Capitol to Courthouse Florida Insurance Report – Tuesday, September 05, 2017

Sep 5, 2017

Scott Declares State of Emergency as Florida Braces for Hurricane Irma

Governor Rick Scott officially declared a State of Emergency for all of Florida’s 67 counties on Monday in preparation for what could be the most powerful storm to hit Florida in over a decade.  Allison Nielsen reports for SunshineStateNews.com.

Hurricane could affect legislative committee week

The approach of Hurricane Irma may affect the upcoming legislative committee week, currently set for September 12-15.  Jim Rosica reports for FloridaPolitics.com.

Florida big contributor to flood program shortfall

Of the 33 counties with shortfalls of more than $10 million annually, 12 are in Florida.  USA Today’s Ledyard King reports via the Naples Daily News.

What does 40 inches of rain look like in South Florida?  This scientist can show you

Omar Abdul-Aziz, an engineer and assistant professor at West Virginia University, has done just that with a new model he built while at Florida International University as part of a state-funded project to improve hurricane loss models.   Jenny Staletovich reports for the Miami Herald.

Brown & Brown invests in home

The announcement Friday that Brown & Brown Insurance plans to build a 10-story, $25 million headquarters on Beach Street and bring 600 additional employees to downtown was remarkable, the Daytona Beach News-Journal Editorial Board says.

After more than 25 years, trucking insurer unites with another niche player

After more than a quarter century specializing in transportation insurance, a Winston-Salem agency has united with a South Florida agency known for its focus on niche insurance segments.  Lloyd Whittington reports for the Triad Business Journal.

Rick Scott Sets Dates for Special Election to Replace Alex Miller

The special election primary will be held December 5 and the general election will be held February 13, 2018 to represent HD72, which covers part of Sarasota.   Allison Nielsen reports for SunshineStateNews.com.

Number of Florida pot patients doubles — and The Villages gets a second dispensary

Floridians are flocking to the state’s new medical marijuana program, Jeff Ostrowski reports for the Palm Beach Post.

Democrats Don’t Have Many Opportunities to Pick Up Seats in Florida as They Look to Flip House in 2018

If Democrats are to have any chance of flipping the U.S. House in 2018, they’re going to have to pick up seats in Florida. But, with a year until the primaries, their chances to make major gains in the Sunshine State are, at best, slim.  Kevin Derby reports for SunshineStateNews.com.

FEMA’s reinsurance pilot program offers public-private example

The risk transfer section of the Senate Banking Committee’s proposal would clarify that the FEMA administrator may use risk transfer tools other than traditional reinsurance, including catastrophe bonds, collateralized reinsurance, resilience bonds and other insurance-linked securities.  Gloria Gonzalez reports for Business Insurance.

Texas Deputy Insurance Commissioner Brady Retires

Texas Department of Insurance Deputy Commissioner for Agency Affairs Kevin Brady has retired effective August 31 after 33 years with the agency, Insurance Journal reports.

After Harvey, insurance drones take to the Texas skies

Insurance adjusters are bringing more drones with them than ever before as they head to Texas to assess the damage from Harvey.   ABC News reports via Crain’s Miami.

Harvey Puts Pressure on Regional Insurers in Texas

Four of 15 already have negative A.M. Best outlooks, Insurance Journal reports.

Don’t drive distracted, wireless industry says, but safety advocates want more than talk

In recent years thousands have died on the nation’s highways, mostly in ones and twos, as a result of drivers fiddling with their phones. Despite more crashworthy vehicles, 2016 U.S. traffic deaths reached 40,000, the highest number in years, according to an estimate by the National Safety Council.   FairWarning.com’s Myron Levin reports via FloridaBulldog.org.

 

 

 

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