Capitol to Courthouse Florida Insurance Report: Friday, December 18, 2015
Dec 18, 2015
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Daily Florida Insurance-Related Events
There are no insurance-related events scheduled for today.
Daily Florida Insurance-Related News
Global insurance firm Willis Group to set up North American hub in Tampa
Joined by Governor Rick Scott, executives from the Willis Group, a global risk advisory firm and insurance broker, said Thursday they’ve picked Tampa as home for the company’s new North American operations center, creating at least 157 jobs here. Thad Moore reports for the Tampa Bay Times.
Ban balance billing in emergencies, Florida Insurance Consumer Advocate says
A legislative proposal unveiled Thursday aims to help consumers like a Jupiter woman slammed with a bill of more than $23,000 for trauma-team charges her insurer has refused to cover. Charles Elmore reports for the Palm Beach Post.
Opposition to Health Insurance Mergers Mounts
The American Medical Association, Florida Medical Association, Inc. and the Florida Osteopathic Medical Association filed a formal objection with the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation over the proposed merger of Aetna and Humana, PoliticoFlorida.com reports.
The Florida Office of Insurance Regulation, Florida Department of Financial Services and the Florida Office of the Attorney General announced national life claim settlement agreements have been signed with Jackson National for $2.5 million and AXA for $3.28 million.
Challenge of Florida children’s heart surgery policy dismissed
An effort to stop the Florida Department of Health from dropping what many called a key part of its oversight of children’s heart surgery has been dismissed by a state hearing officer. John Kennedy reports for the Palm Beach Post.
Uber Florida: Senate bill overrides local control on insurance only
Consensus may be shaping up on Florida-wide insurance requirements for ride services like Uber, but not on local control of things like fees, inspections and driver background checks. Charles Elmore reports for the Palm Beach Post’s “Protecting Your Pocket” blog.
Governor Rick Scott’s new jobs chief gets warmer reception from lawmakers than predecessor
Governor Rick Scott appointed a new state jobs chief on Thursday who could boost Scott’s chances of getting one of his top priorities through the Florida Legislature in 2016. The Tampa Bay Times’ Jeremy Wallace and Michael Auslen report.
Brevard judge removed from bench for “national spectacle”
Calling his behavior “appalling” and “a national embarrassment,” the Florida Supreme Court on Thursday ordered a Brevard County judge removed from the bench after his altercation with a public defender last year was caught on videotape and went viral. THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA’s Dara Kam reports via SayfieReview.com.
Budget cuts mean longer waits for help from Florida’s court clerks
If you’re trying to pay a traffic ticket or schedule a custody hearing, get ready for a longer line at the clerk of courts office and more time waiting for help by phone. Jeff Schweers reports for the Tampa Tribune.
North Dakota Insurance Commissioner to Step Down
North Dakota Insurance Commissioner Adam Hamm is stepping down, Insurance Journal reports.
Massachusetts Rejects Mapfre’s Ice-Dam Deductible Request
The Massachusetts Division of Insurance recently denied a request by Mapfre USA Corp. to add an ice-dam deductible to some homeowners policyholders who previously had multiple ice-dam claims, Insurance Journal reports.
U.K. Insurance Bill for Solvency II Regulation Compliance Hits $4.5 Billion
U.K. insurers have invested at least £3 billion ($4.5 billion) to be compliant with new European Union capital rules, known as Solvency II, that come into effect next month, according to an industry lobby group. Bloomberg’s Sarah Jones reports via Insurance Journal.
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