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Florida Announces Arrest Of Insurance Agent For Stealing $1 Million in Funds Broward Co. Florida Agent Arrested For Stealing Client Funds Five More Apps That Make You Say “Wow!” - Really Cool Stuff By Kim Komando
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When ACV Is RCV Less Depreciation - A Case Study & Expert Analysis By Barry Zalma, Esq.
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ObamaCare 2015 - What “Lies” Ahead? OP/ED By Spencer A. Lehman, RHU
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Ralph Hudgens Nabs Cell Phone Bandit - Georgia Man Arrested Nearly 1400 Attend 34th Annual IRMI Construction Risk Conference ACORD CEO Maciag Announces Retirement Atlas General Insurance Services Recognized As A Top Workplace FBI Releaseds 2013 Statistics On Law Enforcement Officers Killed & Assualted Hilarious Video Parady Shows How ObamaCare Liars Designed The PPACA California Ins. Commissioner Dave Jones Issues Emergency Regs Requiring Insurers To Have Sufficient Medical Providers In Network
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North Carolina Agent Arrested And Accused Of Embezzlement
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FLORIDA ANNOUNCES ARREST OF ORANGE COUNTY INSURANCE AGENT FOR STEALING MORE THAN $1 MILLION OF CLIENT FUNDS
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ALLAHASSEE, Fla. – July 2009 and March 2014 Chief Financial Officer Ferreri stole more than $750,000 Jeff Atwater today from one client’s life insurance announced the arrest of premium payments and an Orange County additional insurance $427,000 agent Mario from another Ferreri, 60, for client. Once he defrauding gained their clients of trust, Ferreri his financial persuaded s e r v i c e s both clients company, to write their Financial insurance Management p r e m i u m Resources, out checks payable of more than to his company $1 million in i n s t e a d life insurance of their Mario Ferreri p r e m i u m respective payments. i n s u r a n c e companies, claiming that “Families work their whole lives doing so would allow him to to build a nest egg and it is more effectively manage their unthinkable for someone to steal investments. that hard-earned money under the guise of helping them,” said In order to conceal the theft, CFO Atwater. “I won’t allow this Ferreri changed the mailing type of fraud in our state, and I address associated with both will not tolerate such unethical clients’ policies to reflect his conduct from an agent whose own address, so they would not primary task is to properly receive mail from their carriers manage clients’ finances.” indicating that payments were not being received. In both An investigation conducted by cases, Ferreri succeeded until the Department of Financial they contacted their carriers Services’ Division of Insurance to inquire about their policies, Fraud discovered that between which were lapsed due to
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a lack of payment. Banking records obtained as part of the investigation show that Ferreri was depositing the checks into his own account for personal use. Ferreri’s bond was set at $1 million. He faces up to 60 years in prison if convicted. The case will be prosecuted by the Orange County State Attorney’s Office. The Department’s Division of Agent & Agency Services permanently revoked his professional license.
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FLORIDA ANNOUNCES ARREST OF INSURANCE REPRESENTATIVE FOR STEALING CLIENT FUNDS
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ALLAHASSEE, Fla. - Chief writing company checks to Financial Officer Jeff herself, also for personal use. Atwater today announced the arrest of Cynthia Robbins, The agency’s clients did not 62, of Hollywood, on become aware grand theft charges of the theft until after an investigation they needed revealed that she to contact the allegedly stole agency regarding clients’ insurance their account and premium payments became aware while working for an that their accounts insurance agency in had become Broward County. delinquent. Once alerted to the The investigation, issue, all policies conducted in were made whole Florida CFO partnership by by the agency Jeff Atwater the Department owner. of Financial Services’ Divisions of Insurance Fraud and Agent Robbins was taken into custody & Agency Services, addressed and booked into the Broward allegations of fraudulent and deceptive business practices by Robbins, a licensed Customer Representative. The investigation discovered that Robbins would meet with clients, collect their cash premium money and, rather than apply it to the clients’ accounts, she pocketed the money for personal use. Additionally, her job granted her access to the agency’s fiduciary funds, from which she would steal money by www.underwritersinsider.com
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County Jail. She faces up to five years in prison if convicted. The case will be prosecuted by the Broward State Attorney’s Office. Her professional insurance license has been revoked.
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JAN 2015 A Publication of AdMax Corp Corporate Offices P.O. Box 31551 Palm Beach Gardens, Florida 33420 Ron Manera, Senior Editor 561.718.0745 • ron@insurmedia.com © Entire Contents 2015 AdMax Corp
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5 MORE APPS THAT MAKE YOU SAY ‘WOW!’
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Really Cool Info - by Kim Komando
here are approximately 1.3 million apps available for our smartphones and tablets. Many are simply a bad idea. Most are average in use or scope. Fortunately, some very innovative developers have changed the way we used to do things for the better. Here are five mind-boggling apps that I know you’re going to want.
might get damaged or destroyed. Plus, if they’re sitting in a box or on the shelf, no one else can enjoy them.
literally. It’s called Heirloom (Free; iOS, Android). You simply take a picture of a photo and it does the cropping and color correcting automatically. You can even leave photos in their albums, so you don’t risk damaging or losing them.
Once the photo is ready, you can upload it to Facebook, Twitter or another site, or upload it to Heirloom’s own social network. That’s why so many people spend You can upload as many photos hours scanning photos into a as you want. So, what are you computer to preserve and share waiting for? them. Unfortunately, scanning is a slow process.
You have to take the photo out 1. Preserve old photos of the photobook, put it on a You probably have photo albums scanner and wait for a while. Once and shoeboxes full of old print you’ve scanned it, there’s still a lot photos. If you take care of them of work you have to do. You need to crop it, straighten it, color they should last for correct and clean up any decades, but scanning artifacts. during a move, house fire Now, there’s an or natural app that makes disaster preser ving t h e y p r i n t photos a snap,
2. Get better customer service
How many hours of your life have you spent on hold waiting for customer service? It’s probably more than a few. You could be doing much better things with your time. That’s what makes the FastCustomer app (Free; iOS, Android) such a must-have. Once you call customer service, it waits on hold for you. When the customer service agent picks up, FastCustomer rings you so you can talk to them. How neat is that?
