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December 5, 2007 News for property casualty insurers   Top Story    Study: Miami will face highest coastal flood risk A new study predicts that Miami will face the world's highest coastal flood risk by the 2070s. Infrastructure exposed assets will rise from $400 billion today to more than $3.5 trillion, according to the report by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development and Risk Management Solutions. PropertyCasualty360.com (12/4)   Location Enabled Web Services Applications Increase Underwriting Productivity and Accuracy Try Pitney Bowes MapInfo's IDSS online demo today to see some of the ways that location intelligent web applications can help insurers to make more efficient and effective underwriting and policy rating decisions.     Industry Trends    Troops evacuate Oregon town after flooding National Guard troops evacuated the town of Vernonia, Ore., after back-to-back storms caused heavy flooding in the area. The town, located about 35 miles from Portland, had been largely cut off due to landslides that blocked roads. ClipSyndicate (12/5), The Associated Press (12/4) Calif. county lowers fees for homeowners installing solar panels The Board of Supervisors in California's Ventura County this week voted to reduce fees for some homeowners who install solar energy panels. A homeowner who lives in the unincorporated part of the county would save up to $158 with a roof that included solar panels. Officials are urging the county's 10 cities to adopt similar measures. Ventura County Star (Calif.) (free registration) (12/5) City council in California adopts updated construction codes Updated construction codes adopted by the Mill Valley City Council in California will require new buildings to have automatic fire sprinklers and noncombustible roofs. The codes will incorporate new state standards for plumbing, electrical, fire and building codes. Marin Independent Journal (Calif.) (12/4) Download a free paper to learn how new generation policy admin systems are giving P&C insurers the tools to compete and how to build the strategic business case that puts you ahead of the game. CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD.   Personal Lines  Santa Clara county officials push for fire-prevention property tax Some officials in California's Santa Clara county say a special property tax would help enforce fire-prevention rules. Half of homeowners in unincorporated parts of the county are not clearing brush at least 30 feet around their homes, one fire official said. A portion of the tax would be designated for enforcing fire-prevention rules. The Mercury News (San Jose, Calif.) (12/4) The Buzz(CORPORATE ANNOUNCEMENTS) The Uses and Benefits of Location Intelligence in P&C Insurance Download a complimentary white paper with an informational overview on the use of Location Intelligence in Property & Casualty to enhance underwriting and policy rating, risk management, claims, and distribution. Interested in learning more about advertising in PCI SmartBrief? Contact Abiy Bekele at 212-450-7919 or abekele@smartbrief.com.     Commercial Lines  New York proposes new workers' comp guidelines Medical treatment guidelines proposed by the New York State Insurance Department are designed to improve treatment for injured workers and lower workers' compensation costs. However, the Workers' Compensation Reform Task Force notes that it is unclear if the guidelines will be enforceable. PropertyCasualty360.com (12/4)   Policy and Law  Bill would protect Va. Tech victims from tax liability The U.S. House of Representatives has before it a bill introduced by Rep. Rick Boucher, D-Va., that would ensure that victims of last spring's Virginia Tech massacre and their family members do not have to pay income taxes on payments they received from a memorial fund. More than $8.5 million was distributed to the families of the 32 victims in October. CQ.com (subscription required) (12/4) Local Florida governments regain access to investment pool Florida's State Board of Administration on Tuesday voted to reopen a $14 billion investment pool. The move will free some of the money that local governments have in the fund, but the board has said it will limit how much money the governments may withdraw without paying redemption fees. Houston Chronicle/Associated Press (12/4)   SmartQuote  If A is success in life, then A equals X plus Y plus Z. Work is X; Y is play; and Z is keeping your mouth shut." --Albert Einstein, German-born Swiss-American physicist     Subscriber Tools       Print friendly format | Web version | Search past news | Archive | Privacy policy Advertise Sales Account Director:  Abiy Bekele (212) 450-7919 Download Media Kit   Read more at SmartBrief.com A powerful website for SmartBrief readers including: Industry Home Readers' Choice Search Archive Grab our News Widget Get this RSS Feed Publish your Press Release Download the SmartBrief Android app       Recent PCI SmartBrief Issues: Tuesday, December 04, 2007 Monday, December 03, 2007 Friday, November 30, 2007 Thursday, November 29, 2007 Wednesday, November 28, 2007     Lead Editor:  Angela Giroux-Scheide Contributing Editor:  Karen Kantor     Mailing Address: SmartBrief, Inc.®, 1100 H ST NW, Suite 1000, Washington, DC 20005     © 1999-2011 SmartBrief, Inc.® Legal Information