"WASHINGTON — A unanimous Supreme Court on Tuesday upheld a jury verdict that State Farm Fire and Casualty Co. committed fraud against the federal government after 2005’s Hurricane Katrina.
The justices on Tuesday rejected claims by State Farm that the whistleblower case against the insurer should have been dismissed because its existence was leaked while it was supposed to be secret.
Justice Anthony Kennedy wrote for the court in upholding an appellate ruling that there is no requirement in federal law that the lawsuit be dismissed.
Sisters Cori and Kerry Rigsby filed the fraud lawsuit on behalf of the government after they said they witnessed State Farm shifting Mississippi claims to federal flood insurance that...
"The Citizens Property Insurance Company is regrouping after two hurricanes hit the state. The state-backed insurer is disappointed with the response of independent contractors handling claims adjustment."
Atlanta, GA – December 6, 2016 – Crawford & Company® (www.crawfordandcompany.com) (NYSE: CRD-A and CRD-B), one of the world's largest independent providers of claims management solutions to insurance companies and self-insured entities, today announced the acquisition of a majority interest in WeGoLook®, LLC (WGL™ or WeGoLook), an online and mobile collaborative economy platform headquartered in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. This strategic investment in WeGoLook will enable Crawford® to revolutionize, automate and expedite the claim handling process by utilizing a large mobile workforce for automotive and property inspections. The acquisition of 85% of the membership interests of WeGoLook by Crawford, which...
EL PASO, Texas - The Insurance Council of Texas has declared last Friday's hail storm in El Paso a "catastrophe," Mark Hanna, with the ICT, told ABC-7 Monday.
Hannah said El Pasoans reported more than $100 million in losses and insurers are sending extra adjusters to El Paso.
However, a significant storm event may occur in the very near future and may cause additional significant erosion and sediment transport damage,” Stanley Consultants said. “The transported sediment appears to have caused secondary damage to marine ...
Windows in several cars in the East Liverpool hospital parking lot were smashed or cracked by debris, and vehicles were dented by downed limbs following a severe thunderstorm which moved through the southern part of the county Friday evening.
(First Coast News) - An EF-1 tornado flipped over trailers and semis in the Yulee area while blowing almost 100 mph Thursday afternoon. A Tornado Warning was briefly issued just after 2 p.m. for Nassau and Camden counties, but the tornado was on the ground ...
BRAINERD, Minn.—A 6,000-pound famed Minnesota attraction—known in folklore for its strength—toppled over during an overnight severe storm early Thursday morning in the region. Babe the Blue Ox, at Paul Bunyan Land in Brainerd, was put back on his ...
NEW ORLEANS — Cleanup is underway after a tornado and high winds caused damage in several New Orleans neighborhoods. City crews were out early Friday morning removing debris from streets and sidewalks. National Weather Service meteorologist Gavin ...
Source: Sun Sentinel
State-run Citizens Property Insurance Corp. is hiring an outside vendor to scrutinize water-damage repair estimates from contractors, and to directly negotiate lower invoices with those contractors in exchange for a cut of the savings.
The company's board of governors on Tuesday agreed to a five-year, $1.8 million contract with Fort Myers-based Lynx Services LLC, a third-party claims management firm.
The goal, according to a Citizens document, "is to identify inflated or excessive charges on invoices from contractors that have performed water damage restorations for Citizens' policyholders and to contest or adjust invoices so it comports with industry standards."
Crawford 7/6/16 Press Release
SYDNEY (6 July, 2016) – Crawford & Company® has launched Crawford® Drone, designed to significantly improve catastrophe and operational claims management by providing real-time detail.
Darren Trot, Crawford’s national business development manager, said, “Drone technology ideally complements traditional claims assessment practices and gives us access to areas that were previously inaccessible or hazardous.”
Source: ICAT Website
Partnership will allow ICAT to write additional per-risk cat capacity in the U.S. E&S market
Broomfield, CO: ICAT has teamed up with Neon, the specialist Lloyd’s insurer, to provide an additional $10 million of per-risk capacity to catastrophe-exposed commercial properties in the United States. The partnership expands ICAT’s per-risk catastrophe capacity up to $150 million.
ICAT’s partnership with Neon, along with ICAT’s comprehensive coverage, best-in-class service, industry-leading expertise and innovative product solutions, demonstrates ICAT’s commitment to continual service and product enhancements for their agents, brokers and insureds.
NFIP Policy Counts for the named counties
President Declares Major Disaster for West Virginia
WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) today announced that federal disaster assistance has been made available to the State of West Virginia to supplement state and local recovery efforts in the area affected by severe storms, flooding, landslides, and mudslides beginning on June 22, 2016, and continuing.
The President's action makes federal funding available to affected individuals in of Greenbrier, Kanawha, and Nicholas counties. Assistance can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses, and other programs to help individuals and business...
