Letters to the editor – Excellent service when needed the most

On Dec. 22, as the temperature was going below zero, our furnace went out. 360 Heating/Cooling arrived quickly and got us heat.

I emailed Ameren about a possible limb hazard. A representative from Wright Tree Service actually looked at it within two hours.

There are good people and good news — if we look for it!

Matthew K. Sommer, Morton

Auto insurance regulation changes unneeded

Legislation before the General Assembly is looking to ramp up regulatory requirements for Illinois insurers. That is a solution in need of a problem. The automobile insurance market in Illinois is healthy, consumers have countless choices, and the price for auto insurance is below the national average. More regulation may, in fact, have the opposite effect.

Those clamoring for increased insurance regulation criticize insurers' use of a range of factors that measure risk to price auto insurance. However, eliminating differentiators may mean all drivers will pay more. Why? Because ambiguity has a cost. Ignoring data points that have proven to correlate to future insurance claims makes it impossible to give every driver the rate they deserve. Good drivers will pay more than they should when uncertainty forces risk to be spread more broadly.

Any data point that helps bring accuracy to pricing means policyholders pay an amount that best matches their personal risk profile. This brings fairness to pricing models.

Rating factors an insurer may use to price insurance protection include one's credit history or other details that have proven accurate in predicting the likelihood and cost of claims. Not every insurance company uses the same factors. This is good news because consumers are truly in the driver's seat and can shop around for options.

Illinois is a buyer's market for insurance, with more than 200 auto insurance companies competing for business. Why tamper with something that is working so well?

Lynne McChristian, director, Office of Risk Management & Insurance Regulation, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign

All homeowners should consider flood insurance

Unstable weather patterns may cause flooding in the coming weeks. Just a few inches of floodwater can make

roadways dangerous and damage property. The Illinois Insurance Association and its member companies encourage residents to be prepared.

Be familiar with flood and flash flood advisories, watches and warnings. Establish safety procedures for these communications, and be sure household members know how to respond. For example, never drive, walk or swim through floodwater. Keep children away from storm drains that pull water off flooded streets. Avoid bridges that may be structurally compromised by rushing water underneath.

Floodwater causes major damage to homes and belongings. Repairing structural damage and replacing ruined possessions causes financial hardship. Many intend to turn to a homeowners or renters insurance company for help, not realizing these policies exclude flood-related property damage.

Insurance for flood-related damage to dwellings and personal belongings is available by purchasing flood insurance.

Federally insured mortgage lenders require flood insurance on homes in high-risk areas. Flood insurance is optional for everyone else.

Consider buying flood insurance even if your home is not in a floodplain or has never flooded. It's the only way to have guaranteed access to money to overcome flood-related damage. Government assistance is unreliable and typically comes from low-interest loans that must be repaid.

Contact a local property insurance agent for details on flood insurance cost, coverage options and restrictions. Act soon, though, as coverage begins 30 days after the policy's effective date!

Kevin J. Martin, executive director, Illinois Insurance Association