Connecticut Commissioner Leonardi Seeks to Change Deductible Trigger

NU Online News Service, Nov. 16, 12:56 p.m. EST

Following large insured losses from Tropical Storm Irene and an October nor'easter snowstorm, Insurance Commissioner Thomas B. Leonardi is looking to change the guidelines for the application of hurricane deductibles.

"There's no question that it will be changed," said insurance department spokeswoman Donna Tommelleo. "He's been on record from the start.

"Exactly what triggers will be used are what he is examining, but he has consistently said that one of the triggers must be that a hurricane occur somewhere in the state."

The deductible became an issue after Irene, which developed into a strong hurricane as it made its way up the East Coast in late August before striking Connecticut as a tropical storm.

Tommelleo said Leonardi prefers to issue guidelines rather than seek new legislation because lawmakers do not meet again until February, and Leonardi hopes to have new deductible guidelines completed by the end of the year and issued by the 2012 hurricane season.

Nearly 40 insurers in Connecticut agreed to waive hurricane deductibles for property owners following Irene, but State Farm was not among them.

Leonardi told his plans to the state's Insurance & Real Estate Committee on Nov. 15.

During his presentation the commissioner revealed that $161 million in Irene-related claims have been paid as of Oct. 31. More than 58,000 claims were reported—88 percent of them homeowners' claims—and nearly 84 percent have been closed.

Nearly 5,590 emergency adjuster licenses were issued as of Oct. 25, several days before a nor'easter brought heavy, wet snow that knocked out power and brought down trees.

The commissioner told the committee it was still too early to estimate insured losses from the snow storm.