Capitol to Courthouse Florida Insurance Report–Monday, August 4, 2014
Aug 4, 2014
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 events scheduled for today.
Daily Florida Insurance-Related News
The Tale Of Two Governors And Florida Property Insurance
The upcoming mid-term elections bring a wave of uncertainty for Florida property and casualty insurance companies, Nathan Buehler writes in the SeekingAlpha.com blog.
Florida, Other Opportunities Abound in High-Value Home, Condo Segment
Insurers are trying to get into the high-value home and condo business right now, even in coastal regions like Florida where it is traditionally more difficult to find capacity, explains MyNewMarkets.com’s Amy O’Connor via Insurance Journal.
Hub International Expands Florida East Coast Presence with Acquisition of Ballard Insurance
Hub International Limited, a leading global insurance brokerage, announced today that it has acquired the assets of Ballard Insurance Agency, a Melbourne, Florida-based insurance brokerage, a company news release reports.
U.S. Senator Bill Nelson: Florida GOP to blame for health insurance rate hikes
The State of Florida is not doing its job to protect consumers from health insurance rate hikes, U.S. Senator Bill Nelson writes in this editorial opinion published in www.TheHill.com.
On the defensive over climate change, Scott pledges increased funds for environment
On the same day the Miami Herald reported that billionaire activist Tom Steyer is targeting GOP Governor Rick Scott for his environmental record and position on climate change, the governor’s campaign advanced word that on Monday he is promising to increase the state’s spending on the environment if he’s given a second term, Associated Press’ Gary Fineout reports via the Miami Herald’s “Naked Politics” blog.
Florida poised to revise congressional districts
After a lengthy legal battle that has veered through multiple courtrooms and cost taxpayers millions of dollars, the Florida Legislature has decided to go ahead and draw a new map for the state’s 27 congressional districts, Associated Press’ Gary Fineout reports via the Tampa Tribune.
- Special session to redraw congressional map starts Thursday
- Weatherford announces session but warns of disrupting election with new districts
- Slapped for making a “mockery” of transparency, Senate now orders redistricting docs retained
Absentee voting in Volusia, Flagler counties reaches record levels
As local and state government candidates ramp up their campaigns, Election Day might have already happened for nearly 70,000 voters in Volusia and Flagler counties, Chris Graham reports for the Daytona Beach News-Journal.
Governor’s race fatigue? Here’s the handful of House primaries to watch
As is often the case with expensive statewide races, the 2014 Florida gubernatorial race has dominated political chatter leading into November, Matt Dixon reports via Scripps’ “Political Fix Florida” blog.
Florida politicians having change of heart on same-sex marriage
The political winds are shifting swiftly on same-sex marriages in Florida, making it likely to become a major issue in this year’s political campaigns, Halifax’ Lloyd Dunkelberger reports for the Daytona Beach News-Journal.
State, Seminole Tribe still at odds over gambling revenue agreement
As this year’s legislative session wound to a close, representatives of Gov. Rick Scott and the Seminole Tribe of Florida just couldn’t see eye-to-eye on a new gambling-revenue sharing agreement, Scripps’ James Rosica reports via TCPalm.com.
21 Named to Federal Insurance Advisory Committee
The Treasury Department has named 21 individuals including state regulators, insurance executives, college professors and consumer advocates to serve as members of the Federal Advisory Committee on Insurance, Insurance Journal reports.
UnitedHealth’s $173 Million Fine May Be Warning to Property and Casualty Insurers
A decision by California Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones to fine UnitedHealth Group $173.6 million for violations having to do with the Unfair Business Practices Act, the Unfair Insurance Practice Act and unfair claims settlements may be a wakeup call for not just health, but life and property/casualty insurers, insurance regulation experts say. Insurance Journal’s Don Jergler reports.
FBI: Driverless cars are lethal weapons, aid in suspect getaways
A restricted FBI report, uncovered by The Guardian, reveals that driverless cars will impact how law enforcement officers and suspects operate their vehicles. National Underwriter’s Melissa Hillerbrand reports on The Guardian story for PropertyCasualty360.com.
How hackers could slam on your car’s brakes
A report shared exclusively with CNNMoney shows that the 2014 Jeep Cherokee, 2015 Cadillac Escalade and 2014 Toyota Prius were the most hackable of 20 car models reviewed by automotive security researchers. The 2014 Dodge Viper and 2014 Audi A8 were the least hackable, CNN’s Erica Fink reports.
Why that USB stick might be the most dangerous thing in your office
And there’s pretty much nothing we can do about it, National Underwriter’s Tim Sprinkle reports for PropertyCasualty360.com.
Click here to follow Colodny Fass& Webb on Twitter (@CFTLAWcom)
To unsubscribe from this newsletter, please send an e-mail to Brooke Ellis at bellis@cftlaw.com.