Latest news with #ZIP
Chicago Tribune
30-07-2025
- Business
- Chicago Tribune
Pritzker, Welch and Harmon: Homeowners deserve transparency from State Farm, not unexplained rate hikes
State Farm recently announced it is raising home insurance rates for nearly 1.5 million Illinois homeowners by an average of 27% and with rate hikes peaking as high as 40% for some. That's the largest single rate hike in recent history and will add an average of $750 a year to homeowners' insurance bills. At a time when the cost of living — particularly housing — is increasingly onerous for families across our state, State Farm's move requires careful scrutiny and full transparency. Headquartered in Bloomington, State Farm has long been a valuable Illinois company. It is Illinois' largest home insurer. Over the past six years, the Illinois Department of Insurance and the governor's office have forged a steady partnership and open line of communication with State Farm's leadership. To be clear, we value the services the company provides, the jobs it sustains and the substantial economic role it plays in our communities. One in three Illinois homeowners hold policies with State Farm. And since these rate hikes were announced, we've heard from many of them. First, there's the sticker shock of the sheer magnitude of the increase. But beyond that, there's a deep sense of disappointment in what many feel is a violation of trust between State Farm and its loyal, local customers. The disconnect stems from what insurance companies call the 'catastrophe loss ratio' — the amount an insurer loses from disasters compared with what it collects in premiums. State Farm's huge rate hike raises suspicion because it is inconsistent with what we know. When insurance companies suddenly want to increase customer premiums $750 and blame it on their loss ratio, we simply ask them: Prove it. In such cases, the Department of Insurance typically works with insurers to determine the source of major discrepancies. The department asks insurance companies for ZIP code-level data to make sure homeowners are paying fair insurance rates. Other insurance companies work with us on this. State Farm has refused. State Farm rejected repeated requests for information from the Department of Insurance. Rather than being transparent and letting the numbers speak for themselves, State Farm is withholding vital information not just from the government, but also from its customers. This lack of transparency takes on added importance when you consider that in 49 of the 50 states, regulators have authority to prohibit rate increases if the market is deemed noncompetitive or the increases are considered 'inadequate, excessive or unfairly discriminatory.' Illinois is the only state where the state government does not have any ability to prevent indiscriminate rate hikes. Special interests in Springfield have lobbied for years to keep it this way. Momentum was already building for Illinois to change this policy and join the rest of the nation even before State Farm's rate hike. The company's actions now have pushed this commonsense consumer protection into the spotlight for the General Assembly's fall session. Editorial: State Farm lowers the homeowners insurance boom on IllinoisansTaken in their totality — State Farm's sudden, massive rate hike, the lack of transparency and the ongoing lobbying to avoid scrutiny — these events lead us to believe that State Farm may not be basing its rates on the actual data here in Illinois. As states across the country face even more extreme weather than we do, we need to make sure Illinois homeowners are not paying for losses that companies experience in other states. We sincerely hope this isn't the case with State Farm. But without the data, homeowners have no assurance. What we ask for is transparency in the interest of protecting homeowners, and the ability to act on the data when companies are unfairly profiting. We are not asking for special treatment for State Farm, nor do we want the company to operate at a loss. We are seeking accountability and a level playing field. The people of Illinois deserve nothing less. And if State Farm is truly interested in being a good neighbor, it should want that too.
