Claims News Service, Jan. 15, 11:34 a.m. EST — In response tothe recent verdict in the case Broussard v. State Farm Fire &Casualty Co., in which a judge ruled that State Farm failed to paya family for the loss of their home, Mississippi Congressman BennieG. Thompson has announced plans for a formal Congressionalinvestigation. Thompson is the chairman of the Committee onHomeland Security.

“This ruling is just the latest example of insurance companiesengaging in a systematic effort to avoid paying Katrina victims fordestruction caused by wind damage,” said Thompson, in a statement.“Congress will not sit idly by while insurance companies – who aremaking record profits – continue to shift the costs of thisnational disaster to the American taxpayer.

“Working with other Committees of jurisdiction, I will beinvestigating the assertions that insurance companies arewrongfully passing the costs of Katrina onto an already-burdenedfederal flood insurance program.”

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