3. Record your sleep
Plenty of people talk in their sleep, but unless there’s someone else listening, you never know what you said. Fire up Sleep
See Kim Komando Pg 39 www.underwritersinsider.com
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WHEN ACV IS RCV LESS DEPRECIATION Expert Analysis & Commentary by Barry Zalma, Esq. Its A Dam Case
FACTUAL BACKGROUND
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he definition of the insurance term Sierra Pacific operates power “actual cash value” generation stations in Nevada (ACV) has resulted in multiple and California. Defendants definitions depending on insure Sierra Pacific’s facilities, jurisdiction. Some define it including the Farad Dam on as fair market value, some the Truckee River in California define it as replacement cost (the “Dam”). The Dam was value (RCV) less physical completely destroyed by a depreciation and others flood in 1997, at which point apply the broad evidence Sierra Pacific filed a claim for Barry Zalma, Esq., CFE is a California attorney rule combining the various specializing in insurance coverage, insurance damages with Defendants. definitions to reach the claims handling and fraud who serves as a consultant and expert for insurers and promised full indemnity. Following a three-day bench policyholders. He founded Zalma Insurance Since a first-party-property trial the Court awarded Consultants in 2001 and serves as its senior policy agrees to pay ACV first consultant. He recently published an e-book, declaratory relief and entered and then, after the property “Getting The Whole Truth,” which is available judgment in favor of Sierra at his Web site, www.zalma.com. Go to Zalma is replaced the difference Pacific in accordance with the Books at http://www.zalma.com/zalmabooks. between RCV and ACV, it is Court’s Findings of Fact and htm. in the best financial interest Conclusions of Law. The Court of the insured to obtain determined that the actual the highest possible ACV, upon to resolve a dispute over the cash value (“ACV”), with proper especially if the insured does not value of a dam and the amount deduction for depreciation, of want to rebuild. required to be paid to the owner the Dam was $1,261,000. The of the dam by its insurers after the Court further determined that the In Sierra Pacific Power Co. v. dam was destroyed by a flood. replacement cost of the Dam was Hartford Steam Boiler Inspection The owner claimed the ACV was $19,800,000. and Ins. Co., Slip Copy, 2014 WL RCV because the value of the 6883056 (D.Nev., 12/05/14) the dam, when rebuilt, would be the The parties appealed and the United States District Court for same as it was before the loss. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals the District of Nevada was called The insurers claimed ACV must be issued a Memorandum vacating determined by RCV less physical the Court’s finding that the ACV depreciation. The case was tried, of the Dam was $1,261,200, and Join Barry Zalma’s new Blog: appealed to the 9th Circuit, remanding for a determination http://www.zalma.com/blog reversed, and retried. of the ACV based on reducing the
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replacement cost of $19,800,000 by the “appropriate” depreciation, and to fashion an appropriate order tolling the three-year period for replacing the Dam until the conclusion of the litigation in this matter.
basis for making any valuation determinations, and (5) incorrectly interpreted the order of the Ninth Circuit as mandating that the replacement cost of the Dam be reduced by a depreciation factor greater than zero.
The Ninth Circuit rejected the proposed ACV of $1,261,200 because it was not related to the figure found as the replacement cost ($19,800,000).
F.3d 1166, 1171 n. 2 (9th Cir.2012) because the term was clearly defined in the policy. The Ninth Circuit also noted that “where the property to be replaced has no sales market, such as the Farad Dam, California Courts have sanctioned the use of replacement cost less depreciation as an acceptable method for determining ACV.” Sierra Pac. Power Co. v. Hartford Steam Boiler Inspection & Ins. Co., 490 Fed. Appx. 871, 875 (9th Cir.2012).
As an initial matter, the Court acknowledges that it inadvertently stated that the Dam was 100 years old at the time of the flood; it is undisputed that the Dam was thirty-four years On retrial the trial court then old. By itself, however, the Court’s held that based on the evidence inadvertent use of that date does presented at trial, it was not require amendment of the appropriate to apply a 50% rate of rate of depreciation, which was The Hartford and Zurich polices depreciation for the in-river Dam based on evidence presented at also include the standard and a 5% rate of depreciation for trial. California language on appraisal the wing wall, and that subtracting for disagreements that arise this depreciation from the full Despite multiple opportunities— as to amount of loss. There is replacement cost yielded an ACV at trial and after the Ninth Circuit’s no evidence that Sierra Pacific of $12,216,600. July 27, 2012 Memorandum— ever demanded an appraisal to to present evidence regarding determine ACV of the Dam when the proper depreciation rate to it was destroyed. Additionally, DISCUSSION apply to the Dam, Sierra Pacific although no document indicates Depreciation: Sierra Pacific argues has maintained that the Court that Sierra Pacific agreed to the that the Court’s calculation of should determine that the ACV 50% depreciation rate, Defendants depreciation and ACV is incorrect is equivalent to replacement cost testified at trial that Risley, a Sierra because the Court (1) based its because the value of a newly Pacific employee at the time, determination of the appropriate constructed Dam would be agreed to the 50% depreciation depreciation factor on a mistake equivalent to the destroyed Dam. rate. Such an agreement would void Sierra Pacific’s argument as to the age of the Dam, (2) failed The Hartford and Zurich policies that it was not bound by the 50% to apply the legally-mandated methodology for determining each state that valuation is depreciation rate. depreciation in the casualty “actual cash value (with proper insurance context, (3) relied on deduction for depreciation) of the The Ninth Circuit has rejected invalid, factually unsupported property destroyed.” The Ninth Sierra Pacific’s argument that assumptions regarding the Circuit has held that “[s]ince the it is entitled to replacement relationship between the age of Policy uses these precise words, cost without a reduction for Additionally, the Dam and its value, (4) relied the ACV should be determined depreciation. as replacement cost less Sierra Pacific failed to produce on evidence for establishing the 50% depreciation factor that depreciation of the dam.” Sierra any evidence—either at trial the Ninth Circuit rejected as a Pac. Power Co. v. Hartford Steam See ZALMA Page 24 Boiler Inspection & Ins. Co., 665 www.underwritersinsider.com
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OBAMACARE 2015, WHAT “LIES” AHEAD? LIES AND DAMN LIES HAVE CREATED NEW MIDDLE-CLASS OF UNINSUREDS OP/ED BY SPENCER A. LEHMANN, RHU By Spencer A. Lehmann, RHU
cause Insurance Companies to have to cancel large numbers of policies that will not be in compliance as we have already seen in a number of states, one truly damaging reality that is a direct cause of the UnACA is that the deductibles are so much higher for the MiddleClass Americans that only the poor, who are covered under Medicaid (Welfare) and the more affluent Americans who can afford the financial hit of high deductibles, will be able to afford to access needed Medical Care.
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resident Barack Obama and the Congressional Democrats promised “Hope and Change” in 2009, with Obamacare, the UnACA, as their centerpiece. Instead of Hope and Change they have delivered Pessimism and Cynicism and the Change they hyped as being positive Change is just the opposite, very negative. The PPACA, aka the ACA, is in fact the UnACA, the UnAffordable Care Act. Barack Obama: “The average premium cost will be $2,500 less per year!” Lie. “You can keep your policy, period!” Lie. “You can keep your doctor, period!” Lie. While there are a number of serious very negative results of Obama’sCare that will affect Millions of Americans in this year of 2015, including higher penalties for not carrying the UnACA, while even more once insured Americans will lose their policies thanks to the UnACA Rules that will
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Spencer A. Lehmann is a Registered Health Underwriter (RHU), whose company, Lehmann/Wood & Associates, Inc., specializes in Group and Individual Long Term Care insurance and Medicare Supplemental Coverage. Mr. Lehmann retired from his company in 2005 and now spends his time writing on Health Care Insurance and Political Issues, both of which have encompassed over 40+ years of his life. He has been an actively involved member of the National Association of Health Underwriters (NAHU) since 1978, and serves on the Board of Directors of several Charitable Organizations’ helping Special Needs Children, and Inner-City Children to experience and participate in the world of the Arts and Music. In his free time he plays golf with his wife, Fran, who usually wins.
