Thursday, May 3, 2012
Fiscal Responsibility and Tax Relief
It is fair and fiscally responsible for insurance companies to reimburse communities for safety services provided to their negligent at-fault policyholders. Police and Fire Departments should not be in the business of using their taxpayers dollars to subsidize insurance companies investigations, reporting, witnessing etc. Insurance lobbied and won legislation forcing drivers to maintain insurance based upon the premise that their negligent policyholders costs (direct or proximate) would be covered. It's time that legislators hold insurance accountable for the premiums they receive.
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Response to latest media "bashing".
INSURANCE OR TAXPAYERS - WHO SHOULD PAY FOR NEGLIGENCE?
The insurance industry lobbied and won legislation forcing all Ohio drivers to carry insurance based on the premise that the insurance industry would cover costs associated with the direct and proximate results of their policyholders’ negligent driving. Due to Ohio's Strong Home Rule Law, the insurance industry has resorted to using the media to "muddy" the message in an effort to distract readers and deflect their financial responsibility to their policyholders, as well as innocent taxpayers. The insurance industry is literally "banking" on elected officials being intimidated and succumbing to negative media attention and halting negligent driving fees. When negligent driving fees are halted, insurance is able to keep our premium dollars and also enjoy the financial benefits of taxpayers picking up their negligent policyholder's tab. this is literally double profit for insurance. We are all being called upon to be more fiscally accountable and responsible, why should Ohio legislators allow the insurance industry to be exempt from this call?
Cost Recovery Corp. recognizes that the media is extremely well funded by marketing dollars, controls the “ink” and is in the business of “selling” the news. However, the media only has power, if our elected officials and we buy what they are “selling”.
The following is factual clarification of the original “muddied” message “reported” by the DDN:
In the reporting for Miami Twp, it is unfortunate that we, Cost Recovery Corp, were not given the opportunity to further assist Miami Twp. as they merge with Miamisburg. Ceasing the crash-billing program due to the merger will not only cost the Fire Department, but also the innocent hardworking taxpayers of the community. While at absolutely no cost to the township or citizens of Miami Twp., being reimbursed $20,000 was indeed a benefit as it minimizes costs to the citizens of Miami Twp. Taxpayers may have a different view of $20,000 than reported by the DDN. Not only is $20,000 a TAX RELIEF it also provides desperately needed staffing or equipment that can save lives!
Regarding the City of Franklin, the news reporter stated CRC had a $250 charge cap on structure fires and crash billing. On June 12, 2011, Dr. Henley sent a letter to Chief Westendorf, at the Chief’s request, stating that CRC would agree to a cap on structure fires and also Hazmat incidents, except those Hazmat charges over $30,000 (due to additional costs incurred in recovering said costs). The newspaper errantly included crash billing in that statement. No caps for crash billing were ever discussed or agreed upon and the contract did not include any such “cap”.
The original article errantly stated that CRC charged 39% of the claim. FACT is that the entire bill, including Franklin’s Department charges and CRC’s administrative costs equaled $1265.90. Franklin Fire Department would have received $907.80, CRC $358.10 or 28.2% of the total costs to the invoice. However, insurance rejected the claim, so no one was paid and CRC regardless, of the work performed, received $0 dollars, During the course of business, CRC provided full disclosure to Franklin via monthly and quarterly reporting. During the contract, CRC provided $70,683.60 to the City of Franklin, at absolutely no cost to the City. These funds were a direct benefit to the fire department, minimized cost to provide the service and were a financial break for the innocent taxpayers in Franklin. Due to the media “attention” the financial break will instead be given back to the insurance industry.
The debate over local governments, public safety and the program for user fees brings out a wide range of opinions, however, a decrease in tax revenues and an increased demand for services are FACTS and truly putting public safety at risk.
Are there some communities and departments that have mismanaged funds? Perhaps. However to imply that ALL communities are guilty of mismanagement and that is the reason for staff shortages, fire station closures, or lack of equipment is simply not the truth. While scrutinizing management by departments and local governments, it is only fair that we do the same type of investigating and scrutinizing as it relates to the insurance industry. The insurance industry must be held accountable for the premium dollars they collect and the claims they deny.
