Capitol to Courthouse Florida Insurance Report – Friday, July 1, 2016
Jul 1, 2016
After a spike in water damage claims, Citizens changes policy
Important policy changes for Citizens Property Insurance policyholders begin Friday as the state-backed insurer takes steps to control costs that it says threaten to raise rates. These changes stem from a statewide spike in water-damage claims. The Miami Herald’s Nancy Dahlberg reports.
GEICO Files RICO Lawsuit in Florida Over Alleged Fraudulent Claims
GEICO has sued five Florida companies and six known individuals engaged in what it said was a complex scheme to submit hundreds of suspected fraudulent glass repair bills for payment, Insurance Journal reports.
Self-driving car driver killed in Florida collision, a first
The first U.S. self-driving car fatality took place in May when the driver of a Tesla S sports car using the vehicle’s “autopilot” automated driving system died in a collision with a truck in Florida, federal officials said Thursday. The Associated Press reports via the Lakeland Ledger.
FAIR Foundation Hosts South Florida Climate Resilience Wind & Flood Mitigation Workshop
A special invitation from the FAIR Foundation, with the participation of the Southeast Florida Regional Compact for Climate Change and Southern Alliance for Clean Energy. RSVPs are required.
Contractor took advantage, now trying to soak insurer
A Palm Beach Post reader learned about Assignment of Benefits the hard way last year when her laundry room and other areas of my house flooded.
Governor Scott adds Lee and Palm Beach counties to state of emergency over algae
Governor Rick Scott has expanded a state of emergency already issued for Martin and St. Lucie counties because ofan algae bloom to include Lee and Palm Beach counties. The Palm Beach Post’s Kristina Webb reports for the “Post on Politics” blog.
Federal judge blocks new Florida abortion law
A federal judge late Thursday put on hold key portions of a new Florida law that would block public funding for Planned Parenthood and greatly increase inspection requirements for abortion clinics. The Associated Press’ Gary Fineout reports via the Lakeland Ledger.
New Florida laws in effect today
Florida legislators passed 279 bills during this year’s session three months ago, and 161 of them take effect today with the start of the state’s fiscal year, affecting school choice, rape kit testing, tax cuts and many more aspects of life in the Sunshine State. The Associated Press reports via the Tampa Bay Times.
Sober home certification law starts off in chaos
The state’s first law to protect neighborhoods and addicts from shady sober home operators goes into effect Friday even though it is so mired in chaos and red tape that few of the state’s thousands of sober homes qualify. Christine Stapleton reports for the Palm Beach Post.
A lighter shade of blue: Florida Democrats’ share of voter base continues to slide
In the must-win state of Florida, Democrats are seeing their numerical advantage in voters slowly wither away – a trend that could make a third straight presidential election victory in 2016 more challenging. Steve Bousquet reports for the Tampa Bay Times.
“Big ship era” soon to dock in Florida
A vessel displaying a Marshall Islands flag — loaded with electronics, clothes, recyclables, and other consumer items from Shanghai, Tokyo and Busan — will make its way through the new locks of the Panama Canal over the Independence Day holiday. THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA’s Jim Turner reports via SayfieReview.com.
In Trump Institute, Donald Trump had Florida partners with a record of fraud
In the four years Trump Institute operated out of Boca Raton, complaints to the state streamed in from customers across the country who felt underwhelmed, trapped or simply ripped off. The Tampa Bay Times’ Alex Leary reports.
Negron’s university push sets stage for House-Senate education debate
With the incoming Florida Senate president’s pledge to prioritize public universities, the other sectors of the state’s educational continuum – elementary and secondary schools and community colleges – are bracing for a battle within their spending silo. Jessica Bakeman reports for Politico Florida.
Even with Rescue, Puerto Rico Default Likely; Insurers Still at Risk for Millions
Hundreds of millions of dollars of Puerto Rico’s July 1 payments are covered by insurance, including about $364 million by Assured Guaranty, Reuters reports via Insurance Journal.
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