Capitol to Courthouse Florida Insurance Report: Friday, February 27, 2015
Feb 27, 2015
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 insurance-related events scheduled for today.
Daily Florida Insurance-Related News
Sinkholes: Can we forecast a catastrophic collapse?
Florida is particularly prone to the events because it lies on a vast limestone slab though which an aquifer percolates, gradually eating away at the bedrock. Daniel Cossins reports for the BBC.
Florida Court: GEICO on Hook for $100,000 in Additional Attorney Fees
A Florida court has ruled that one of the state’s largest automobile insurers must pay over $100,000 in attorney fees under the “additional payments” provision of its liability coverage, Insurance Journal’s Michael Adams reports.
Court: Florida must prove hit-and-run drivers knew about crash
Drivers in Florida can’t be prosecuted for leaving the scene of an accident unless there is proof they knew they were in a crash, the Associated Press’ Gary Fineout reports in the Tampa Tribune.
Federated National beats 4Q profit forecasts
Florida-based Federated National Holding Co. announced fourth-quarter earnings of $10 million yesterday, InsuranceNewsNet.com reports.
MacNeill Group Selected to Grow Commercial Property and Casualty Business
MacNeill Group, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Team Focus Insurance Group, and a licensed managing general agent specializing in commercial, personal, transportation and flood lines of property and casualty insurance, is pleased to announce the company recently expanded an existing agreement with Nautilus Insurance Company to grow new business in property and casualty commercial lines.
Governor Scott faces big hurdles to push his legislative agenda
As Rick Scott soldiers on, he faces an emboldened Legislature that threatens to challenge him on an array of fronts from water to prisons to tax cuts. With a solid Republican majority of battle-tested senators and a new, veto-proof supermajority in the House, the GOP-controlled Legislature is the elephant in the room in Tallahassee. Tampa Bay Times’ Steve Bousquet explains.
Florida Republicans Propose Medical Marijuana Bills to Appease Voters
Republicans lawmakers in Florida who once opposed medical pot are now embracing it, motivated by the strong show of support from voters and worried that another constitutional amendment during next year’s presidential race could drive opponents to the polls. The Associated Press’ Matt Sedensky reports via Insurance Journal.
Jeff Brandes files bill to amend civil forfeiture law in Florida
Six weeks after he said he was considering filing such legislation, St. Petersburg Republican Senator Jeff Brandes filed a bill that prohibits law enforcement agencies from retaining property and assets seized from individuals who are not convicted of a crime. Mitch Perry reports for SaintPetersBlog.com.
Previewing Florida’s 2015 Legislative Session with State Representative-to-be Paul Renner
Paul Renner came within two votes of winning an election last year for the seat that Jay Fant holds. And he is still one election away — a special election on April 7 — from formally being elected to the House.
Previewing Florida’s 2015 Legislative Session with State Representative Janet Cruz
State Representative Janet Cruz comments on rideshare services in Florida, explaining that the state’s transportation needs vary greatly depending on location. Janelle Irwin interviews the legislator for SaintPetersBlog.com.
Florida Banks’ Profits Exceeds Nationwide Average
Florida commercial banks and savings institutions outperformed their counterparts nationwide in 2014. Margie Manning reports for the Tampa Bay Business Journal.
Florida among states with highest number of work-from-home listings
Florida is among the top 10 states with the most telecommuting jobs, with 5.1 percent of the state’s population working from home, according to a new analysis by FlexJobs. Orlando Business Journal’s Cindy Barth reports.
Central Florida SunRail expansion pushed back to summer 2017
The planned SunRail commuter-train expansion south into Osceola County and north to DeLand in Volusia County will be delayed by at least six months, pushing back the projected start date to the summer of 2017. Orlando Sentinel’s Dan Tracy reports.
Insurance Research Council Report Documents Substantial Growth in Homeowners Insurance Claim Costs
The cost of homeowners insurance claims has been increasing at twice the rate of inflation despite significant declines in recent years, according to a new report from the Insurance Research Council.
Texas Bill Would Create Roofing Contractor Registration Program
Texas state Representative Kenneth Sheets filed legislation that would establishes a voluntary roofing contractor registration program with the Texas Department of Insurance, Insurance Journal reports.
XL Expects Increased Oversight From Global Regulators After Catlin Deal
XL Group plc, the insurer that agreed to buy Catlin Group Ltd. for about $4 billion, said it faces a risk label after the deal that could lead to increased oversight from global regulators. Bloomberg’s Jing Cao reports via Insurance Journal.
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