Capitol to Courthouse Florida Insurance Report: Friday, December 7
Dec 7, 2012
To go directly to the section of your choice, click on a hyperlink below. Other hyperlinks to meeting information, bills and news are noted in bold type.
Daily Florida Insurance-Related Events
There are no Florida insurance-related events scheduled for today.
Responding to a request last week from Representative Frank Artiles, R-Miami, to conduct a “market conduct examination” of Citizens Property Insurance Corp., insurance regulators said Thursday a similar study is already in progress.
Florida Lawmakers Ponder More Pricing Freedom for Citizens Property Insurance
Some Florida legislators said this week they would consider giving the state’s largest property insurer more control over its rates, including allowing the company to raise rates to bolster its ability to pay claims.
South Florida steps up efforts to brace for climate change
Raising low-lying roads. Building higher seawalls. Strapping on more solar panels.
Seven years later, no relief from Wilma
Hurricane Wilma clobbered South Florida on October 24, 2005, killing dozens of people, cutting power to millions of homes and businesses and punching a sinkhole in Interstate 95.
Editorial: Pool Disaster Risk and Make Insurance Affordable
If the U.S. Congress sticks to the terms of the 2011 Budget Control Act, the federal government will substantially limit spending on natural-disaster relief.
Blog: Top 25 Florida Property & Casualty Insurance Companies
A Tallahassee-based company ranked first on the South Florida Business Journal’s list of the top property & casualty insurance companies in Florida.
Column: Florida Insurance watchdog left out in the cold
Do you get the feeling whenever Mike Fasano walks into an ascot of Republicans milling about in Tallahassee he’s greeted to a chorus of harrumphs rivaling Meat Loaf gate-crashing a Buckingham Palace tea and crumpet party?
Florida’s Brown & Brown acquires assets of Behnke & Associates
Brown & Brown of Florida has purchased certain assets of Behnke & Associates, a personal lines property and casualty insurance provider, for an undisclosed sum.
Patriot National’s Guarantee Insurance Co. Expanding into Michigan
Workers’ compensation insurer Patriot National Insurance Group announced that its subsidiary, Guarantee Insurance Co., will begin writing workers’ compensation insurance in Michigan.
Florida law, health agency lax on compounding pharmacies
When the nationwide fungal meningitis outbreak exploded into headlines two months ago, Florida health officials responded quickly, tracking the contaminated drug lots and finding potential victims.
Florida Governor Scott’s top lawyer tapped to head jobs agency
Jesse Panuccio will take over the helm of the Department of Economic Opportunity next month.
Prosecutors and Public Defenders to Senators: We Need Better Pay
Attorney General Pam Bondi was a no-show at Thursday morning’s meeting of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Criminal and Civil Justice, but legislators still heard from various public agencies who warned that budget cuts are compromising the administration of justice across Florida.
Florida Senate panel vows strict oversight of business incentives
Members of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, Tourism and Economic Development pledged a thorough review of Florida’s economic incentives: taxpayer funds for businesses that move or expand in the state.
Senator Alan Hays, chairman of the Appropriations Subcommittee on General Government, said the exercise was being launched by Senate President Don Gaetz.
Genting abandons gambling petition drive
In a major shift in strategy, the Genting Group, the Malaysian-based casino giant, told legislative leaders this week that it will stop a petition drive to get a casino amendment on the 2014 ballot, leaving it to lawmakers to decide the future of gambling in Florida.
Gene-Altered Mosquitoes Could Be Used Vs. Dengue Fever in the Keys
Mosquito control officials in the Florida Keys are waiting for the federal government to sign off on an experiment that would release hundreds of thousands of genetically modified mosquitoes to reduce the risk of dengue fever in the tourist town of Key West.
Florida education commissioner defends teacher evaluations
Discussion of a new evaluation system for teachers dominated interim Education Commissioner Pam Stewart’s presentation before the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Education Thursday.
North Carolina Reaches $1.6 Million Rebate Settlement with Insurers
North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Wayne Goodwin announced an agreement with two insurers that will result in consumers receiving $1.6 million in refunds.
Former Brooke Corporation Executives Again Indicted on Financial Fraud Charges
Two former executives of the now defunct insurance agency franchising firm, Brooke Corp., have been indicted on federal financial fraud charges, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Kansas.
Blog: Sandy Sends Wrecked Autos to Belmont Racetrack
Sandy wrecked hundreds of thousands of cars along the New York and New Jersey shorelines and could cost insurers an estimated $800 million, according to the Insurance Information Institute.
January 1 to Bring New Texas Workers’ Compensation Nonsubscriber Reporting Requirements
Effective January 1, 2013, Texas employers who do not carry workers’ compensation insurance coverage have new requirements for reporting their non-coverage status to the Texas Department of Insurance,
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