WBRZ - Baton Rouge

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• House overwhelmingly refuses to expand Medicaid

  May 21, 2013 6:24 PM

  BATON ROUGE - The Louisiana House has rejected an attempt to provide government-subsidized health insurance to thousands of people with the Medicaid dollars available under the federal Affordable Care Act. The 59-37 vote against the Medicaid expansion proposal appeared to kill the issue for the legislative session. The Senate's budget... more »

• Insurance company blamed for sinkhole buyout holdup

  May 20, 2013 1:35 PM

  BATON ROUGE - The company which owns land a massive sinkhole appeared on blamed their insurance carrier today for the holdup in buyouts for nearby property. Texas Brine, LLC released a statement which said their carrier hasn't approved any money for buyouts just yet, and they're working with the... more »

• House lawmakers shelve Citizens rate review bill

  May 14, 2013 12:44 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Lawmakers in the House have rejected a proposal seeking legislative review of large rate hikes for customers of Louisiana's property insurer of last resort. The House Insurance Committee scrapped the idea Tuesday in a 9-4 vote against the bill by St. Mary Parish Sen. Bret Allain. The... more »

• Bill moves forward for legislative approval of rate hikes

  April 17, 2013 11:48 AM

  BATON ROUGE - Large rate hikes for customers of Louisiana's property insurer of last resort would require legislative approval, under a bill that received Senate Insurance Committee backing. St. Mary Parish Sen. Bret Allain sponsored the measure after residents of his parish who get insurance from the Louisiana Citizens Property... more »

• Deadline looms for Isaac flood insurance claims

  April 17, 2013 8:12 AM

  BATON ROUGE - A deadline is approaching for Louisiana policyholders to file flood insurance claims over damage from Hurricane Isaac last year. The Federal Emergency Management Agency says most policyholders with the National Flood Insurance Program have until April 22 to complete their proof-of-loss claims. FEMA says the... more »

• LaPlace residents brace for flood insurance hike Play Video

  March 28, 2013 6:28 PM

  LAPLACE - Homeowners in St. John the Baptist Parish are concerned new FEMA flood maps will send flood insurance rates up 25 percent each year. The Biggert-Waters Flood Insurance Reform Act signed into law by President Obama last year allows rates to increase on certain properties in flood zones... more »

• Sale of state buildings are a part of Jindal's proposed budget Play Video

  February 27, 2013 6:25 PM

  BATON ROUGE- Governor Bobby Jindal plans on selling $47 million dollars in state property to help balance next year's budget. The properties on the market include Wooddale Towers, the state office building at the corner of Convention Street and 3rd Street, and the parking lot where the old state... more »

• Hailstorm leaves trail of damage in its wake Play Video

  February 26, 2013 4:57 PM

  PORT VINCENT - On Tuesday, Port Vincent residents were greeted by the sun and the damage left behind by Monday hailstorm. Vanessa Murphy spent the day counting the bruises on her car. "There's here and here and then there are some clusters," she said. "It just looks like... more »

• Extension to file Hurricane Isaac claims

  February 22, 2013 11:07 AM

  BATON ROUGE- Property owners with flood insurance policies whose homes or other structures were damaged during Hurricane Isaac have an additional 60 days to file claims for their flood-related losses. Policy owners now have until April 22 to complete their proof of loss claims. The National Flood Insurance Program says... more »

• Farmers Insurance pulling out of state

  February 8, 2013 6:18 AM

  BATON ROUGE - State insurance regulators say Farmers Insurance Exchange, which has around 23,000 homeowner and 7,000 auto policies in Louisiana, is dropping those lines of business. Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon said Thursday that the company cited substantial losses as a major reason for pulling out of the state's homeowner's... more »

• 35,000 more NYC-area buildings in flood zones

  January 29, 2013 5:17 AM

  NEW YORK - Some of the people whose homes were damaged or destroyed by Superstorm Sandy in the New York City area may now face the choice of rebuilding higher, or paying considerably more for insurance. Under new flood maps released Monday by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, twice as... more »

