There's a fierce debate between appraisers and the insurance industry over a bill that would adjust some rules for the evaluation of damaged property in Iowa. The Iowa House has unanimously approved the changes, but the bill is in limbo in the Senate. Republican Senator Zach Nunn of Bondurant … [Read more...]
Supreme Court hears COVID shutdown insurance loss case
The Iowa Supreme Court heard oral arguments in a case involving the closing of a business after the COVID emergency proclamation. The insurance company for the Wakonda Club in Des Moines refused to pay for loss of income under its business interruption policy during the shutdown. Wakonda … [Read more...]
Iowa takes top insurance spot
More than 180 insurance companies are now headquartered in Iowa -- and Iowa Economic Development Authority director Debi Durham says no other state gets a higher percentage of its Gross Domestic Product from the insurance and finance industry. "I have to say this is bragging rights for the state … [Read more...]
New insurance option available for farmers from U.S.D.A.
The U.S.D.A. is rolling out a new insurance option designed for producers with small farms who sell locally. It’s called the Micro Farm Policy and it simplifies record-keeping and covers post-production costs like washing and value-added programs. Iowa Farmers Union President Aaron Lehman sees … [Read more...]
Two men plead guilty to insurance fraud schemes
A former Council Bluffs man will spend up to two years in prison for insurance fraud. The Iowa Insurance Division’s Fraud Bureau says an investigation found 54-year-old Billy Joe Sams, who now lives in Bellevue, Nebraska submitted a false claim in 2020 to his insurer about a motorcycle accident … [Read more...]
Bill calls for study of Iowa deer herd’s impact on property, car wrecks
A bill that has cleared the Iowa Senate would set up a new January hunting season for deer, but only in counties where all the state licenses for harvesting antlerless deer were not sold. The bill would let deer hunters use long-barrelled rifles during that period. "The purpose of this season is … [Read more...]
ACLU files new lawsuit over Medicaid payment for transgender surgery
The ACLU of Iowa has filed a third lawsuit seeking to strike down the state’s denial of Medicaid coverage for transition-related surgery for transgender Iowans. The group's legal director, Rita Bettis Austen, says this lawsuit makes the same argument against the denial. She says they believe it … [Read more...]
House again votes for reimbursement parity for virtual mental health services
For a second time this year, the Iowa House has voted to require insurance companies to provide equal reimbursement rates for in-person and virtual mental health services. The insurance industry opposes the move and it stalled in the Senate. House members voted to attached their proposal to a … [Read more...]
Bill could set up private flood insurance market in Iowa
Some Iowa insurance companies might start selling private flood insurance policies to cover homes if a bill that's won unanimous House approval becomes law. Representative Gary Mohr of Bettendorf said these private policies could become a viable alternative to federal flood insurance. "Seldom … [Read more...]
State revokes license of Garnavillo insurance agent
The Iowa Insurance Division has revoked the insurance license of a Garnavillo woman. The Insurance Division says Brenda Murray misrepresented the benefits, terms, and disadvantages of certain insurance policies to elderly consumers. And she advised clients to make transactions that were not … [Read more...]