Auto Insurance

No one's ever happy with car insurance but the law requires it, so everyone has to have it. Good thing too, given the demolition-derby driving style that now typifies most of the country's freeways and country lanes.

Unfortunately, insurance regulations are heavily weighted in favor of the companies. Take the underinsured motorist (UIM) laws, for example. They are written so that in many cases consumers can be left with little or no protection even when they have adequate insurance of their own. Rachel's case is a good example.

One thing to keep in mind: companies charge based on how likely they think you are to file a claim. Young males pay more than older males, those with high-powered sports cars pay more than those with Honda Civics and so on. Lately, insurers have also been looking at consumers' credit reports (story), which many find a bit odd.

The secret to having a policy with good coverage and low rates? Be an older person with a clean driving record. Drive a modest, easily-repaired, seldom-stolen vehicle. Live in an area with low accident and crime rates. Other than that, no problem.

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Insurance News

Liberty Mutual Charged With Ordering Used Parts For Car Repairs West Virginia sues, seeks restitution

What's On Your Mind? State Farm, Dish Network, TurboTax, PlanetRX Our daily look at consumer reviews

What's On Your Mind? Maytag, Timeshares Only, Rusty Wallace Kia, Conseco Insurance, Our daily look at consumer reviews

Health Insurance Now Costs More Than a Ford Fiesta Higher costs for both employer and employee

What's On Your Mind? The Hartford, Cuisinart, Samsung, Facebook Our daily look at consumer reviews

Hurricane Damage? Good Luck Getting Fair Claims Payments CFA warns homeowners will have to "dig deeper into their pockets"

Study: Small Firms Over-Paying For Health Insurance Lack of information leads to lack of competition, researchers say

What's On Your Mind? US Fidelis, Consumer Credit Group Our daily look at consumer reviews

Physicians Dropping More Privately Insured Patients Doctors increasingly turning down private health insurance plans

Consumers Cautioned About Credit Insurance Maryland Attorney General calls it 'overpriced'

Employee Health Insurance Premiums Rise Dramatically But overall increase in health care costs appear to be slowing

What's On Your Mind? Nationwide, Payday Loan Scam, Vonage Our daily look at consumer reviews

Allstate To Purchase Esurance And Answer Financial Consolidation taking place in the insurance industry

What's On Your Mind? Liberty Mutual, Litton Loans, Spirit Airlines,Kodak Our daily look at consumer reviews

Primerica Finds Qualified Sales Agents In Short Supply The giant insurer has no trouble recruiting agents, but many fail licensing tests

States Investigating Life Insurance Companies Hundreds of millions of dollars could go to consumers and cash-strapped states

What's On Your Mind? John Hancock, FedEx, Mortgages Our daily look at consumer reviews

What's On Your Mind? Allstate, Sprint, Hotels.com Our daily look at what consumers are saying

No Escape From Medicare, Judge Rules Retirees would have to give up Social Security and repay benefits to opt out of Medicare

Illinois Reaches $25 Million Settlement with Blue Cross Blue Shield Insurer denied coverage of nursing care needed for sick children

Now Is a Good Time to Review Your Insurance Needs Disasters, accidents can happen anytime; you can't buy insurance after you need it

Reinsurance Broker Guy Carpenter Agrees to $4.25 Million Antitrust Settlement Company conspired to inflate insurance costs nationwide, Connecticut charged

Liberty Mutual To Settle Bid-Rigging and Secret Kickback SchemeCharges The insurance concern has agreed to pay $2 Million to the state of Connecticut

Consumer-Driven Health Enrollment Hit 22 Million in 2010 The rising cost of healthcare has people looking for alternative plans

Americans More Likely To Skimp On Medical Care U.S. trails 10 other nations in health care access

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Hit With Antitrust Lawsuit Metro Detroit hospitals affected by strong-arm tactics used to increase costs, suit charges

Medical Flexible Spending Accounts Face New Restrictions You may want to stock up on over the counter medicine before new rules take effect

COBRA Premium Subsidy Helped Fewer Than Expected EBRI says even with subsidy, some could not afford coverage

More Massachusetts Motorcycle Riders Get Insurance Refunds Total of 12 insurance companies didn't adjust premiums for declining value of bikes

NJM Insurance Group, USAA Group Among Leaders In Car Insurance SurveyConsumer Reports polled 28,000 claim filers; offers tips for saving money

Feds Warn Companies Against Raising Health Insurance Premiums Industry says Obamacare driving up premiums; Obama thinks otherwise.

