Hi John & All,

I contacted the CEA today and requested a copy of the "government study" that was supposed to have partially influenced rate reductions in the CEA program starting in July.

The man who is supposed to know about these things said he wasn't aware of the news article, but would look for it. I realized about an hour later I had given him my e-mail address incorrectly, so I called back. He said he couldn't find the story, so I sent it to him. First he said he thought the reporter might have embellished a little, "you know how they do" and I told him I didn't think so as he worked for AP and they don't normally do that. I asked him to ask Ms. Kincaid as he worked with her and I'm she would be aware of the study. Then he said there might not have been a formal report, maybe just a few words here and there. After all we work geologist and seismologists. Yeah, I know. More nothingness. So I decided I was tired of the go round and told him in order to get a rate reduction based on a study, the study have to have been written and submitted with the request. Then came, "you know, we work with the USGS and other scientists and geologists."

If there ever was a study its well hidden somewhere and I don't think it exists. My best guess and I could be wrong is that the CEA had an excess of funds and rather than return premiums to the current policyholders they chose to reduce rates and hope to secure more clients.

The bad news is that the story indicated there was less risk, when there probably isn't any and then you have to wonder if people think there is less risk, then they won't buy the coverage which negates the entire purpose.

Frankly, I'm disgusted.

Petra