In a letter dated June 25, 2007, the Consumer Federation of America urged insurance commissioners around the country to ban the use of anti-concurrent-causation clauses (“ACC clauses”) in insurance policies.
Catastrophe Claims
Update: Multiple Peril Insurance Act of 2007 Hits Roadblock
As reported here the House Committee on Financial Services held a hearing on July 17 to discuss Rep. Gene Taylor’s (D-MS) proposal, the Multiple Peril Insurance Act of 2007, which would expand the National Flood Insurance Program to include wind coverage.
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Congress Considering Reforms to National Flood Insurance Program
Rep. Gene Taylor (D-MS) has introduced H.R. 920, entitled the “Multiple Peril Insurance Act of 2007,” to the United States House of Representatives in response to the denial of claims from Hurricane Katrina due to wind loss.
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Government Will Not Intervene in Katrina Whistleblower Lawsuit
By Troutman Pepper Locke on
In a previous entry, we discussed a recent Katrina-related whistleblower suit filed in the Eastern District of Louisiana. As we discussed, the lawsuit claims that a number of insurers allegedly misrepresented claims to the National Flood Insurance Program so as to limit their exposure, and was filed by Branch Consultants on behalf of the U.S. government. …
Scruggs In the News – Criminal Contempt Charges and Filing of a RICO Civil Action against State Farm
By Troutman Pepper Locke on
A Northern District of Alabama judge recently asked federal prosecutors to charge Mississippi plaintiff’s attorney Richard “Dickie” Scruggs with criminal contempt. It is alleged that Scruggs violated a preliminary injunction issued in December 2006, which ordered him to turn over all documents secretly copied by two whistleblowers, Corgi Rigsby Moran and Kerri Rigsby.
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Mississippi Attorney General Sues State Farm Again
By Troutman Pepper Locke on
On June 11, Mississippi Attorney General Jim Hood filed a civil action again State Farm Fire and Casualty Co. in the Circuit Court of Hinds County, Mississippi, alleging breach of contract, bad faith breach of contract, and breach of duty of good faith and fair dealing. The suit arises out of State Farm’s alleged failure to honor an agreement for a mass settlement of claims arising out of damage caused by Hurricane Katrina.
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Allstate Settles Post-Trial Legal Dispute In First Louisiana Wind vs. Water Dispute Trial
By Troutman Pepper Locke on
On June 21, Allstate Insurance announced that it settled a post-trial legal dispute with its insured, Robert Weiss, in a significant Hurricane Katrina-related damages case.
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Florida Legislature Creates Task Force on Citizens Property Insurance Claims Handling
By Troutman Pepper Locke on
The Florida Legislature created the Task Force on Citizens Property Insurance Claims Handling and Resolution during a special session in 2007. Citizens Property Insurance Company, Florida’s state sponsored insurer, experienced significant difficulties in handling the deluge of claims from the 2004 and 2005 hurricane seasons.
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Hurricane Katrina Whistleblower Lawsuit
By Troutman Pepper Locke on
A Katrina-related whistleblower lawsuit originally filed under seal on August 2, 2006, was recently unsealed and made public.
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Fifth Circuit Hears Katrina-related Appeal
By Troutman Pepper Locke on
Today, the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals is hearing oral argument on the appeal of a Katrina-related coverage decision by U.S. District Court Judge Stanwood R. Duval, Jr., issued in November 2006.
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