Floridians Cautioned On Hurricane Window Film Product doesn't live up to claims, attorney general says.

New Rules Make It Easier To Appeal Health Claim Denials But rules only apply to new plans.

Many ER Visits Could Be Treated Elsewhere, Study Finds Retail clinics and urgent care centers could shift the load from hospitals.

Family Health Premiums Rise Three Percent In 2010 But employee's share of health premiums rise 14 percent.

Suit Filed Against Duo Who Targeted Seniors With Medicaid Ploy Pair preyed on nursing home residents, promising help that never came, officials say.

Connecticut Probes Changes In Rite Aid's State Program Subpoena issued in connection with drug discount program changes, price increases.

Medicare In the Black Until 2029 Medicare cuts in health care law credited with entending solvency.

Cadillac Escalade Leader In Insurance Claims for Theft Ford F-250 pickup, and Infiniti G37 place high on IIHS list.

Texas Calls Travelers Insurance Ads Deceptive TV ad claims Texans can lose their homes without adequate auto coverage.

CVS Caremark Consumer Discount Drug Program At Risk In Connecticut End of program could cost consumers potentially millions of dollars, AG says.

How To Appeal A Health-Claim Denial A few simple steps could resolve your coverage problems.

After Injury, Uninsured More Likely to Die Researchers say they are surprised by results of study.

Survey Suggests Many Drivers Are Clueless New York drivers worst in insurance company survey.

MetLife Uses Software to Deny or Limit Claims, Suit Says Conduct is called at odds with terms of policy.

Five Trends That Could Affect Your Home Insurance CostsConsumer Reports Money Adviser offers tips for saving money.

Medical Costs of Cancer Have Nearly Doubled Over Past Two Decades Increase in the prevalence of cancer cited among the factors responsible for the increase.

Court Throws Out Katrina, Rita Insurance Settlement Plaintiffs' counsel accused of improperly combining cases.

Senate Debates 'Loophole' In Health Care Law Door left open for big rate increases before law takes effect.

Report: Top Insurers Divert 1 in 4 Premium Dollars Away from Patient Care New health reform law to crack down on the practice.

Motorcycles With Antilock Brakes Have Fewer Fatal Crashes IIHS: Bikes with antilocks also have lower insurance losses than those without.

Consumer Watchdog Files Anthem Class Action Says insurer's rate hikes violate California law.

California Subpoenas Health Plans Concerns raised about claims denials and rate hikes.

Class Action Suit Filed Against AARP Alleges group misled consumers as to extent of medical insurance coverage.

Family Health Premiums Up 5% In 2009 as Inflation Fell Nearly 1% Over 10 years, premiums jumped more than worker wages and general inflation.

California Consumer Group Wants Its Billboard Back Bright yellow billboard warned consumers 'You can't trust Mercury Insurance'.

Rising Cost of Health Insurance at Center of Debate Congress delays action til after August recess.

Progressive Settles Rate Quote Complaint Massachusetts consumers complained quotes were inaccurate.

CIGNA Bows to NY, Agrees to Clean Up Reimbursement Rates Company will donate $10 million to establish new nationwide database.

Aetna Agrees to Reimburse Students' Health Insurance Claims Settlement with New York covers more than 200 colleges nationwide.

Lawyers Rate Allstate as Worst Insurance Company 'Boxing gloves' replace 'good hands,' lawyers charge.

NY Motorists Face Big Insurance Increase Last-minute deal carries a steep price tag.

Californians Fight Back Against 'Rescinded' Health Coverage Class actions against Blue Cross of California heat up.

Big Box Retailers, Not FEMA, May Be First Line Of Defense Remote, top-down federal management falls short of meeting urgent needs.