The result will be a far less healthy, far less thriving Middle-Class of Americans, thanks to the inept planning and manipulative actions of a Democratic Party President and Democratic House and Senate who have been hell bent on their own personal Fame and Legacies than they were on doing what was in the best interests of their constituencies, the America Public. Middle Class America is not using Obamacare because the deductibles are far too expensive: “The growing problem could
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have serious consequences for the middle-class. Twice as many people (22 percent) have delayed treatment for serious illnesses than for smaller problems (11 percent). Part of the problem is an ongoing shift towards higher deductibles and out-of-pocket costs, while health insurance premiums continue to rise all the same. The trend, which existed to some extent before Obamacare, increased in intensity with the onset of the health-care law. (RELATED: 4 Of 5 Companies May Hike Deductibles Due To Obamacare) Some health policy experts argue that the trend helps cut down on wasteful health care spending. But those who already had health coverage, in many cases, are seeing their deductibles go up along with their premiums, making it more difficult than ever to afford medical care itself, on top of now-mandatory medical insurance. Gallup’s results corroborate what
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many Obamacare supporters have confirmed about the healthcare law: while it’s named the Affordable Care Act, its purpose was to increase the number of Americans with health insurance, not to make it more affordable for everyone. New York Sen. Chuck Schumer, the third-ranking Democrat in the Senate, admitted this week that congressional Democrats should not have passed Obamacare in 2010 because it didn’t benefit most of the middle class.” HERE.
became law and will help over 30 million Americans, including almost 3 million uninsured New Yorkers to gain access to affordable health insurance.” HERE .
Now Sen. Schumer says it was the wrong thing to do, a mistake. Lies and damn lies. See ObamaCare- Page 30
Let us not forget that while Sen. Chuck Schumer is now distancing himself from ObamaCare, when ObamaCare first was rammed through Congress and down the throats of an UnWilling America, Sen. Schumer was a strong supporter: This passage is included in a more lengthy explanation of his support on his own website which has since been taken down: “The Affordable Care Act: I am proud to support the historic Affordable Care Act – the 2010 health care reform bill that recently
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GEORGIA INSURANCE COMISH HUDGENS ARRESTS CELL PHONE BANDIT
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tlanta – Insurance Commissioner Ralph Hudgens announced today that a Newton County man has been arrested on 14 felony warrants in connection with a fraudulent mobile phone acquisition scheme. Andrew Anthony Hoilett, 35, of 570 Clearbrook Drive in Covington was arrested and chargedwith three counts of insurance fraud, three counts of identity fraud, three counts of forgery, three counts of financial transaction card fraud and two counts of theft by receiving. An investigation by Hudgens’ Fraud Unit revealed that on multiple occasions, Hoilett accessed the Asurion Insurance Company’s website using other mobile users’ account information and filed fraudulent insurance claims for lost or damaged mobile phones. Hoilett would later track the shipment of the device to his victim’s home and either intercept the
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package from the delivery drivers or remove it directly from the doorsteps.
Conference is the only national symposium devoted exclusively to managing, insuring, and bonding the risks of construction “My office will continue to projects. The Conference aggressively pursue any form of featured 3 general sessions and insurance fraud,” Hudgens said. 35 workshops presented by more “Besides being a crime, fraudulent than 71 nationally recognized insurance claims cause premiums insurance, risk management, to go up for the rest of us. safety, and surety experts. There are potentially 162 Contractors large and small sent additional victims of this crime their risk, insurance, and safety across the state.” managers. In addition, virtually all the major providers of insurance or Hoilett is currently in the Newton surety services were represented, County Jail awaiting arraignment. and a substantial number of risk The Newton County Sheriff’s managers representing project Department assisted with the owners (i.e., companies with large arrest. Additional felony charges construction projects planned or are expected. under way) attended. Insurance fraud is a felony in Georgia with a penalty of two to 10 years in prison and/or a fine of up to $10,000.
“Attendance at the Conference is finally back to pre-recession levels, which demonstrates the continued recovery of the economy in general and the construction industry in NEARLY 1,400 particular,” said IRMI President & ATTEND 34th IRMI CEO and Conference Cochairman CONSTRUCTION Jack Gibson. “The commitment to passion for risk management RISK CONFERENCE and and safety shown by the attendees is always inspiring, but ashville, TN, November this year it seemed even more 13, 2014—Almost 1,400 pronounced. There is no doubt risk managers, insurance in my mind that the people who agents, brokers, attorneys, and attend prevent thousands of underwriters who specialize in construction accidents and save managing or insuring the risks many workers’ lives every year.” associated with construction projects convened here The 35th IRMI Construction November 9–13 for the 34th IRMI Risk Conference will be held Construction Risk Conference. November 8–12, 2015, in Las Vegas, NV. The IRMI Construction Risk
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ACORD CEO MACIAG ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT
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EARL RIVER, N.Y. and ACORD were expanded from LONDON (December 3, property and casualty to life, 2014) -- Gregory Maciag, annuity and related health as well president and CEO of ACORD, as surety and reinsurance. "The announced his plan to requirement for retire in one year on data standards January 15, 2016. The became obvious ACORD Board of Directors to everyone as accepted the plan they wrestled and approved Maciag with moving serving as an advisor data between for one additional year trading partners through January 15, using proprietary 2017, which will mark his systems," Maciag 40th anniversary with the said. Gregory Maciag, international standards President CEO of ACORD organization. John Leonard, president of Maciag was hired in 1977 to The MEMIC Group and ACORD launch the ACORD Form library, chairman, said, "I speak not only which became the beacon for for the board of directors, but industry standardization and set for all ACORD members, when I the groundwork for a dynamic acknowledge Greg's successful expansion in the following decades. journey with us over the past four decades. Greg provided us with the Maciag succeeded Robert E. vision, leadership and stewardship Merriman as CEO in 1994 after that cultivated partnerships and serving in a variety of senior level placed ACORD on the international positions with ACORD and the stage. We are now one of the merged IIR/ACORD/IVANS during largest and most successful the tumultuous 1980s. "It was industry standards development a difficult time," Maciag recalls. organizations in the world." "Industry leaders had very different opinions about the future of Under Maciag's leadership, ACORD ACORD. I was given the opportunity opened a London office in 2000. to develop a vision and modify the This occurred immediately after the mission to reflect the technology merger with WISe (a consolidation revolution that was under way at of LIMNET in London, RINET in the time and still continues today." Brussels and the World Insurance Network). ACORD became the Lines of business serviced by global industry standard for Lloyd's www.underwritersinsider.com
and the London Market. The previous merger he influenced was with the Insurance Institute for Research in the 1980s. "Maciag has been part of the insurance industry metamorphosis for almost five decades and he rattles industry alphabet-soup acronyms like no one else," Leonard said. "Greg met every major metric over the years without fail -- including expansion, growth, membership, forms, XML standards and all the financials," Leonard added. "It was impressive. Greg spoke about the value of enterprise architecture for years and assembled a crack team that got it done. Now ACORD has a solid reference architecture for ACORD standards and the insurance industry." Maciag published hundreds of columns for trade publications and authored two books, The Business Information Revolution (2005) and The Real-Time World (2009). He continues to write a weekly weblog at www.acordceo.org. Leonard said: "You never replace a guy like Greg Maciag; you move on and plan to take ACORD to the next level. The new CEO certainly has big shoes to fill." The ACORD board will organize a five-member selection committee with three outside industry executives to identify and recommend Maciag's successor during the coming year, Leonard noted. The board plans to announce the next CEO at the new ACORD2015 event in November in Boca Raton, Fla. 15
ATLAS GENERAL INSURANCE SERVICES IS RECOGNIZED AS A TOP WORKPLACE BY THE U-T SAN DIEGO TOP WORKPLACE AWARDS
