Capitol to Courthouse Florida Insurance Report – Friday, January 06, 2017

 

South Florida Con Artists Turn “Sober Homes” Into Insurance Scam

Hundreds of barely regulated Sober Homes have proliferated in Palm Beach and Broward Counties over the past decade.  Many are tied into very lucrative Addiction-Treatment Programs eligible for Medical Insurance Coverage

 

Man Claims OneBeacon America Insurance Company Wrongly Denied Benefits

According to the Complaint, the Plaintiff alleges that in 2014 he was injured in a Workplace Accident that should have qualified him for Insurance Benefits.  Wadi Reformado reports for the Florida Record.

 

All Motorcycle Riders in Florida Would Have to Wear Helmets if This Bill Passes

The measure, HB 6009, would strip from State Law an Exemption Added in 2000 that allows Motorcycle Drivers and Riders to go Helmet-Less as long as they are over the age of 21 and have “at least $10,000 in Medical Benefits for injuries incurred as a result of a crash while operating or riding on a motorcycle.”  Kristina Webb reports for the Palm Beach Post.

 

Bill Filed to Eliminate Express Lanes on Florida Highways

WPLG Local 10 first reported on the dangers that the Express Lanes have created as drivers move in and out of lanes and leave Law Enforcement little room to offer Citations.

·         Bill Would Keep Florida From Building More Express Toll Lanes

 

Move Over Crashes Skyrocket in Florida, Up Almost 40 Percent In 2016

According to Preliminary Numbers Released by the State, 204 Crashes last year were caused by drivers not obeying the Move Over Law — a 36 percent increase from 2015, Kristina Webb reports for the Palm Beach Post.

 

Crashes Up at Florida’s Red-Light Camera Intersections

As Florida Lawmakers prepare to Renew their Debate over Red-Light Cameras, a new report from State Highway Officials shows an increase in vehicle collisions at intersections with the traffic-control devices.  THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA’s Lloyd Dunkelberger reports via SayfieReview.com.

·         Actually, Crash Data Shows Mixed Bag

 

3 Florida School Buses Involved in Crashes on First Day Back to School

Authorities in Florida say three Pinellas County school buses crashed on the first day back from winter break, though no students were injured, Insurance Journal reports.

 

Rick Scott’s Counterterrorism Proposal Gets Cities’, Police Chiefs’ Backing

Governor Rick Scott’s Proposal to spend $5.8 Billion to beef up State Counterterrorism drew a joint Endorsement Thursday from the Florida League of Cities and the Florida Police Chiefs Association.  Scott Powers reports for FloridaPolitics.com.

 

Amid White House Job Rumors, Bondi Spokesman Says “No News to Report”

Bloomberg reported Thursday that a source said Bondi will take a Job in the Trump Administration, but Bondi’s Office would not confirm it.  Politico Florida’s Daniel Ducassi reports.

 

Investigation:  Florida Elections Loophole Empowers Special Interests

An ongoing TCPalm Investigation found the Donors — predominantly Real Estate and Development Companies, Business Owners and Political Action Committees — have contributed $120,000 to Local Campaigns since 2015 — half of it through the Loophole.  Lucas Deprile reports for TCPalm.com.

 

Federal Insurance Office Chief McRaith Leaving Post on January 20

McRaith, a Former Director of the Illinois Insurance Department, was named to the FIO Post by President Obama in March 2011, Insurance Journal reports.

 

Hammer to Replace Dowling as Head of Illinois Insurance Department

Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner will appoint Jennifer Hammer as Head of the Illinois Department of Insurance to replace Anne Melissa Dowling, who is returning to the Private Sector, Insurance Journal reports.

 

Decline in Reinsurance Prices Slowed at January Renewal, Guy Carpenter Reports

Reinsurance pricing continued trending downward at the January 1, 2017 Renewal — across most classes of Business and Geographies, but the pace of that decline is slowing, according to Guy Carpenter & Co.  Insurance Journal reports.

 

Texas Lawmakers to Seek Transparency in Government/Private Business Deals

Two Texas Lawmakers want to tighten Public Records Laws to make it harder for Governments and the Companies they do business with to keep Financial Information secret.  The Associated Press reports via Insurance Journal.

 

 

 

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