State Farm States No New Policies in MississippiWednesday

February 14th, 2007
By Larry Lubell
Urban Insurance Blog ________________________________________

State Farm Insurance Company anounced that it. is suspending sales of any new commercial or homeowner policies in Mississippi starting Friday. A company official said that the wave of litigation it has faced since Hurricane Katrina, was the main reason. Mississippi’s “current legal and political environment is simply untenable. We’re just not in a position to accept any additional risk in this homeowners’ market.” said Mike Fernandez, vice president of public affairs for State Farm State Farm has argued that their homeowner policies were worded to cover damage from wind but not from water - even if hurricane-force winds were the cause of the rising water. They also state that their policies exclude damage that could have been caused by a combination of both wind and water. Hundreds of State Farm policyholders have challenged that claim, saying they were “Sold” Hurricane policies and storm surge is a part of a hurricane, and they are therefore entitled to Compensation. In the case of Norman and Genevieve Broussard VS State Farm a jury awarded the Broussard’s $2.5 million in punitive damages against State Farm for refusing to cover Hurricane Katrina storm surge damage to their Biloxi home. U.S. District Judge L.T. Senter Jr. later reduced the award to $1 million, even though the judge found that State Farm acted in a “grossly negligent way” by denying the claim filed by policyholders.
Last month Attorney General Jim Hood reached a settlement with State Farm requiring them to pay about $80 million to more than 600 policyholders who sued the company for refusing to cover damage caused by Katrina. Judge Senter later refused to sign off on part of the agreement, a deal between State Farm and Mississippi

Urban Insurance is offering homeowners insurance in several states, including Illinois and Indiana.For quote on Homeoweners, auto, life or any other insurance coverage,
please call us at 800-680-0707
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What is a financial judgment?

If one is involved in a motor vehicle accident, found guilty, there is a high likelihood that a court can find one financially responsible. This is why car insurance is so important. Without auto insurance you can be held personally accountable for any damages, which a court finds you liable. The law states that the Secretary of State shall suspend the driver’s license of anyone who failed for 30 days to pay his or her judgment. If the debtor fails to pay any installments, their driver’s license will be revoked along with the items necessary for driving legally, such as the city sticker, license plates, and the registration card for the vehicle. These laws are found under the Safety Responsibility Laws of Illinois. Once a “Judgment” is placed on your record the suspension remains in effect until:1. The person who owes the judgment pays the money owed in full, or an agreed upon negotiated compromise 2. an installment payment agreement order has been reached between the judgment debtor and judgment creditor. A breach of that agreement will cause a re-suspension of the driving privileges.3. the person who owes the judgment, files a petition for relief under the federal bankruptcy code pursuant to Chapter 7.To Reinstate Your License, You Must Do One Of The Following:

Installment Agreement Order
You can craft a contract with the plaintiff’s attorney to pay the judgment in monthly payments. The arrangement must be certified by the court in the county of jurisdiction and submitted to the Secretary of State. Keep in mind; if you fail to make all the payments on time, your license will be re-suspended. Obtain a court order agreeing to pay the judgment in installments and submit this installment agreement order with a court stamp or seal to the Secretary of State’s office at 160 North LaSalle on the 10th Floor Obtain SR22 Insurance. Urban insurance agency has been providing the lowest rates on SR22 car insurance. You must maintain this insurance for 3 years without lapse or cancellation.Payment of a $70.00 reinstatement fee are also required.

Satisfaction of the Judgment
1.Pay the full amount of the judgment to the plaintiff’s attorney or the Clerk of the Cook County Circuit Court. After paying the full amount, make sure you receive a certified, file-stamped copy of a “Satisfaction of Judgment” form. Bring this form to the Secretary of State at 160 North LaSalle Street located on the 10th Floor.
2. Obtain SR22 Insurance. Urban insurance Agency has been providing the lowest rates on SR22 car insurance. You must maintain this insurance for 3 years without lapse or cancellation.
3. A Payment of a $70.00 reinstatement fee is also required.

Start Your Insurance Today We feature SR22 filings at the lowest rates in Chicago
Call 1-800-680-0707 for a Free quoteor Click Urban Insurance Agency

The 18 Top Rated SUVs

Wednesday, March 21st, 2007

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recently awarded these 18 SUVs with 5 stars for front-end and side-impact crash test worthiness:

Acura MDX

Acura RDX

Audi Q7

Dodge Nitro

Ford Freestyle

GMC Acadia

Honda CR-V

Honda Element

Hyundai Santa Fe

Infiniti FX35

Infiniti FX45

Jeep Grand Cherokee

Kia Sorento

Kia Sportage

Mazda CX-7

Saturn Outlook

Subaru Outback

Toyota Highlander

It is important to note each year more and more vehicles are making the National Highway Traffic Safety’s list of 4 or 5 star cars and trucks. Safer vehicles helps reduce car insurance rates, and more importantly saves lives.

Urban Insurance wants to congratulate those that made the list. We also want to remind you that a car is only as safe as the driver. Remember to drive defensively, always make sure you as well as your passengers are wearing seat belts, and NEVER drink and drive.

Gerald Lubell