officers were killed in line-ofduty incidents in 2013. Of these, 27 law enforcement officers died as a result of felonious acts, and 49 officers died in accidents. In addition, 49,851 officers were victims of line-of-duty assaults. Comprehensive data tables about these incidents and brief an Diego, CA, November Diego. For more information narratives describing the fatal 11, 2014 - Atlas General about the Top Workplaces lists attacks and selected assaults Insurance Services, LLC, and Workplace Dynamics, please resulting in injury are included has been selected as a winner visit www.topworkplaces.com in the 2013 edition of Law in the 2014 U-T San Diego Top and www.workplacedynamics. Enforcement Officers Killed and Workplace Awards in the small com. Assaulted, released today. business category. This is the second year that Atlas General About Atlas General Insurance The 27 felonious deaths occurred has been nominated and the Services - Atlas General Insurance in 16 states. The number of second year that they have been Services is a full service general officers killed as a result of recognized as a winner. insurance agency that offers a criminal acts in 2013 decreased wide range of insurance solutions. by 22 when compared with the Top Workplaces is a regional Atlas has expertise in developing 49 officers who were feloniously evaluation of companies by and underwriting programs with killed in 2012. The five- and their employees. The winners are a variety of insurance carrier 10-year comparisons show a chosen from 30 districts across partners. Atlas has the primary decrease of 21 felonious deaths the nation based on the results of goal to provide exceptional compared with the 2009 figure an anonymous employee survey. service and unique options for its (48 officers) and a decrease of 30 Once all of the nominations clients. deaths compared with 2004 data and surveys are submitted, 150 (57 officers). companies with the highest scores are named Top Workplaces. In 2013, of the 49,851 officers assaulted while performing The Workplace Excellence their duties, 29.2 percent were Awards are judged by a human injured. The largest percentage resources expert judging panel. of victim officers (31.2 percent) The awards are an evaluation of were assaulted while responding regional company HR practices to disturbance calls. Assailants that contributed to the proper used personal weapons (hands, execution or implementation fists, feet, etc.) in 79.8 percent of a strategic business strategy of the incidents, firearms in 4.5 resulting in a positive bottom line percent of incidents, and knives impact. or other cutting instruments in 1.8 percent of the incidents. U-T San Diego will publish the ccording to statistics Other types of dangerous complete list of Top Workplaces collected by the FBI, weapons were used in 13.9 in the Nov. 9 issue of U-T San 76 law enforcement percent of assaults.
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FBI RELEASES 2013 STATISTICS ON LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS KILLED AND ASSAULTED
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HILARIOUS PARODY SHOWS HOW OBAMACARE LIARS DESIGNED THE PPACA
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CALIFORNIA COMMISSIONER JONES ISSUES EMERGENCY REGULATION REQUIRING HEALTH INSURERS TO HAVE SUFFICIENT MEDICAL PROVIDERS TO PROVIDE PATIENTS TIMELY ACCESS TO CARE
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ACRAMENTO, Calif. - At his inauguration ceremony today and immediately after he was sworn-in for a second term, California's Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones issued an emergency regulation to establish stronger requirements for health insurers to create and maintain sufficient medical provider networks to provide timely access to medical care.
businesses deserve better than what they have gotten from most health insurers and HMOs. Health insurers’ medical provider directories have been inaccurate, misleading consumers into signing up with a health insurer for access to a doctor, specialist, or hospital only to learn that these medical providers are not actually a part of the health insurer’s network. Consumers have been forced to pay huge The emergency regulation out-of-network charges when issued today by Commissioner their health insurer fails to Jones today at his inauguration provide adequate medical ceremony addresses the providers in their network or problems identified with access when care is provided by out-ofCalifornia Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones to doctors, hospitals, and other network providers without even medical providers in 2014, as many health insurers reduced informing or asking the consent their medical provider networks of the patient,” said Commissioner and/or shifted to offering Jones. Exclusive Provider Organization (EPO) health insurance products “This emergency regulation is with no out-of-network benefits. necessary to make sure that health Consumers complained of having insurers establish and maintain medical provider trouble getting appointments adequate with doctors, traveling long networks to meet the health distances to receive in-network care needs of their policyholders, medical care, or seeking care to make sure medical provider from doctors who appeared in directories are accurate, and to their health insurer's provider stop the practice of surprising directory but who were not consumers with huge charges for actually in the health insurer's out-of-network providers who provide care without the patients’ medical provider network. consent or foreknowledge.” “Californians
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and
California The Underwriter’s Insider
NORTH CAROLINA INSURANCE AGENT ACCUSED OF EMBEZZLEMENT
on Dec. 22 and placed under a $10,000 bond.
OBAMACARE TAX SURPRISE LOOMING FOR MANY
busted their estimate, some or all of that tax credit may be due back to the government.
The North Carolina Department of Insurance employs 20 sworn ALEIGH -an insurance agent state law enforcement officers Insurance for Monumental Life dedicated to investigating and Commissioner Insurance Company, prosecuting claims of insurance Wayne Goodwin Guetterman received and bail bonding fraud. Since today announced $16,237 in advanced Insurance Commissioner Wayne the arrest of Aaron commissions after Goodwin took office in 2009, Collier Guetterman, creating fraudulent criminal investigators have 33, of 1304 Haltwhistle life insurance policies. made more than 1,000 arrests, resulting in more St., Wake Forest; he Investigators than 500 criminal was charged with a c c u s e Wayne Goodwin convictions with one felony count of Guetterman of more than 200 cases embezzlement by an obtaining and currently pending insurance agent and eight felony using the social security court. These efforts counts of financial identity theft. numbers of 24 people have delivered more to create the fraudulent than $61 million Department of Insurance policies without their in restitution and criminal investigators allege knowledge. recoveries for victims. that between July 2013 and Aaron Guetterman February 2014, while acting as Guetterman was arrested
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s April 15th approaches, many ObamaCare enrollees that had applied for and received subsidies towards the insurance cost may be in for an unpleasant surprise as they are forced to reconcile actual earnings with the estimated earnings they declared when applying for the coverage - as long ago as October of 2013.
and poorly explained by the administration. Many may not have known it was up to the consumer to report any changes in their circumstances - such as landing a new job or getting married.
The threshold for eligibility is based on income - $45,900 for an individual and $94,200 for a family in 2014. Data shows that people who applied through an Like so many aspects of President exchange were paid a monthly Obama’s signature legislation, subsidy average of $264 - and the tax credit adjustments were paid only $84 per month, on poorly understood by the public average, for coverage. If they www.underwritersinsider.com
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Tax preparation experts say the forms and reporting required to comply with the confusing and unpopular health car law may be a burden for those that prepare their own tax returns. The IRS may not be much help with a big budget cut for 2015. The ironically named Affordable Care Act, which resulted in across-the-board premium increases including huge copays and deductibles may be eliminated or modified by the new Republican-led congress. 19
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FORMER BRIDEZILLA ARRESTED FOR FELONY INSURANCE FRAUD False workers’ comp claims lead to more than $40,000 overpayment
claimed she injured her neck, back, and shoulder while assisting a patient as a clinical partner. While out on workers' compensation, Maxwell lied to OS ANGELES, Calif. -Anita her doctor, denying she had prior Maxwell, 55, surrendered injuries to her neck, back and herself to the Superior shoulder. The investigation also Court of California, Division 30 revealed Maxwell had multiple in Los Angeles prior injuries County yesterday dating back to on 14 felony 1990. Prior to counts associated the 2012claim, with insurance M a x w e l l fraud. A California received Department $ 2 0 , 0 0 0 of Insurance from similar investigation workers' revealed that compensation Maxwell, featured claims. Upon in season four learning of the Anita Maxwell of the reality prior injuries Former “Bridezilla” series "Bridezillas", Maxwell's allegedly submitted doctor said fraudulent documents and made he would have changed the false claims to receive more than apportionment and disability $40,000 in undeserved workers' amounts to reflect the past compensation benefits. trauma, lowering her claim to only 25 percent related to her "Taking advantage of the work injury. workers' compensation system is not only illegal, but costly to In addition to lying about her all Californians who pay for this injuries, Maxwell submitted false fraud through higher premiums," mileage forms for her supposed said Commissioner Dave Jones. travel to and from doctors and "These types of fraudulent claims physical therapy appointments. are an insult to legitimately Surveillance conducted during injured workers." the investigation showed Maxwell on more than a dozen occasions The department's investigation commuting to her appointments began in 2012 after Maxwell from a different location than
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the one she reported to her insurer. The fraudulent mileage forms submitted resulted in over $5,000 in undeserved mileage reimbursement. This case will be prosecuted by the Los Angeles District Attorney's Office.