CNNFlood-Stricken West Virginia Counties Get Federal Disaster DesignationABC NewsThree West Virginia counties devastated by flooding will receive federal disaster assistance, the state's governor announced today as the death toll rose again. The Federal Emergency Management Agency will provide individual assistance, which includes ...West Virginia flooding leaves at least 23 deadCNNWest Virginia Flooding: At Least 24 Dead as Federal Disaster DeclaredNBCNews.comResidents Begin Cleanup, Seek Help After Deadly West Virginia FloodWall Street JournalHuffington Post -USA TODAYall 711 news articles »
At Least 23 Dead From Severe Flooding In West VirginiaNPRHeard on All Things Considered. Kara Lofton. Ray Suarez. From West Virginia Public Broadcasting. West Virginia's governor has declared a state of emergency in 44 counties after severe flooding that damaged homes and stranded people across the state.
WHIOWest Virginia devastated by deadly floodingWHIORoad signs signaling to US 119 along Frame Road in Elkview, W.Va., are surrounded by flood waters Friday, June 24, 2016. (Sam Owens/Charleston Gazette-Mail via AP) MANDATORY CREDIT ...and more »
Crews rescue stranded residents in W.Va. flooding; 23 deadTribune-ReviewTo donate to Red Cross flood relief efforts in West Virginia, visit redcrosswv.org or call 1-800-RED-CROSS. Donors also can text the word “REDCROSS” to 90999 to make a $10 donation. For a donation in excess of $500, call American Red Cross Northeast ...and more »
23 Killed In Historic West Virgina FloodingNPRSome of the worst flooding in the state in 100 years is being blamed for the deaths of more than 20 people. Reporter Ashton Marra tells Scott Simon that many died trapped in their cars and homes. SCOTT SIMON, HOST: This is WEEKEND EDITION from NPR ...
USA TODAYAt least 26 dead as historic floods sweep West VirginiaUSA TODAYThe bodies of three more victims of West Virginia's historic flooding were found overnight Saturday, according to county authorities, raising the death toll to 26 from torrential rains and high water that has destroyed more than 100 homes, washed out ...23 Dead in Devastating West Virginia FloodingABC NewsWest Virginia Floods: 23 Killed, Including Toddler, as Thousands Left Without PowerNBCNews.comDeath toll climbs to 26 in West Virginia floodingWSAZ-TVFox News -CNNall 432 news articles »
WSAZ-TVThree people found dead in Kanawha County overnight from floodingWSAZ-TVKANAWHA COUNTY, W.Va. (WSAZ) -- Three more deaths have been reported in Kanawha County following massive flooding. According to the Kanawha County Sheriff's Department, a man was found dead inside a home in the Clendenin area Friday.and more »
Crews Rescue the Stranded in West Virginia Flooding; 23 DeadABC NewsTeams across the state rescued people from second-story windows, the hoods of cars, the tops of trees. They saved Dunford from her flooded trailer in the middle of the night, just as the water started licking her shoulders. More than 100 homes were ...and more »
Beckley Register-HeraldGALLERY: Flooding in Rainelle, Richwood, White Sulphur Springs and surrounding areasBeckley Register-HeraldGALLERY: Flooding in Rainelle, Richwood, White Sulphur Springs and surrounding areas. 15 hrs ago. Scenes from flooding in Rainelle, surrounding areas and the emergency shelter setup at Ansted Baptist Church in Ansted on Friday. Close. 1 of 102.and more »
The Denver PostDeadly flooding in West Virginia [PHOTOS]The Denver PostMark Lester cleans out a box with creek water as he cleans up from severe flooding in White Sulphur Springs, W. Va., Friday, June 24, 2016. Employees and volunteers with Main Street Motors attempt to get company documents out of the building.and more »
WSAZ-TVState Health Officials warn of health risks following severe floodingWSAZ-TVCHARLESTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) -- State Health Officials are warning of health risks following severe flooding across West Virginia. "This is obviously still an active and dangerous situation and our concern is to prevent illness and injury," said Dr ...and more »
USA TODAYHistoric floods swamp West VirginiaUSA TODAYKathy Bostic sits on a roof as she looks through a muddied plastic tote full of family photographs that she rescued from her flood-damaged home along Jordan Creek Road in Elkview, W.Va., June 24, 2016. Sam Owens, Charleston Gazette-Mail, via AP.West Virginia's governor: 14 people dead in floodingWJTVCaught On Camera: House on fire swept down flooded riverFOX 5 DCall 695 news articles »
Charleston Gazette-Mail (subscription)Fourteen dead in WV floodingCharleston Gazette-Mail (subscription)SAM OWENS | Charleston Gazette-Mail Hundreds of people have been stranded at Crossing Annex Shops in Elkview, W.Va., since late Thursday, June 23, after a culvert bridge collapsed due to heavy rains and flooding.and more »
The GuardianEU referendum voters wade through water as floods hit south-eastThe GuardianThousands of commuters were stuck at Waterloo station as trains were either delayed or cancelled because of flooding, with several people tweeting that they would miss the 10pm deadline to cast their ballot. Waterloo is one of London's busiest stations ...Thunderstorms and flash floods caused chaos across Britain in the final hours of the EU Referendum, as commuters ...Telegraph.co.ukUK weather: London and South East hit by flash flooding – in picturesThe IndependentGo home now! People urged to leave work early as more flooding is on its wayMetroBBC News -Evening Standard -
Read more
Updated: 7/1/2016
ATLANTIC BASIN SEASONAL HURRICANE FORECAST FOR 2016
Forecast Parameter and 1981-2010
Issue Date 1 June 2016 - Updated 7/1
Information obtained through July 2016 indicates that the 2016 Atlantic hurricane
season will have activity near the median 1981-2010 season. There remains considerable
uncertainty with this forecast which we outline in the following paragraphs.
