What’s New: In Brief (March 27, 2008)

The Reinsurance Association of America (RAA) is urging the U.S. Senate to oppose the proposed expansion of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). The RAA, in conjunction with a coalition representing insurers, environmentalists, consumer advocates and taxpayer groups, is opposing the inclusion of wind damage insurance in the NFIP. In addition, they are urging the Senate to oppose the creation of new federal natural catastrophe loan, insurance or reinsurance programs. The consortium expressed concerns that expanding the NFIP “would administratively and financially overwhelm the program, result in incentives to build in unsafe or environmentally fragile areas, cost taxpayers billions, and discourage the provision or wind insurance by the private sector,” the RAA noted in a release.

The Insurance Corporation of British Columbia (ICBC) announced 22 of its accredited express shops received AutocheX Premier Achiever Awards for excellence in customer satisfaction. The shops were recognized for achieving a customer satisfaction rating of 98.8% or higher in 2007. The winners are: McDermott’s Body Shop Ltd., Vancouver T.C. Valley Collision Ltd., Courtenay Ron’s Collision, Cranbrook A-1 Auto Body Ltd., Langley Meadowridge Collision Ltd., Maple RidgeProline Collision Ltd., North VancouverCenterline Collision Centre, Quesnel Frank’s Auto Body Repair, Vernon Autohouse Collision & Restoration, AbbotsfordVan-Burn Collision Repairs Ltd., BurnabyEagle Automotive Center, Burns LakeWilly’s Collision Ltd., CourtenayNeno’s Paint & Body Ltd., CranbrookNorth Star Motors Ltd., CranbrookTsawwassen Collision Ltd., DeltaEnderby Auto Body Ltd., EnderbyModern Bradley Collision Ltd., LangleyOn Line Collision Ltd., LangleySignal Collision Ltd., MarysvilleSidney Hi-Tech Collision Inc., SidneyP.J. Collision Ltd., VanderhoofParker’s Auto Body & Paint Ltd., Victoria