BROWN & BROWN, INC. ANNOUNCES THE ASSET ACQUISITION OF TEXAS AGENCY
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. Scott Penny, Chief Acquisitions Officer of Brown & Brown, Inc. BRO, -1.29% and Robert L. Wright, Jr., the principal of Hall-Wright General Agency, Inc. and its related affiliate companies (collectively, “Hall-Wright”), today announced the acquisition of certain assets of Hall-Wright by Texas Security General Insurance Agency, Inc., a subsidiary of Brown & Brown, Inc. (“Texas Security”). The company specializes in personal lines and commercial lines property and casualty insurance in both Texas and Louisiana. 21
Breaking News he Texas Division of Workers’ Compensation (DWC) approved 1 new Certificate of Authority to self-insure workers’ compensation claims and renewed 9 such certificates. The companies receiving the certificates collectively employ approximately 33,150 employees in Texas.
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business use vehicles as private passenger autos. Simply misrepresenting any material fact on an application in order to lower premiums also constitutes insurance fraud in New Jersey. Every year, the State charges hundreds of people in New Jersey with insurance fraud.
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orth Carolina Insurance Commissioner Wayne Goodwin has ordered a zero percent statewide overall average change in homeowners insurance rates, effective June 1, 2015.
ew Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance Commissioner Ken Kobylowski cautioned New Jersey consumers to be on the lookout and be aware of auto insurance fraud hazards and pitfalls. Auto insurance fraud takes many forms, such as filing a false claim for damage and injuries in order to obtain compensation, to which a person is not entitled, failing to list all drivers of a vehicle, lying about a place of residence and claiming commercial or 22
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The ordered rates vary by geographic territory and type of insurance. On average, homeowners insurance rates are to decrease by 0.3 percent, renter’s insurance rates are to increase by 11.2 percent, and condo owner’s insurance rates are to increase by 8.1 percent. The decision comes after Goodwin held a hearing to examine the insurance companies’ request to raise overall average rates by 25.6 percent. During the hearing, experts from the N.C. Rate Bureau, on behalf of the insurance companies, and experts from the N.C. Department of Insurance, representing the interests of the public, presented their cases for and against the rate hikes.
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nsurance Commissioner while doing business as CRC Wayne Goodwin Contractors — provided announced the arrests of a fraudulent certificate of James Arnold Seals, 42, of liability insurance to secure a 3207 Tallywood Drive, Apt. contract to install siding and 1, Fayetteville, replace the roof at and Lisa Renee a Durham County Strickland Seals, 45, home and collected of the same address. a $3,183 deposit Department of for the job. The Insurance criminal certificate indicated investigators that Carpenter allege that on had liability Sept. 3, 2013, the insurance through couple reported N. C. Ins. Commissioner Erie Insurance Wayne Goodwin a fictitious motor Exchange and vehicle accident to their Harford Insurance; however, insurance company and investigators allege the provided altered medical policy numbers were false. bills to Peak Property and Carpenter was arrested in Casualty Insurance Company September after similar for which they were paid allegations were made by a approximately $3,000. James Johnston County resident. Seals was arrested on Nov. 30 and charged with one count ommissioner of each of insurance fraud and Insurance Jim Donelon obtaining property by false announced that rates for pretense. He was placed workers’ compensation under a $10,000 bond. Lisa insurance will decrease in Seals was arrested on Nov. 30 Louisiana effective May 1, and charged with one count 2015. Commissioner Donelon each of insurance fraud and recently approved a 2.4 obtaining property by false percent decrease in workers’ pretense. She was placed compensation loss costs under a $3,000 bond. submitted by the National Council on Compensation orth Carolina Department Insurance (NCCI). NCCI is of Insurance criminal a national organization investigators allege that on which analyzes workers’ Aug. 27, 2014, Carpenter — compensation data and files
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loss costs or rates in 35 states.
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n an effort to make the activities of the Mississippi Insurance Department more transparent, certain Property and Casualty Rate and Form Filings are now available for public review through a new search tool implemented by the department Mississippi joins other states that have or will soon be implementing the service. The SERFF Filing Access project has been under development by MID and NAIC since early 2014, with additional functionality to be released later in the year.
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erry Linenger confirmed as FAIA keynote speaker at 2015 Convention. He endured through a trying space mission aboard the Russian space station Mir, where he faced chaos, low oxygen, the worst fire ever to occur in space, and a language challenge with fellow crewmembers who spoke only Russian. While aboard Mir, life’s true priorities crystallized for him and motivated him to survive. His experience will encourage you to rise to the occasion, confront your challenges, and put your life in perspective. 23
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ZALMA
of $1,011,200, plus prejudgment interest on the replacement cost less the deductible of $1,600,000 and less Defendants’ prior payment of $1,011,200, effective respectively from the date of the loss and the date of the $1,011,200 payment.
or after the Ninth Circuit’s Memorandum—that the Court should apply a lower depreciation rate than the trial court applied in its order. Accordingly, the Court If Sierra Pacific does not rebuild denied Sierra Pacific’s Motion the Dam, it shall be entitled to to Amend on this ground and the $12,216,600 ACV less the affirms that the ACV of the Dam when it was destroyed was $12,216,600. If Sierra Pacific decides to rebuild the Dam, it shall recover prejudgment interest on the full replacement cost of $19,800,000, less the $1,600,000 deductible, and less Defendants’ $1,011,200 payment, beginning April 3, 2001. If, on the other hand, Sierra Pacific does not rebuild the Dam, it shall recover prejudgment interest on the $12,216,600 ACV, less the $1,600,000 deductible, and less Defendants’ $1,011,200 payment, beginning April 3, 2001. Interest shall accrue at ten percent per annum pursuant to California Civil Code § 3289(b). Good cause appearing, the Court concludes that the ACV of the Dam is $12,216,600. If Sierra Pacific rebuilds the Dam, it shall be entitled to the full replacement cost of $19,800,000 less the deductible of $1,600,000 and less Defendants’ prior payment 24
deductible of $1,600,000 and less Defendants’ prior payment of $1,011,200, plus prejudgment interest on the ACV, less the deductible of $1,600,000 and less Defendants’ prior payment of $1,011,200, effective respectively from the date of the loss and the date of the $1,011,200 payment. The Court also reaffirms its prior Order that the three-year period granted for rebuilding the Dam shall be tolled until the conclusion of this litigation. Due to the interest in maintaining reasonable prejudgment interest, Sierra Pacific shall decide to rebuild the Dam or recover its ACV within ninety days of the
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conclusion of this litigation.
