Capitol to Courthouse Florida Insurance Report – Monday, December 05, 2016
Dec 5, 2016
FIRM Files Property Insurance Challenge
A Local Insurance Watchdog Group has formally filed its challenge to a nearly 9 percent Property Insurance Rate Increase in the Florida Keys. Timothy O’Hara reports for the Florida Keys News.
Road Rage Settlement with Geico was Done in Bad Faith, Florida Court Says
It took six years, but a Federal Jury in a Florida Court has determined Car Insurance Giant Geico acted in bad faith when it didn’t fully settle a claim with the family of a woman who died in a road rage accident. Will Koblensky reports for Insurance Business America.
Property Owner Alleges Insurance Company Failed to Provide Coverage for Damages
Felix Castro-Rosario Filed a Complaint in the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit Court – Hillsborough County against American Security Insurance Co. alleging that the Insurance Firm denied Plaintiff’s Claim for damages to his Property. Wadi Reformado reports for the Florida Record.
Arrests Made For Drug Treatment “Brokering” in South Florida
Local Officials are cracking down on Corruption in Palm Beach County’s Sober-Home Industry, the Associated Press reports via WLRN.
Plaintiffs’ Lawyers: Insurers Make Mockery of Work Product Privilege Laws
It has reached a level of absurdity that Florida Home and Business Owners would find appalling, yet there appears to be no end in sight for the abuse by Insurance Companies of the State’s untenable Work Product Privilege Laws shielding their entire “Claim File” from Discovery in Litigation. A plaintiffs’ firm writes this editorial opinion for the Miami Herald.
Hub International Acquires the Assets of Florida-Based MDW Insurance Group
Hub International Limited, a leading Global Insurance Brokerage, announced today that it has acquired the assets of South Florida-based MDW Insurance Group, Inc. and its affiliates Agents Insurance Resources, Inc. and A.I.R. Insurance Marketing, Inc.
Acentria Expands into Miami Through Partnership with ISure Insurance Brokers
Insurance Journal reports that Acentria Insurance has expanded its presence in South Florida through a merged Partnership with ISure Insurance Brokers, located in Miami.
Florida’s Pension Plan Performing Well Over Long Term
A New State Report finds that Florida’s Massive Retirement Account for Public Employees did not meet its goals over the past year, but that it’s still doing well over the long term. The Associated Press reports via the Tampa Bay Times.
SolarCity Enters the Sunshine State
Billionaire Elon Musk, better known for his Tesla Electric Cars and SpaceX Rockets, is leading his Solar Rooftop Company, SolarCity, into the Sunshine State after Florida Voters rejected the Amendment 1 Solar Energy Proposal last month. The Real Deal reports from Miami.
Three Florida GOP Leaders, Three Divergent Visions
Speaker of the House Richard Corcoran, R-Land O’ Lakes, and Senate President Joe Negron, R-Stuart, may enjoy comfortable margins in their Chambers, but the two subscribe to different strands of Republicanism, the Tallahassee Democrat’s James Call explains.
Governor Rick Scott: A Lame Duck with a Laser Focus on Jobs
Despite their shared commitment to smaller Government, Scott’s Staff and those of the Legislative Leaders eye each other warily across the Capitol Complex, the Tallahassee Democrat’s James Call reports.
Florida House Releases Bill Filing Deadlines for 2017
The Florida House of Representatives has released Bill Filing Deadlines for the 2017 Legislative Session, FloridaPolitics.com reports.
From Ethics to Workers’ Comp, the Full Schedule for “Legislator U”
The Tampa Bay Times’ Steve Bousquet posts the complete schedule for House Speaker Richard Corcoran’s “Legislator University,” the two-day training seminar for House Members to be held at the Capitol in Tallahassee on Dec. 6-7.
Jeff Clemens Proposes Automatic Voter Registration Bill
Palm Beach County State Senator Jeff Clemens Filed Legislation this week (SB 72) that would automatically Register Floridians to Vote when they apply for or renew their Driver’s License. Mitch Perry reports for FloridaPolitics.com.
From Mayor’s Office to Governor’s Mansion: Andrew Gillum Ponders 2018 Bid
Another name is circulating around Political Circles to run for Governor in 2018. Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum’s name is floating around as a possible contender to take the State’s Top Job in Politics, and some say it wouldn’t be a bad pick for the Democrats in two years. Allison Nielsen reports for SunshineStateNews.com.
Without mentioning any names, or even the issue at hand, Florida Senator Jack Latvala took a clear swipe Thursday at a newly minted Senate Colleague who Filed Legislation to undo a University Tuition measure that Latvala worked hard to broker two years ago. The Tampa Bay Times’ Jeffrey Solocheck reports via “The Buzz” blog.
Insurers Praise U.S. House Approval of Systemic Risk Reform Bill
The U.S. House of Representatives took a step toward changing the Dodd-Frank Financial Regulation Law by passing a measure that requires that a Systemic Risk Designation be based on more than a Financial Institution’s size. Insurance Journal’s Andrew G. Simpson reports.
California Insurance Commissioner Issues Auto Collision Repair Regulations
California Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones issued new Auto Collision Repair Labor Rate Survey Regulations that he said will increase Consumer Protections when a damaged vehicle is repaired, Insurance Journal reports.
North Carolina Surplus Lines Agents Facing January 1 Registration Deadline
Surplus Lines Agents doing business in North Carolina can now begin Registering with the recently established North Carolina Surplus Lines Stamping Office as New Rules regarding Resident and Non-Resident Surplus Lines Licenses are set to take effect, Insurance Journal reports.
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