• Deadline extended for Isaac claims

  January 23, 2013 7:19 AM

  BATON ROUGE - Louisiana property owners with flood insurance policies whose homes or other structures were damaged during Hurricane Isaac have another 30 days to file claims for their flood losses. Policy owners now have until Feb. 21 to complete their proof of loss. The National Flood Insurance... more »

• Insurers may prove choosy with overhaul exchanges

  January 17, 2013 3:36 PM

  UNDATED - UnitedHealth CEO Stephen Hemsley is warning analysts not to assume that the insurer will participate widely in a key health care overhaul coverage expansion that unfolds later this year. State-based exchanges will debut this fall and allow people to sign up for coverage online, with some using income-based... more »

• Citizens rates rising by average of 7.7 percent

  January 11, 2013 4:09 PM

  BATON ROUGE - The state's property insurer of last resort has proposed raising homeowner's rates an average of 7.7 percent statewide this year. The Advocate reports the Louisiana Citizens Property Insurance Corp.'s board said Thursday that the rate increase is being driven in part by higher reinsurance costs for coastal... more »

• Congress approves $9.7 billion in Sandy flood aid

  January 4, 2013 3:40 PM

  WASHINGTON - The new Congress has passed a $9.7 billion bill to help pay flood insurance claims to homeowners, renters and businesses damaged by Superstorm Sandy. The bill cleared the Senate following passage earlier Friday by the House. It replenishes the National Flood Insurance Program that was due to run... more »

• Weekly unemployment insurance claims drop

  January 4, 2013 3:06 PM

  BATON ROUGE - First-time claims for unemployment insurance in Louisiana for the week ending Dec. 29 fell from the previous week's total, mainly because the Christmas holidays cut a day from the work week. The state labor department figures released Friday show the initial claims decreased to 2,505 from the... more »

• La. insurance dept offers online rate comparisons

  December 18, 2012 10:34 AM

  BATON ROUGE - Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says his department's new online system will make it easier for Louisiana residents to shop for the best insurance rates in their cities. You can't get quotes for your house and car. The auto insurance guide compares quotes for a 2004, 2007 or... more »

• Weekly unemployment insurance claims drop

  December 14, 2012 4:13 PM

  BATON ROUGE - First-time claims for unemployment insurance in Louisiana for the week ending Dec. 8 fell from the previous week's total. The state labor department figures released Friday show the initial claims decreased to 3,516 from the previous week's total of 4,048. The four-week moving average, which is a... more »

• Citizens weighing options to close budget gap

  December 11, 2012 4:37 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Louisiana's state-run property insurer of last resort is considering ways to close its multimillion-dollar budget gap. Both options would lead to increased costs to homeowners covered by traditional insurance companies. Steve Cottrell, chief financial officer for the Louisiana Citizens Property Insurance Corp., outlined the issue Tuesday. Citizens... more »

• Utah Gov asks Obama to approve state's exchange

  December 11, 2012 2:31 PM

  SALT LAKE CITY - Utah Governor Gary Herbert is asking President Barack Obama to approve the state's health insurance exchange and declare that it meets the requirements of the federal health overhaul. Herbert sent the letter Tuesday ahead of Friday's deadline for states to decide if they'll do their own... more »

• Weekly unemployment insurance claims drop

  December 7, 2012 6:08 PM

  BATON ROUGE - First-time claims for unemployment insurance in Louisiana for the week ending Dec. 1 increased from the previous week's total. The state labor department figures released Friday show the initial claims increased to 4,048 from the previous week's total of 2,705. The department said similar spikes have occurred... more »

• Feds propose fee on health insurers in new market

  November 30, 2012 3:58 PM

  WASHINGTON - Health insurance companies will have to pay to play in new health insurance markets coming under President Barack Obama's health care law. The federal Health and Human Services department said Friday it is proposing a "user fee" amounting to 3.5 percent of premiums for health insurers who want... more »