ZALMA OPINION Because this case involves a great deal of money to replace, the dam litigation ensued over the determination of ACV. Had the parties been interested in avoiding unnecessary litigation either the insurers or the insured could have demanded appraisal and allowed a panel of appraisers (arbitrators) to determine ACV and RCV. They chose to litigate instead and forced the court to determine the amount of loss. It did so and now Sierra has three months to decide if it will rebuild the dam to recover the difference between the ACV and RCV. That they fought so hard to have ACV and RCV determined to be the same amount one could speculate that the plaintiff has no intent to rebuild.
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GENERAL MOTORS CLAIMS ITS ONSTAR PROGRAM COULD CUT CAR INSURANCE RATES FOR CUSTOMERS
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ar maker GM has announced it will use its OnStar program to track and evaluate a car owner’s driving, including rates of acceleration and braking. At the end of the evaluation period, drivers with a good score will have the opportunity to have the data sent to Progressive Insurance where they could possibly earn a discount for their careful driving.
participating in the program or not, according to Stuart Fowle, GM spokesman. “We’re only storing the data if the customer opts in and says they want to participate,” he said.
The program will be similar to Progressive’s Snapshot program that uses a proprietary monitor plugged into the car to monitor driving habit. The program has been panned by some as an Drivers will have the option of invasion of driver privacy.
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“The Final Authority on Everything!” Obama Saved The Economy?
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just don’t understand why you and the far right are so scared of Obama. He has saved the economy. Every item is twice as good as when Bush left. One more Bush term and we would all be fighting for a job with Halliburton. He said he would get the Americans out of war and has done it. The South sure hates Obama. Think maybe it is an issue that no one is going to change. All my older brothers think like you. They were all raised in the South. - R.B. Big Sky, Montana
ADVISOR
entirely by Democrats Barney Frank and Chris Dodd forcing lenders to accept sub-prime loans and bundle them through Fannie Mae. You can’t “end a war” simply by pulling out our troops prematurely. The war goes on in the vacuum created by Obama’s failed leadership and we can thank Obama for the resurgence of ISIS. The victories we won in Iraq at the cost of a trillion dollars and the blood of tens of thousands of Americans has been completely squandered by this inept, incompetent administration
- more concerned with political posturing then our national security. This is the most divisive, dishonest, secretive administration in the history of this nation. They have diminished America - and it was their plan from the beginning. The good news, if there is any: The American people have finally begun to figure it out - as proved by the recent election. Obama and his cadre of far-left radicals have given us a clear window into the failure of Progressive policies - and for that the Advisor is thankful.
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aved the economy? Slowest recovery of an economic downturn since the depression. What ever recovery we experienced was in spite of Obama - not as a result of his crony-capital “stimulus” spending. Ground zero for the downturn we experienced towards the end of the Bush term (after almost 7 years of record low unemployment) was the sub-prime mortgage meltdown - caused almost
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Wholesale Broker Wanted Hallandale, FL
Regency Insurance Brokerage Services is seeking a top quality broker with deep relationships in the industry. If interested, please respond with your resume to the email address provided below. Thank you. mmartinez@riemerinsurance.com 14-6
Pembroke Pines FL 2-20 / 4-40 Established insurance agency is looking for Insurance agents for our Pembroke Pines and Miami locations. We are seeking for self-motivated, sales driven team member to increase sales and productivity in our company. At least one year experience required. Salary and aggressive bonus structure. lortega@bestoneins.com 14-11
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2-20 Agent Wanted Port Orange, FL
Part-Time Up to $18/hr -Independent Agency looking for a licensed 2/20 insurance sales producer. Don’t bother responding unless you are the best in sales and are able to prove it. Start now at the ground level of a new independent insurance agency in Port Orange. Must be good at sales and have a great ability to close deals and round out accounts. Email resume for additional information. If you are an ambitious insurance sales producer email me now: PortOrangeInsuranceAgent220@gmail.com 14-6
Looking To Buy Agency
220 Agent Need
Intern Postion Available Miami We-Insure is seeking ener-
getic intelligent person for an intern position in Miami commission contingent upon ability to produce. we have all the appointments and tremendous support team everything you need to establish an amazing career.
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I am looking to partner with an agency located in Broward or Palm Beach County. I would like to be a second location and run business with your office. Contact: gisflorida@outlook.com 15-1
Property and Casualty Agents Wanted Looking for self motivated agents in the state of FL. Contact:info@insurebenefits.com
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32 years P & C experiencehave a CPCU designationwould like to work part time from my home in Port ST Joe FL. Company Rep. or underwriting, not sales. Contact: dvtspe@yahoo.com 15-1
please contact Vilma Peralta Or Barry 305-969-6960
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Retired Ins Exec Looking For Something To Do
Producers Wanted Central/South Florida
Producers wanted at over 60 agencies from Orlando to Miami. To inquire please visit http://weinsuregroup.com/meet-anagent/ find an agent in your area. Please inquire about producer opportunities with an agency owner in your area. Additional questions please contact Territory Manager, Damon Fico, at damon.fico@weinsuregroup.com 15-1 The Underwriter’s Insider
Independent Agency Owners Wanted Florida/Georgia
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Join one of the fastest growing independent agencies in the country. Our owners earn the highest commissions and don’t waste time on non-money making service work. Save 5 years or more starting or transition your existing agency to a model that carriers give preference to. Visit http://weinsuregroup. com/ or contact a Territory Manager at damon.fico@weinsuregroup.com or megan.null@ weinsuregroup.com 15-1
Position Needed Workers Compensation Orlando - Fl E. Coast Experienced Workers Compensation underwriter/marketing representative. Years of experience in the Florida market. Also experienced in the PEO industry and all casualty lines including Trucking. Please contact Tom @ toogreatt@yahoo.com 14-6
Marketing Rep Wanted
Orlando or Jacksonville The Marketing Sales Representative is accountable for the daily management and business relationship between the Company and a specific group of independent agents. Responsibilities range from establishing and managing agent’s sales against the Company’s strategic business goals; developing and monitoring sales; to training all levels within the agency regarding specific rating and service functions. Contact: marketing@windhaveninsurance.com 14-6 www.underwritersinsider.com
Insurance Agent Tampa St Pete Area Are you interested in a long term career that builds your income from year to year; is a great place for a selfmotivated person to succeed; allows you to be the expert others look to for answers; provides you a training period working side-by-side with an experienced agent; gives assistance to people, who will really appreciate it. Uses a business model that is cutting edge and when you follow, duplicate and master, you will be successful and we will show you how! jeanette@floridabestquote.com 14-6
Experienced 440 or 220 Licensed Agent Wanted Busy Hollywood agency seeks 440 or 220 Licensed Agent with min 2yrs experience in non-standard auto & homeowners. Must be professional and have proven ability as producer. Please email resume to joanne@accreditedins.com. 15-1
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Insurance Agent up to $60K 4-40 / 2-20 (Near Boca Raton)
QQSolutions, field Beach
Inc.,
Deer-
agency management software Train new customers in use of QQSolutions products & services. 220 / 440 at least 3 years of customer service experience working in a P&C insurance agency. Experience in using agency management systems, such as QQSolutions, QQEvolution/ QuickFile, QQCatalyst, TAM/DORIS, AMS 360, Hawksoft, etc.Excellent verbal & written communications skills Great presenter and trainer. Contact: dsteinberg@qqsolutions.com 14-6
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Position Wanted Worker’s Comp Underwriter Orlando/East Coast of FLA Experienced Workers Compensation underwriter/marketing representative. Years of experience in the Florida market. Also experienced in the PEO industry and all casualty lines including Trucking. Please contact Tom @ toogreatt@yahoo.com 14-5 29
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Cont’d... Experienced CSR and/or AgentsFt. Lauderdale area -220 or 440 minimum of 1 year exp.in Auto/Home/Commercial -Must have a GREAT “Can Do” attitude -Must be able to multi-task and be a willing and able Team Player -Must have the ability to treat our clients with the respect they deserve and give them the best service they have ever received Please, only happy serious people apply Marlinsii@aol.com or fax 954-587-7778 14-7
Commercial P&C Underwriter Orlando, FL Area Surplus Lines Experience Preferred. Orlando, FL Fashion Square area. Please e-mail your resume to: Resume@ChelseaSurplus.com No phone calls please.