Assessing negligent driving fees absolutely has not, and does not raise insurance rates. That claim by insurance intimidates citizens and makes for a “catchy” sound bite in the media. Fact is if your premiums were adjusted it would be because you were at-fault and considered a higher risk. This would occur with or without negligent driving fees. Assessing negligent driving fees to ONLY negligent drivers’ and their insurance provider (never victims), exempting taxpayers from out-of-pocket costs and all at absolutely zero cost to the community or taxpayers, is fiscally responsible and fair.
Regardless of personal or political opinion, we could all agree that this is a time in which Ohio citizens desperately need a financial break.
Either we ask our elected officials to hold the insurance companies accountable or in many cases, our elected officials will be forced to raise our taxes.
Are your elected officials pro-insurance or pro-taxpayer?
Respectfully,
Regina Moore Jones
The insurance industry lobbied and won legislation forcing all Ohio drivers to carry insurance based on the premise that the insurance industry would cover costs associated with the direct and proximate results of their policyholders’ negligent driving. Due to Ohio's Strong Home Rule Law, the insurance industry has resorted to using the media to "muddy" the message in an effort to distract readers and deflect their financial responsibility to their policyholders, as well as innocent taxpayers. The insurance industry is literally "banking" on elected officials being intimidated and succumbing to negative media attention and halting negligent driving fees. When negligent driving fees are halted, insurance is able to keep our premium dollars and also enjoy the financial benefits of taxpayers picking up their negligent policyholder's tab. this is literally double profit for insurance. We are all being called upon to be more fiscally accountable and responsible, why should Ohio legislators allow the insurance industry to be exempt from this call?
Cost Recovery Corp. recognizes that the media is extremely well funded by marketing dollars, controls the “ink” and is in the business of “selling” the news. However, the media only has power, if our elected officials and we buy what they are “selling”.
The following is factual clarification of the original “muddied” message “reported” by the DDN:
In the reporting for Miami Twp, it is unfortunate that we, Cost Recovery Corp, were not given the opportunity to further assist Miami Twp. as they merge with Miamisburg. Ceasing the crash-billing program due to the merger will not only cost the Fire Department, but also the innocent hardworking taxpayers of the community. While at absolutely no cost to the township or citizens of Miami Twp., being reimbursed $20,000 was indeed a benefit as it minimizes costs to the citizens of Miami Twp. Taxpayers may have a different view of $20,000 than reported by the DDN. Not only is $20,000 a TAX RELIEF it also provides desperately needed staffing or equipment that can save lives!
Regarding the City of Franklin, the news reporter stated CRC had a $250 charge cap on structure fires and crash billing. On June 12, 2011, Dr. Henley sent a letter to Chief Westendorf, at the Chief’s request, stating that CRC would agree to a cap on structure fires and also Hazmat incidents, except those Hazmat charges over $30,000 (due to additional costs incurred in recovering said costs). The newspaper errantly included crash billing in that statement. No caps for crash billing were ever discussed or agreed upon and the contract did not include any such “cap”.
The original article errantly stated that CRC charged 39% of the claim. FACT is that the entire bill, including Franklin’s Department charges and CRC’s administrative costs equaled $1265.90. Franklin Fire Department would have received $907.80, CRC $358.10 or 28.2% of the total costs to the invoice. However, insurance rejected the claim, so no one was paid and CRC regardless, of the work performed, received $0 dollars, During the course of business, CRC provided full disclosure to Franklin via monthly and quarterly reporting. During the contract, CRC provided $70,683.60 to the City of Franklin, at absolutely no cost to the City. These funds were a direct benefit to the fire department, minimized cost to provide the service and were a financial break for the innocent taxpayers in Franklin. Due to the media “attention” the financial break will instead be given back to the insurance industry.