Home Warranties Not Always What They Seem Pre-existing conditions not covered, response time often lengthy.

California Orders Allstate to Lower Car Insurance Rates 15% Consumers save $250 million.

Travelers Insurance Settles Bid-Rigging Charges Insurer agrees to pay $6 million and reform its practices.

Connecticut Derails Title Insurance Kickback Scheme Companies agree to pay $700,000, customers to be reimbursed.

Nationwide Cancels 39,000 More Homeowner Policies Insurers dumping policies in hurricane zones.

Census Report Shows Increase In Uninsured Americans earning more but fewer have health insurance.

Study Finds 24% of Americans Underinsured Employers and workers struggle while insurers profit, study finds.

Consumers Want Allstate Records Kept Public Insurer asks court to seal records relating to its Hurricane Katrina claims.

Consumers Dispute FTC Report on Insurance Credit Scoring Use of credit scores to fix insurance premiums discriminates against minorities, consumer groups argue.

Lower Insurance Rates for Some OnStar Customers Onstar checks up on drivers' mileage claims.

Iowa Probes Long-Term Care Insurance Consumers complain of unexpected increases in premiums, denied benefits.

NY Court Rules in Favor of Disabled Policyholders Court rules insurers can't preclude existing conditions in long-term disability claims.

Mississippi Sues State Farm Over Katrina Coverage In Louisiana case, whistleblowers claim insurers defrauded FEMA.

Insurer Unlawfully Poached Consumers' Credit Reports New York insurance company accessed credit reports unlawfully, agrees to pay restitution.

Viatical Company Pleads Guilty to Racketeering, Fraud Florida company allegedly misled investors in scheme involving life insurance policies on the terminally ill.

Payback: State Farm Writes Off Mississippi Insurer walks away after losing Katrina-related lawsuits.

Judge Nixes State Farm Katrina Settlement Both sides say they will amend the agreement to resolve the judge's objections.

Nationwide, Aetna Customer Data Stolen Thieves take computer backup tapes containing customer data and medical records.

John Alden, Fortis Accused of Improperly Denying Coverage Connecticut questions insurers' claims that patients conditions were pre-existing.

Minnesota Charges Allianz Life Sold Unsuitable Annuities to Seniors Lawsuit claims company's agents exploited elderly clients.

Study: Motorists Often Switch Insurers After Filing a Claim Amica Mutual, Erie, State Farm get best marks in J.D. Power study.

Judge Rules Against State Farm in Katrina Case Judge rules company is liable for damage to home destroyed during hurricane. Jury deliberating damages.

Wells Fargo, Acordia Sued for Fraud States charge companies led customers to insurers who had paid kickbacks.

Zurich American Implements Reforms, Pays Consumers Millions Texas and other states accused insurer of bid-rigging, price-fixing.

Health Savings Accounts: A New Way to Handle Health Care Here's a way to combine your retirement savings with healthcare insurance.

Aging Well Takes More than Time Shrinking government programs put increasing burden on consumers to plan for their later years.

UnumProvident Agrees to "Sweeping Reforms" Unum pays $17.4 million to settle New York charges.

New York Charges Fraud in Life Settlement Industry Brokers take secret commissions, chisel policy owners, state charges.

Liberty Mutual Sued in Bid-Rigging Investigation Illinois is latest state to file charges in bid-rigging scandal involving large insurers.

Secret Scores Influence Auto Insurance RatesConsumer Reports looks at use of credit reports to help set premiums.

Washington Shuts Down Bogus Long-Term Care Scheme High-pressure sales used to push plan that sounded like long-term care insurance.

Young Adults Lack Health Insurance Report finds growing number of young aduls have no health coverage.

Homeowners Insurance Rates Unfair, Massachusetts Charges Raising rates in anticipation of hurricanes isn't justified, state argues.

The Hartford Apologizes, Pays $20 Million for Fraud in Annuity Sales Company vows to clean up its procedures.

Aetna Loses Laptop Containing Customer Data Laptop with information on 38,000 customers stolen from employee's car.

Health Insurance A Near-Monopoly, Study Finds Lack of competition driving up prices, reducing choice and innovation, AMA charges.

