In talking yesterday about the grumblings I've been hearing since State Farm struck a settlement of its disputed Katrina claims in Mississippi, I neglected to mention one recurring and disturbing theme–that the carrier was insane not to make sure the claims of political big wigs were paid regardless of merit to avoid drawing their wrath in the courts, the media and Congress. I think that's total nonsense.

Two of the politicos involved–U.S. Senator Trent Lott, R-Miss., and U.S. Rep. Gene Taylor, D-Miss.–may be on opposite sides of the country's normal political divide, but they were united in their indignation against State Farm for denying their Katrina claims. Both were told that because flooding was involved, their homeowners policies didn't apply. Both sued, contending that coverage exclusions were vague, while also arguing that their homes were damaged by wind and a related storm-surge, and should therefore be covered.

They have every right to contest their claims–in court, if they feel strongly enough about it–but the two went on to abuse their political might by making their personal battles a national cause. Sen. Lott slipped a provision into a Homeland Security Department budget bill ordering a federal investigation of Katrina claim-handling, while Rep. Taylor is one of the leading backers of a bill to undermine the industry's federal antitrust exemption.