Otago Daily Times
25-07-2025
- General
- Otago Daily Times
Concern 1080 will lower deer numbers
The use of 1080 poison where white tailed deer live could severely reduce the numbers of the "iconic" game animal, a hunting advocate says. New Zealand Game Animal Council chief executive Corina Jordan has recently returned from a trip to Stewart Island/Rakiura, where she talked to community members about the recent Department of Conservation aerial 1080 operation. The operation is part of a plan to save the endangered southern dotterel (pukunui) that is being preyed upon by wild cats. In phase one of the operation, 1080 bait with and without deer repellant was dropped on about 6500ha, earlier this month. Phase two of the operation will cover about 40,000ha and is scheduled to start next month. About five days after the drop, three dead white tailed deer were found with 1080 pellets in their stomachs in a hunting block where deer repellant had been used. Miss Jordan said if plans to remove predators from the whole island went ahead in 2026, the deer would not be wiped out, but their numbers would be significantly reduced. "That would put a stop to hunting on the island for quite a substantial period. "Hunters aren't going to want to visit an island that's been impacted by intrusive predator control." This would also affect the economy of the island, she said. While the council supported predator control and conservation, the use of the poison in areas where deer lived was concerning. The poison was not "authorised to be used to control deer". "It's inhumane. "There's animal health or well-being issues using 1080 on deer." The island's white tailed deer were special in that it was only one of two small wild populations. "It provides an outstanding hunting opportunity." Many people made an annual trip to the island to shoot the deer, which were not easy to hunt. "They're really intelligent and they're quite secretive." White tailed venison was also prized. "The meat in relation to quality, taste and texture is arguably some of the best." New Zealanders needed to have a "courageous conversation" about the use of 1080 to kill predators in areas where deer live and whether deer repellant should be used in the bait, she said. There was little research done on how white tailed deer responded to bait with deer repellant added. However, Sika deer research showed 10% died when deer repellant was used and 70-80% died where no repellant was used. The council was in favour of managing the resource, which had happened with Fiordland's wapiti deer population. "You can have quite substantial conservation outcomes while maintaining the hunting resource." After the discovery of the three dead deer on the island last week, ZIP operations director Duncan Kay said the operation was an opportunity to measure the effectiveness of deer repellant in reducing the impact of 1080 on white tailed deer. "It is acknowledged that deer repellent is unlikely to prevent all deer deaths."
Business Upturn
15-07-2025
- Business
- Business Upturn
Aurora Spine Announces Participation in 7th Annual American Society of Pain & Neuroscience Conference
CARLSBAD, California, July 15, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Aurora Spine Corporation ('Aurora Spine' or the 'Company') (TSXV: ASG) (OTCQB: ASAPF), a leader in innovative spine and interventional pain management solutions, today announced it will be participating in the 7th Annual ASPN Conference sponsored by The American Society of Pain Neuroscience (ASPN) to be held July 17-20 at the Fontainebleu Miami Hotel in Miami Beach, Florida. Aurora will be located at Booth 129/130. To kick off the first full day of the conference (July 18th), there will be a series of discussions starting with a General Session on 'Embracing Disruption, Driving Innovation. Minimally Invasive Spine.' Within this General Session, there will be two discussions with relevancy to Aurora Spine products: Surgical Approaches to Facet Disease and Posterior Approaches to Lumbar Spine and SI Joint. On Saturday, July 19th, Aurora's ZIP product series will be highlighted in an ASPN Top Abstract discussion, of which only 12 are selected out of 330 papers that were submitted. Steven Falowski, MD, will deliver the podium talk to discuss: Functional Outcomes in the Low Back Pain Subject with a Novel Interspinous Fusion Device: REFINE Study 12 Month Results. Later that day, Aurora Spine will be sponsoring the ASPN Charity Reception with beneficiaries being the IRONMAN Foundation and Return to Duty. 'We are very excited about this year's ASPN Conference, especially having been selected for a podium talk that highlights our ZIP series of products. We are extremely honored to be selected for this discussion, as there are only a few spots for selection,' said Trent Northcutt, President and CEO of Aurora Spine. 'We are also excited about this year's ASPN Conference as we'll be introducing our AERO Lumbar Fusion System to industry professionals in attendance, which will include in excess of 3,000 industry professionals including neuro, ortho and pain interventionalists.' For more information about the conference go to: ASPN Annual Conference July 2025 . About Aurora Spine Aurora Spine is focused on bringing new solutions to the spinal implant market through a series of proprietary, minimally invasive, and regenerative technologies. The company is committed to improving surgical outcomes through innovation, efficiency, and patient-centered design. For more information, visit: Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Forward-Looking Statements This news release contains forward-looking information that involves substantial known and unknown risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond Aurora Spine's control. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the expected use and success of the Company's products, including the AERO Lumbar Fusion System. Actual results may differ materially. Please refer to Aurora Spine's final prospectus and public filings for additional information on risks and uncertainties. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this release. Aurora Spine undertakes no obligation to revise or update them to reflect future events or circumstances.
