Insurance
Triple-I Weblog | Louisiana Insurance coverage Regulator IssuesCease & Desist Orderto Texas Legislation Agency
[ad_1]
Louisiana Insurance coverage Commissioner Jim Donelon final week issued a cease-and-desist order towards a Houston-based regulation agency, accusing it of fraud involving probably a whole lot of hurricane-related claims in his state.
“The scale and scope of McClenny, Moseley & Associates’ unlawful insurance coverage scheme is like nothing I’ve seen earlier than,” Donelon mentioned in a press launch. “It’s uncommon for the division to concern regulatory actions towards entities we don’t regulate, however on this case, the order is critical to guard policyholders from the agency’s fraudulent insurance coverage exercise.”
Based on Donelon, the regulation agency filed greater than 1,500 hurricane declare lawsuits in Louisiana over the span of three months final yr.
The Louisiana property insurance coverage market has been deteriorating for the reason that state was hit by document hurricane exercise in 2020 and 2021, to the extent that 11 insurers that write householders protection in Louisiana have been declared bancrupt between July 2021 and September 2022. Insurers have paid out greater than $23 billion in insured losses from over 800,000 claims filed from the 2 years of heavy hurricane exercise. The most important property-loss occasions have been Hurricane Laura (2020) and Hurricane Ida (2021).
Along with driving insurer insolvencies, the rising losses have precipitated a dozen insurers to withdraw from the market and greater than 50 to cease writing new enterprise in hurricane-prone parishes.
Louisiana’s troubles parallel these of one other coastal state, Florida, however there are important variations. Florida’s issues are largely rooted in a long time of authorized system abuse and fraud, whereas Louisiana’s have had extra to do with insurers being undercapitalized and never having sufficient reinsurance protection to resist the claims incurred throughout the record-setting hurricane seasons of 2020 and 2021. Typically, Louisiana insurers haven’t skilled the extent of extreme litigation that Florida insurers have confronted.
“It now seems some trial attorneys try to take a web page out of the Florida playbook by participating in litigation abuse towards Louisiana property insurers,” mentioned Triple-I Director of Company Communications Mark Friedlander. “We commend Commissioner Donelon for rapidly addressing these fraudulent practices.”
Based on reporting by the Instances Picayune/New Orleans Advocate, an investigation by the Louisiana Division of Insurance coverage discovered the Houston-based agency engaged in insurance coverage fraud and unfair commerce practices by way of Alabama-based Apex Roofing and Restoration and has confronted accusations of probably legal conduct in courts throughout the state. In a single such case, the paper reported, a girl testified that she had by no means supposed to retain the regulation agency when she employed the roofing firm to repair her hurricane-damaged roof.
“The agency advised her insurance coverage firm that it represented her and even filed a lawsuit on her behalf, although she mentioned she was unaware of it,” the paper mentioned.
Authorized system abuse is a pervasive downside that contributes to greater prices for insurers and policyholders nationwide, in addition to to rising prices typically, given the significance of insurance coverage in improvement and commerce. Triple-I is dedicated to informing the dialogue round this essential concern.
Study Extra:
Hurricanes Drive Louisiana Insured Losses, Insurer Insolvencies
Florida Insurance coverage Disaster Reforms Achieve Momentum With Newest Proposal
Florida And Authorized System Abuse Highlighted at JIF 2022
IRC Examine: Public Perceives Impression of Litigation on Auto Insurance coverage Claims
A Piecemeal Method Towards Transparency in Litigation Finance
[ad_2]
Source_link
Table of Contents
Fixed Annuities Explained: Pros, Cons and How They Work
When it comes to financial planning, retirement planning is essential. There are several investment options available in the market, including fixed annuities.
In this article, we will delve into the basics of fixed annuities, their advantages and disadvantages, and how they work.
What Are Fixed Annuities?
Fixed annuities are a type of investment contract between an individual and an insurance company.
An individual makes a lump-sum payment or several payments to the insurance company. The insurance company promises to provide a fixed interest rate and regular payments to the individual for a specific period.
Types of Fixed Annuities
There are several types of fixed annuities, including:
- Immediate Annuities: This annuity type provides regular income payments immediately after the individual makes a lump-sum payment to the insurance company.
- Deferred Annuities: This annuity type provides regular income payments at a later date, either after a specific number of years or when the individual reaches a specific age.
- Fixed-Indexed Annuities: This annuity type provides a fixed interest rate plus additional interest based on the performance of a stock market index.
Pros of Fixed Annuities
Fixed annuities have several advantages, including:
- Guaranteed Income: Fixed annuities provide a guaranteed stream of income for a specific period.
