Recent automobile insurance reforms in Canada.
Recent automobile insurance reforms in certain provinces of Canada are aimed at limiting recovery of non-pecuniary compensation for traffic injury claimants by means of capping. In Canadian provinces (except Quebec), motor vehicle liability evolved from tort law, particularly from the fault-based principles of negligence, which were first developed in...

Drive less, pay less! Mileage-based insurance available in MA through the Environmental Insurance Agency.
The Environmental Insurance Agency (EIA), a CLF subsidiary founded to fight air pollution and promote accessible and affordable public transportation, is delighted to announce that its partner, Plymouth Rock, has become the first automobile insurer in Massachusetts to reward its policyholders with an automatic discount for "going green" by...

Drivers get new insurer; Progressive to sell policies in Mass.
Byline: Bob Kievra The Progressive Corp., the country's third-largest automobile insurer, said it filed plans yesterday to sell automobile insurance in Massachusetts but would restrict sales to the Internet for at least the first 11 months. State regulators, lawmakers and trade associations cheered the news,...

Speeding ahead with more auto claims data: Event Data Recorders promise a revolution in automobile collision claims handling.
[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Summary * Within two years, Event Data Recorders will be used to shed light on nearly every accident on the road. * Data collected by the devices has held up in court. * Admissibility of EDR data varies from...

New auto insurance options roll out today; Drivers may have to shop around.
Byline: Lisa Eckelbecker To reach her patients in the rolling hills of western Worcester County, VNA Care Network Inc. visiting nurse Nicole M. Congero sometimes drives 50 to 60 miles a day in her Toyota Tacoma. Gasoline can run $100 a week. Wear and tear...

Hanover has strong first quarter; Net income down, but better than predicted.
Byline: Bob Kievra WORCESTER - The Hanover Insurance Group Inc. yesterday reported first quarter net income of $58.5 million, or $1.12 a share, strong results for a property and casualty insurer pinched by a tough winter and a weak economy in some parts of its footprint. ...

Inmate pleads guilty in fraud; Staged car crashes netted claims cash.
Byline: Scott J. Croteau A Worcester man involved in an automobile insurance fraud scam in the Lowell area in 2004 has pleaded guilty to several counts of conspiracy and negligent driving. Two other Worcester residents are accused of being the ringleaders of the insurance fraud,...

Shares for insurer fall; Commerce stock takes hit.
Byline: Bob Kievra WEBSTER - Shares of Commerce Group Inc. fell yesterday after an analyst downgraded the stock of the state's largest automobile insurer, citing an expected decline in the company's market share from pending regulatory changes. Dean Evans at Keefe, Bruyette & Woods downgraded...

Finding the limit to 'brother's keeper' regulations.
In a November 2005 Response column ("Are You Your Brother's Keeper?"), we wrote about several recent Federal Trade Commission (FTC) orders that targeted not only the marketers who were responsible for allegedly deceptive advertising, but also named as defendants some of the service providers who helped them do business....

Commerce sale looks good to go; State doesn't object to deal with Spanish insurer.
Byline: Bob Kievra BOSTON - Spain's biggest insurer is poised to acquire Webster-based Commerce Group Inc. after state regulators said the $2.2 billion deal complies with state laws and poses no antitrust concerns. Attorney General Martha Coakley Wednesday night cleared the merger and the state...