What Is a FIRM?
A FIRM is a product of the Flood Insurance Study (FIS) for a community and is available in paper form and digital form.
• Flood hazards have been mapped by FEMA for approximately 20,000 communities in the United States, most commonly on FIRMs.
• FIRMs delineate Special Flood Hazard Areas (SFHAs) — land areas subject to inundation by a flood that has a 1-percent probability of being equaled or exceeded in any given year (hence, the terms “1-percent annual chance flood” and “100-year flood”). SFHAs are shaded on the FIRM and are divided into different flood hazard zones, depending on the nature and severity of the flood hazard.
Why Are FIRMs Important?
• FIRMs show the limits of mapped flood hazard areas in a community.
• The insurance zone designations shown on FIRMs are used in the determination of flood insurance rates and premiums.
• The 100-year flood elevations and flood depths shown on FIRMs are the minimum regulatory elevations on which community floodplain management ordinances are based.
• The information shown on FIRMs can affect the design and construction of new buildings, the improvement and repair of existing buildings, and additions to existing buildings.
For more information download this guide
Best and Worst Car
According to Business Week
 Ford Motor
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Best Car
Ford Fiesta
Yes, it’s a Ford. The 2009 Fiesta is the epitome of the kind of cars consumers need now: small, stylish, and fuel-thrifty. In fact, the Fiesta earns up to 65 miles per gallon, thanks to an efficient diesel engine. The catch? It won’t make it stateside until 2010, and Ford isn’t sure it can make the business case for importing the $25,000 vehicle as is. The carmaker will likely manufacture a gas version for Americans.
 General Motors
|
Worst Car
Cadillac Escalade Hybrid
General Motor’s $72,000 Cadillac Escalade Hybrid may be the worst-timed, least-relevant new model introduction in decades. The new Escalade is not without virtues, featuring advanced technology similar to Toyota’s Prius which improves fuel economy 50% over gas versions, to 21 miles per gallon. Still, brash, ostentatious, and, well, gaudy, the Escalade makes the very opposite statement GM is trying to peddle as it begs Congress for a bailout worth billions.
QuotesAuction.com now is InsuranceLeads.com
InsuranceLeads.com has an array of insurance lead types to choose from including auto, home, renters, health, life, disability, cancer, and business insurance leads. InsuranceLeads.com will continue to offer specialized insurance leads for the senior market such as long term care insurance leads, final expense leads and annuity leads.
Insurance industry in trouble
The makers of this slideshow did a good job predicting the troubles we’re currenlty seeing in the insurance industry.
CLCA program - auto insurance for low-income drivers in California
More than 3 million motorists travel California’s roads without auto insurance. Californians who are driving without insurance should check out the CLCA program. The primary goal of the California Low Cost Automobile Insurance Program is to provide a cheaper auto insurance option to low-income good drivers. To be eligible for the CLCA program: you must meet the certain requirements. To find out if you’re eligible for the CLCA program and for more options on cheap auto insurance in California click here
Want cheap auto insurance? Drive these cars…
The cost to insure your car varies significantly according to the model of car you drive because
insurance companies look at statistical data showing claims for each car make/model over a period of time. Often, you’ll find the cheapest auto insurance rates are on larger cars, and mid-sized and smaller SUVs. These cars are typically driven by practical young families or older drivers — drivers who have a lower accident rate. So if you’re looking to pay less on auto insurance (and who’s not) check out this list of cars:
Jeep Patriot
Pontiac Solstice
Jeep Compass
Volvo XC90
Pontiac Vibe
Chevrolet Uplander
Jeep Wrangler LWB 2-door
Mazda 5
Pontiac Torrent
Chrysler PT Cruiser
Jeep Wrangler
Scion xB
Ford Five Hundred (now Taurus)
Buick Rendezvous
Buick Lucerne
Buick Ranier
Honda Odyssey
Ford Freestyle
Subaru Outback
Honda Pilot
Chrysler Town and Country
Chevrolet Uplander
Buick Lacross
Nissan Xterra
Mercury Mountaineer
Ford Explorer
Toyota Highlander / 4Runner
Mazda Tribute
State insurance department websites - study reveals significant differences
STUDY FINDS SIGNIFICANT DIFFERENCES IN AUTO AND HOME INSURANCE INFORMATION PROVIDED BY STATES TO CONSUMERS.
The Consumer Federation of America (CFA) released a new study of auto and home insurance information provided on state insurance department websites.
The study, State Insurance Department Websites: A Consumer Assessment, found considerable
differences in the usefulness of information such as the rates and practices of individual
insurance companies. State insurance department websites in 6 states were found to be
“excellent” while those in 18 states were deemed to be “inadequate.”