14-7
Agents • CSRs Producers Pembroke Pines & Kendall, FL Area
Established and financially stable insurance agency is looking for Agents, CSR, and Producers for our Pembroke Pines (33029) and Kendall locations(33173). We offer: Base salary plus bonus and incentives Professional & pleasant work environment Great support and opportunities to grow with our company Send your resume to info@bestoneins.com 14-7 30
OBAMACARE
Experienced Life Agency Personnel Wanted
This, from a physician, who works hands on with the very Americans who were supposed to be helped and are instead being harmed Seeking marketing and customer service personnel with by this politically motivated law, life insurance experience to causing so much damage to work at office in Oviedo. We Middle-class America: are a wholesale Brokerage General Agency serving independent agents and financial advisors across the nation. Contact: info@lifeagents.com 14-7
Experienced CSR/Agent Boca Raton-Deerfield Established agency seeks experience CSR/Agent for non-standard agency. Good opportunity to grow with us.Excellent working conditions. Contact: insure4u954@aol.com
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Personal Lines H.O. Underwriters Needed Palm Beach,FL South FL (Palm Beach County)Dynamic growing homeowners ins company looking to grow their underwriting department. Must have a strong knowledge of FL HO market. Prefers insurance company underwriting experience. Minimum 3 years insurance experience in personal lines. Will evaluate risk and determine pricing and coverage. www.linkedin.com/ in/brendonporges/ 14-8
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“Physician Praveen Arla is witnessing a reversal of health care fortunes: Poor, longuninsured patients are getting Medicaid through Obamacare and finally coming to his office for care. But middle-class workers are increasingly staying away. “It’s flip-flopped,” says Arla, who helps his father run a family practice in Hillview, Ky. Patients with job-based plans, he says, will say: “ ‘My deductible is so high. I’m trying to come to the doctor as little as possible. … What is the
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minimum I can get done?’ They’re with higher premiums along with really worried about cost.” HERE steep increases for deductibles in the healthcare exchanges — costs And this, another cold hard look at that far exceed their household the reality that is the UnACA: budgets. “High Obamacare Costs Creating New Middle Class of Uninsured
So, Obamacare is likely to create a new middle class of uninsured people — mostly young and A new subset of uninsured people healthy — who, by opting out, will is finding it doesn’t fit into any of upend the enrollment balance the the affordable healthcare plans Affordable Care Act needs to be offered through the Affordable successful, healthcare experts say.” Care Act. HERE .
FTC APPROVES FINAL ORDER ON CHARGES AGAINST SNAPCHAT
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ollowing a public comment period, the Federal Trade Commission has approved a final order settling charges that Many middle-class Americans There are many other truly Snapchat deceived consumers are falling through the cracks egregious manifestations of with promises about the after being dumped into the the harm that Obama’sCare is disappearing nature of messages Obamacare marketplace. They unleashing on America in 2015, sent through the service. can’t get a subsidy because they such as: According to the FTC’s complaint, earn too much, and they can’t find an insurance plan they can “Obamacare Fines to Rise for which was first announced in May, 2014, Snapchat also deceived reasonably afford, forcing some Uninsured”. HERE consumers over the amount of to make a tough decision: to go personal data it collected and without health insurance. the security measures taken to protect that data from misuse Most harmed are those who could and unauthorized disclosure. previously afford to buy their own private plans, but are now being hit The settlement with Snapchat is part of the FTC’s ongoing effort to ensure that companies market their apps truthfully and keep their privacy promises to consumers. It prohibits Snapchat from misrepresenting the extent to which it maintains the privacy, security, or confidentiality of users’ information. In addition, the company will be required to implement a comprehensive privacy program that will be monitored by an independent privacy professional for the next 20 years.
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SAY WHAT? Notable Quotes You May Have Missed!
Liberal Claptrap Vs Reality
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Michael Brown’s death was a tragedy. This incident has sparked a national conversation about the need to ensure confidence between law enforcement and the communities they protect and serve. While constructive efforts are underway in Ferguson and communities nationwide, far more must be done to create enduring trust. The Department will continue to work with law enforcement, civil rights, faith and community leaders across the country to foster effective relationships between law enforcement and the communities they serve and to improve fairness in the criminal justice system overall. In addition, the Department continues to investigate allegations of unconstitutional policing patterns or practices by the Ferguson Police Department.
armed robbery, first assaulted the police officer while attempting to grab his weapon and finally charged the much-smaller Wilson while failing to comply with several shouted “stop!” commands from the officer. Holder’s words, entirely political and with little connection to real events, encouraged and incited the mob atmosphere which eventually resulted in millions of dollars in property damage in and around Ferguson, Missouri and the assassination of two NYPD police officers. There was not even a mention in Holder’s words suggesting any responsibility from either Michael Brown or the African-American community for the altercation.
Eric Holder: “Oops...”
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I condemn this afternoon’s senseless shooting of two New York City police officers in the strongest possible terms. This was an unspeakable act of barbarism, and I was deeply saddened to hear of the loss of these two brave officers in the line of duty. On behalf of all those who serve in the United States Department of Justice, I want to express my heartfelt condolences to the officers’ loved ones and colleagues. I will make available all of the resources of the Department to aid the NYPD in investigating this tragedy.“
U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder promoting the myth that Michael Brown’s death was some sort of “tragedy” resulting from a deficit of law enforcement or community relations U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder, tap dancing, and a lack of “fairness” in the justice system. back tracking, possibly realizing that words Apparently a “fair” justice system, in Holder’s have consequences. It was the words of Holder opinion, would have indicted Office Wilson in (see above), President Obama and other sospite of the overwhelming evidence showing called African-American “leaders” that had 275lb. thug Michael Brown, fresh off a strong32
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encouraged the mob mentality that finally resulted in the assassination of two fine NYPD police officers in December. Ironically, the words lauding law enforcement finally uttered above by Holder would have been even more appropriate after the grand jury saw no reason to indict Officer Wilson - and may have prevented millions of dollars in property damage and the death of the two police officers, Rafael Ramos and Wenjian Liu.