• Weekly unemployment insurance claims drop

  November 30, 2012 10:29 AM

  BATON ROUGE - First-time claims for unemployment insurance in Louisiana for the week ending Nov. 24 decreased from the previous week's total. The state labor department figures released Friday show the initial claims decreased to 2,705 from the previous week's total of 2,875. For the comparable week a year earlier,... more »

• Government extends deadline for health care decision

  November 15, 2012 5:11 PM

  WASHINGTON - The Obama administration has given states another month to decide what role, if any, they'll play in carrying out the new health care law. Instead of having to declare their intentions by Friday, states now have until Dec. 14, Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius said in... more »

• Donelon won't approve $50K raise for Citizens CEO

  November 9, 2012 6:45 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon has rejected a $50,000 pay raise for the top executive of Louisiana's state-run property insurance company. Donelon said Friday that he won't sign off on the raise for Richard Robertson, CEO of the Louisiana Citizens Property Insurance Corp. The salary hike would have... more »

• Kennedy opposes $50,000 pay raise for Citizens CEO

  November 9, 2012 11:44 AM

  BATON ROUGE - Treasurer John Kennedy is urging rejection of a proposed $50,000 pay raise for the top executive of Louisiana's state-run property insurance company. Kennedy said Friday that he's hoping Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon will refuse to sign off on the raise for Richard Robertson, CEO of the Louisiana... more »

• Lawmakers back Jindal health outsourcing contract Play Video

  November 9, 2012 10:59 AM

  BATON ROUGE - After a shake-up on the House budget committee, Gov. Bobby Jindal's administration has gotten approval from lawmakers to outsource a state employee health insurance plan. The Senate Finance Committee backed the contract between the Office of Group Benefits and Blue Cross/Blue Shield in a 10-3 vote Friday,... more »

• State: vehicle thefts in Louisiana drop

  November 5, 2012 8:55 PM

  BATON ROUGE- Louisiana's a little bit safer for your automobile, according to the Commissioner of Insurance. Jim Donelon reported Monday, vehicle thefts in Louisiana have declined nearly 42 percent over a five-year period from 2006 through 2011. "We are pleased that we continue to see progress since, in... more »

• Weekly unemployment insurance claims drop

  November 2, 2012 6:05 PM

  BATON ROUGE - First-time claims for unemployment insurance in Louisiana for the week ending Oct. 27 decreased from the previous week's total. The state labor department figures released Friday show the initial claims decreased to 2,568 from the previous week's total of 2,891. For the comparable week a year earlier,... more »

• Citizens has settled 85 percent of Isaac claims

  October 15, 2012 2:39 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Louisiana's state-run property insurer of last resort says it's settled 85 percent of the more than 17,000 claims it received about damage from Hurricane Isaac. The company - Louisiana Citizens Property Insurance Corporation - said Monday that it expects Isaac to cost between $75 million and $100... more »

• Orleans schools get insurance money for Katrina damage

  October 12, 2012 7:08 AM

  NEW ORLEANS - Lawyers for the Orleans Parish School Board have garnered another $17 million in insurance proceeds to help cover damage done by Hurricane Katrina and its aftermath. District officials say the money is slated to go toward $2 billion worth of citywide school construction and renovation already... more »

• Weekly unemployment claims fall

  September 28, 2012 6:43 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Initial claims for unemployment insurance in Louisiana fell for the week ending Sept. 22. Figures released Friday show initial claims decreased to 3,294 from the previous week's total of 4,873. The Louisiana Workforce Commission says the declines were spread throughout many industries. The claims were above the... more »

• Insurance Commissioner discusses claims after Isaac Play Video

  September 11, 2012 9:04 AM

  BATON ROUGE - Many residents in south Louisiana continue to deal with the aftermath of Hurricane Isaac. Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon stopped by 2une In with information on what to if you have hurricane damage such as flooding and how to file a claim. For more information contact... more »