- Stable Returns: Fixed annuities provide stable returns compared to other investment options in the market.
- Tax-Deferred Growth: Fixed annuities provide tax-deferred growth on the investment until the individual withdraws the money.
Cons of Fixed Annuities
Fixed annuities have some disadvantages, including:
- Low Returns: Fixed annuities provide low returns compared to other investment options in the market.
- Limited Flexibility: Fixed annuities have limited flexibility when it comes to withdrawing the money before the end of the contract period.
- Inflation Risk: Fixed annuities do not account for inflation, and the purchasing power of the regular payments may decrease over time.
How Do Fixed Annuities Work?
When an individual invests in a fixed annuity, the insurance company invests the money in bonds or other fixed-income securities. The insurance company then provides regular payments to the individual, which includes a fixed interest rate and a return of the principal amount.
Who Should Invest in Fixed Annuities?
Fixed annuities are suitable for individuals who:
- Want Guaranteed Income: Fixed annuities provide a guaranteed stream of income for a specific period, making them suitable for individuals who want a stable income during retirement.
- Want Low-Risk Investments: Fixed annuities provide stable returns and have low risk compared to other investment options in the market.
- Have a Long-Term Investment Horizon: Fixed annuities are suitable for individuals with a long-term investment horizon and can wait for several years before receiving regular income payments.
How to Buy Fixed Annuities?
Fixed annuities can be purchased through insurance companies, brokers, or financial advisors. It is essential to compare different annuity contracts and understand the terms and conditions before investing in a fixed annuity.
Conclusion
Fixed annuities are a popular investment option for individuals planning for retirement.
They provide a guaranteed stream of income for a specific period, have stable returns, and provide tax-deferred growth.
However, they also have some disadvantages, including low returns and limited flexibility. It is essential to weigh the pros and cons before investing in a fixed annuity.
FAQs
What happens to a fixed annuity when the individual dies?
- If the individual dies during the contract period, the remaining
What happens to a fixed annuity when the individual dies?
- If the individual dies during the contract period, the remaining balance may be paid to the designated beneficiary.
Can the interest rate on a fixed annuity change over time?
- No, the interest rate on a fixed annuity is fixed for the duration of the contract.
Can an individual withdraw money from a fixed annuity before the end of the contract period?
- Yes, but there may be penalties and fees for early withdrawals.
Are fixed annuities insured by the government?
- No, fixed annuities are not insured by the government but are backed by the financial strength of the insurance company.
Are there any tax implications when an individual withdraws money from a fixed annuity?
- Yes, withdrawals from fixed annuities may be subject to taxes and penalties, depending on the individual’s age and the duration of the contract. It is important to consult a tax advisor before making any withdrawals.
Fact Check
We strive to provide the latest valuable information for our readers with accuracy and fairness.
If you would like to add to this post or advertise with us, don’t hesitate to contact us. If you see something that doesn’t look right, contact us!
[ad_1]
This put up is a part of a collection sponsored by AgentSync.
The Southwest Airways disaster that rounded out 2022 could have been a nightmare for everybody concerned, however there was one optimistic that got here out of it. The debacle helped begin a bigger dialog on a subject we’ve been speaking about for fairly a while now: the issue with outdated expertise. As we start the brand new 12 months, we anticipate professionals throughout all industries taking a better take a look at the cracks of their technological infrastructure and legacy techniques.
Table of Contents
Legacy expertise and the insurance coverage trade usually go hand in hand
The insurance coverage trade is not any stranger to outdated expertise. As a legacy trade, legacy tech is par for the course. It wasn’t till the COVID-19 pandemic started inflicting enterprise shutdowns that many insurers had been mainly compelled to replace their processes and softwares to be able to proceed working beneath new security pointers.
In some ways, the COVID-19 pandemic was the catalyst for the insurance coverage trade’s digital revolution. However, numerous carriers and businesses are nonetheless counting on the outdated manner of doing issues. Why is that?
The reply isn’t easy. Some could also be apprehensive about the fee whereas others are extra involved with the problem of changing legacy techniques. Some are simply afraid the change might be an excessive amount of for workers and that it’ll trigger extra enterprise disruption than it’s price. Nevertheless, if Southwest’s breakdown taught us something, it’s that no excuse is price risking the harm that outdated expertise may cause to your group, staff, and clients.
So, with out additional ado, listed here are seven methods your legacy system could also be inflicting your insurance coverage enterprise extra hurt than good.
**We’ll be exploring these issues from an insurance coverage perspective (as that’s our experience), however many of those issues apply to companies in any trade that also depend on outdated expertise.
