Capitol to Courthouse Florida Insurance Report: Monday, April 27, 2015
Apr 27, 2015
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Daily Florida Insurance-Related Events
There are no insurance-related events scheduled for today.
Daily Florida Insurance-Related News
Florida Insurance Commissioner Kevin McCarty will join Federal Insurance Office Director Michael McRaith as a panelist on a U.S. House Financial Services’ Subcommittee on Housing and Insurance hearing entitled “The Impact of International Regulatory Standards on the Competitiveness of U.S. Insurers” on April 29.
Effort To Limit 3rd-Party Property Insurance Claims Stalls In Florida
Insurance industry-backed bills aimed at restricting repair contractors’ ability to require homeowners to sign over insurance benefits before repairs can commence likely won’t become law this year, supporters and opponents concede. The Sun-Sentinel’s Ron Hurtibise reports via InsuranceNewsNet.com.
5 things blowing the arteries of State Farm haters
To many people in Florida, getting dumped by State Farm was like being jilted by a spouse after decades of marriage, the Palm Beach Post’s Charles Elmore explains in the “PostNow” blog.
Moody’s upgrades Florida Citizens Property Insurance
Moody’s Investors Service has upgraded Florida Citizens Property Insurance Corporation’s Coastal, Personal Lines and Commercial Lines accounts to A1 from A2 and assigned a long-term rating of A1 to the upcoming sale of $750 million of Senior Secured Bonds Series 2015A-1 and $250 million Series 2015A-2 (SIFMA Floating Rate Notes) to be issued by the Coastal Account. The bonds are expected to price the week of May 18.
Pinellas beach towns struggle with illegal home rentals
Residents of Pinellas County’s beach neighborhoods say they’re noticing more and more homes being illegally rented to tourists for a week at a time, or even on a nightly basis. The Tampa Bay Times’ Mike Brassfield reports.
Florida is the 8th-Most Expensive State for Car Insurance
According to a new study by insuranceQuotes.com, Florida drivers pay 12% more than the national average. Miami-Dade County (56% above the Florida average) has the most expensive car insurance in the state. Alachua County (32% below the Florida average) has the cheapest.
Florida Ranks Third in Top 5 States for Vehicle Thefts with Keys Left Inside
The top five states that posted the most vehicle thefts with keys left inside were California (19,597), Texas (8,796), Florida (7,868), Michigan (7,726), and Ohio (7,452), the National Insurance Crime Bureau reports via Insurance Journal.
Senate makes counteroffer, but health care stalemate remains
The Florida Senate rejected most of an offer from the House on Friday, insisting upon a Medicaid expansion plan to help solve the imminent loss of $1.3 billion in federal health care funds for hospitals and other health care providers. House leaders have adamantly opposed expansion, the Orlando Sentinel’s Gray Rohrer reports.
Abortion waiting period bill goes to Florida governor
A bill that will require a 24-hour waiting period for abortions is now going to Governor Rick Scott. The Associated Press reports via SaintPetersBlog.com.
Beer regulation bill heads to Governor Scott
Legislation to allow 64-ounce containers known as “growlers” and relaxing regulations for craft beer brewers is headed to Governor Rick Scott’s desk, the Orlando Sentinel’s Gray Rohrer reports.
Florida House approves prison reform plan as lawmakers create joint committee to finish the job
The investigative staff at the Department of Corrections would face an overhaul, officers who injure inmates could be subject to felonies, and the state would start a pilot project to put body cameras on prison guards, under a prison reform bill unanimously approved Friday by the Florida House. The Miami Herald’s Mary Ellen Klas reports via “The Buzz” blog.
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