• Thousands file flood insurance claims after Isaac

  September 4, 2012 6:09 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Officials say thousands of flood insurance claims are being filed in the wake of Hurricane Isaac, a slow-moving storm that brought drenching rain and tropical-storm force winds to parishes that don't typically experience flooding. Commissioner of Insurance James Donelon said Tuesday only 31 percent of Louisiana residents... more »

• Anti-Medicaid states: Earning $11,000 is too much

  August 14, 2012 10:18 AM

  MIAMI - Sandra Pico is poor, but not poor enough. She makes about $15,000 a year, supporting her Florida family. She thought she'd be getting health insurance after the Supreme Court upheld the health care law. Then she learned her own governor won't agree to expand Medicaid under the law... more »

• Claims for unemployment benefits fall

  July 27, 2012 10:43 AM

  BATON ROUGE - First-time claims for unemployment insurance benefits in Louisiana for the week ending July 21 fell from the previous week's total. State labor department figures released Friday show initial claims fell to 3,080 from the previous week's total of 3,675. The figure was lower than it was for... more »

• Administration joins insurers to hit health fraud

  July 26, 2012 10:55 AM

  WASHINGTON - The Obama administration is launching an ambitious new drive against health care fraud by mining claims data from insurance companies and government programs in hopes of ferreting out bogus billing. Details of the plan are being announced Thursday at the White House by Health and Human Services Secretary... more »

• Citizens pays $104M award over slow storm claims

  July 23, 2012 5:41 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Louisiana's property insurer of last resort has paid a $104 million judgment that will benefit more than 18,500 policyholders who sued over slow adjustment of claims after hurricanes Katrina and Rita struck in 2005. Plaintiffs' attorney Fred Herman said Louisiana Citizens Property Insurance Corp. transferred the money... more »

• School board delays vote on health care changes

  July 20, 2012 7:36 AM

  BATON ROUGE - School board members in East Baton Rouge Parish spent much of the night debating, but could not come to an agreement over changes to employee health insurance. Members voted against shifting retiree's insurance coverage to Medicare. The shift would have saved the system around $8.7... more »

• Former commissioner to plead guilty to racketeering

  July 2, 2012 3:12 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Federal authorities said a former deputy insurance commissioner will plead guilty to racketeering charges as part of the undercover FBI investigation "Operation: Blighted Officials" The U. S. Attorney's Office in Baton Rouge accused Richard L. Chambers, Sr., of LaPlace with racketeering and forfeiture in a Bill... more »

• Citizens board agrees to 10 percent rate cut

  June 29, 2012 5:55 AM

  BATON ROUGE - The board governing Louisiana's property insurer of last resort has agreed to drop rates by 10 percent across a dozen south Louisiana parishes, with the rate cut retroactive to June 7, when the reduction was signed into law. The $16 million annual rate cut is for... more »

• Patients with pre-existing conditions look forward to insurance Play Video

  June 28, 2012 5:44 PM

  BATON ROUGE- Starting in 2014, it will be illegal for health insurance companies to make people with pre-existing conditions pay higher rates or deny them coverage under the Affordable Care Act. Some clinics like Baton Rouge Primary Care treat patients who don't have insurance. The clinic allows them to... more »

• Citizens board agrees to 10 percent rate cut

  June 28, 2012 5:37 PM

  BATON ROUGE - The board governing Louisiana's property insurer of last resort has agreed to drop rates by 10 percent across a dozen south Louisiana parishes, with the rate cut retroactive to June 7, when the reduction was signed into law. The $16 million annual rate cut is for customers... more »

• News flood maps good news, bad news for homeowners Play Video

  May 24, 2012 6:02 PM

  BATON ROUGE - New flood maps released today from FEMA mean some people in East Baton Rouge Parish will have to get flood insurance for the first time. Jamie Heidelberg and her husband are one such family. They moved to the Westminster neighborhood a year ago, and thought they... more »

• 58 percent wind rate boost by last resort insurer

  May 24, 2012 3:48 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Louisiana Citizens Property Insurance Corp. plans an average rate increase for wind-only policies of 58 percent, sparking an argument among top state officials on whether the increase is legal. The Advocate reports that the large increase follows a Wednesday meeting of the corporation's board, which rejected state... more »