The debate over local governments, public safety and the program for user fees brings out a wide range of opinions, however, a decrease in tax revenues and an increased demand for services are FACTS and truly putting public safety at risk.
Are there some communities and departments that have mismanaged funds? Perhaps. However to imply that ALL communities are guilty of mismanagement and that is the reason for staff shortages, fire station closures, or lack of equipment is simply not the truth. While scrutinizing management by departments and local governments, it is only fair that we do the same type of investigating and scrutinizing as it relates to the insurance industry. The insurance industry must be held accountable for the premium dollars they collect and the claims they deny.
Assessing negligent driving fees absolutely has not, and does not raise insurance rates. That claim by insurance intimidates citizens and makes for a “catchy” sound bite in the media. Fact is if your premiums were adjusted it would be because you were at-fault and considered a higher risk. This would occur with or without negligent driving fees. Assessing negligent driving fees to ONLY negligent drivers’ and their insurance provider (never victims), exempting taxpayers from out-of-pocket costs and all at absolutely zero cost to the community or taxpayers, is fiscally responsible and fair.
Regardless of personal or political opinion, we could all agree that this is a time in which Ohio citizens desperately need a financial break.
Either we ask our elected officials to hold the insurance companies accountable or in many cases, our elected officials will be forced to raise our taxes.
Are your elected officials pro-insurance or pro-taxpayer?
Respectfully,
Regina Moore Jones
Friday, January 20, 2012
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
Media Madness
Due to Ohio's strong Homerule law, the insurance industry is forced to use the media to errantly tarnish our reputation, deter business and intimidate local officials. The insurance industry has resorted to providing our local media with copies of claims to ignite the media madness. The media has all of the "ink" and heavily funded by insurance marketing dollars. It is unfortunate, but some actually "buy" their stories and as a result communities and elected officials succumb to their attacks which again unfairly places the financial burden of negligence on the backs of their taxpayers.
Sunday, December 11, 2011
Searching For A Story?
Would anyone in the media care to investigate why the insurance industry is pocketing legally mandated insurance premiums AND our tax dollars while our public safety is in jeopardy?
Saturday, December 10, 2011
Fair Is Fair
The insurance industry lobbied and won legislation forcing drivers to have insurance based upon the premise that they would cover the costs of direct and proximate damage caused by their negligent drivers.
Why then do some in the insurance industry believe that innocent, hardworking taxpayers should pick up the tab for safety services provided to their negligent drivers?
Insurance won the right to guaranteed premium dollars. It is only FAIR that they share in the cost of providing services to their policyholders!
Regina Moore Jones
Why then do some in the insurance industry believe that innocent, hardworking taxpayers should pick up the tab for safety services provided to their negligent drivers?
Insurance won the right to guaranteed premium dollars. It is only FAIR that they share in the cost of providing services to their policyholders!
Regina Moore Jones
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
Cox Media should Apologize to Springfield Citizens
Yet, again cox media has resorted to slanted reporting. We understand the intense pressure Cox must be under considering they must answer to their advertisers, such as the insurance industry. However, their alliance with the insurance industry is doing the exact opposite of "watching tax dollars", it is shifting the financial burden from insurance providers to the backs of innocent taxpayers. Since Cox News, chose not to print my statement, I have provided it here. Josh, Your analysis is completely incorrect and any statement regarding CRC "over billing" is completely false, and misleading. Prior to publicly maligning our reputation and further impeding of business perhaps you should consider the facts. The fact that modification of charges for CRC's services was a communication between the former Fire Chief and Dr. Terry Henley of CRC. Unfortunately, that information was not passed on to the current Chief. Only three (3) claims were paid under the modification and payment was received only by insurance companies, not by drivers. This was a necessary modification and was to be easily rectified by updating the contract. CRC's aggregate for the City of Springfield was less than 4% prior to the modification. If in fact the City halts this program, it places an unfair tax burden on the hardworking, innocent citizens of Springfield and allows the insurance industry another financial "bailout". Regina Moore Jones
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