The federal government pays large subsidies to farmers to cover their crop insurance. These subsidies run about $7.8 billion a year, but now an Environmental Working Group is proposing a 2012 farm bill that would reform the insurance program and potentially save taxpayers up to $18.5 billion over 10 years. 

Acording to OnlineAutoInsurance.com, hybrid and electric car owners oftentimes pay more for car insurance than gas-powered vehicle owners. Hybrid cars tend to be more expensive than non-hybrids, making them more expensive to insure. People who drive more also may lean towards purchasing a hybrid car to save on gas mileage, and those who spend more time on the road often run into higher premiums because they have a higher risk of getting into an accident.

Hartford Life Insurance failed to comply with New York law's requirement of a 60% medical loss ratio for their accidental death and dismemberment coverage. Because of this oversight, the company must issue credits adding up to $24 million to 30,000 of their customers. Currently insured customers will receive a 35% discount for 36 months.

This week's insurance ad comes to you from Nationwide Auto Insurance. They created the ad in 2007 and it features a mischievous little boy who accompanies his parent to "Take Your Child to Work Day" and decides to have a little fun with the little bank tube that sucks up the transaction container used for drive-thru banking.

Nationwide Insurance was honored with an industry excellence award for Project of the Year at the recent 2012 AOTMP conference in Orlando. The Columbus-based insurance provider earned the award for their Employee Owned Smartphone project, which allows Nationwide associates to share one mobile device for work and personal use.