentproviders are required only to submit proof that a bill was received by the auto insurer to establish entitlement to receive amounts billed–irrespective of suspicions of fraud or abuse. The burden of the auto insurers is much higher. They are required to produce in court both a witness to testify under oath that the claim was handled in accordance with regulations and a medical expert to testify on the “lack of medical necessity.”

 

 

 

Strengthen anti-runner laws:”Runners” are those who receive a monetary benefit for facilitating a fraudulent insurance transaction, usually by acting as a go-between for dishonest policyholders and unscrupulous medical treatment providers and/or attorneys. The crime is currently a misdemeanor but, if upgraded to a felony, could provide an added deterrent.

 

 

 

For more information, see Dr. Hartwig’s PowerPoint presentation to the NYIA’s annual meeting: New York PIP Insurance Update: Is New York’s No-Fault Crisis Returning?

 

 

 

FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT INSURANCE:www.iii.org

 

 

 

THE I.I.I. IS A NONPROFIT, COMMUNICATIONS ORGANIZATION SUPPORTED BY THE PROPERTY/CASUALTY INSURANCE INDUSTRY.

 

 

 

 

 

SOURCE Insurance Information Institute

PR Newswire — October 20, 2009

 

 

 

 

WILMINGTON, N.C. and BUFFALO GROVE, Ill., Oct. 20 /PRNewswire/ — HomeInsurance.com and Home Warranty of America have joined forces to offer homeowners an easy way to obtain comprehensive coverage and competitive rates for their homeowner’s insurance and home warranty needs. Homeowners can visit either company online and gain access to helpful decision-making information, purchase home warranties and options and get quick quotes on home, auto and other insurance.

 

 

 

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20090224/CG74225LOGO)

 

 

 

“Working with a progressive company like HomeInsurance.com clearly made sense for us as innovators in the home warranty business. We can now both offer our homeowner customers broad home coverage for peace-of-mind and budget security.

Both of our companies strive to educate our customers and give them the highest value possible,” stated Marc Roth, CEO and President of HWA.

 

 

 

“Partnering with Home Warranty of America allows us to not only offer our customers comprehensive homeowners insurance, but also recommend top-of-line home warranty coverage. HWA and HomeInsurance.com share a mutual desire to offer accurate, online rates for reputable coverage to homeowners across the country,”

says Carlos Lagomarsino, CEO of HomeInsurance.com.

 

 

 

 

About HomeInsurance.com

 

HomeInsurance.com was founded in 1992 by CEO Carlos Lagomarsino and is headquartered in Wilmington, NC. As a leading source for online home and auto insurance quotes and coverage, HomeInsurance.com has quickly become one of America’s top places to shop for homeowners insurance on the web.

HomeInsurance.com is rated A+ by the Better Business Bureau and is partnered with Travelers, The Hartford, Safeco, Foremost, ASI and ARK Royal- all rated A or better by A.M. Best Company. For more information, please visit:

www.HomeInsurance.com

 

 

 

About Home Warranty of America

 

 

 

Home Warranty of America, Inc. of Buffalo Grove, IL, was founded in 1996 to provide home warranty coverage for houses, town homes, and condominiums. The Company has experienced remarkable growth to become a leading supplier of home warranties across the United States, and provides its services through real estate agents, insurance professionals, relocation companies, developers, title companies, bankers, home inspectors and mortgage brokers. The Company also provides its comprehensive home warranties directly to the homeowner and takes the worry out of buying and owning a home. It offers full coverage for every buyer without the home age restrictions that are common on competitor’s products. Service is a convenient 24/7 toll-free call away and repairs are performed by qualified, approved technicians. The Company offers a 30-day, money back guarantee on every home warranty. More information is available at www.hwaHomeWarranty.com.

 

 

 

 

 

SOURCE Home Warranty of America

24th Anniversary Breakfast Brings Together Law Enforcement, Auto Insurers and Community Leaders to Recognize Achievement in Prevention of Auto Theft

 

PR Newswire — October 20, 2009

 

 

 

 

 

LIVONIA, Mich., Oct. 20 /PRNewswire/ — Today’s breakfast and awards ceremony marked the 24th anniversary of H.E.A.T. (Help Eliminate Auto Thefts). Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson keynoted the anniversary event at The Westin Book Cadillac in Detroit before an audience of law enforcement personnel, insurance industry representatives and government officials.

 

 

 

Since its inception in 1985, H.E.A.T., with its partners in law enforcement and the insurance industry, has helped lead to the recovery of more than $50 million in stolen property and the arrests of more than 3,200 suspects involved in auto theft rings, chop shops, carjackings and fraudulent car thefts, among other auto theft-related crimes. H.E.A.T. has paid more than $3.3 million in tipster rewards over the last 24 years.

 

 

 

“H.E.A.T. continues to boost economic prosperity and quality of life among Michigan’s residents by reducing auto theft-related crimes, distributing cash rewards and helping lower insurance rates,” said Terri Miller, director of H.E.A.T. “I congratulate everyone who plays such an important role in improving the safety of Michigan neighborhoods. H.E.A.T.’s success would not be possible without the hard work and commitment of those dedicated to reducing auto theft and insurance fraud in Michigan.”

 

 

 

Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson said that the H.E.A.T. program is crucial to reducing a broader spectrum of auto-theft related crimes, such as identity theft, as traditional auto theft is quickly becoming a thing of the past.

 

 

 

“As increased security features in vehicles reduce traditional auto theft, other crimes like insurance fraud and identity theft are becoming more prevalent.

That’s why programs like H.E.A.T. are essential to law enforcement,” said Patterson. “Because of H.E.A.T.’s confidential and convenient tip line, Michigan neighborhoods and drivers are safer. I commend all of the program’s partners for making H.E.A.T. so successful,” he continued.

 

 

 

H.E.A.T. presented several awards at the event, including the prestigious William V. Liddane Award and the H.E.A.T. Investigator of the Year Awards. The Liddane Award recognizes an individual who has demonstrated an outstanding commitment to the fight against auto theft in Michigan,. The H.E.A.T.

Investigator of the Year and Director’s Awards honor law enforcement and others for their tenacity and hard work in auto theft investigation, arrest, recovery and prevention. This year’s award recipients are:

 

 

 

WILLIAM V. LIDDANE AWARD

 

    –  Bob Vogt -AAA Insurance, retired

 

 

H.E.A.T. INVESTIGATOR OF THE YEAR AWARDS

 

 

 

    –  Det. Dave Andrews - Macomb Auto Theft Squad

 

 

    –  Det. Sam Milanovich - Wayne County Sheriff’s Department

 

 

    –  Oakland County Sheriff’s Office Auto Theft Unit

        o Sgt. Kevin Banycky- Oakland County Sheriff’s Office

        o Sgt. Charles Bernard - Oakland County Sheriff’s Office

        o Det. Nicole Quisenberry - Oakland County Sheriff’s Office

        o Det. Steve Law- Oakland County Sheriff’s Office

        o Det. Frank Lenz - Oakland County Sheriff’s Office

        o Det. Herman Bishop - Oakland County Sheriff’s Office

        o Det. Marcus Kang - West Bloomfield Twp. Police Department

        o Det. Rich Blendea - Farmington Hills Police Department

        o Det. Chet Bartle - Waterford Twp. Police Department

        o Det. William Hamel - Hazel Park Police Department

        o Det. Sidney Godley - Wayne County Sheriff’s Department

        o Det. Lamar Nelson - Wayne County Sheriff’s Department

 

 

 

H.E.A.T. DIRECTOR’S AWARD

 

    –  Kim Davies - Macomb County Sheriff’s Office

 

 

About H.E.A.T.

 

Since its inception in 1985, H.E.A.T. tips have led to the recovery of more than $50 million in stolen property and the arrests of more than 3,200 suspects involved in auto theft rings, chop shops, carjackings and fraudulent car thefts, among other auto-related crimes. H.E.A.T. has paid more than $3.3 million in tipster rewards over the last 24 years. Anyone with information on auto theft, carjacking, chop shops, auto theft-related identity theft and auto insurance fraud in Michigan is encouraged to call the H.E.A.T. 24/7 tip line and speak to a live operator at 1-800-242-HEAT, or log on to www.1800242HEAT.com to provide a confidential report.

 

 

 

H.E.A.T. works with Michigan law enforcement agencies to follow-up on tips.

Tipsters are awarded up to $1,000 if the tip leads to the arrest and prosecution of a suspected car thief or a person suspected of auto theft-related insurance fraud. Rewards of up to $10,000 are issued if a tip results in the arrest and binding over for trial of a suspected theft ring or chop shop operators.

H.E.A.T. rewards up to $2,000 for information leading to the issuance of a warrant for a carjacking suspect. The H.E.A.T. tip line is monitored by the Michigan State Police and funded by Michigan’s auto insurance companies.

 

 

 

 

SOURCE H.E.A.T. (Help Eliminate Auto Thefts)

Organizations Partner to Reward Drivers for Hanging Up Cell Phones when Behind the Wheel

 

PR Newswire — October 14, 2009

 

 

 

 

BOSTON, Oct. 14 /PRNewswire/ — Safety Insurance, a leading provider of auto, home and commercial insurance in Massachusetts and New Hampshire, and Safe Roads Alliance, a non-profit organization dedicated to driver safety, announce the official launch of the “Bucks for Hang-Ups” campaign to promote safer driving practices throughout Massachusetts.

 

 

 

The public service program pays drivers $1 for hanging up their mobile phones, encouraging them to avoid distractions while behind the wheel. Safety Insurance’s sponsorship of this campaign furthers the company’s commitment to safer driving.

 

 

 

The “Bucks for Hang-Ups” campaign will select dangerous intersections around Massachusetts. When cars are safely stopped — at a traffic light, for instance

– volunteers will offer $1 to drivers using their cell phones if they agree to hang up and refrain from making calls or texting while they drive.

 

 

 

“Using a cell phone while driving can have serious, and sometimes tragic, consequences,” said James Berry, Vice President of Insurance Operationsfor Safety Insurance. “This program is about rewarding people for becoming safer drivers; one person who hangs up is one less person on the road texting or talking at that moment, which makes the roads safer for everyone.”

 

 

 

Recent research has revealed sobering statistics:

 

 

 

    –  Drivers engaged in cell phone conversations are more susceptible to

        accidents than drunk drivers with blood alcohol levels exceeding the

        legal limit, 0.08.(1)

    –  Cell phone distraction causes 2,600 deaths and 330,000 injuries a year

        in the United States.(2)

    –  There are approximately 974,000 drivers using cell phones on the road at

        any given time during daylight hours.(3)

 

 

“Cell-phone related crashes cause thousands of deaths and serious injuries every year. With ‘Bucks for Hang-Ups,’ we hope to emphasize the benefits of avoiding cell phone use while driving and make our roads safer,” said Jeff Larson, president of Safe Roads Alliance. “We’re thrilled to have Safety’s support.”

 

 

 

The “Bucks for Hang-Ups” campaign will run through June 2010 in cities and towns across eastern Massachusetts including Boston, Cambridge, and Dorchester. To learn more about this campaign, please visit: www.SafeRoadsAlliance.org.

 

 

 

About Safety Insurance

 

Safety Insurance was founded in 1979 with a belief that it would succeed as a company if customers were given the best possible service. A leading provider of property and casualty insurance in Massachusetts, Safety Insurance is the second largest writer of private passenger automobile, and the third largest writer of commercial automobile insurance in Massachusetts. Safety Insurance offers a portfolio of other personal line insurance products, including, homeowners, dwelling fire, and personal umbrella. In addition, Safety Insurance also offers commercial lines insurance products including, business owner policies, commercial package policies, and commercial umbrellas. Sold exclusively through a network of professional independent agents, Safety Insurance provides agents with state-of-the-art tools that make it easy to service and protect their customers. Safety Insurance has consistently received an “A” rating from A.M.

Best. Please visit our website at: http://www.SafetyInsurance.com.

 

 

 

About Safe Roads Alliance

 

Safe Roads Alliance was formed in 2006 as a not-for-profit Massachusetts organization dedicated to promoting safer driving. Through its High School Outreach Program, Safe Roads offers free presentations to students and parent groups by professional drivers and others on emergency driving skills. Safe Roads also provides educational services to other groups on different aspects of driving safety, including: issues confronting elderly drivers, maintaining a vehicle for safe operation, child restraint systems, seat belt usage, reducing driving distractions, and driver courtesy and reduction of road-rage. Safe Roads is a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organization whose programs are made possible by the generosity of sponsors and donors. For more information about Safe Roads Alliance, please visit: www.SafeRoadsAlliance.org.

 

 

 

(1) Human Factors Quarterly Journal, www.accidentinfo.com

 

(2) Human Factors Quarterly Journal, www.accidentinfo.com

 

(3) 2005 National Occupant Protection Use Survey (NOPUS), NHTSA, http://www-nrd.nhtsa.dot.gov/Pubs/809967.PDF

 

 

 

 

SOURCE Safety Insurance

PR Newswire — October 12, 2009

 

 

 

 

Program Has Insured About 50,000 Californians at No Cost to Taxpayers

 

 

 

SANTA MONICA, Calif., Oct. 12 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — Despite unanimous support from the State Assembly, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger vetoed legislation that would have extended California’s Low Cost Auto Insurance program for low-income families. AB 725 (Jones) received bipartisan support to continue offering the bare-bones auto liability policy to poor residents throughout the state, which has become especially important in the midst of 12% unemployment and the worst economy in generations. The program offers insurance to good drivers for about $350 per year and requires no taxpayer money. Since its inception in 2000, when it was just a pilot program, through last month, 48,940 low-cost policies have been purchased by Californians, between 80-96 percent of whom were uninsured prior to enrolling.

 

 

 

The bill, which was co-authored by Assemblywoman Norma Torres (Ontario), would have extended the program through 2015; because of the Schwarzenegger veto, it is scheduled to be shuttered at the end of next year.

 

 

 

“This veto is out of touch with the real economy that many Californians are facing,” said Doug Heller, Executive Director of the nonpartisan Consumer Watchdog. “Why would a program that has allowed nearly 50,000 Californians to buy auto insurance instead of driving uninsured and doesn’t cost the taxpayers a dime be on the Governor’s chopping block? It’s not just low-income families who benefit from this program but all the people who have had their claims paid because another driver was carrying this policy.”

 

 

 

The program’s data show that over the past three years, Low Cost Auto Insurance policies have paid more than $8 million in claims to drivers involved in collisions with Low-Cost policyholders, according to Consumer Watchdog, which has reviewed the data. Since the vast majority of policyholders were uninsured when they signed up for the policy, most of the $8 million would have had to be paid by the insured drivers, their uninsured motorist coverage or by the public health system, were it not for the Low Cost program.

 

 

 

In addition to the thousands of drivers who benefit directly from the program every year, either as policyholders or because an accident claim gets paid, insurance industry testimony over the years has indicated that many more Californians get insured for the first time after inquiring about the Low-Cost program. Because of the program’s strict rules on participation (must be a good driver with household income of 250% of poverty level or less, and meet other rules related to the value of the car and the number of cars in a household), many people find an auto insurance in the private market that they can afford only after first seeking out the Low-Cost policy.

 

 

 

Private market policies can be affordable for moderate-income drivers only because California (unlike many states) prohibits insurance companies from surcharging policyholders who were uninsured prior to buying the policy. In California, an insurer must price insurance for a good driver the same whether he or she had consistent insurance coverage in the past or had a lapse at some point for any reason, all else being equal. That rule, enacted by the voters as a part of Proposition 103 in 1988, is under attack through an initiative sponsored by Mercury Insurance. Mercury’s proposed measure, which is awaiting a Title and Summary from the Attorney General, would allow insurers to reinstate the old practice of basing auto insurance rates on whether or not a driver had been previously insured.

 

 

 

 

 

Consumer Watchdog is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization and is on the web at http://www.ConsumerWatchdog.org.

 

 

 

 

SOURCE Consumer Watchdog

PR Newswire — October 8, 2009

 

 

 

 

SEATTLE, Oct. 8 /PRNewswire/ — First Risk Management Services (FiRMS), the largest flood insurance provider in Hawaii and a subsidiary of First Insurance Company of Hawaii (FICOH), announced today that it has selected Torrent Technologies, Inc. (Torrent) to provide systems solutions and back office services to support its flood business. TorrentFlood is the newest platform on the market and offers the industry’s only 100 percent web-based and real-time flood processing solution designed specifically for the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).

 

 

 

“With the new direction we are looking to take our flood program, we searched for a solution that could both support our future initiatives in the NFIP as well as distinguish our flood solution from that of our competitors. We are excited to be moving our flood insurance solution to TorrentFlood, a platform that we believe will ensure we achieve our objectives for the FICOH flood insurance program,” said Steve Tabussi, VP-Customer Solutions at FICOH.

“Transitioning to Torrent’s platform gives us the tools to provide better service to our flood insurance customers.”

 

 

 

TorrentFlood sets a new standard in the flood insurance industry, employing the latest technology to offer an easy-to-use and NFIP-compliant solution for the handling and servicing of flood insurance policies in an industry with limited and antiquated options.

 

 

 

“We are honored to have FICOH join our growing family of client companies,” said Travis Pine, Torrent’s founder, CEO and Chairman. Pine, along with Theresa ‘TJ’

Johnston, founded Torrent in early 2005. “This is an excellent fit for us as our two companies share very similar philosophies and core values. We look forward to a long and successful partnership serving FICOH.” FICOH marks Torrent’s 20th client since launching TorrentFlood to market in early 2007 making Torrent the fastest growing Flood Vendor in the market today.

 

 

 

About First Insurance Company of Hawaii, Ltd.

 

First Insurance Company of Hawaii is the oldest and largest property and casualty insurer domiciled in Hawaii, with assets totaling more than $602 million and liabilities of $404 million as of March 31, 2009. First Insurance offers a broad array of personal, commercial, and specialty insurance lines.

Nearly a century old, First Insurance enjoys an “A” (Excellent) rating from A.M.

Best Co., whose ratings are widely recognized as a benchmark of an insurer’s financial strength. In 2009, First Insurance was also named to the Ward’s 50 list, which recognizes the top 50 property and casualty insurance companies in the nation. Proud of its broadly experienced, service-oriented staff, First Insurance employs more than 300 insurance professionals and distributes its products through 27 independent general agencies. It has claims personnel on Oahu, Kauai, and Maui, as well as in Hilo and Kona on the Island of Hawaii.

First Insurance is jointly owned by CNA Financial Corporation and Tokio Marine & Nichido Fire Insurance Company Ltd. Find more information at www.ficoh.com.

 

 

 

About Torrent Technologies, Inc.

 

Torrent Technologies is a business services company that leverages contemporary technology to more effectively administer flood insurance policies and claims through the National Flood Insurance Program. Torrent was founded in February

2005 and has offices in Seattle, Washington, Kalispell, Montana and New Carrollton, Maryland For more information, please visit http://www.torrentcorp.com.

 

 

 

 

SOURCE Torrent Technologies, Inc.

 

PR Newswire — October 8, 2009

 

 

    Immediate State and Federal Investigation necessary to protect homeowners

    who are the ultimate victims of this drywall catastrophe

 

FORT LAUDERDALE, FL, Oct. 8 /PRNewswire/ - Since the discovery that toxic Chinese drywall has devastated homes in Florida, attorney Mike Ryan, from Krupnick Campbell Malone, has worked tirelessly to help find relief for homeowners. Now, some homeowners impacted by defective drywall who made insurance claims against their homeowners’ insurance policies are being told by their insurance companies that their policies will be dropped or not renewed.

 

Ryan, a partner at Krupnick Campbell Malone Buser Slama Hancock Liberman & McKee, announced “As if this situation is not bad enough for these homeowners who cannot live in their homes and who are working desperately save their biggest investment, now some homeowners’ insurance companies who have denied coverage for the drywall catastrophe have the audacity to abandon homeowners after years of taking their money.”

 

According to Ryan, “Today, we are calling on State and Federal officials to investigate these insurance companies and their conduct. We are also demanding immediate legislative reform to bring Florida in line with the majority of states where there may be coverage for homeowners under these circumstances and to begin taking back our state from the insurance companies.”

 

Ryan has traveled to Tallahassee and Washington D.C. to meet with elected officials, demanding response to the needs of homeowners. Ryan represents over 250 homeowners individually throughout the State of Florida. Ryan explained, “We will go to Tallahassee and Washington, D.C. to find a solution because the shelf life on patience and hope for these homeowners is running out.”

 

“This is a silent hurricane, with a path of destruction throughout Florida and the country,” said Ryan. “But, it is worse than a hurricane in some sense because not only are insurance companies denying they will pay for the damage, now they are threatening to abandon Florida families during Hurricane season. We need our political leaders and business partners to understand how critical this situation is and to take action.”

 

The Chinese drywall has been reported to emit sulfur gases when exposed to moisture. It is believed to be the cause of failing electrical wiring and AC systems, increasing reports of foul odors, and numerous alleged health issues.

The drywall was imported from China and installed during the building boom of

2004 to 2007.

 

CONTACT: Michelle Friedman of Boardroom Communications at (954) 370-8999, (561) 706-4585, mfriedman@boardroompr.com

 

SOURCE Krupnick, Campbell, Malone, Buser, Slama, Hancock, Liberman & McKee

New Clickstream Tracking Capability Captures Actual Automotive Web Site Usage Patterns Of New-Vehicle Buyers

 

PR Newswire — October 5, 2009

 

 

 

 

 

 

WESTLAKE VILLAGE, Calif., Oct. 5 /PRNewswire/ — Although new-vehicle buyers visit automotive manufacturer Web sites and third-party automotive Web sites at the same rate during the shopping process, buyers rely on each type of Web site for different types of information, according to the recently released 2009 Web Site Performance Tools Report–Wave 1(SM), a collaborative effort between J.D.

Power and Associates and Compete Inc.

 

 

 

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20050527/LAF028LOGO-a)

 

 

 

During the six-month period preceding a new-vehicle purchase, more than three in four new-vehicle buyers use the Internet to shop for their vehicle. Sixty-six percent of all new-vehicle buyers visit at least one automotive brand Web site during this time frame. Likewise, 66 percent of new-vehicle buyers visit a third-party automotive Web site during the same time period. However, while overall usage rates are the same for these two different types of sites, the reasons that buyers visit them vary widely.

 

 

 

Third-Party Automotive Web Sites

 

Among third-party Web sites, such as AutoTrader.com, Edmunds.com and kbb.com, buyers most frequently access such features and tools as inventory search capability, product reviews and trade-in information. Overall, 31 percent of buyers who visit Edmunds.com access the site’s vehicle reviews, while 55 percent of buyers who visit kbb.com use the site’s trade-in information pages. Among new-vehicle buyers visiting AutoTrader.com, 61 percent use the site’s inventory search tool.

 

 

 

Automotive Brand Web Sites

 

In contrast, buyers who visit automotive brand Web sites while shopping most often use vehicle configuration features and seek out information about local dealerships and special offers. Among manufacturer Web sites, Ford, Honda and Toyota garner particularly high visitation rates from buyers. The report also finds that among buyers who visit specific brand Web sites, sales close rates vary widely. For example, among vehicle buyers who visit the GMC Web site, 34 percent ultimately purchase a GMC vehicle. However, among buyers who visit the Saturn Web site, the close rate is just 4 percent.

 

 

 

“By understanding the different patterns of usage among actual new-vehicle buyers, both automotive brands and third-party automotive publishers may optimize their sites to provide the information used most often by the visitors they care most about–actual buyers,” said Arianne Walker, director, marketing and media research at J.D. Power and Associates. “For manufacturers, improving sites may help maintain in-market shoppers throughout the shopping process. For third-party sites, improvements may help attract in-market new-vehicle buyers, thus increasing advertising opportunities on the sites.”

 

 

 

Additional Key Findings

 

The report finds that, at six months prior to their vehicle purchase, one in four new-vehicle buyers visits a manufacturer Web site and one in four buyers visits a third-party site. However, this Web site visitation rate of buyers increases considerably during the month of purchase, with 34 percent of buyers visiting a manufacturer site and 33 percent visiting a third-party site.

 

 

 

“During the earliest stage of the shopping process, new-vehicle buyers tend to rely equally on third-party sites and manufacturer sites, although tool usage on those sites differs,” said Skip Streets, executive director of sales, automotive at Compete Inc. “As buyers get closer to making their final purchase decision, particularly during the month of purchase, there is an increase in tool usage.

For example, more users use vehicle configuration tools, particularly on automotive brand Web sites. To support buyers throughout the entire shopping process, both types of sites need to provide the various kinds of information new-vehicle buyers are looking for through easy-to-find, easy-to-use tools.”

 

 

 

The semi-annual Web Site Performance Tools Report examines automotive Web site usage patterns among new-vehicle buyers during the six months preceding their vehicle purchase. For the first time, in an alliance with Compete, J.D. Power and Associates has used clickstream(1) technology to track actual Web site visitation patterns of these buyers, apart from those of non-buyers.

 

 

 

“In coordination with Compete, J.D. Power and Associates is now able to definitively report Internet usage patterns through clickstream behavior data of actual new-vehicle buyers,” said Walker. “This brings a level of granularity and specificity that has previously been unavailable in the industry.”

 

 

 

The Web Site Performance Tools Report–Wave 1, results are based on clickstream behavior of new-vehicle buyers who purchased a vehicle between April 2007 and March 2009. Compete and J.D. Power and Associates also issue two other reports based on clickstream behavior: the In-Market Buyer Behavior Tool and the Prospects Current Behavior Tool. These tools report actual clickstream behavior of new-vehicle buyers and are designed to assist automotive marketers and advertisers with media planning to target new-vehicle buyers.

 

 

 

About Compete

 

Compete, a unit of TNS Media, helps the world’s top brands improve their marketing based on the online behavior of millions of consumers. Leading marketers such as Carlson Hotels Worldwide, Hyundai Motor America, Upromise, Chrysler, and Verizon Wireless rely on Compete’s services to create effective online experiences and highly profitable advertising campaigns. Compete’s online behavior database–the largest in the industry–makes the Web as ingrained in marketing as it is in people’s lives.

 

 

 

Compete was founded in 2000 and is located in Boston, MA, with offices throughout the U.S. For more information about us, please visit http://www.competeinc.com/, or to join the conversation visit http://www.compete.com/.

 

 

 

About TNS Media

 

Established in more than 30 countries, TNS Media explores all the media - print, radio, TV, Internet, social media, cinema and outdoors worldwide, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and offers a full range of insights, analyses and audience measurement services.

 

 

 

TNS Media combines the deepest expertise in the industry to provide media and marketing intelligence including advertising expenditure monitoring, advertising creation monitoring, audience measurement, market influence analytics, online consumer behavior tracking, news monitoring, sports sponsorship evaluation and more. The TNS Media companies track more than 3 million brands and provide vital market intelligence to 16,000 customers in the world.

http://www.tnsmediagroup.com

 

 

 

All logos, company and product names may be trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners.

 

 

 

About Kantar Group

 

The Kantar Group is one of the world’s largest research, insight and consultancy networks. By uniting the diverse talents of more than 20 specialist companies - including the recently-acquired TNS - the group aims to become the pre-eminent provider of compelling and actionable insights for the global business community. Its 26,500 employees work across 80 countries and across the whole spectrum of research and consultancy disciplines, enabling the group to offer clients business insights at each and every point of the consumer cycle. The group’s services are employed by over half of the Fortune Top 500 companies. For further information, please visit www.Kantar.com.

 

 

 

About J.D. Power and Associates

 

Headquartered in Westlake Village, Calif., J.D. Power and Associates is a global marketing information services company operating in key business sectors including market research, forecasting, performance improvement, Web intelligence and customer satisfaction. The company’s quality and satisfaction measurements are based on responses from millions of consumers annually. For more information on car reviews and ratings, car insurance, health insurance, cell phone ratings, and more, please visit JDPower.com. J.D. Power and Associates is a business unit of The McGraw-Hill Companies.

 

 

 

About The McGraw-Hill Companies

 

Founded in 1888, The McGraw-Hill Companies (NYSE: MHP) is a leading global information services provider meeting worldwide needs in the financial services, education and business information markets through leading brands such as Standard & Poor’s, McGraw-Hill Education, BusinessWeek and J.D. Power and Associates. The Corporation has more than 280 offices in 40 countries. Sales in

2008 were $6.4 billion. Additional information is available at http://www.mcgraw-hill.com.

 

 

 

J.D. Power and Associates Media Relations Contacts:

 

John Tews; Troy, Mich.; (248) 312-4119; media.relations@jdpa.com

 

 

 

Syvetril Perryman; Westlake Village, Calif.; (805) 418-8103; media.relations@jdpa.com

 

 

 

No advertising or other promotional use can be made of the information in this release without the express prior written consent of J.D. Power and Associates.

www.jdpower.com/corporate

 

 

 

(1) Clickstream technology involves tracking specific URLs that Web site users visit while on the Web.

