Latest news with #insurancecoverage
Malay Mail
7 hours ago
- Automotive
- Malay Mail
Luxury cars among vehicles seized in Seremban for unpaid road tax, lack of insurance
KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 8 — Authorities in Negri Sembilan seized five luxury vehicles during their latest operation for not having valid road tax and insurance coverage. The state Road Transport Department (JPJ) has also impounded a total of 10 high-end vehicles so far this year due to similar offences, director Hanif Yusabra Yusuf said in a report by The Star. 'These vehicles cost hundreds of thousands of ringgit each, but sadly, their owners have not paid the road tax,' he was quoted saying. From January to July this year, the state JPJ issued more than 10,400 summonses to vehicle owners who failed to renew their road tax. In the same period, another 7,812 summonses were issued to motorists whose vehicles did not have insurance coverage. Some of the errant owners had gone more than two years without renewing either their road tax or insurance, Hanif added. 'When we ask why they did not pay, they would just say 'lupa' (I forgot)... that is a lame excuse that we will not accept,' he said. Hanif warned that such vehicles would be impounded until their cases are resolved in court, and reminded the public that under the Road Transport Act 1987, failure to have valid road tax and insurance is a punishable offence. Earlier this week, a transport safety group alleged that luxury vehicle owners often opt to forego obtaining insurance and road tax as it was cheaper to pay the RM300 fine each time they were caught.
CTV News
3 days ago
- Automotive
- CTV News
Using points doesn't cancel out coverage through credit card insurance, B.C. tribunal rules
A B.C. man who paid for a portion of his car rental with Expedia points is still entitled to insurance coverage through his credit card, a B.C. tribunal has ruled. The dispute dates back to 2023, when Omar Guyah returned a car with a cracked windshield and was charged just under $850 by the rental company to cover the cost of the repair, according to a decision posted online Friday. Guyah paid for part of the car rental with an Amex that gave him coverage through the Royal & Sun Alliance Insurance Company of Canada. But when Guyah filed a claim with the company seeking reimbursement for the repair cost, he was denied. The company said he was not covered because 'he did not pay the full cost of the car rental with his credit card,' the decision explained. The booking of the rental was done online through Expedia, a third-party website that allows members to accumulate points and redeem them for discounts, the decision noted, adding that in this case the discount was $7.24. The question tribunal member Peter Mennie had to answer was whether using points to get a discount meant Guyah did not pay the 'full amount' with his Amex, which he was required to do in order to be entitled to coverage under the policy. Ultimately, Mennie rejected the insurance company's argument that the points were a form of payment. 'I find that Expedia points are more like a coupon than a monetary payment because they can only be used when booking through Expedia,' Mennie wrote. 'I find that paying the 'full cost' of the car rental means paying the total amount owed after any coupons, discounts, or rebates are applied. To hold otherwise would mean that any sort of promotion or reduction in cost from a car rental company or booking agent would exclude insurance coverage.' Further, because the policy did not explicitly say the use of points could be grounds for denying a claim, the tribunal found the company was not entitled to do so. The company was ordered to pay Guyah $848.98 in damages, equivalent to the amount he claimed for the repair. The credit card holder was also awarded $63.83 in pre-judgment interest and $125 in tribunal fees.
Reuters
5 days ago
- Health
- Reuters
White House backs away from IVF coverage mandate despite Trump's campaign pledge, Washington Post reports
Aug 3 (Reuters) - The White House has no current plans to mandate insurance coverage for IVF, despite President Donald Trump's campaign promise to expand access to fertility treatments, The Washington post reported on Saturday. Reuters could not immediately verify this report.