• Citizens gets approval for $75M line of credit

  May 17, 2012 11:19 AM

  BATON ROUGE- Louisiana's property insurer of last resort has gotten permission to secure a $75 million cash line of credit in case a hurricane damages the state. The Louisiana Citizens Property Insurance Corp. has enough money set aside to cover a $110 million legal judgment against the company, but that... more »

• Cars without insurance could be towed Play Video

  April 18, 2012 5:13 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Motorists without insurance could be towed if they are caught without it even once under a proposed law on its way to a vote in the state House of Representatives. The bill from Rep. Raymond Garafalo, R-Meraux, repeals the current law that prohibits officers to tow... more »

• Ex-cop, sheriff's deputy charged in insurance scam

  April 6, 2012 2:16 PM

  NEW ORLEANS - Two law enforcement officers from the New Orleans area have been charged with plotting to make a fraudulent insurance claim. A court filing Friday charges former New Orleans Police Sgt. Kevin Guillot and former Jefferson Parish sheriff's deputy Daniel Spears with conspiracy to commit wire fraud. Federal... more »

• Citizens insurance plaintiffs clear another hurdle

  March 7, 2012 11:04 AM

  BATON ROUGE- A judge has removed another legal hurdle for policyholders of Louisiana Citizens Property Insurance Corp. trying to collect more than $100 million for the company's failure to handle claims quickly enough following the 2005 hurricanes. Citizens chief executive Richard Robertson said the ruling late Tuesday gives Regions Bank... more »

• Catholics still questioning birth control policy Play Video

  February 10, 2012 5:44 PM

  BATON ROUGE- After changing a controversial policy mandating religious organizations offer birth control to it's employees through insurance, the Obama administration is still getting concern from Catholics. The President announced today that companies would not have to offer contraceptives to employees if it was against their beliefs, and instead... more »

• Obama: Insurance companies will pay for contraceptives

  February 10, 2012 11:39 AM

  WASHINGTON - President Barack Obama introduced a revamped birth control policy Friday morning that he says will protect both religious liberties and women's access to contraception. Speaking at the White House, Obama announced changes that religious employers will not have to cover birth control for their employees. Instead,... more »

• Insurer to consider proposed settlement

  February 8, 2012 11:03 AM

  BATON ROUGE- The governing board of Louisiana's property insurer of last resort plans Thursday to discuss a $100-million-plus court judgment against the company for taking too long to begin handling claims for hurricanes Katrina and Rita. State Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon said the plaintiffs have offered to settle the case,... more »

• EBR fire district merger plan closer to reality Play Video

  January 11, 2012 10:30 PM

  BATON ROUGE- The Baton Rouge Fire Chiefs' Association got the thumbs up from Metro Council today for a plan to consolidate nine unincorporated fire districts in the parish. Council asked for the report in September. It outlines closing some stations, building new ones, adding equipment and personnel. The... more »

• Former Baton Rouge man in federal custody

  December 6, 2011 3:15 AM

  BATON ROUGE - A man who faked his own death 16 years ago is now in federal custody. Milton Windsor Harris, 67, appeared Friday before a U.S. Magistrate in Baton Rouge. U.S. Attorney Don Cazayoux Jr. says Harris was apprehended in Northern Ireland earlier this year. Harris... more »

• Livingston council faces insurance premium bump

  November 30, 2011 10:59 AM

  LIVINGSTON - Livingston Parish government faces a 13.8 percent increase in health insurance premiums in order to continue providing free health care for its workers and their families. A Parish Council committee voted 3-0 Tuesday to recommend that the full council pay the increase rather than switching to a... more »

• Unemployment insurance claims down

  November 18, 2011 3:55 PM

  BATON ROUGE - First-time claims for unemployment insurance in Louisiana for the week ending Nov.12 decreased from the previous week's total. The state labor department figures released Friday show the initial claims dropped to 3,321 from the previous week's total of 3,678. The figure was lower than it was... more »

• Donelon re-elected as La. insurance commissioner

  October 22, 2011 9:51 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon is retaining his elected post. Donelon, a Republican from Metairie, sailed to re-election Saturday. He defeated little-known Democrat Donald Hodge, who criticized Donelon for receiving hundreds of thousands of dollars in campaign donations from insurance companies. A former lawmaker, Donelon... more »

• Obama pulls plug on part of health overhaul law

  October 14, 2011 2:23 PM

  WASHINGTON - The Obama administration says it is unable to go forward with a major new program in the president's signature health care overhaul law. Officials said Friday a new long-term care insurance program has critical design flaws that could not be fixed to make it financially self-sustaining. ... more »

• Aetna seeks release of rivals' proposals

  October 11, 2011 2:04 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Aetna Better Health has gone to court, opposing efforts by three insurance competitors to keep secret proposals they made as they sought to take over state Medicaid business. Aetna asked the 1st Circuit Court of Appeal to affirm a ruling by state District Court Judge Todd... more »

• Insurance Commissioner gives tips after storm

  September 7, 2011 10:45 AM

  Following the events of Tropical Storm Lee, Commissioner Donelon is reminding Louisiana citizens of the steps that you should take if you incurred damages to your property as a result of a storm. Filing your claim: After any disaster in which you incur property damages, it's important to call... more »

• White House criticizes court's health care ruling

  August 12, 2011 2:03 PM

  WASHINGTON - The White House is expressing confidence that it's constitutional to require people to have health insurance and believes that President Barack Obama's health care law will be survive all legal challenges in the end. Obama adviser Stephanie Cutter says the White House strongly disagrees with an appeals... more »

• Louisiana 1st-time jobless claims increase

  August 12, 2011 10:41 AM

  BATON ROUGE - First-time claims for unemployment insurance in Louisiana for the week ending Aug. 6 increased from the previous week's total. The state labor department figures released Friday show the initial claims increased to 4,033 from the previous week's total of 3,857. The figure was lower than it... more »

• La. Dept. of Ins. fraud billboards paying off

  July 14, 2011 6:27 PM

  BATON ROUGE - $950 bucks a year. That's what a family of four pays for fraudulent insurance claims. The Department of Insurance wants to stop scammers with catchy slogans on saying "Burning a car for insurance money is a crime... We'll catch you..." And "thinking of staging an accident?... more »

• State Farm wants homeowners increase

  June 20, 2011 5:02 PM

  Baton Rouge - Louisiana's largest home insurer is asking for an average 8.5 percent rate increase. State Farm Fire & Casualty Co. insures just over 301,000 homeowners in Louisiana. Filing with the state insurance department asks for $32.7 million in higher rates. In March, Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon... more »

• Jindal's office keeps privatization report secret

  June 9, 2011 5:43 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Gov. Bobby Jindal's administration has handed over to senators a report involving efforts to hire a private company to run a state worker health insurance program. But that doesn't mean the public will get to see it. Jindal's Division of Administration refused to provide the report... more »

• Insurance agent kills self, 2 fraud investigators

  June 8, 2011 3:03 AM

  VILLE PLATTE- Two veteran investigators with the Louisiana insurance fraud division were shot and killed Tuesday while trying to collect information from an agent who was found dead barricading himself in his business where the shooting happened, authorities said. The shooting at about 1 p.m. killed Rhett Jeansonne and Kim... more »

• Two fraud investigators shot, killed in Ville Platte

  June 7, 2011 4:31 PM

  VILLE PLATTE - Two insurance fraud agents from Baton Rouge were shot and killed before the gunman, an insurance businessman, turned the gun on himself. Commissioner Jim Donelon said Rhett Jeansonne and Kim Sledge were shot and killed while collecting case information from Melvin Lavergne's office in Evangeline Parish.... more »

• Louisiana to share $1M in insurance settlement

  May 23, 2011 5:41 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Louisiana's treasurer says the state joins 35 others and the District of Columbia in a settlement with insurer John Hancock that could mean money in the pocket for some Louisiana families. John Kennedy says Louisiana will share in $1 million in unclaimed insurance proceeds discovered after... more »

• Strain: USDA will honor crop insurance for flooded farmers

  May 14, 2011 9:37 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Louisiana's agriculture commissioner says farmers who had crop insurance will get reimbursed if their crops are damaged by flooding caused by the Mississippi. Commissioner Mike Strain said the U.S. Department of Agriculture had agreed to honor crop insurance payments for farmers with insurance that either lose... more »

• Louisiana won't create state insurance exchanges

  March 24, 2011 2:54 AM

  BATON ROUGE- The Jindal administration is opting out of creating the state insurance exchanges included in the new federal health overhaul, instead deciding the federal government should administer them. State Department of Health and Hospitals Secretary Bruce Greenstein confirmed the decision Wednesday, saying Louisiana is the second state to make... more »

• State Farm rejected for homeowners' rate hike

  March 23, 2011 11:03 AM

  BATON ROUGE - Louisiana insurance regulators have rejected a rate increase from the state's largest insurer of homes. State Farm Fire and Casualty Co. wanted an average 14.3 percent rate hike for its 301,000 customers who get homeowners and condominium coverage, as well as renters' protection. Insurance Commissioner... more »

• Grandma and grandson arrested for arson

  March 5, 2011 11:14 AM

  GLENMORA, La.- A grandma and her grandson were arrested for arson with the intent to defraud, according to State Fire Marshal Butch Browning. The fire happened at a home in the 1600 block of 6th Avenue in Glenmora, La. in January. According to investigators, Elsie Mae Clark, 68, and... more »

• Baton Rouge woman arrested in insurance fraud case

  February 8, 2011 1:56 PM

  BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - State police say a 43-year-old Baton Rouge woman has been arrested for attempting to defraud an insurance company of nearly $700 for vehicle tires. Troopers arrested Linda Gurvin on Monday following an investigation into an insurance claim she filed last year. The investigation... more »

• Louisiana policyholders lose $133 million

  January 8, 2011 12:28 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Property insurance policyholders in Louisiana have lost almost $133 million in rebates that had been available before the end of 2010. Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says the money is part of the assessments paid by private home and commercial policyholders for the Louisiana's property insurer of last... more »

• Former NO aviation director pleads guilty to obstruction

  January 5, 2011 1:09 PM

  NEW ORLEANS – The former aviation director of New Orleans has pleaded guilty to obstruction of justice, after prosecutors said he used his position to hide from his insurance company that his wife’s luxury BMW wasn’t destroyed in Hurricane Katrina. As part of a plea deal Hunter admitted that he... more »

• La. to examine health insurance rate increases

  January 1, 2011 1:35 PM

  BATON ROUGE, La.- The Louisiana Department of Insurance says it will examine proposed health insurance rate increases and determine if they are unreasonable. Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says the state has received a $1 million grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to review rates for... more »

• Inmate arrested in insurance fraud investigation

  December 6, 2010 4:39 PM

  BATON ROUGE – State Police arrested an inmate at the Avoyelles Parish jail after they said he filed several false insurance claims. 52-year-old Darryl Brady was recently booked into the East Baton Rouge Parish jail on four counts of felony theft and six counts of insurance fraud. State Police were... more »

• LSP: Baton Rouge man re-used old hospital bill

  November 5, 2010 3:56 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Louisiana State Police arrested a Baton Rouge man after they said he lied on an insurance claim and kept the money he was given to cover medical expenses. 34-year-old Michael Stephens faces charges of insurance fraud and felony theft after his arrest Thursday. Investigators said Stephens was... more »

• Ciron Black files lawsuit

  October 31, 2010 9:30 AM

  BATON ROUGE- Former Louisiana State University offensive lineman Ciron Black is seeking $4 million in a lawsuit claiming that underwriters at Lloyd's of London did not pay an insurance policy he bought before a career-ending knee injury. In a federal lawsuit filed Friday, Black said he was projected as... more »

