http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/chronicle/archive/2006/10/15/EDGMQKEIP81.DTL

 

CALIFORNIANS have seen the difference between having a consumer watchdog (John Garamendi) and an industry lapdog (Chuck Quackenbush) as insurance commissioner.

The most basic requirement for this elected position should be integrity and a demonstrable independence from the $115 billion industry the commissioner is charged with regulating….

Gale,

You would believe that common sense, integrity, honor would be the corner stone of any individual, but when it comes to politics or political appointments, those items all seem to be missing.  In my state(NM) the governor has appointed various individuals to positions that require more than the basic being able to breath.  I've been in CA and they really do have their share of problem, but it isn't just confined to them, it is a common thread in society today, one that has come about because we have allowed our society to digress.

 

"A Great Civilization is not conquered from without until it has destroyed itself from within" - Will Durant

Gale,

As Shadow said, common sense, integrity and honor should be the conerstone for any politician. Sadly, many times the position of insurance comissioner is nothing but a stepping stone for other positions. Robert Hunter, the first comissioner for Texas is a good example of this. He really did nothing while comissioner. Now he is the guru for consumers since he has experienced the title of insurance comissioner he feels that he is the great sayer. In Florida, as a 26 year career politician, Tom Gallager has done nothing to help the crisis in that state. He has run for govenor 4 times while either comissioner of cfo and each time was soundly beaten. Think he would take the hint but I am willing to bet in 4 years, he will try again for CFO of Florida.

If there were requirements that the position be held by someone who has actually been in the business it would be a breath of fresh air.. Any time this is an elected position, you can almost make a sure bet that the person who wins has no experience. The same holds true if it is an appointed position. The govenor will appoint an ally who, in all probability will have no experience either. To the winner goes the spoils and to the public, the spoiled gets dumped on them.

 Unfortunately Its all about popularity in politics. He who Has the Money to be Popular, and spends it on Campaigning Wins! SAD BUT FOR THE MOST PARTS TRUE.

http://www.news-journalonline.com/NewsJournalOnline/News/Headlines/frtHEAD02102906.htm

October 29, 2006

Davis vows to take on insurance companies

"We need somebody who's going to stand up to these insurance companies," Davis told about 70 residents gathered in a community room. "They control the Florida Legislature."

Davis, a Tampa congressman, is betting his political future that voters will see him as the person to clean up Florida's messes.

He is running a campaign that centers on railing against special interests, such as insurance companies, while vowing to change the direction of the Republican-controlled government.

Texas Ins. Commish. made a ruling about 1992 about having to re-deck an old wood shingle decks with modern decking if a peril destroyed the last roof membrane. About 4 companies disagreed sued and won. From time to time I would get one of these carriers  roof claims and depreciate the tear off and redeck cost 100% as the commish had ruled it had no value; therefore it was not subject to replacement cost provisions.

Many a public adjuster and roofing contractor disagreed, but these adjustments would cut the bottom line figures by about 60%

In Texas today most carriers will not insure a comp over W/S deck.  A sub standard carrier will exclude the redeck charge and only pay for one layer of T/O.

In the years before this ruling the roofing contractors and some insurance adjusters did not understand the detriment to a dwelling by laying a new comp over an old comp roof. The additional weight , uneven appearance, more volnerabale to wind/hail damage has been diminished by "tear off to deck" practice resulting in savings to homeowners and their insurors on roof claims.