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Apparently, it’s not illegal to make pet food from contaminated ingredients that are known to cause cancer — though it will cost you $3.1 million in lawsuit settlements, plus attorney fees.

While it might have been a temporary lapse in administration, Diamond Pet Foods neglected to test for aflatoxins in at least 12 separate shipments of grain at the Gaston, South Carolina, plant in 2005. This is not to be confused with the incident of toxic pet food manufactured with the poisonous chemical, melamine, in China during 2006.

A veterinarian made the connection to the company’s food after the puzzling death of a canine patient. It was only after the Food and Drug Administration released its own report on the incident that Diamond admitted the oversight, but was clear to point out in the settlement agreement that they didn’t do anything unlawful.

Jeffrey Thompson, Diamond’s attorney, contends that the company has “taken care of its customers since the very first day that they found out about this, and I think the settlement that we’ve entered into continues to do that.”

Typically, insurance companies request a like-kind settlement from the insured to balance risk. Around 1,200 claimants have filed suit, demanding compensation for veterinary bills, recalled food, and of course, the death of their furry companions. You can’t put a meaningful price on friendship, but a sincere apology would certainly be nice.

This article appeared on MSN. It’s well written and outlines one reporter’s journey on securing a life insurance policy.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency has been reassessing all the U.S. maps on file to determine new flood-prone areas. This is a huge undertaking because for some areas, the data hasn’t been reviewed for more than 20 years.

The nationwide increase in real estate development means millions of homes could potentially be affected by the new zoning. The good news is that all the maps will now be available online for the first time. So it’s easier than ever to see if your home could be situated in a risky location. Just visit www.fema.gov and they’ll tell you all about it.

Keep in mind, though, that if you are in a new flood-prone area your homeowners policy does NOT cover damages from water originating outside of your home. Flood insurance is the answer. Your agent can sign you up right away, and if you’re adding coverage as a result of the new zoning you’ll only have to wait 1 day, instead of the usual 30, for coverage to take effect. Rates start around $300 per year for low-risk areas, or up to $2,500 if you’re in a designated flood zone. Coastal properties represent the largest risk, and rates there can easily double.

If you’re not sure whether flood insurance is right for you, just check out www.floodsmart.gov for their interactive demo detailing the cost of damages for only a few inches of water filling your home.

Our partnership with LegalZoom allows us to provide you with a $10 discount, use discount code AccuQuote.

Aimee Lee Weiss admitted she suffocated her new-born son after secretly giving birth at home in 2001. She was seventeen years old. A neighborhood youth found the weighted backpack with the baby’s corpse while fishing in a nearby canal a week later. Investigators made the arrest and obtained a full confession following standard procedures.

Unfortunately, Broward County’s Miranda rights procedures weren’t up to par with federal regulation. Florida police neglected to inform her that she had the right to an attorney before, during, and after questioning. The entire confession was thrown out. Weiss pleaded no contest in 2006 and walked away with just three years probation.

Less than a year later, Weiss has been arrested again for assisting in filing fraudulent insurance claims while working at a chiropractor’s office. Her lawyer counters she was simply a receptionist and was only following doctor’s orders. One reporter describes her response, “After getting bond set, Weiss winked at her father and sister who were sitting in court.”

She now faces 15 years behind bars if found guilty of violating probation on the original manslaughter allegation.

Let’s hope officials involved have dotted every “I” and crossed every “T” in preparation for round two.

The unemployment rate is at a two-year high. The housing market in a slump. There’s talk of a recession. You depend on your employer for your health, life and disability insurance. If you lost your job, you’d lose your health/life insurance coverage. If the worst happens and a recession costs them their job, what would they do?

Here are some tips to make sure your insurance coverage is recession proof:

· Switch to term life insurance policy – If you have a group life insurance policy, you most likely will lose your coverage if you lose your job. Look into getting an individual term life insurance policy. Not only is the coverage portable, but it’s usually less expensive then group and if you’re in good health, you can usually get more coverage for less money. You can get free life insurance quotes online.

· Compare individual health insurance policies – Start comparing individual health insurance polices before you run into a situation where you are forced into getting something right away. Don’t be fooled, you could lose your COBRA rights up front and be left without health. If you lose your job and you can exercise COBRA rights to retain your current employer’s health insurance policy, do so.

· Take care of important medical care – If you need significant medical care, do it now, while you’re still employed and insured. Don’t put off to tomorrow what you should do anyway today, while you still have a job.

About 500,000 people living and working in Mississippi are without health insurance. With 125,000 Magnolia-state residents employed by small businesses, it just makes sense to help those who can help themselves.

Governor Haley Barbour has a plan. “We need more people to have health insurance,” he said. “The biggest impediment is the cost.”

His new Mississippi Health Insurance Exchange would allow small business owners to join resources, take advantage of existing federal and state tax credits, and ultimately save bundles by having the plan administered by the state. The end result being affordable health-care rates for everyone involved.

The best thing about Barbour’s new plan benefits both employers and employees. If the company you work for can only afford to buy a percentage of the coverage, employees might have to assist with their own contributions – but both sides can still have the benefit of federal and state tax breaks.

First, though, the Legislature must approve and provide the preliminary funding necessary to set up and oversee the plan. After that, all administrative costs would be paid for by a portion of the funds paid into the plan itself.

“Never forget most people in Mississippi work for small businesses,” says Barbour. “This makes it easier for them to create jobs.”

Why didn’t someone think of this before?

This is a press release that my company, AccuQuote posted this week about how companies are competing for the lowest term life insurance rates. There is a rate war going on and we think consumers should know about it because their are opportunities to save a lot of money.

Massachusetts’ Attorney General has filed a lawsuit against Great American Insurance Group and their subsidary, Professional Risk Brokers Inc., declaring the company was involved in “bid rigging” when offering quotes to a technology firm.

State Attorney General Martha Coakley is accusing Great American of conspiring with another broker to submit a higher quote for services so the first broker would get the job. “Contingent commissions,” commonly referred to as kickbacks, were then paid in the form of sub-policies based on the amount of business acquired.

The allegations contend Great American offered the higher bid at the request of Marsh & McLennan Cos., who then funneled another insurance policy to Great American worth about $60,000.

Although Marsh & McLennan is not named as a defendant in this suit, the company has been mixed up with bid-rigging scams as recently as 2005. Allegations of bid rigging, price fixing, and using hidden incentive fees to steer contracts, were settled out of court to the tune of $850 million.

Coakley is requesting civil penalties, restitution, and a court order preventing Great American from deceptive and unfair business practices. A spokesperson for Great American’s parent company, American Financial Group Inc, refused to comment on the scandal.

In the end, it’s the policyholders who ultimately loose out. Having to shell out higher premiums to pay for inappropriate conduct would make me think twice about keeping my coverage with these guys.