Capitol to Courthouse Florida Insurance Report: Friday, May 15, 2015
May 15, 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
Florida Supreme Court strikes down bad faith lawsuit against Citizens Property Insurance
The Florida Supreme Court is ruling that the state’s major property insurer is immune from certain types of lawsuits, the Associated Press reports via the Tampa Tribune.
Florida’s Hurricane Insurance Fund Replenished and Ready After 9 Quiet Years
Florida’s nine-year streak of avoiding hurricanes is helping the state reach a historic milestone: for the first time ever, the state-created fund designed to help pay out claims after storms has enough cash and assets on hand to pay off everything it could owe. The Associated Press’ Gary Fineout reports via Insurance Journal.
Florida Approves Removal of 30,000 Policies from Citizens
The Florida Office of Insurance Regulation has approved the removal of up to 30,000 personal residential policies and 50 commercial residential polices from Citizens Property Insurance Corporation, Insurance Journal reports.
Fitch Upgrades Citizens to “AA-“, Outlook Stable
Fitch Ratings has upgraded ratings on senior secured bonds of Florida’s Citizens Property Insurance, Insurance Journal reports.
From Blue Tarp to New Roof: FAIR Working with Florida PACE Funding Agency
The Florida PACE Funding Agency is a local government formed as a public service to Florida cities and counties. Through its innovative financing program, E|VEST Florida, the Agency is funding eligible projects for residential and commercial property owners in participating Florida cities and counties.
Controversial car insurance practice draws Florida warning
The Palm Beach Post’s Charles Elmore notes Colodny Fass’ blog that Florida’s top regulator is warning car insurers not to use a pricing practice that can result in discriminatory rates.
Allstate Looking to Bring Jobs To Florida
Allstate Insurance Co. plans to launch a recruitment campaign to appoint dozens of new agency owners in Florida this year, in addition to filling more than 70 sales positions in agencies across the state. Orlando Business Journal’s Cindy Barth reports.
Scott gives hospitals, health insurers list of data demands — and a tight deadline
Governor Rick Scott gave hospitals and health insurers a list of data demands Thursday — and a tight window to meet it — in advance of next week’s first scheduled meeting of his health care commission. The Palm Beach Post’s John Kennedy reports via the “Post on Politics” blog.
Governor orders lists of critical state needs, hints at possible shutdown
Governor Rick Scott directed all state agencies Thursday to draw up lists of “critical service needs . . . in the event Florida is forced into a government shutdown on July 1.” Tampa Bay Times’ Steve Bousquet reports.
- Senators Offer Civics Lessons in Response
- Latvala: Scott’s shutdown talk is “unfortunate . . . not necessary”
Governor Scott signs “growler” beer bill
Citing a need for pro-business policies and eliminating regulations, Governor Rick Scott on Thursday signed a new law aimed at helping grow Florida’s craft beer industry, including the long-awaited legalization of 64-ounce growlers, Tampa Bay Times’ Michael Auslen reports via “The Buzz” blog.
Part of Tri-State Group, Florida Backs Unanimous Plan for River System
A potential landmark in Florida’s long-running dispute with Georgia and Alabama over the Apalachicola-Chattahoochee-Flint river system came Wednesday, when 56 people from the three states unanimously approved what they described as a “sustainable water management plan.” THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA’s Margie Menzel reports via SunshineStateNews.com.
Wilton Simpson shows you don’t have to be a bully to be powerful in Tallahassee
The mild-mannered egg farmer from Trilby, according to Politico’s Marc Caputo, has lined up enough votes to become Senate president for the 2021 and 2022 sessions. Tampa Bay Times Columnist Dan DeWitt writes about Senator Wilton Simpson.
Workers’ Comp Industry Improved in 2014 But NCCI Sees Trouble Ahead
The workers’ compensation industry had a pretty good 2014 in which its combined ratio improved for the third consecutive year, premium grew for the fourth consecutive year, and claim frequency declined about two percent, Insurance Journal reports.
Click here to follow Colodny Fass on Twitter (@ColodnyFassLaw)
To unsubscribe from this newsletter, please send an e-mail to colodnyfassnews@gmail.com.