Business Insider
28-06-2025
- Business
- Business Insider
Zip Co Ltd. (ZIP) Receives a Buy from Goldman Sachs
In a report released yesterday, Elijah Mayr from Goldman Sachs maintained a Buy rating on Zip Co Ltd. (ZIP – Research Report), with a price target of A$3.40. The company's shares closed yesterday at A$3.03. Confident Investing Starts Here: Easily unpack a company's performance with TipRanks' new KPI Data for smart investment decisions Receive undervalued, market resilient stocks right to your inbox with TipRanks' Smart Value Newsletter According to TipRanks, Mayr is an analyst with an average return of -8.0% and a 37.68% success rate. Mayr covers the Consumer Cyclical sector, focusing on stocks such as IDP Education Ltd., Collins Foods , and G.U.D. Holdings. Currently, the analyst consensus on Zip Co Ltd. is a Strong Buy with an average price target of A$3.18, implying a 4.95% upside from current levels. In a report released on June 16, Ord Minnett also maintained a Buy rating on the stock with a A$3.40 price target. The company has a one-year high of A$3.56 and a one-year low of A$1.09. Currently, Zip Co Ltd. has an average volume of 22.18M. Based on the recent corporate insider activity of 12 insiders, corporate insider sentiment is positive on the stock. This means that over the past quarter there has been an increase of insiders buying their shares of ZIP in relation to earlier this year.
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Zip Codes and Credit Scores: Why Your Address and FICO Score May Be Driving Up Your Car Insurance
New data reveals that your ZIP code can increase car insurance costs by 20–40%, while a poor credit score may lead to a shocking 60% increase; learn how to fight back and save money by understanding these hidden factors and shopping smart. LOS ANGELES, June 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- A new analysis from reveals that where you live and how you manage your credit may significantly affect what you pay for car insurance even more than your driving history. The findings are part of a broader education initiative tied to the company's latest report, How Often Should You Get a Car Insurance Quote?, which encourages drivers to regularly reassess their policies as insurers weigh unexpected factors in premium pricing. Key insights from the report and supporting data include: Your ZIP Code Can Add Hundreds to Your Annual Premium : According to analysis in Does Your Zip Code Impact Your Car Insurance Rates? , urban residents in high-density or high-claim areas can pay 20–40% more than drivers in neighboring ZIP codes—even when all other factors are equal. Theft rates, accident frequency, and even weather events can all play a role. Credit Score is Quietly One of the Biggest Factors in Pricing : Many drivers don't realize that their credit score can be as impactful as their driving record when it comes to setting rates. In The Role of Credit Score in Determining Insurance Rates , found that drivers with poor credit may pay up to 60% more than those with excellent credit even if they have a clean driving record. 2 in 3 Drivers Don't Know These Rules Exist : Consumer sentiment is one of confusion and frustration. According to internal surveys, fewer than 1 in 3 drivers are aware that non-driving factors like ZIP code and credit can impact their rates. The result? Many overpay without realizing they're being penalized for something unrelated to their behavior behind the wheel. Americans can get the best deal by checking their quote every 6-12 months : The article emphasizes the power of regular comparison shopping. With rates shifting due to economic and underwriting trends, checking quotes every 6–12 months is one of the most effective ways to save especially for those who've recently improved their credit or moved to a lower-risk area. "Drivers are often told that safe driving saves money. But too often, your ZIP code or FICO score does more to shape your premium than your time behind the wheel," said Fausto Bucheli, Founder & President at "We're committed to helping drivers take back control by understanding how the system works—and how to beat it." The Bottom Line: Knowledge is Savings offers a growing suite of tools and resources to help consumers better understand what's behind their rates and how to reduce them. From location-based quote comparisons to guidance on improving insurability, the platform helps drivers optimize their coverage without compromising protection. Explore the Full Report Visit to read How Often Should You Get a Car Insurance Quote? and access comparison tools, savings tips, and expert advice. About Founded in 1974, is a trusted insurance solutions broker dedicated to helping individuals and families across the United States find affordable, high-quality insurance coverage. With nearly five decades of experience, the company partners with top-rated national insurers to offer a wide array of products, including auto, SR-22, motorcycle, home, renters, life, health, RV, and boat insurance. simplifies the insurance shopping process through its user-friendly online platform, providing instant quotes tailored to each customer's unique needs. By combining unbeatable affordability with reliable coverage options, the company ensures that customers can secure the protection they need without compromising on quality. Headquartered in Chino Hills, California, is committed to delivering exceptional service and value to its clients nationwide. For more information, visit or contact info@ View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE
