State Farm snags top spot in customer satisfaction survey

When it comes to property and casualty (P&C) insurance, State Farm appears to be leading the way in keeping its customers happy. The American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI), developed by the University of Michigan, periodically measures consumer satisfaction with products and services – and State Farm recently snagged the top spot for P&C insurance. » read on…

Winter delivers $1 billion wallop

Heavy snow storms, aided by wind, are the third-largest cause of headaches for insurance companies each year. Only hurricanes and tornadoes cost more than winter. The Insurance Information Institute (III) recently announced that winter storms result in roughly $1 billion in insured losses each year. From 1999 to 2008, winter’s price tag was $7 billion in insured losses, according to III. » read on…

Planning a Super Bowl party? Here’s the trouble with drunk friends

Super Bowl Sunday is one of the biggest party nights in America. According to the Insurance Information Institute (III), millions of Americans will drive to a friend or family member’s house to watch the Indianapolis Colts play the New Orleans Saints on Sunday. » read on…

Lightning zaps insurers for $1 billion a year

When lightning strikes, it can cause catastrophic damage. This week, a lightning bolt is suspected to be the cause of a deadly plane crash. Ethiopian Airlines Flight 409 had roughly 90 people on board when it crashed into the Mediterranean Sea on Monday. No survivors have been found. » read on…

Why won’t Californians buy earthquake insurance?

Californians, I’m worried about you, especially as I watch the news of the quake destruction in Haiti. A large earthquake centered in California is inevitable and almost certain within the next 30 years. » read on…

Coloring your insurance green can save you money

The insurance industry is slowly beginning to color itself green. Eco-friendly policies – often referred to as “green” – are a trend in car insurance and home insurance. In some cases, coloring your policy green will even save you money. » read on…

Party trouble: Drunk guests

In this litigious world, we have to protect our financial interests by being aware of actions we take that others could sue over. Even a good party can go horribly wrong if a drunk guest leaves a causes a car accident. In some states, social host liability laws put the onus on the party host to police the sobriety of guests before they walk (or stumble) out the door. » read on…

Have bad judgment? You still have home insurance

The number of house fires shoots up every holiday season as folks burn more candles, put too much oil in their turkey deep-fryers and string together questionable lines of electrical extension cords.

» read on…

Hoaders risk home insurance banishment

Photo credit: Fairfax County, Virginia

The compulsion of hoarding has been in the spotlight recently thanks to shows on A&E and TLC that document the plight of people who collect piles of items that end up filling their rooms, hallways and stairwells, making life unbearable for both themselves and their families. » read on…

Evacuated? Don’t sleep on a cot

As Hurricane Ida bears down on the Gulf Coast, it brings to mind the images of the streams of cars on the highways trying to leave evacuated areas.

One thing that evacuees often don’t realize is that their home insurance can help them out in this situation: When there’s a mandatory evacuation, the “additional living expenses” coverage within your home insurance policy kicks in to pay for a hotel room. » read on…