Fox News
28-07-2025
- Health
- Fox News
Weight-loss patients taking Zepbound forced to switch to Wegovy after drop in coverage
Some patients taking GLP-1 drugs for weight loss have been forced to switch to a different medication due to a change in insurance coverage — and they're not happy about it. As of July 1, CVS Caremark — one of the biggest pharmacy benefit managers in the U.S. — dropped Zepbound (tirzepatide) from its preferred drug list, replacing it with Wegovy (semaglutide). Zepbound — along with its counterpart diabetes medication, Mounjaro — is made by Eli Lilly, while Wegovy is produced by Novo Nordisk, which also makes Ozempic. CVS Caremark blamed rising costs for the change. In a June 27 statement on its website, the company noted that "drug manufacturers are solely responsible for setting the price of drugs and have priced these medications at a high cost, making it difficult for many people to access them." In an effort to "lower out-of-pocket drug prices," CVS Caremark said it partnered with Novo Nordisk to "significantly increase access to Wegovy for our members at a more affordable price." "On July 1, 2025, we will take a formulary action to prefer Wegovy and remove Zepbound," the statement continued. "We're confident our decision to prefer Wegovy on our commercial template formularies will enable wider, more affordable coverage for weight management drugs, while preserving clinical integrity." Dr. Tro Kalayjian, a board-certified physician practicing internal and obesity medicine based in New York, noted that lack of patient choice always negatively affects patients. "Some people do not tolerate certain medications, and being forced to change to a new drug presents a clear avenue to stall progress," he told Fox News Digital. "Forced switching disrupts continuity of care." "Switching drugs is not always seamless; dosing must often be re-titrated, and side effects can re-emerge." Many patients who received letters from Caremark about the switch have taken to social media to express their concerns. "I was just approved for Zepbound two months ago … I've only been on it for two months and I'm already down 25.8 lbs," one user wrote on Reddit. "I've increased my dose twice since I'm now in month three, and I've had little to no side effects. It's been working so well for me, I'm really nervous about having to switch medications." Another user wrote, "CVS just sent a letter stating it was no longer covered and I could transition to Wegovy. However, I did try Wegovy prior to Zepbound and it made me profusely ill. There should be exceptions to this rule. Since I'm only using the shot every other week, maybe I will pay for it through their website. It works for me and I don't want to take the chance of gaining the weight back." "It's been working so well for me, I'm really nervous about having to switch medications." CVS Caremark stated in its announcement that patients who previously tried Wegovy and experienced "severe or intolerable side effects" or "did not achieve sufficient weight loss" can request a "formulary exception" to be covered for a different weight loss drug. "You or your provider may initiate an exception request, which allows for a case-by-case medical necessity review to determine whether coverage for an alternative therapy is appropriate based on your clinical circumstances," the company stated. Patients can opt to purchase Zepbound directly from Eli Lilly, Kalayjian noted, but the medication is expensive, costing roughly $300-$500 per month. "Unfortunately, people are so desperate they are buying research-grade versions of the medications from TikTok and social media," he warned. Kalayjian noted that Zepbound is "slightly more effective" than Wegovy, as it has an additional mechanism, but both drugs are "very similar" in their weight loss results. "There is slightly less nausea and vomiting with Zepbound," he added. In a recent 72-week clinical trial published in The New England Journal of Medicine, researchers compared the safety and efficacy of tirzepatide (Zepbound) and semaglutide (Wegovy). The study found that tirzepatide achieved greater weight loss, with participants shedding about 50 pounds (20.2% of their body weight). The group taking semaglutide lost an average of 33 pounds or 13.7% of their baseline weight, according to a press release summarizing the study outcome. Overall, 32% of the people taking tirzepatide lost at least 25% of their body weight; semaglutide users lost around 16%. Tirzepatide users also reported a "greater reduction in waist circumference" than those on semaglutide. For more Health articles, visit The reported side effects were very similar for the two drugs, with 44% of people experiencing nausea and 25% having abdominal pain. Fox News Digital reached out to Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk for comment.
Yahoo
17-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Does homeowners insurance cover wildfires?
Wildfires destroyed more than 2,400 homes in 2024 — not to mention threatening countless human lives. You may associate wildfires with states like California and Texas, but the U.S. Forest Service reports that about one-third of American homes are located in counties at high risk of wildfires. While wildfire damage can be devastating, home insurance provides a safeguard against the worst financial impacts. But it's important to understand what's covered and be aware of any exclusions that could affect you. Does homeowners insurance cover wildfires? Homeowners insurance usually covers wildfires and related losses. Most policies include fire and smoke as covered perils, which are events your carrier agrees to insure you against. A standard home insurance policy provides the following coverages that may apply to wildfire damage: Dwelling coverage: This helps pay for repairing or rebuilding your home and other attached structures, like an attached garage or deck. Sometimes, this coverage includes detached structures, like a shed or separate garage. If a fire damages your roof or wall or destroys your home altogether, dwelling coverage would help pay for repairs or rebuilding. Personal property coverage: This insures your personal belongings, like furniture, appliances, and clothing. This coverage could help you pay for replacing these items if they're destroyed by a wildfire. Personal property coverage is included in most homeowners and rental insurance policies. Loss of use coverage: Also called additional living expense (ALE) coverage, this helps pay for temporary living expenses, like hotels and extra food costs, if you're displaced by a wildfire or another covered peril. Like personal property coverage, loss of use coverage is a feature of standard homeowner and renter policies. Learn more: Homeowners insurance: What it covers and how much you'll pay What homeowners insurance might not cover Insurers are increasingly excluding wildfire damage in many high-risk areas. In these situations, you may be able to buy a standalone policy or add on an endorsement. Many insurers are also canceling or refusing to renew policies for homes in places with frequent wildfires. Some carriers have stopped writing new policies in high-risk markets altogether. You still have options for insuring your property if you can't get coverage through a private insurer, but the premiums are often high and the coverage may be limited. Learn more: What does home insurance not cover? Up Next Up Next Tips to get the best wildfire insurance First, check your policy documents to verify that wildfires are covered by your home insurance. Most HO-3 policies (the most common type of home policy) include fire and smoke damage as covered perils. Here are some tips to make sure you have the amount of home insurance you need when it comes to wildfires: Tip 1: Consider insuring more than the standard RCV Most home policies cover your home's structure up to its replacement cost value (RCV), which is the cost of repairing or rebuilding it at today's prices. But if many surrounding properties are damaged by a wildfire, the costs of building supplies and labor will likely increase, so standard RCV may not be enough. Purchasing extended replacement cost coverage or guaranteed replacement cost coverage offers protection against these rising costs. Extended replacement cost coverage can increase your dwelling coverage limit by up to 50%. Guaranteed replacement cost coverage pays for the home's full replacement cost even if it exceeds policy limits. Tip 2: Don't forget about your personal belongings Your personal belongings are usually covered by your home policy, but the default is actual cash value (ACV), not replacement cost value (RCV) like your residence. Here's the difference between ACV vs. RCV: Actual cash value: ACV is the value of your property at the current market value. Since ACV accounts for depreciation, your reimbursement for destroyed personal belongings could be substantially less than the cost of actually replacing them. Replacement cost value: RCV coverage, on the other hand, will replace your destroyed property with a brand-new item. Consider insuring your property at RCV instead of ACV for an additional cost if you're worried your property won't be covered enough. Learn more: Actual cash value vs. replacement cost: Understanding the difference in home insurance For example, let's say your couch was damaged in a fire. You purchased it five years ago at $2,000, but now that same couch is only worth $700. With the default ACV on your homeowners insurance policy, you'd only get $700. But if you had added RCV coverage, you'd get a brand new couch of similar quality — worth the same $2,000 you spent five years ago. Expert tip: If you own high-value items like artwork, jewelry, or collectibles, you may want to add a scheduled personal property endorsement for additional protection. Tip 3: Check the time limit on ALE coverage Many home and renters policies have a time limit of about 12 months of additional living expense (ALE) coverage, though some insurers have caps of up to 24 months. Choosing a policy with a longer time limit could make sense if you live somewhere at high risk of wildfires. This way, you won't have to stress about covering your living expenses while you're displaced and/or looking for a new home. Tip 4: Choose affordable deductibles You can often save money on home insurance by choosing higher deductibles, but you'll have to pay your full deductible before your policy kicks in. If you can't afford to pay your deductible out of pocket, opting for lower deductibles — even if it means higher premiums — may be the safer choice. Keep in mind that, in some areas, separate deductibles may apply to wildfire claims. How to get wildfire insurance in high-risk areas Shopping for homeowners insurance covering wildfire damage can be tough if you live somewhere vulnerable to widespread blazes. Here are some options for wildfire insurance in high-risk areas. Check out your state's FAIR plans Fair Access to Insurance Requirements (FAIR) plans are state-run pools that serve as insurers of last resort for property owners in high-risk areas. These plans cover wildfire damage and are available in all 50 states. However, you may need to make upgrades to fireproof your home to qualify. FAIR plans are designed to be temporary and usually offer lower limits at a higher cost. While dwelling coverage is usually included, you may need to buy separate insurance for your personal property and ALE coverage. Consider surplus or excess line insurance (E&S insurance) Surplus or excess line (E&S) carriers are specialty insurers that cover high-risk scenarios that traditional insurers avoid. Traditional insurers are 'admitted' carriers, meaning they're licensed and regulated by the states in which they operate. E&S insurance carriers aren't bound by state laws and regulations. While they have more flexible underwriting standards, they also come with fewer protections than admitted carriers. For example, admitted carriers are backed by a state's guarantee fund, which pays out claims if an insurer becomes insolvent, whereas E&S insurers have no such backing. E&S insurance may be necessary if: You live in an area at high risk of wildfires or other natural disasters. You need high coverage limits. You don't meet a standard carrier's underwriting guidelines for some other reason, like you have an older home or you've filed multiple claims in a short window. Look into premier carriers if you have a high-value home Some premier carriers specialize in high-value homes, typically those worth over $1 million. These insurers often provide extensive coverage and mitigation services like private firefighting. Can insurance companies refuse to renew policies due to wildfires? Yes, insurance companies can refuse to renew your policy due to wildfires or exclude wildfire damage from coverage. Some companies opt to pull out of high-risk areas altogether. Insurers canceling or declining to renew policies in high-risk areas is becoming more common, especially as wildfires become a year-round phenomenon instead of a mostly seasonal occurrence. A December 2024 Senate Budget Committee report found high rates of nonrenewals in places that are especially vulnerable to wildfires, like California, eastern New Mexico, and Colorado. How to make a wildfire insurance claim Your safety comes first, so avoid returning home after a wildfire until you get the green light from local officials. Once you return, take any necessary steps to secure your property to avoid further losses, like boarding up broken windows or placing a tarp over a damaged roof. Then, follow these steps to file a wildfire insurance claim: Contact your carrier or insurance agent ASAP. Once you've determined that the cost of your property damage likely exceeds your deductibles, notify your insurance company or agent as soon as possible. Ideally, you can do this by phone, though many insurers set up temporary on-site claim centers after major disasters when cell service is often limited. Make sure you get a claims number. Make note of any deadlines or other requirements for filing a claim. Take a thorough inventory of the damage. You'll need to document any damage to your home and personal property for your insurance adjuster. Gather any evidence you have, like receipts and photos, to help you document the damage. You may also want to get bids from contractors to estimate repair or replacement costs before the adjuster inspects your home. Document every conversation. Take notes during every conversation with your insurance company. Ask for the name and phone number of each person you speak with. Meet with the insurance adjuster onsite. At some point, a company insurance adjuster will inspect your home. The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) notes that an inspection can happen in as little as three to five days for minor claims, but after a major disaster, the process can take significantly longer. Consider a public adjuster. If you disagree with the adjuster's assessment or if your case is especially large or complex, hiring a public adjuster who can advocate for you may be worthwhile. How to fireproof your house and property Wildfires can spread rapidly and cause devastating damage, but here are some ways to mitigate the risk, according to FEMA: Create a 30-foot buffer with minimal vegetation around your home. Store combustible materials, like firewood and gas grills, away from the home. Enclose porches, balconies, and overhangs with exposed space underneath. Cover vents with corrosion-resistant wire mesh. Opt for fire-resistant roofing materials, like single-ply membranes or fiberglass shingles, instead of flammable materials, like wood or shingle. Cover chimneys and stovepipes with spark arrestors. Wildfire insurance FAQs Does renters insurance cover wildfires? Renters insurance usually offers personal property coverage for wildfire damage, and it often includes ALE coverage if you're temporarily displaced. However, renters insurance doesn't provide dwelling coverage. Your landlord's insurance would kick in if the physical home or building is damaged in a wildfire. Learn more: How an auto and renters insurance bundle can save you big Does car insurance cover wildfire damage to vehicles? Wildfire damage to vehicles is usually covered if you have comprehensive insurance. This type of coverage protects against car damage not caused by collisions, like losses from severe weather or falling objects. You're usually required to maintain comprehensive car insurance coverage if you finance or lease a vehicle; however, it's not legally required in any state. So if you only carry your state's minimum coverage levels, your vehicle likely won't be insured against wildfire damage. Learn more: Bundle home and auto insurance: Be sure it's the best deal When should I hire a public adjuster for a wildfire insurance claim? Hiring a public adjuster for a wildfire claim may be helpful if you feel your insurer is shortchanging your claim or need help navigating your policy or the claims process. For example, if you're struggling to provide evidence of your losses or don't understand the legal jargon in the insurance contract, you might benefit from hiring a public adjuster. Jamie Young and Tim Manni edited this article.