California Accuses Hartford Insurance of Charging Illegal Fees Company denies it, says fees in question are not regulated.

GEICO Ties Insurance Rates to Education, Occupation Consumer Federation of America charges company discriminats against lower-income and minority drivers.

Gulf Coast Homeowners File Class Action against State Farm Lawsuit argues homeowners' "all perils" policies should cover wind-driven water damage.

Insurance Break for Hybrid Owners in 2006 Travelers is first major company to offer discounts to hybrids.

Illinois Earthquake Rattles Insurers Some insurers plan to stop writing earthquake insurance in Illinois, Missouri.

California Dumps Zip Code-Based Auto Insurance Rates State finally implements key provision of Proposition 103, passed by voters in 1988.

Sen. Trent Lott Sues State Farm over Katrina Damage Prominent Republican turns to his brother-in-law, plaintiffs' attorney Richard Scruggs, to sue State Farm.

Busiest Hurricane Season on Record Finally Ends Damage at $60 billion and climbing as season officially comes to an end.

Five Reasons Not To Buy An Extended Warranty Based on the experiences of our readers, we'd have to say extended warranties are a bad idea.

Pennsylvania Suit Challenges State Farm Salvage Title Deal Insurer's settlement with states was a "sweetheart deal," suit charges.

J.D. Power Survey: Hurricanes Destroy Consumer Satisfaction with their Insurance Amica Mutual ranks highest in overall customer satisfaction.

Hurricane Victims Irked at Companies, Charities Insurers, large retailers disappoint evacuees with inflexible policies, broken promises.

State Farm's Wrecked Car Owners Feeling Slighted Attorneys general brokered private deal with State Farm, which resold totaled cars without salvage titles.

Class Action Suit Filed Against AIG Over Katrina Claims Company has not responded to homeowners seeking assistance, suit charges.

Texas Orders Allstate to Pay Homeowners' Claims Homeowners unable to return home should receive living expenses, judge rules.

Lawyers Line Up to Sue Insurance Companies Over Katrina Denials Lawyers line up to sue insurance companies over exclusion of water damage.

Katrina Victims Face Insurance Delays, Denials Mississippi files suit alleging wrongful denials of many claims.

Insurance Executives Indicted for Bid Rigging, Fraud New York grand jury indicts eight former Marsh and McLennan managers.

Katrina Loss Put at More Than $100 Billion Insurance analysts blame inadequate levees, poor preparedness for rising damage, casualty tolls.

Homeowners Insurance May Cover Additional Living Expenses for Katrina Victims Forced from Their Homes Living expenses generally not provided by flood insurance, however.

Insurance Agency to Pay $30 Million to Settle Connecticut Kickback Charges The Hartford, Travelers, CNA paid kickbacks to agents

Illinois Supreme Court Overturns $1 Billion State Farm Judgment It may be a bad omen for other class actions in Illinois, traditionally a consumer-friendly state.

Massachusetts Reviews Long Term Care Insurance Marketing Consumers need straight talk, not sales pitch, attorney general warns.

Terrorism Insurance Act Expiring as Congress Debates White House wants private insurers to take over. Insurers not rushing to comply.

KB Home to Pay $2 Million for Violating Home Warranty Agreement California homebuilder will also be required to extend home warranty coverage for an additional year for some homeowners.

Acura Integra Is Most-Stolen Car in America Interest in street racing driving heists of performance models.

Overweight Americans Weigh Down Insurance System Cost of treating obesity up 1,000 percent over 15 years, study finds.

Global Healings Ordered to Pay Restitution to Florida Consumers Company claimed its "bonds" eliminated the need for insurance.

Hurricane Season Is Time to Review Insurance Coverage Homeowners policies don't coverage most hurricane damage. Californians should review their landslide coverage.

Disability Insurance: A Broken Promise Inadequate regulation, seamy business practices leave frugal, hard-working policyholders helpless when their insurers desert them.

Chicago Insurance Broker Settles Kickback Probe for $27 Million Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. threw business to pre-selected insurers.

