| Business Journal: 03.23.08
Jessica Ramirez of Corpus Christi, an agent for Farmers Insurance Group, has completed the Career Agents Course at the University of Farmers. The five-day course is to enhance the professional skills of Farmers' agents. CHANGING SCENE Candice Paiz joins local law firm Candice J. Paiz has joined the law firm of Gonzales Hoblit Ferguson LLP. She is a graduate of Oklahoma City University School of Law with a doctor of jurisprudence and of Baylor University with a bachelor's in business administration. Woodson joins local office Professional Service Industries announces that Koi Woodson, PE, will transfer to the Corpus Christi operations office from San Antonio. Woodson, a regional engineer for PSI, is a graduate of Texas A&M; University with a bachelor of science in civil engineerin, and has been with PSI since 1982.
Local Mom Leads Autism Insurance Legislation Fight
JACKSONVILLE, FL -- For Corinne Collins fighting for insurance coverage for children with autism is personal. Her 11-year-old daughter has autism and was denied coverage for her many therapies by her insurance company Aetna.
Collins's story is a familiar one not only in Florida but in the country. Many insurance companies don't recognize autism as a diagnosis and therefore won't cover the screening, treatment and care of these children. However, Medicaid and the Navy's insurance do cover treatments for autism.
Right now, in the state of Florida there are two bills being debated that would help parents get that coverage as well as other services to help their children. They are Senate Bill 2654 and House Bill 1291.
To raise awareness, Collins has set up an on-line petition where you can voice your opinion to state lawmakers.
k1025 BC-KS-Kansans-FloodInsu 03-22 0373
HUTCHINSON, Kan. (AP) -- Only 1.3 percent of Kansas homes carried flood insurance in 2007, according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency. FEMA is urging Kansans to buy flood insurance during what is the 15th anniversary of the flooding that swept the state in 1993. The agency points out that even homes in low- or moderate-risk areas can suffer flood damage. Property owners in areas of low or moderate risk accounted for more than one-third of the insurance claims filed in wake of the 1993 flood. Nearly 23 percent of the claims in 2007 were filed by property owners from the same kind of areas. Floods made state headlines in 2007, with Reno County among the areas receiving extensive damage after torrential rainfall and strong winds whipped through the state.
Florida regulators seek to bar American General Life Insurance
Florida insurance regulators are moving to suspend American General Life Insurance from doing business in the state, in part as a result of a congressional member having her application rejected.
U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz of Pembroke Pines indicated on her application for an increased amount of life insurance in 2005 that she intended to travel internationally. American General then called her husband to learn where she wanted to visit and was told Israel.
That inquiry alone violated a state statute that prevents insurers from asking potential customers what their future travel plans might include.
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New private health insurance enrollment exceeds expectations
New enrollment in private health insurance plans exceeded expectations in 2007, according to an industry survey, suggesting that business leaders are trying to comply with the new Massachusetts law mandating coverage. Eleven health plans doing business in Massachusetts reported 111,000 newly-enrolled people bought private insurance coverage between Jan. 1, 2007 and Jan. 1, 2008. That's over 11,000 people above initial expectations, and nearly 77 percent of the new enrollment came from employer-sponsored coverage. By contrast, more than 300,000 people have signed up for subsidized insurance plans also offered as a result of the health reform law. Enrollment rate for those coverage options has exceeded expectations, and legislators estimate that they'll need $400 million to cover unanticipated costs generated by the rate of enrollment.
Allstate agent named regional champion
Rick Bridwell Agency Inc. has been recognized by Allstate Insurance Company for high standards in customer satisfaction, customer retention and profitability. The agency is now one of the country's top Allstate agencies in auto, property and commercial insurance and financial service sales. As a result, it received the Allstate Regional Champion Award, formerly known as Honor Ring. For nearly 60 years, the Honor Ring has been Allstate's symbol of outstanding achievement. Owned by Rick Bridwell, the Rick Bridwell Agency Inc. is at 2711 N. Main St. in Anderson. .
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