Inflation impacts all aspects of our lives—but it is having an outsized impact on the cost to repair or replace cars and homes. Data reveals that 20% of homeowners don’t know how much they pay for home insurance[1]—so chances are, many will not anticipate the impact...
A bill (A-4643) that would amend the law related to physical damage inspections—often referred to as photo inspections—was introduced in the state Assembly last week. Currently, insurers are prohibited from providing physical damage coverage for an automobile prior to...
Insurance scoring is when insurers use a score, which is based on a policyholder’s credit history, to screen potential customers for underwriting acceptability. Originally, the scoring methodology was developed in the context of evaluating loan applicants. Credit...
So, it used to be that if clients asked you if their homeowners insurance policy covered their property anywhere in the world, you could reply: “Yes. However, if they are in another one of your residences, then coverage is limited to 10% of the limit shown in your...
A letter ran recently in the Albany-based Times Union titled “Commentary: A repeal that would help fraudsters and hurt consumers.” The letter is an opinion piece written by Tod Neifert, an auto theft investigator, which calls for New York Gov. Kathy Hochul to veto...
Legislation that would prohibit the use of step-down provisions in personal auto policies was introduced in the state Senate last week. Generally, step-down provisions are found in some personal auto policies. They act to reduce the amount of coverage to which an...
Independent agents have relationships with various insurance carriers. Each carrier has its own set of tools and resources to help agents educate their clients about what will happen when they file a claim—before, during and after. By working together, agents and...
Two bills passed the New Jersey state Legislature last week, which would impact the personal auto and commercial insurance marketplace, respectively. The auto limits bill was amended in the state Senate. Increase in auto limits S-481, sponsored by Sen. Nicholas...
Senate Six months into the job as state Senate President, Sen. Nicholas Scurtari, D-22, is looking to put his stamp on New Jersey’s automobile insurance marketplace. Last week a series of bills—sponsored by Scurtari—passed the Senate Commerce Committee. If signed into...
Recently, the Superior Court of New Jersey, Appellate Division held in the case of Vera v. State Farm Indem. Co. that New Jersey’s no-fault law does not bar policyholders from pursuing a claim of bad faith against their insurer. How did we get here? The plaintiff and...