Nationwide Insurance To Make Restitution Company deceived consumers into buying policies beyond their financial means, Massachusetts charged.

Report Finds No Link Between Doctors' Premiums and Malpractice Suits While premiums climb, malpractice payouts decline, study finds.

North Dakota Limits Use of Cars' Black Boxes By Insurers Many motorists don't realize their car may be recording their every actgion.

One-Fourth of Workers Will be Uninsured by 2013: Study More than 4,500 additional annual deaths likely, researchers warn.

No-Fault Insurance More Expensive, Study Finds Rates decline when no-fault eliminated, researchers say.

Car Dealers May Offer Walkaway Insurance Policy would cover owners who were "upside down" in their equity.

Aon Settles Insurance Corruption Case Company will pay $190 million to its policyholders and reform its business practices.

Study: Insurance Consumers Often Don't Get What They Pay For Higher commissions usually mean higher premiums, not better service.

Three More Guilty Pleas in Insurance Scandal A senior executive at Marsh & McLennan and two AIG employees have pleaded guilty to criminal charges in the insurance bid-rigging scandal.

Marsh & McLennan to Pay $850 Million Giant insurance broker apologies for "unlawful" and "shameful" actions.

State Farm Pays $40 Million to Settle "Branded" Car Title Issue In multi-state agreement, insurer will compensate owners of vehicles that had been wrecked or stolen.

Unum Provident Agrees to Review Denied Disability Claims Cost of New York settlement estimated at $100 million.

California Insurance Corruption Probe Advances Universal Life signs consent decree, agrees to cooperate with prosecutors.

Florida Subpoenas Insurers The subpoenas seek documents and records that involve questionable fee arrangements and possible bid-rigging.

NY Insurance Broker Charged With Fraud, Antitrust Violations Attorney General Spitzer charges ULR steered business to insurers in exchange for lucrative payoffs.

Court Extends Deadline to File Claims Against Warranty Gold No new date established for consumers who bought extended warranties on their cars.

CVS Settles Pennsylvania Suit Pharmacy chain failed to grant state-mandated discount to auto accident victims.

Massachusetts Drills Delta Dental State charges dental plan used misleading advertising, marketing practices.

Homeowners Hung Out To Dry By Arbitration Clauses Public Citizen wants insurance commissioners to take action.

Cigarettes' Role in Fires Growing Fire safety group wants more states to require self-extinguishing cigarettes.

GEICO v. Google Insurance company tries to block consumers' access to ads for anyone but itself.

Class Action Targets Caremark Forced policyholders to order drugs through mail-order pharmacy, suit charges.

Reverse Mortgage Can Help with Long-Term Care Many elderly could escape nursing homes with cash from home equity.

Texas Wins Refunds for Policyholders Companies charged customers for "betterment" when paying claims on auto repairs.

Florida Insurance Scam Hits Seniors Five arrested in fraud ring that allegedly netted more than $2 million in phony sales commissions.

Long-Term Care Premium Hikes Surprise Policyholders "Guaranteed" premiums increase as much as 50 percent.

9/11 Losses Reach $9.3 Billion Effects felt by consumers and businesses in higher insurance premiums, reduced dividends.

Health Insurance Scams Hit Thousands Poor economy drives many to unlicensed insurance plans.

Auto Premiums Up, Satisfaction Levels Off J.D. Power study finds consumers tolerating higher premiums.

General Electric, Merrill Lynch, Clarica Insurance Downgraded Weiss Ratings downgrades 54 companies, upgrades 21.

Montana Slaps Farmers Insurance for Credit Scoring Premiums higher for consumers with department store credit cards than for those with oil company cards, state charges.

Georgia Fines UnumProvident $1 Million A.M. Best lowers Unum's debt rating.

71 Life and Health Insurers Downgraded; 22 Upgraded in Recent Review Stock market losses deplete assets.

Maryland Fines CareFirst $400,000 Company blames problems on "rapid growth."

Court Order Closes MedPlan Canadian scheme targets Americans with phony health discount, credit protection, FTC charges.

California Doctor Wins $31 Million in Suit Against UnumProvident At least 2,500 other suits pending against nation's largest disability insurer.