1. Legacy expertise is cost-heavy
One of many extra widespread roadblocks we hear from insurance coverage specialists who’re nonetheless working their enterprise on outdated techniques is {that a} new resolution is simply not within the price range. Whereas it’s true that the upfront prices of including extra fashionable instruments to your tech stack could also be substantial, they’re nothing in comparison with the price of sustaining legacy techniques. Selecting to maintain doing issues the way in which you’ve at all times completed them as a result of it appears simpler (or cheaper) now is called technical debt. And like most money owed, they finally come due.
The older techniques get, the extra they price to take care of. Plus, legacy expertise might be consuming away at an organizations’ backside line in different, much less apparent methods. For instance, an outdated company administration system (AMS) or buyer relationship administration system (CRM) won’t have the ability to supply the options or ease of use that staff, producers, shoppers, and downstream distribution channel companions are in search of. If these clients, staff, and companions aren’t happy with their experiences, they could take their enterprise (and their expertise) elsewhere, looking for a extra fashionable expertise.
2. Legacy expertise can hurt your status
You’re employed arduous to take care of a optimistic status in your insurance coverage enterprise. A poor status may lead your shoppers straight into the arms of your opponents and negatively influence your backside line. We noticed first hand how outdated expertise managed to tug Southwest Airways’ status by the mud in a matter of days.
In terms of insurance coverage, there doesn’t essentially should be a large breakdown or error together with your legacy system to negatively influence how present and potential clients and staff view your organization. It will also be the day-in-day-out tedium of outdated expertise that lastly will get to individuals. If you happen to proceed utilizing legacy expertise, staff, prospects, and shoppers could view your organization as being behind the instances. And in case your technological infrastructure seems prefer it’s caught up to now you’ll have a more durable time convincing anybody of your future spot out there.
3. Legacy expertise might get you in regulatory bother
A significant downside of legacy expertise is its incapability to combine with newer software program. Insurance coverage professionals want techniques that may talk with one another and paint an entire image of their knowledge to be able to make knowledgeable enterprise selections. The complexity of the insurance coverage trade’s state-by-state regulation system means it’s essential for all techniques to be built-in and up to date in actual time to keep away from compliance violations.
Updating to an automatic built-in compliance resolution (like AgentSync) can create important compliance administration price financial savings and guarantee steady producer and company compliance – with out the guide effort that you simply’d want to make sure the identical stage of compliance immediately.
4. Legacy expertise can inhibit development at your company, service, or MGA/MGU
Legacy techniques are hardly ever scalable. Trendy issues want fashionable options and legacy expertise is usually unequipped to handle present wants. Due to this, legacy techniques is usually a main barrier to a company’s development and innovation.
The longer an company waits to replace its legacy techniques, the more durable it will likely be to handle present market wants and acquire new market share. If you happen to’re not able to fully overhaul your group’s legacy techniques, there are different choices that may assist you to dip your foot within the pool of innovation.
5. Legacy expertise fuels inefficient workflows
Legacy techniques can block your group from realizing its full potential. With outdated expertise, it’s doubtless your employees is spending an excessive amount of time on guide, repetitive, and non-revenue-generating duties. Not solely is that this a waste of expertise, but it surely additionally will increase the possibility of human error and non-compliance.
With out up to date insurtech, processes like producer onboarding and compliance administration eat up much more time and assets. Keep in mind earlier once we talked about that legacy techniques don’t normally combine simply with different expertise? This lack of communication can create knowledge and workflow silos that block data from flowing between groups and finally decelerate processes.
6. Legacy expertise might make you extra susceptible to cyber assaults
Hackers are continually discovering new methods to sneak previous a company’s cyber safety measures and entry its safe knowledge. As software program ages, it might not have the defenses wanted to guard towards newer cyber threats. Cyber safety is a giant concern for insurance coverage businesses and carriers which frequently retailer huge quantities of delicate consumer data. Outdated software program might make that knowledge extra susceptible to an information breach, bringing you proper again to earlier factors about reputational hurt and arduous greenback prices.
7. Legacy expertise might negatively influence hiring efforts
We’ve mentioned it earlier than and we’ll say it once more – the insurance coverage trade is within the midst of a hiring disaster. Mass retirement and a shrinking expertise pool means high-quality candidates have extra energy to decide on the place they’d prefer to work. And in the event you suppose the possibility to work with software program that predates their grandmother is an efficient promoting level then oh boy do we have now information for you.