 

 

 

 

 

SOURCE J.D. Power and Associates

Amica Mutual Ranks Highest in Customer Satisfaction with Homeowners Insurance For an Eighth Consecutive Year

 

PR Newswire — October 5, 2009

 

 

 

 

 

 

WESTLAKE VILLAGE, Calif., Oct. 5 /PRNewswire/ — For the first time in five years, overall satisfaction with homeowners insurance has increased significantly, driven by favorable customer perceptions of the value of their policies, according to the J.D. Power and Associates 2009 National Homeowners Insurance Study(SM) released today.

 

 

 

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20050527/LAF028LOGO-a)

 

 

 

Now in its ninth year, the study measures customer satisfaction with homeowners insurance companies by examining five key factors: policy offerings; price; billing and payment; interaction; and claims.

 

 

 

Overall satisfaction with homeowners insurance companies averages 773 on a 1,000-point scale in 2009–increasing by 21 points from 2008. The overall increase is primarily attributable to substantial improvements in the price, policy offerings and billing and payment factors. In particular, satisfaction with price has improved most notably–increasing by 46 points from 2008.

 

 

 

Contributing further to improved perceptions of policy value are shifts in the perceived prevalence of discounts. The percentage of policyholders who report receiving discounts has increased in 2009 to 84 percent from 81 percent in 2008.

Of the 27 insurance companies included in the study, 10 have experienced notable increases from 2008 in the proportion of their customers who report getting discounts. Policyholders who receive discounts are significantly more satisfied than those who either do not receive discounts or are unsure of the discounts they receive.

 

 

 

“To maximize the lift in satisfaction that discounts may bring, insurance companies must clearly inform customers of the number and types of discounts they are receiving,” said Jeremy Bowler, senior director of the insurance practice at J.D. Power and Associates. “Even if a customer’s policy doesn’t change, satisfaction may improve by more than 90 points when they’re informed of the discounts they qualify for and are getting, compared with when they have no awareness of the discounts.”

 

 

 

Amica Mutual ranks highest for an eighth consecutive year among homeowners insurance companies, performing particularly well in all five factors that contribute to overall customer satisfaction. Following Amica in the rankings are Auto-Owners, Erie Insurance and State Farm, respectively. USAA, an insurance provider open only to U.S. military personnel and their families and therefore not included in the rankings, also achieves a high level of customer satisfaction.

 

 

 

The study finds that more than eight in 10 customers report bundling multiple policies with their homeowners insurance company. Satisfaction with insurance companies’ policy offerings increases with each additional policy purchased, with satisfaction averaging more than 170 points higher among customers with four or more policies with their insurer, compared with customers who hold only a homeowners policy with their insurance company.

 

 

 

“Keeping homeowners insurance customers well satisfied may pay dividends, as these customers are very likely to purchase additional insurance policies and other financial products from their insurer,” said Bowler.

 

 

 

The study also finds that making improvements in overall satisfaction may have a strong positive impact on renewal and recommendation rates. For example, improving overall satisfaction from an average of 750 to 800 may result in a 10- to 15-percentage-point increase in the proportion of customers who say they “definitely will” renew their policies. Similarly, this improvement in satisfaction may also result in a 10- to 15-percentage-point improvement in the number of customers who say they “definitely will” recommend their insurer to others.

 

 

 

The 2009 National Homeowners Insurance Study is based on responses from more than 12,900 homeowners insurance customers. The study was fielded between April and June 2009.

 

 

 

J.D. Power and Associates will issue a white paper with in-depth analysis of the homeowners insurance claim experience in mid-November.

 

 

 

For more information, view homeowners insurance ratings, or read an article at JDPower.com.

 

 

 

 

    Customer Satisfaction Index Ranking    J.D. Power.com Power Circle Ratings

    (Based on a 1,000-point scale)                For Consumers

 

    Amica Mutual                              842     5

 

    Auto-Owners                               817     4

    Erie Insurance                            813     4

    State Farm                                805     4

    Cincinnati Insurance                      790     4

    Alfa                                      789     4

    Automobile Club of Southern California    789     4

    The Hartford                              789     4

 

    Automobile Club Group                     782     3

    Shelter                                   781     3

    American National Property & Casualty     777     3

    COUNTRY                                   776     3

    American Family                           775     3

    Chubb                                     775     3

    Industry Average                          773     3

    Allstate                                  772     3

    California State Automobile Association   768     3

    Liberty Mutual                            762     3

    Nationwide                                762     3

    MetLife                                   759     3

    Safeco                                    759     3

    Encompass                                 752     3

    Farmers                                   749     3

    The Hanover                               745     3

 

    Travelers                                 735     2

    Fireman’s Fund                            734     2

    AIG                                       700     2

 

    *USAA                                     900     5

 

    *USAA is an insurance provider open only to U.S. military personnel and

    their families and therefore is not included in the rankings.