• Property insurance assessments sitting unclaimed

  August 28, 2010 12:55 PM

  More than $275 million in special assessments for Louisiana property insurance policyholders have not been reclaimed. And if they don't act before the year is over, more than half that total will disappear. The assessments were imposed on private polices over the past four years to help keep Louisiana Citizens... more »

• Jobless claims rise to highest level in 9 months

  August 19, 2010 8:45 AM

  New applications for unemployment insurance reached the half-million mark last week for the first time since November, a sign that employers are cutting jobs again as the recovery slows. The Labor Department said initial claims for jobless benefits rose by 12,000 last week to 500,000, the fourth increase in... more »

• Citizens board recommends new CEO

  July 27, 2010 7:26 AM

  A committee of the Louisiana Citizens Property Insurance Corp. has recommended a compensation package of $264,000 annually for the insurer's next chief executive. The full board of the property insurer of last resort will consider hiring Richard Robertson, an insurance executive from Michigan, at its August meeting. Insurance Commissioner Jim... more »

• 4 arrested in insurance fraud case

  July 15, 2010 5:15 AM

  Four residents of Evangeline Parish accused of staging a car crash have been arrested on insurance fraud charges. Evelyn Gallow, Ricky Joseph, Jack Rayford, Curtis Joseph were all arrested by Louisiana State Police. The charges stem from a report of a crash between two cars. Each of the suspects filed... more »

• Audit cites flaws in interstate jobless payments

  June 28, 2010 5:47 PM

  A legislative audit shows the state labor department paid more than $21 million in unemployment benefits but never got the money back from Louisiana employers. The audit was conducted last year. The money went to people who worked in Louisiana then moved to another state and filed for unemployment... more »

• State Farm to shift flood insurance to fed. government

  June 8, 2010 10:56 AM

  State Farm Fire and Casualty Co. says it's shifting its flood insurance business to the federal government, affecting thousands of policyholders in Alabama and Mississippi. Company spokesman David Majors says that as of the end of last month, State Farm had almost 21,000 personal and commercial flood policies in... more »

• Insurer could drop Rapides schools or hike rate

  June 3, 2010 5:19 AM

  The insurance company for the Rapides Parish School District is rethinking its premiums as a result of a drowning of a 14-year-old boy at Alexandria Senior High School. The current policy expires July 1, and the insurer also is considering whether to notify the school district to seek quotes from... more »

• State Farm increases rates

  May 6, 2010 11:12 PM

  State Farm Fire and Casualty Co., Louisiana's largest residential insurer, won an average 9.9 percent rate increase Thursday for homeowners' coverage in Louisiana. However, coastal areas vulnerable to hurricanes will be bearing much of the brunt. Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon approved the increase, just about two months after... more »

• La. House to debate federal health care overhaul

  May 4, 2010 1:18 PM

  The Louisiana House is set to debate an attempt to nullify the federal health care overhaul in Louisiana. The proposal by Rep. Kirk Talbot declares no one can be mandated to pay a penalty if they don't have insurance or be required to participate in a health care system.... more »

• Firefighter tax renewal

  April 29, 2010 8:34 AM

  Baton Rouge firefighters need your help to continue their dedication to protecting you. Curt Monte sat down with Whitney Vann to explain how a renewing a tax will help. more »

• Bill would ban drywall cancellations

  April 21, 2010 4:14 PM

  A prohibition against insurance companies dropping policies for people whose homes or businesses contain Chinese-made drywall is advancing in the state Senate. The bill by Metairie Sen. Julie Quinn would bar property insurers from canceling, refusing to renew or increasing premiums or deductibles because of the presence of Chinese... more »

• Committee approves Chinese drywall bill

  April 21, 2010 3:01 PM

  A Senate committee has approved a bill that would prevent insurance companies from dropping a policy because of Chinese drywall. The bill would also ban insurers from increasing premiums because of a drywall claim or because it is inside a home or business. News 2's Mike Steele will have more... more »