The report found that California, Georgia, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, and Utah have
“excellent” websites that have complete, up-to-date information that is easy for consumers to
use. Consumers accessing these websites could easily find current price, complaint and solvency
information to make well informed purchase decisions and could find key information on how to
get the best claim settlements as well.
But the report also concluded that 18 states – see list below – have websites that are
inadequate. These websites lacked important aspects of information about purchase and claims
settlement decisions in auto and home insurance.
“States with inadequate websites do not have to reinvent the wheel,” noted Hunter.
“They need only use the excellent sites already in use by other states as a guide for improving
their own sites,” he added.
Below is a listing of the CFA ratings of websites in all 50 states and the District of
Columbia:
Excellent (6 states): California, Georgia, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas and Utah.
Good (12 states): Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Maine
Missouri, New Jersey, Ohio, Oregon, and Wisconsin.
Fair (15 states): District of Columbia, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland,
Michigan, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota,
Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Virginia, and Washington.
Inadequate (18 states): Alabama, Connecticut, Hawaii, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa,
Massachusetts, Minnesota, Mississippi, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, Rhode Island,
South Dakota, Tennessee, Vermont, West Virginia, and Wyoming.
The full report is available at: http://www.consumerfed.org/pdfs/state_insurance_websites.pdf
Are there financial organisations that pursue ethical policies?
More and more people are becoming unhappy with the way money is looked after across the world. With the global economy teetering on the brink of a deep and prolonged period of recession, it is only natural for consumers to feel a certain degree of disenfranchisement towards those entrusted with looking after their money and possessions. But, there is a light at the end of the tunnel. There are some financial organisations that actively pursue ethical policies, like the Co-operative Bank. These ethical companies try to make money by only investing in companies not involved in negative practices such as arms dealing or destruction of the environment. So there are banks and investment companies that have sound ethical policies. What about insurance companies?
Auto Industry in Crisis & LA Autoshow
While automakers show off their latest vehicles in Los Angeles, Congress will be debating a bailout proposal for the “Big 3″: General Motors, Ford and Chrysler. Advocates, mainly Democrates, say the consequences on the economy would be too severe if a rescue plan is not agreed on. But many lawmakers don’t support another bailout, claiming the automakers pay the price for their business mistakes.
The LA autoshow opens on Friday November 21 and is open for public until Sunday November 30.
Here’s some useful info on the LA autoshow:
LOCATION
Los Angeles Convention Center
1201 S. Figueroa Street
Los Angeles, CA 90015
www.laautoshow.com
SHOW HOURS
Friday, Nov. 21: 11am – 10pm
Saturday, Nov. 22: 9am – 10pm
Sunday, Nov. 23: 9am – 8pm
Monday, Nov. 24: 11am – 10pm
Tuesday, Nov. 25: 11am – 10pm
Wednesday, Nov. 26: 11am – 10pm
Thanksgiving Day: 9am – 8pm
Friday, Nov. 28: 9am – 10pm
Saturday, Nov. 29: 9am – 10pm
Sunday, Nov. 30: 9am – 8pm
The show entrance closes one hour prior to the show closing.
TICKETS
Adults: $10.00 (cash only)
Children 12 and under free when accompanied by an adult!
Seniors (65+): $7.00 Fri., Nov. 21 – Thurs., Nov. 27 (cash only)
Ticket sales close one hour prior to show closing each night.
Discount coupons at 7-Eleven stores
What you should know when you’re ready to buy home insurance.
1. There are a myriad of insurance companies to choose from so shop around.
Price, eligibility, and coverage vary by company. Obtain an estimate (quote) of what the insurance will cost. To get an accurate estimate you must provide:
- Personal information: Name, address, insurance loss history, nature & breed of household pets, social security number.
- Dwelling information: Year and type of construction, years of updates on heating, wiring, plumbing & roof, square feet, special features inside, number of families in dwelling.
- Insurance coverages: Dwelling, personal property, & liability limits, as well as additional endorsements.
- Deductible: How much you’re willing to pay out-of-pocket before the insurance company begins paying.
Tip: We offer free auto and home insurance quotes. It only takes 3 to 4 minutes to obtain estimates from leading insurance companies in your area (USA only).
2. Optional coverages to consider:
Earthquake
Flood
Home Business
Increased Limits on Liability, Medical Payments, Other Structures, Personal Property
Inflation Guard
Mine Subsidence
Personal Property Replacement Cost
Scheduled Personal Property
Sewer Backup
Watercraft
3. Price is important, but there are other factors to consider:
-Coverage. The least expensive policy may also provide the least amount of coverage.
-Licensing Status: An insurer not licensed to operate in your state is not subject to its rules and regulations.
-Service. Check the company’s customer satisfaction record available through your state’s insurance regulatory agency.
-Comfort. Buy insurance from an agent or company representative you are comfortable with. He/She should be able to discuss your coverage needs and offer insight into the claim settlement process.
-Financial status of the Insurance company.