We estimate that 2016 will have an additional 5 hurricanes (median is 6.5), 11
named storms (median is 12.0), 50 named storm days (median is 60.1), 20 hurricane days
(median is 21.3), 2 major (Category 3-4-5) hurricane (median is 2.0) and 4 major
hurricane days (median is 3.9). The probability of U.S. major hurricane landfall...
Source: MySA - Includes photos of hail and hail damage
Quote from Article
"USAA received about 11,000 auto claims and 5,500 property claims as of about 11 a.m., but the company expects those numbers will climb.
“This is one of the most impactful events we’ve seen in the San Antonio area in recent history, as far as hail goes,” said Cat Reese-Woodard, catastrophe-operations director. “We’re seeing a lot of damage to roofs, but also because of the size of the hail, we’re seeing damage to siding, holes in decking, issues with the exterior of the house where hail made impact, broken windows.”
NONRESIDENT PUBLIC INSURANCE ADJUSTER AFFIDAVIT
NONRESIDENT PUBLIC INSURANCE ADJUSTER AFFIDAVIT
The Texas Department of Insurance reminds all nonresident public insurance adjuster license holders that Insurance Code §4102.114 requires them to annually submit an affidavit on a form prescribed by TDI certifying that the licensee is familiar with and understands:
the laws specified in Insurance Code §4102.057(b);
the applicable rules adopted under those laws; and
the terms and conditions of the types of insurance contracts that provide coverage on real and personal property.
Pictures of Baseball Size hail and damage -Wylie Tx
Quote from site;
"A destructive hail storm pummeled Northern Texas Monday evening.
The hail caused significant damage to homes and cars in the small town of Wylie, Texas, near Dallas."
Source: The Weather Channel
"For the second time in as many days, Texans were running for cover as large hail fell on the Lone Star State Tuesday night. This time, it was the San Antonio area in line for the damaging storm.
Storm reports from the National Weather Service revealed hail as large as 3.5 inches in diameter – bigger than the size of baseballs – fell on the north side of San Antonio Tuesday night. Police told WOAI-TV the hailstorm led to windshield damage for several of their cruisers, and some residents also said the large hailstones knocked out their windows."
SIMSOL Software announced the release of its next generation estimating platforms cost database.
Orlando, FL (PRWEB) February 08, 2016
SIMSOL Software (Simultaneous Solutions, Inc.) announced the release of its next generation estimating platforms cost database. The new cost database named the "Simsol/Craftsman Complete Building Repair Registry" coincides with the software company's release of its Version 7 of its estimating system for property insurance adjusters and restoration contractors.
Shingles are something you never want to have, unless they're on the top of your house or on the outside of your law office.
Joe Cantu is fortunate not to have shingles, at least not on his roof, but he does have cement tiles up there, and some of them apparently got damaged when the March 29, 2012 hailstorm hit his Hidalgo County home.
Though conceding that only 8-14 tiles were damaged, Cantu nevertheless wanted his insurer, State Farm Lloyds, to replace all the tiles on his roof, ostensibly to make sure they would match.
When State Farm told Cantu “can't do,” Cantu said “can too” and filed suit.
Last month, a federal jury agreed with State Farm. It wasn't a difficult decision...
FEMA Bulletin w-16005 – Authorized NFIP Adjusters and 2016 NFIP Claim Presentations
A note about the use of the term “Authorized NFIP Adjuster” rather than “Certified NFIP Adjuster”: It is FEMA’s position that certification requires a more formal course of study and the successful passing of a series of examinations before certification is awarded, such is the case with Certified Public Accounts. Also, the FCN will now be referred to as the Flood Control Number.
The NFIP offers free online courses in basic and advanced flood insurance topics through the FEMA Emergency Management Institute. NFIP Training courses are free and open to anyone. Click on a link below to begin your self study course.
(note: we first posted this in December of 2015, but it was deleted in error)