Capitol to Courthouse Florida Insurance Report–Friday, November 14, 2014
Nov 14, 2014
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Daily Florida Insurance-Related Events
There are no insurance-related events today.
Daily Florida Insurance-Related News
State Representative Dwight Dudley’s bill would empower Citizens Property Insurance customers
State Representative Dwight Dudley, D-St. Petersburg, introduced legislation Thursday intended to prevent Florida homeowners from being unwillingly or deceptively dropped from state-run Citizens Property Insurance. Tampa Bay Times’ Jeff Harrington reports.
The Florida Office of Insurance Regulation, Florida Department of Financial Services, and the Florida Office of the Attorney General announced yesterday that a $3.2 million life claim settlement agreement has been reached with the Sun Life Companies, InsuranceNewsNet.com reports.
Florida Supreme Court: Redistricting documents should be made public
The Florida Supreme Court ruled on Thursday that secret documents used in the high-profile redistricting case should be made public, the Miami Herald’s Kathleen McGrory reports on the “Naked Politics” blog.
Garrett Richter named Senate President Pro Tempore
Florida Senator Garrett Richter will be among the most powerful state lawmakers in 2015 and 2016, the Miami Herald’s Kathleen McGrory reports on the “Naked Politics” blog.
Andy Gardiner Continues Building Leadership Team
Incoming Florida Senate President Andy Gardiner, R-Orlando, spent an industrious week shaping his leadership team as he prepares to start presiding over the upper chamber next week. Kevin Derby reports for SunshineStateNews.com.
Travis Hutson makes bid to replace John Thrasher in Florida Senate
In what could be a crowded field to replace John Thrasher, State Representative Travis Hutson announced he had transferred $300,000 from his House account to help him win the January 27 special election of Senate District 6, which covers St. Augustine. Tampa Bay Times’ Michael Van Sickler reports via “The Buzz” blog.
Blame game gets complicated with Florida House Democrats
State Representative Dwayne Taylor of Daytona Beach continued his campaign this week to unseat State Representative Mark Pafford of West Palm Beach as Florida House minority leader by writing a letter to members that said the Democratic party had failed to raise adequate money in 2014. Tampa Bay Times’ Michael Van Sickler reports via “The Buzz” blog.
Deadline for lucrative state contract for notary processors nears and vendors fear loss of business
Surety companies, attorneys and accountants are confused by what appears to be new State of Florida bid requirements and say the Department of State isn’t helping. A Notary Processors Solicitation was issued in September, and apparently, the procedure for a solicitation is different than that outline in Florida Statutes for a competitive procurement process, Chapter 287. SaintPetersBlog.com’s James Call reports.
NAIC: Qualified Jurisdictions Set to Expand
The National Association of Insurance Commissioners announced this week that five international reinsurance supervisory authorities have been recommended for approval.
California Insurance Department Ready to Review Transportation Network Company Policies
California Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones said late yesterday that his department is ready to accept insurance company filings to create new commercial coverage or endorsements to personal auto insurance policies that will provide coverage rideshare drivers. Insurance Journal reports.
Judge: Key flood insurance report changed without basis
A federal judge ripped a potentially “widespread” and “highly improper” practice where engineering reports — the backbone for flood insurance claims — fundamentally were changed without basis and with serious financial harm to homeowners in the wake of superstorm Sandy. The Asbury Park Press reports via Advisen.com.
Judge Allows Owners to Rebuild “Nuisance” Cottages on Nags Head
Nags Head homeowners banned from repairing their beachfront property for five years because the town declared them a public nuisance are back at work, getting those homes renovated. Associated Press reports via Insurance Journal.
Delaware Supreme Court Refuses to Stop Transfer of Insurance Rights in Tort Case
A safety products manufacturer can assign its insurance policy rights to plaintiffs in a West Virginia tort case, the Delaware Supreme Court has ruled. The high court held that an insurer who opposed the transaction did not meet the evidentiary burden necessary to require the extraordinary form of relief of an injunction. FARS News Agency reports via Advisen.com.
East Gubernatorial Race Results and Their Impact on Regulators
In the East region, where most insurance commissioners and superintendents get appointed to their posts, the regulators are expected to stay on for the most part, an industry participant forecast, Insurance Journal reports.
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