Kansas Insurance Commissioner

July

These vehicle insurance tips might save you money

Summertime provides many road trips for Kansas families. Ballgames, vacations and outdoor activities mean that Kansans are on the move in their vehicles. However, even with increased activity, they want to keep their spending under control.

June

'Boomerangers' and parents face new insurance realities

Layoffs and a lack of new job openings have added to a higher rate of unemployment in the United States, leaving an increasing number of new college grads and young adults unable to make ends meet. Left with limited options, many young people are moving back home — an increasing trend that creates important insurance consequences for these so-called “Boomerangers” and their parents to consider. In this economic environment, many young adults and their parents are finding themselves in a position they never expected. A grown child moving back home can create insurance implications that should be considered carefully and understood well, so everyone stays protected.

May

Insurance department makes learning opportunities easier

Kansas consumers, savvy and dollar-conscious, look for the best information they can find regarding their insurance needs, not only for life and health but also for their property.  Sometimes, however, they are overwhelmed with new and often conflicting information, and that could lead to financial problems down the road.  I think information overload has contributed to the results of a new Insurance IQ study conducted nationally by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC). The survey indicates that 60 percent of Americans do not understand basic insurance coverage issues. With insurance such a big financial consideration in people’s household budgets, there’s a learning opportunity available for all of us.

April

Insurance Department charged with protecting Kansans in health reform law

Since the bill was signed into law March 23, the staff at the Kansas Insurance Department (KID) has fielded many questions surrounding the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. Kansans are wanting to know — and rightfully so — how the new federal legislation will affect them. We are working feverishly to compile information. I have organized an implementation team that will help determine how the bill affects the insurance market in Kansas. Because it is our job to figure out how to put in place the maze of new regulation concerning health insurance in the private market, I assure you that our work will be done in an unbiased way with all Kansans in mind.

March

Preparation, prevention keys to coping with storm-related losses in 2010

Setting sports records gives athletes a sense of pride, but setting records for storm losses is nothing to cheer about for Kansas property owners. Unfortunately, 2009 storm-related losses based on Kansas insurance claims surpassed the record set during 2008. During 2009, The Kansas Insurance Department estimated a total of $602 million in storm losses occurred to insured real and personal property from hail, wind, tornado and winter weather. That estimate was based on more than 137,000 claims.

February

Carefully evaluate the options for health care coverage

If you watch late night or cable television, you may have seen the ads that say "health insurance at a low, affordable price." If you are without health insurance now, you may wonder if these offers would be right for you. That's why it's important to educate yourself before purchasing any of these plans. The products usually described as discount health plans and limited benefit health insurance plans may or may not offer you the coverage you want.

January

Long-term care considerations appropriate for protecting assets

One estimate says that by the year 2030, one out of five Americans will be over the age of 65. We’re seeing that shift to an older population now with the retirement of Baby Boomers.  Add the fact that Americans are living longer, thanks to advances in medicine, and we will soon have an increased need to make our retirement savings last longer.

December

Like a great holiday meal, insurance success requires planning

During this holiday season, many of us expend considerable thought and activity (not to mention dollars) to prepare and serve memorable meals to our families and friends.  We think about what our families like to eat, basic ingredients we need to prepare the meal, and what extra ingredients we could add that would “spice it up.” In turn, we hope our families know we love and care about them.

November

Watch out for Medicare fraud, scams during open-enrollment period

During the upcoming open-enrollment period for Medicare Part D and Medicare Advantage plans, I urge Kansas Medicare beneficiaries to be alert to any potential scams surrounding sign-up activity.

October

Fall is the perfect time to get your insurance rates in shape

As we move into fall, there's no better time to understand how your lifestyle could affect your insurance policies. Diet and exercise are ideal ways to maintain a healthy lifestyle, but as Kansans weather the national economic downturn, it has become even more important to keep a healthy budget.

September

Prescription for health care reform is difficult, but necessary

Look back past the din of this summer’s health care debates and recall the 2008 election cycle, when virtually every candidate, regardless of political affiliation, argued for broad change to our health care system.

Then, as now, there was no serious dispute that our present system fails to cover millions of Americans and costs all of us too much. These are the two core issues that we must address now as we move forward on the broad common ground that can exist.

August

Elder financial fraud is big concern for insurance department

I recall an incident from a few years ago that helps illustrate my continual concern about elder financial fraud.  An unscrupulous insurance agent was interviewed about allegations she moved an elderly couple’s money without their permission. The money went into products that paid the agent a substantial commission.

July

Year's insurance news on consumer radar

It's just past the middle of 2009, and now's a good time to take stock of what has happended in the insurance world throughout Kansas and the nation so far this year.

June

Prepare before your summer road trip

If you're planning a vacation road trip, it's time to review your auto insurance before you hit the road. One national motor club is reporting a 500,000-person increase in those taking a trip this summer.

May

Increased fraud activity mirrors economic times

It's called "opportunistic fraud." As our economy continues its struggle to rebound, the number of possible cases of insurance fraud has increased, according to a new report from the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB).

April

Health reforms are long overdue, but federal-state cooperation needed

I recently was part of a national panel that testified to United States senators about crafting legislation to address health insurance access and affordability.

My presence at the roundtable hearing of the U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee was part of a concerted effort by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) to tell federal legislators that it is important to ensure affordable, sufficient health coverage to small business owners, their employees and individuals. This is  especially important since small business makes up the majority of our Kansas workforce.

March

2008 storm loss totals show need for prevention, preparation in 2009

Kansas in 2008 marked the worst year for storm-related claim losses in 19 years. Because of that, I’m urging all Kansans to prepare for this upcoming storm season by making sure their property is inventoried properly and insured against natural elements.

Wind, hail and tornados are all part of Kansas spring and summer weather. And they certainly were a major part of 2008.  Our Kansas Insurance Department estimated storm losses show that almost $596 million in Kansas losses occurred from approximately 131,500 claims reported.

February

Ensure yourself of a healthier heart

February’s emphasis on Valentine’s Day and matters of the heart take on a new perspective when you factor in the idea of cardiovascular disease (CVD). CVD, which includes a wide variety of heart and blood vessel diseases, remains the leading cause of death, accounting for more than one in three Kansas deaths. Young, old, active, inactive, men, women – there is no way to define when CVD can strike. 

That’s why during this month of heart-related topics, I want to emphasize the American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women campaign, aimed at educating women about heart disease and empowering us to reduce our risk and live stronger, heart-healthy lives.

January

Consumers: Resolve to get smart about insurance in 2009

As we move into 2009, a weak economy, rising unemployment and falling home values will have important ramifications for Kansas insurance consumers. Yet, while these situations pose challenges, they also provide opportunities to save on insurance costs.