Claims

Reacting to the new health care reform law, Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell signed legislation outlawing the U.S. government from requiring state residents to purchase medical insurance.

The deep recession of the last two years will leave scars that will be with the U.S. economy for a decade in the form of unemployment, and those in the P&C insurance industry will be no exception, most notably those in claim adjusting.

The ability to take appropriate action based on fact rather than myth can be critical in successfully recovering damaged documents, ensuring business continuity, and controlling costs. One document recovery expert separates fact from fiction.

Insurers' claims and litigation costs stemming from Chinese drywall problems are expected to be significant, property damage up to the $10 billion range by one estimate, a rating firm said.

State insurance commissioners said they will work to implement aspects of federal health care reform where they are required to do so, but acknowledged that state legislatures could still challenge the reforms.

Insurance fraud-related convictions increased by 24 percent last year in New York State, the State Insurance Department's Fraud Bureau reported.

The World Trade Center Captive insurer said it was disappointed in a federal judge's order that it pay more to those clean up workers and uniformed services personnel sickened and injured at the World Trade Center, site after the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks.

Chae Hyong Chu is yet another unfortunate example of a company claim adjuster trying to "work" his employer for some extra cash -- and getting busted in the process.