Scrooge Can’t Fly
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now compared to when Obama took office six years ago. President Obama’s answer simply flies in the face of current events and social unrest including the incidents of the police shooting of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Mo., the accidental death of Eric Garner at the hands of police in New York City and the assassination of two police officers in New York city at the hands of a black man. While there was no racial component to either the Brown or the Garner deaths, the events were nevertheless used by those with a racial agenda, including Al Sharpton, Eric Holder, Mayor Bill de Blasio and President Obama himself to agitate and incite riots and protests across the nation. Most Americans believe Obama to be the most divisive president ever and the current state of race relations to be the worst since the 1960’s.
Don’t say, ‘Merry Christmas! You shouldn’t say that because not everyone celebrates Christmas!” A raging passenger boarding an American Airlines flight out of LaGuardia after being greeted with a “Merry Christmas” by a cheery gate agent. When he was AirAsia Crash Data Arriving Slowly similarly greeted upon boarding the aircraft by a flight attendant, he went into a rage So far, the numbers taken by the radar and could not be calmed down. The grumpy are unbelievably high. This rate of climb is passenger, who appeared to be of mid-eastern very high, too high. It appears to be beyond descent, was eventually escorted off the plane the performance envelope of the aircraft.” while other fliers cheered and applauded. A source familiar with the investigation of the December 2014 AirAsia disappearance Unbelievable revealing data that appeared on the radar Presidential Disconnect screens of Jakarta air traffic controllers just before the aircraft vanished from radar. No, I actually think that it’s, probably, in Such a radical climb could be explained by its day-to-day interactions, less racially pilots reacting to incorrect instrument data divided.” or a panicked attempt to reach an altitude above the severe tropical weather being President Barack Obama, once billed as the encountered by the A320. The rapid climb “post-racial president,” during an interview on could have decreased the airspeed to the “Morning Edition” in which host Steve Inskeep point of aerodynamic staff - resulting in the asked if the country is more racially divided destruction of the aircraft.
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DEVELOPMENTS IN THE SEARCH FOR EXTRATERRESTIAL INTELLIGENCE
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ARE WE ALONE?
ow that astronomers have indentified thousands of exoplanets, many of which could theroretically support life, we should be able to finally answer that question. New algorithms may help. Watch the Vid!
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Underwriting Consultant & Marketing Assistant Needed - Central Florida
Creekmore Insurance Group is a life insurance brokerage general agency serving a network of independent agents and financial advisers across the nation. Our mission is to recruit independent agents and advisers to write their life, long term care, and individual disability insurance with the insurers we represent. We have an immediate opening for a full-time underwriting consultant and marketing assistant.
Duties will include: www.underwritersinsider.com
• fielding inquiries from our existing network of agents • running quotes and creating proposals and sales presentations • calling on existing agents to offer support and generate additional business • This position does not involve cold calling. This is a full-time position at our office in Oviedo. For the right candidate, we provide significant career and income growth opportunities, including full time telecommuting and operat-
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ing an independent franchise agency on our network.
Experience Experience in financial services is required, including at least one year of life insurance sales, underwriting, or administration experience. CONTACT: John A. Creekmore, CLU, CFP, ChFC, CEBS Creekmore Insurance Group, Inc. (800) 359-5102 x 340 john@lifeagents.com 365 Aulin Avenue Oviedo, FL 32765 37
Experts and Consultants for Insurance Disputes 4441 Sepulveda Boulevard Culver City, California 90230 310-390-4455 zalma@zalma.com http://www.zalma.com
Consultation from Zalma Insurance Consultants (ZIC) can save you or your client thousands of dollars in the defense or prosecution of an insurance dispute. ZIC provides expert advice and counsel insurers and plaintiffs’ counsel find indispensable. Consultation from ZIC can save you, your counsel or client hundreds of hours of investigative and legal work. ZALMA INSURANCE CONSULTANTS is a service of Barry Zalma, Inc. a California professional corporation. Barry Zalma is an internationally recognized expert on insurance coverage, insurance claims handling, insurance bad faith, insurance fraud detection, the defeat of false and fraudulent claims, Barry Zalma, Esq. insurance claims handling, and the resolution of insurance disputes. As a consultant, expert witness, lawyer, author, mediator or arbitrator he serves all parties who need consultation or expert testimony on matters relating to insurance coverage, insurance claims handling, insurance fraud and the tort of bad faith. Barry Zalma founded Zalma Insurance Consultants to help resolve any insurance claim problem faced by you or your clients that do not need Mr. Zalma’s services as a lawyer. His experience and skill as a consultant and expert witness can make the difference before a jury or other trier of fact. For more than 44 years as a claims person and insurance coverage attorney, Barry Zalma has represented insurers, advised insurers on claims handling, interpreted coverages and testified as an insurance coverage, insurance bad faith, insurance claims handling and insurance fraud expert on behalf of insurers and policyholders in state and federal courts.
Expert Testimony
Zalma Insurance Consultants serves insurers, policyholders, underwriters, brokers, agents, adjusters, public insurance adjusters, lawyers and any person involved in an insurance dispute. Because he is an attorney licensed to practice law in the state of California M r. Zalma may be prohibited by California case law from acting as a consultant or expert witness and, therefore, refuses to serve in any situation where a past client of his law firm, Barry Zalma, Inc. is adverse to anyone seeking his services.
Y ou can obtain M r. Zalma’s C.V . at http://www.zalma.com and his e-book publications http://www.zalma.com/zalmabooks.htm and blogs daily at Zalma on Insurance, http://zalma.com/blog.
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KIM KOMANDO
5. Measure distance without a ruler
Have you ever needed to take a measurement, but didn’t have a ruler or tape measure handy? Perhaps the object was too big or too far away to measure by hand? With this clever app, you can The next day, you can listen measure nearly anything from to everything. It’s also good small items inside your home to for detecting potential health objects like buildings and more. problems like sleep apnea. EasyMeasure (Free; iOS, Android) lets you point your smartphone 4. See more of or tablet’s camera at any object the world around you and see the object’s dimensions In sci-fi movies with robots, on the screen. Now it does take there’s often a scene where you a little work from you, unless you see the world from the robot’s have a phone or tablet with Intel’s point of view. It usually shows RealSense camera like the Dell that the robot has a fancy overlay Venue 8 7000. Still, once you get showing extra information about the hang of it, you’ll find plenty of everything it’s seeing. ways to use it. Talk Recorder (Free; iOS, Android) before hitting the hay and it will start recording when you start talking, or snoring.
You can do the same thing, If you liked these apps, be sure to and you don’t even need fancy click here for my last roundup of new technology like Google apps that make you say “Wow!” Glass or Oculus Rift. Just grab an augmented reality app like Tagwhat (Free; iOS, Android). Using the app, point your smartphone or tablet camera at a business to look up its information on the Web, Facebook, Twitter, Foursquare and other social sites. You can even see comments and reviews from other people.
Copyright 2015, WestStar Multimedia Entertainment. All rights reserved.
On the Kim Komando Show, the nation’s largest weekend radio talk show, Kim takes calls and dispenses advice on today’s digital lifestyle, from smartphones and tablets to Point the app at landmarks to get online privacy and data hacks. For more information, or just cruise her daily tips, free newsletters and around town and let the app tell more, visit her website at Komando. you about deals and events near com. Kim also posts breaking tech you, or even just cool stories. news 24/7 at News.Komando.com. www.underwritersinsider.com
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