Capitol to Courthouse Florida Insurance Report – Friday, September 22, 2017
Sep 22, 2017
After Irma: Consumers Face New Reality With Higher Storm Deductibles
Statewide, more than 496,000 Irma Claims had been Filed as of Thursday. Less than 10 percent had been closed. Charles Elmore reports for the Palm Beach Post.
Central Florida Generates More Than 25 Percent of State’s Irma-Related Insurance Claims
More than 122,000 of the Claims are from Central Florida Counties, about 27 percent of those Filed so far. Orange Countyalone has 41,569, second-most in the State behind Miami-Dade County. The Orlando Sentinel’s Gray Rohrer reports for the Central Florida Political Pulse.
Looks Like There’s a Bidding War For Irma Debris Removal. South Florida is Winning
Officials from Alachua, Hendry, Indian River, Manatee, Orange and Sarasota Counties all report problems with Subcontractors refusing to haul debris. The Tampa Bay Times’ Steve Bousquet reports.
- Those Piles of Dead Trees Outside Aren’t Going Away Any Time Soon
- Cities, Counties Scramble to Find Crews to Pick Up Mess After Contractors Bail
FPL spent $3 billion preparing for a storm. So why did Irma knock out the lights?
FPL’s Upgrades are designed to withstand winds up to 150 mph. Nicholas Nehemas and Nancy Dahlberg report for the Miami Herald.
Irma Insured-Loss Estimate For Fla. Surpasses $3B, Regulator Says
Insurers in Florida have received more than 397,000 Residential Property Claims and more than 17,000 Commercial Property Claims related to Hurricane Irma, and estimated Insured Losses in the State now exceed $3 Billion. Insurance Journal reports via the PCI SmartBrief.
Hurricanes Put Spotlight On Insurance For Florida Mobile Homes
Only half of Florida’s 828,000 Mobile Homes have Insurance Coverage, and recent Hurricanes have highlighted the structures’ wind and other weather-related risks. National Underwriter’s PropertyCasualty360.com reports via the PCI SmartBrief.
South Florida Homeowners Continue To Regain Equity
“Underwater” Mortgages used to be a major drag on the Housing Market. The Sun-Sentinel reports via Crain’s Miami.
Among Belleair Mansions, Neighbors Squabble Over Proposed Dock
While good fences may make good neighbors, a Proposed Dock in the exclusive Belleair Neighborhood in Pinellas County sparked a Legal Clash between Two Mansion Owners. SaintPetersBlog.com reports.
U.S. Supreme Court May Take Florida Case Involving Medical Records
In a Legal Battle drawing attention from Medical Groups across the Country, the U.S. Supreme Court could be close to deciding whether to hear a Florida Case about the Disclosure of Medical Records. THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA’s Jim Saunders reports via the Palm Beach Post.
How Repeal of Florida’s Tax on Services Reverberates, 30 Years Later
Florida, one of Seven States without a Personal Income Tax, stood at a crossroads in 1987. The Tampa Bay Times’ Steve Bousquet reports.
Court to DirecTV, Dish: Pay Up in Taxing Case
After DirecTV and Dish Network sued, the Florida Supreme Court in April decided Satellite TV can be Taxed at a Higher Rate than Cable TV. Jim Rosica reports for SaintPetersBlog.com.
Judge Refuses To Toss Out Ex-Lawmaker’s Conviction
A Federal Judge this week Refused to Acquit or Order a New Trial for Former State Representative Dwayne Taylor. THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA reports via FloridaPolitics.com.
U.S. and EU Sign Covered Agreement on Insurance Regulation
The United States and European Union have Scheduled a Ceremony for today for the Signing of a Bilateral Agreement on Prudential Insurance and Reinsurance Measures. Andrew G. Simpson reports for Insurance Journal.
Sullivan Appointed As Texas Insurance Commissioner
Texas Governor Greg Abbott has named Kent Sullivan to serve as Insurance Commissioner and Head of the Texas Department of Insurance. His Term Expires February 1, 2019. Insurance Journal reports.
Trump Wants to Eliminate the Federal Program That Oversees Long-Term Hurricane Relief
The Federal Agency tasked with Managing Billions in Long-Term Hurricane-Relief Money is on the Trump Administration’s Chopping Block. Alex Daugherty reports for McClatchy.
CUE Database Expands To Include Travel Insurance Claims
The Claims and Underwriting Exchange (CUE) – whose Centralised Database currently holds over 35 Million Records about Motor, Home, and Personal Injury/Industrial Illness Incidents – is adding Travel Insurance Claims to the Mix. Terry Gangcuangco reports for Insurance Business.
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