Capitol to Courthouse Florida Insurance Report–Friday, January 9, 2015
Jan 9, 2015
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Daily Florida Insurance-Related Events
There are no events scheduled for today.
Daily Florida Insurance-Related News
Florida judge rules insured does not bear burden of proving sinkhole loss
A policyholder under an all-risk policy filed a claim for sinkhole damage to his home. Does the burden of proving that the damage was caused by a sinkhole fall on the policyholder or the insurer? A Florida court initially ruled that the burden falls on the insured, but that decision has since been overturned. Catarina Pontoreiro reports for National Underwriter’s PropertyCasualty360.com.
Google may launch auto insurance comparison service in Florida
Google Compare Auto Insurance Services Inc. has been licensed to sell insurance in 26 states, including Florida, SiliconAngle.com’s Duncan Riley reports.
R-Street Upgrades Florida to a “D+” on Insurance Regulation
The 2014 R-Street Institute Insurance Regulation Report Card judges how well states do regulating the business of insurance by assigning scores in 12 different areas that include insurer solvency, pricing flexibility, competitiveness and efficiency, Insurance Journal reports.
Jeff Atwater Plans to Fight for “Consumer Friendly” Insurance Policies
Having been sworn in for a second term earlier this week, Florida CFO Jeff Atwater tipped his cards on Wednesday, offering highlights for what his agenda would be in the upcoming legislative session. Kevin Derby reports for SunshineStateNews.com.
Rubio one of few votes against federal terrorism insurance program
Senator Marco Rubio was one of only four members of his chamber to vote today against a federal terrorism insurance program, which had earlier passed the House by a near unanimous vote. Tampa Bay Times’ Alex Leary reports.
As President/CEO, Doug Reynolds will guide Gulfstream Property and Casualty Insurance Company’s continued success in Florida and Louisiana, as well as expansion along the hurricane-prone Gulf and Atlantic states, the company explained in its announcement yesterday.
Demotech to Present at Florida Insurance Summit
Demotech, Inc.’s President and co-founder Joseph L. Petrelli has been invited to present a review of 2014 and a preview of 2015 at the Florida Insurance Summit, sponsored by PCI, Colodny Fass and Guy Carpenter. The invitation-only Florida Insurance Summit will take place at the Ritz-Carlton at Amelia Island, Florida on January 14 through 16, 2015, InsuranceNewsNet.com reports.
Miami-Dade airport insurance scam cost taxpayers over $400,000
An insurance company and its president overbilled Miami-Dade’s airport and a baggage-handling company by over $400,000, authorities said Wednesday. Governance, Risk & Compliance Monitor Worldwide reports via the Insurance Information Institute.
Florida’s leading physician lobby released its 2015 legislative wish list during the first committee week of the year, and has made keeping “insurance company and government bureaucrats” from interfering with the patient physician relationship its top priority. Christine Jordan Sexton reports for SaintPetersBlog.com.
Jeff Brandes refiles controversial evacuation gun carry bill
Florida Senator Jeff Brandes has again filed a bill that would allow Floridians to carry concealed weapons without a license during mandatory evacuations. Phil Ammann reports for SaintPetersBlog.com.
Florida Supreme Court Named Nation’s 4th-Worst “Judicial Hellhole”
The controversial Florida Supreme Court managed to score fourth on the American Tort Reform Foundation’s 2014-2015 list of “Judicial Hellholes” — putting it among the nation’s “most unfair” courts in the handling of civil litigation. Nancy Smith reports for SunshineStateNews.com.
Florida operating reserves get good marks in study
Florida has enough cash in the bank to operate for 42 days solely off reserves – well ahead of the 21-day nationwide median, according to a new study by the Pew Charitable Trusts. The Palm Beach Post’s John Kennedy reports via the “Post on Politics” blog.
Revised medical marijuana amendment filed
Making good on his promise to file another constitutional amendment to legalize medical marijuana, Orlando attorney John Morgan filed a revised version of his original proposal with the Florida Secretary of State’s office.
Florida Public Service Commission, utilities targeted with legislation
Tampa Bay legislators are joining forces to restrict what they call “coziness” between members of the state Public Service Commission and regulated utilities, the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Florida’s Education Ranking Plummets to 28th in Nation
Bad news for Florida’s public education system: The state’s public schools dropped to the bottom half of the nation in a new set of rankings released Thursday from Education Week. SunshineStateNews.com’s Allison Nielsen reports.
Florida teachers union says it will drop voucher lawsuit
Florida’s teachers union announced Thursday that it is dropping one of two lawsuits it had pending against the state’s main private-school voucher program. The Associated Press’ Gary Fineout reports via the Tampa Tribune.
Senate Passes TRIA; Bill Goes to President Obama’s Desk
Today the U.S. Senate followed the House and voted overwhelmingly to reauthorize the federal terrorism reinsurance program that had been allowed to lapse. The vote was 93-4 in favor, reports Insurance Journal.
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