 

    Power Circle Ratings Legend:

    5 - Among the best

    4 - Better than most

    3 - About average

    2 - The rest

 

 

 

About J.D. Power and Associates

 

Headquartered in Westlake Village, Calif., J.D. Power and Associates is a global marketing information services company operating in key business sectors including market research, forecasting, performance improvement, Web intelligence and customer satisfaction. The company’s quality and satisfaction measurements are based on responses from millions of consumers annually. For more information on car reviews and ratings, car insurance, health insurance, cell phone ratings, and more, please visit JDPower.com. J.D. Power and Associates is a business unit of The McGraw-Hill Companies.

 

 

 

About The McGraw-Hill Companies

 

Founded in 1888, The McGraw-Hill Companies (NYSE: MHP) is a leading global information services provider meeting worldwide needs in the financial services, education and business information markets through leading brands such as Standard & Poor’s, McGraw-Hill Education, BusinessWeek and J.D. Power and Associates. The Corporation has more than 280 offices in 40 countries. Sales in

2008 were $6.4 billion. Additional information is available at http://www.mcgraw-hill.com.

 

 

 

Media Relations Contacts:

 

Jeff Perlman; Brandware Public Relations; Malibu, Calif.; (818) 317-3070; jperlman@brandwaregroup.com

 

John Tews; J.D. Power and Associates; Troy, Mich.; (248) 312-4119; media.relations@jdpa.com

 

 

 

No advertising or other promotional use can be made of the information in this release without the express prior written consent of J.D. Power and Associates.

www.jdpower.com/corporate

 

 

 

 

 

SOURCE J.D. Power and Associates

PR Newswire — October 1, 2009

SEATTLE,Oct. 1 /PRNewswire/ –As many Western Washington residents prepare for the possibility of flooding in low-lying areas, a poll commissioned by Seattle-based PEMCO Insurance found that most homeowners often overlook simple steps to prevent less-spectacular water damage - the type caused by washers and other household appliances.

“There’s lots of focus right now on the possible Howard Hanson dam failure, but we know for a fact that costly water-damage claims happen all the time in people’s homes, and they can be prevented with simple steps,” said PEMCO spokesperson Jon Osterberg.

According to PEMCO’s recent poll, only 14 percent of homeowners identified water leaks as the leading cause of home-insurance claims. Of those polled, one-third said they don’t know the causes of frequent claims, and another 26 percent incorrectly blamed bad weather for causing most home claims.

“Year after year, PEMCO sees more homeowner claims caused by water damage than anything else, with the most-frequent claims coming from plumbing leaks in ice makers, dishwashers, and washing-machine hoses,” Osterberg said.

Water leaks are costly because the damage increases over time if it’s not discovered right away. For example, if a homeowner has a leaky sink or toilet that slowly rots the floor, the damage can be considered to be caused by neglect
- a maintenance issue, not a covered claim.

Fortunately, homeowners can do routine maintenance checks to prevent costly leaks. PEMCO recommends:

1. Check hoses for kinks and cracks next time you do laundry. Replace your
washing machine hoses every five years with a quality high-pressure hose,
preferably a durable metal-mesh hose. Washing machine hoses are available
at most home improvement stores for $5 to $10.
2. Inspect flooring around your water heater for signs of leaks. A qualified
tech should periodically inspect heaters installed more than five years
ago. If your water heater is more than 10 years old, consider replacing it.
3. Inspect refrigerator and dishwasher faucet lines for leaks and crimps.
Place a plastic tub under the kitchen sink to catch leaks before damage
occurs. If you move your refrigerator to clean, be careful not to
overextend or pinch the ice-maker line. If you see signs of brittleness or
moisture, call a qualified repair technician.
4. Before the first frost, remove hoses from outside faucets and cover them
with an insulating bonnet, available at hardware stores for about $2 each.

“Early detection is key,” Osterberg added. “Just a few minutes of maintenance can save you a whole lot of inconvenience.”

Visit www.pemco.com/poll to view a summary of the results collected by this poll. Visitors to the site can take an informal version of the poll to see how their own responses compare with those collected by FBK Research of Seattle earlier this year.

About the PEMCO Insurance Northwest Poll

PEMCO Insurance commissioned this independent survey that asked Washington drivers several questions about attitudes toward safety habits and other current Northwest issues. The sample size, 601 respondents, yields an accuracy of +/-
4.1 percent at the 95 percent confidence level. In other words, if this study was conducted 100 times, in 95 instances the data will not vary by more than +/-
4.1 percent.

About PEMCO Insurance

PEMCO Insurance, established in 1949, is a Seattle-based provider of auto, home, boat, life, and umbrella insurance to Washington state residents. PEMCO Insurance is sold by community agents throughout the state and through PEMCO offices. For more information, visitwww.pemco.com.

CONTACTS:

Jon Osterberg (206) 628-4019
PEMCO Insurance
Jon.osterberg@pemco.com

Mark Firmani (206) 443-9357
Firmani + Associates Inc.
Mark@firmani.com

SOURCE PEMCO Insurance