RJ and Makay

California led the nation in 2010 dog bite claims, at 369, representing a total payout of $11.3 million, according to a State Farm Insurance Co. report that lists the top ten states for dog bite claims.  Illinois ranked second with 317 claims for a total cost of $9.7 million.  Florida, though seventh on the list, registered the highest average cost per claim at $38,356. California and Illinois’ average cost per claim was around $30,000.

State Farm, for the most part, does not refuse insurance based on dog breeds, though does require homeowners to answer questions about their dog’s history on the insurance application.  The lone exception is Ohio, which has determined that Bit Bulls meet the definition of “vicious dog.”  State Farm excludes them from Ohio resident’s homeowners insurance.  Despite the exclusion, Ohio still came in third at 215 claims for a total payout of $5.7 million.

In an odd trend that has persisted for several years now, consumers have been keeping up with their credit card payments even when they're behind on their mortgage, says credit reporting firm TransUnion.

Among consumers with a mortgage and at least one credit card in the fourth quarter of 2010, 7% were 30 or more days late on the mortgage but current on their credit card, TransUnion reports. That rate was about 4% in the first quarter of 2008, when the trend first appeared nationally.