New York, NY, July 26, 2007 --(PR.com)-- On August 2nd 2007, the Institute of American and Talmudic Law (IAT Law) will host a Continuing Legal Education (CLE) Seminar entitled ‘Filing, Negotiating and Litigating the First-Party Insurance Claim: Avoiding The Pitfalls and Malpractice,’ which will include the Bible's perspective on this high-profile issue.While providing legal counsel to an individual or a corporate client who has a significant First-Party Insurance Claim may not appear overly complex or involve technical knowledge, in truth, it is just the opposite.Through a series of statutes and case law in both New York and across the country, the handling of a first-party insurance claim can create traps for the unwary and potentially lead to liability exposure for the uninitiated attorney.This course will provide attorneys with some of the basic knowledge they need in order to provide their clients with guidance and identify issues that may arise once a claim is filed.In this presentation, they will discuss the law as it relates to notifying the carrier of a loss, the filing of a Sworn Statement in Proof of Loss, the insurance policy application and defenses to a claim by the carrier based upon the information contained in the application, statutes of limitation and the law of equitable tolling as it relates to insurance claims, the role of the public adjuster, valuing a claim and the Examination Under Oath process.They will also discuss issues that arise if and when a claim goes into litigation including discovery that you are entitled to, the "bad faith" denial of a claim and the applicability of the attorney-client privilege to shield an exchange of information between a carrier and the counsel representing that carrier.They will explore Talmudic law cases relating to the obligations of both the insured and insurerIn addition to IAT Law’s Talmudic expert Rabbi Shlomo Yaffe, the program will feature Mr.

Program Helps Plan For, Understand Long-Term Care

7/16/2007 - New York state has launched a statewide Long-Term Care Insurance Education and Outreach Program to help individuals plan for the financing of their long-term care. The implementation of the program is a partnership between the New York State Departments of Heath and Insurance and the New York State Office for the Aging. Local implementation is performed through the Chautauqua County Office for the Aging. New York States campaign includes a dedicated Web site which can be accessed at www.planaheadny.com.

Information and education about long-term care insurance is available to consumers including policies available through the Partnership for Long-Term Care. Individual and unbiased counseling services are provided also. Counselors can assist clients in planning for the financing of long-term care, understanding policy options, benefits and appeal rights, obtaining appropriate benefits as well as avoiding and reporting illegal billing and fraudulent practices or scams.

Auto accident from 2001 haunts my credit

I was in a car accident in 2001 while driving back to college from New York to Miami. It was the other driver's fault, so his insurance company paid for a rental car while my car was being fixed.

Now, out of the blue, a collections agency is after me. I explained the story, but, of course, it wasn't of any help.

Parents Urge Senate to Pass Family Leave Bill

(Albany, N.Y.) AP -- Parents and babies will gather on the steps of the State Capitol at noon Thursday to urge the New York State Senate to pass a family leave bill.The legislation backed by Governor Spitzer passed the Democrat-controlled Assembly in June but awaits a vote in the Republican-controlled Senate. It would create a social insurance program that would provide paid time off from work to care for a newborn or adopted child or sick family member. The family leave program is built on the existing temporary disability insurance program. Spitzer's proposal would provide up to 12 weeks paid leave through an annual payment of about $30 to an insurance fund, a version preferred by some business interests because it avoids a direct payment by the employer. Republican Senator Thomas Morahan of Orange County has noted that business would still face costs including the possible temporary replacement of the worker and overtime by colleagues picking up the work load.

Saul Friedman: Notes of outrage, caution

We're reserving this week's column for notes of outrage and caution from readers, like this one from Carlo Tolve of New Hyde Park. The target of his outrage -- and a complaint to the New York State Insurance Department -- is Allstate Insurance, and I suspect he is not alone.

Tolve, 72, a retired aerospace worker, received a notice from Allstate last month, addressed to "Dear Customer," in which he was notified that his homeowner's policy would not be renewed because, the notice claimed, his house is close to the Atlantic coast and in danger of hurricane damage.

.

Marsh Appoints Five Execs to Lead Middle Market Operations

Insurance broker and risk advisor Marsh Inc. announced the appointment of five senior insurance brokerage executives to lead the firm's Middle Market operations in New York, Los Angeles, Boston, San Francisco, and the Carolinas.

Watkins, who has 26 years of experience in insurance and related risk advisory roles, was vice president and Northeast Regional director of Hilb Rogal & Hobbs (HRH). He began his career in 1981 as an underwriter with Chubb & Son insurance. In 1988, he moved to the brokerage side, joining Barney & Barney in San Diego.

A rewarding visit is ensured

- I was born here and raised in the suburbs. I grew up surrounded by great art and architecture, hiked to Heublein Tower for stunning views of the Farmington Valley, and enjoyed picnics among the roses at Elizabeth Park. I never saw the so-called Insurance Capital as a staid city overshadowed by Boston and New York, but rather, as a place of unique, charming attractions.

If only visitors knew where to look.

Approaching the state capital on Interstate 84, the compact cityscape hides the lush green space called Bushnell Park that spreads from downtown office buildings to the capitol. As the first publicly financed municipal park in the United States, the design and landscaping of Bushnell Park was intended to create a sanctuary in the center of the city.

Make your way past the Gothic-style, brownstone Memorial Arch that straddles Trinity Street and through the trees to the 24-sided pavilion that houses the Bushnell Park Carousel.