Right this moment’s job-seekers are in search of fashionable firms which can be utilizing the newest expertise to enhance each the client and worker expertise. Providing producers a high-tech expertise with much less time spent on guide, repetitive, time-consuming duties might assist as you proceed to compete for expertise.
The time to modernize your insurtech is now!
The very best by date in your insurtech has come and gone and it’s time to rethink the “if it ain’t broke, don’t repair it” mindset you might have beforehand held concerning your legacy techniques. In actuality, it’s a lot better to repair the issue earlier than a serious malfunction (once more, you simply have to have a look at Southwest Airways for proof). Clearly, outdated expertise can do much more hurt than good on the subject of your company, service, or MGA.
Don’t be like Southwest and wait till the harm is already completed. The time has come to throw out your legacy techniques together with the issues they’re inflicting your insurance coverage enterprise. If you happen to’re able to declare your independence from outdated tech and processes see how AgentSync may help you attain your full potential.
[ad_2]
Source_link
Insurance
Triple-I Weblog | Florida Insurance coverage Disaster Reforms Achieve Momentum With Newest Proposal
[ad_1]
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’s proposed insurance coverage fraud and authorized system abuse reforms, introduced this week for consideration throughout the legislative session that begins in March, would construct on measures authorised within the closing weeks of 2022 and go a good distance towards fixing the state’s insurance coverage disaster.
Laws handed throughout the 2022 particular session eradicated one-way lawyer charges and project of advantages (AOB) preparations for property insurance coverage claims. Gov. DeSantis’s proposal would go additional, eliminating these mechanisms and “lawyer charge multipliers” for all strains of insurance coverage.
“For many years, Florida has been thought of a judicial hellhole attributable to extreme litigation and a authorized system that benefitted the attorneys greater than people who find themselves injured,” DeSantis stated in his announcement. “We are actually engaged on authorized reform that’s extra consistent with the remainder of the nation and that can carry extra companies and jobs to Florida.”
Earlier than the 2022 reforms, state regulation required insurers to pay the charges of householders insurance coverage policyholders who efficiently sued over claims, whereas shielding policyholders from paying insurers’ lawyer charges when the policyholders lose. The laws additionally eradicated AOBs – agreements through which property homeowners signal over their claims to contractors, who then work with insurers.
AOBs are an ordinary apply in insurance coverage, however in Florida this consumer-friendly comfort has lengthy served as a magnet for fraud. The state’s authorized surroundings – together with a few of the most beneficiant attorney-fee mechanisms within the nation – has inspired distributors and their attorneys to solicit unwarranted AOBs from tens of 1000’s of Floridians, conduct pointless or unnecessarily costly work, then sue insurers that deny or dispute the claims.
Consequently, Florida accounts for practically 80 p.c of the nation’s owners’ insurance coverage lawsuits, however solely 9 p.c of claims, in keeping with the state’s Workplace of Insurance coverage Regulation.
Eliminating these two mechanisms for property claims addresses a lot of the insurance coverage fraud within the state. Eliminating them for all strains could be a promising signal that the state is really dedicated to addressing the basis causes of the disaster.
Florida’s insurance coverage disaster didn’t occur in a single day, and it’ll take years for the impacts of fraud and authorized system abuse to be wrung out of the system. Policyholders received’t see premium advantages any time quickly. Job 1 is to “cease the bleeding” as insurers fail, depart the state, or cease writing important private strains coverages like auto and owners.
Triple-I has printed a new Points Transient in regards to the disaster and the state’s efforts to restore it.
Be taught Extra:
Florida and Authorized System Abuse Highlighted at JIF 2022
Fraud, Litigation Push Florida Insurance coverage Market to Brink of Collapse
[ad_2]
Source_link
Navigating Corporate Tax Registration in the UAE: Gulf Business Solutions LLC
The Fascinating Universe of Collectible American Coins
Are UK Homeowners Still Wanting To Move?
-
Banking3 years agoWhy investment banking best answers – 7 Tips to Remember
-
How to Make Money2 years ago10 Finest Apps Like OfferUp in 2023
-
Business Tech3 years agoTop 10 Reasons Why CompTIA Security+ Training is Right for You
-
Investment Tips2 years agoGrinding, Crushing Assessments on REE Ore Yield Favorable Outcomes
-
Law3 years agoHow to Find a Trustworthy Lawsuit Funding Company
-
Crypto2 years ago0x Protocol and ZRX Cryptocurrency
-
Affirmations4 years agoTop 15 Bob Proctor Money Affirmations for Attracting Money and Wealth
-
insurance3 years agoHow to Avoid Financial Ruin from Unexpected Car Repairs