Capitol to Courthouse Florida Insurance Report – Monday, July 25, 2016
Jul 25, 2016
Florida-Based Homeowners Choice Secures Nearly $1B in Reinsurance for 2016-2017
Homeowners Choice Property & Casualty Insurance Company, Inc., a Florida-based provider of Homeowners Insurance, has completed its reinsurance program for the 2016-17 reinsurance year, which runs from June 1, 2016 through May 31, 2017, according to recently disclosed reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission by HCI Group, Inc., Insurance Journal reports.
Miami Attorney Charged with Insurance Fraud in $1.5M PIP Scheme
An Attorney in Miami has been arrested for alleged involvement in a Personal Injury Protection Fraud Scheme that accounted for nearly $1.5 million in financial loss, according to Florida Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater and the Department of Financial Services’ Division of Investigative and Forensic Services, Insurance Journal reports.
With South Florida Home Insurance Costs Spiking, Now’s Time to Review Your Policy
Many if not most South Florida Homeowners will get a surprise in their mailboxes before the end of the year: Home Insurance Premiums are increasing. The Sun-Sentinel’s Ron Hurtibise reports.
U.S. Navy Defends Test Blasts that Caused Florida “Earthquake”
Headlines across Florida a week ago declared an earthquake rocked the floor of the Atlantic Ocean just over 150 miles off the coast, Joe Daraskevich reports for the Florida Times-Union.
Losing Side in Worker’s Comp Case Appeals to US Supreme Court
An injured South Florida Nurse who unsuccessfully challenged the State’s Workers’ Compensation System now wants the U.S. Supreme Court to take up the case. Jim Rosica reports for FloridaPolitics.com.
Three Charged in $1 Billion Florida Medicare Fraud Scheme
Three Miami-area Health Care Providers were charged in a Fraud Scheme that resulted in more than $1 billion in losses, the Federal Bureau of Investigations reports.
Florida Joins Lawsuit to Block Health Insurance Merger
Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi announced late last week that she will join seven other State Attorneys General, the District of Columbia, and the United States Department of Justice Antitrust Division in a legal challenge to stop the merger of two health insurers. Jenna Buzzacco-Foerster reports for FloridaPolitics.com.
President of Florida Insurance Agency Reviving Pensacola Oyster Farms
McMahon, President of McMahon & Hadder Insurance, Inc., is leasing a total of 10 acres in Escambia Bay and East Bay from the State of Florida to harvest oyster farms as a side gig, Associated Press’ Thomas St. Myer reports via Insurance Journal.
Longboat: Florida’s Safest Small City
Online insurance data provider ValuePenguin says Longboat Key is the safest small City in Florida. Why do criminals stay away from the island? YourObserver.com evaluates.
ClearView Risk Expands into Florida; Taps Driggers, Glennon to Lead
ClearView Risk Holdings, LLC has expanded into Florida and hired Keith Driggers and Barbara Glennon to join its Subsidiary Southwest Risk, LP. Both will serve as Vice President and Broker in the Tallahassee office, which will be branded as ClearView Risk – Florida. Insurance Journal’s Amy O’Connor reports.
First Home Delivery of Medical Marijuana Made in Florida
The first organization authorized to dispense Medical Marijuana in Florida has made its first home delivery. The Associated Press reports via the Lakeland Ledger.
Overdose-Reversal Drug Naloxone Now Available in Florida Without an Individual Prescription
For Paramedics, saving someone who has overdosed on opioids can come down to naloxone, a powerful drug that temporarily blocks the effects of the overdose. Jack Suntrup reports for the Tampa Bay Times.
Florida Supreme Court Won’t Hear Beach Tax Case
The Florida Supreme Court has denied Escambia County Property Appraiser Chris Jones’ request to review an Appeals Court decision that will prohibit the county from collecting Property Taxes on 12 acres of Pensacola Beach land where two Portofino Resort Towers are proposed. Will Isern reports for the Pensacola Beach News-Journal.
Controversial Florida Water Standards Set For Vote
A plan widely condemned by Environmental Groups allowing higher levels of certain cancer-causing chemicals in Florida’s rivers, lakes and coastal waters could win approval from State Regulators. Jeff Burlew reports for the Tallahassee Democrat.
Incumbent Senator Clemens Fights to Keep His Seat in 3-Person Democratic Senate Race
Florida Senator Jeff Clemens, D-Atlantis, is in line to become the Senate Democratic Leader in 2018, but first he has to stop two others from his own party — State Representative Irving Slosberg, D-Boca Raton, and Emmanuel Morel — from stealing his seat in the upcoming Primary Race. Alexandra Seltzer reports for the Palm Beach Post.
Alabama Releases Insurance Guide for Coastal Residents
The Alabama Center for Insurance Information & Research in partnership with Smart Home America and the Coastal Alabama Partnership has released its new Alabama Coastal Insurance Shopper’s Guide to help homeowners on the Gulf Coast prepare for weather-related disasters, Insurance Journal reports.
U.S. Considers Expanding Automated-Driving Technology Oversight
Federal Auto-Safety Regulators are weighing requiring approval of automated-driving technologies before they reach the road, potentially expanding government oversight of auto makers after the first fatal crash involving a vehicle driving itself. The Wall Street Journal’s Jack Nicas And Mike Spector report.
Beating Amazon, 7-Eleven Makes First Drone Delivery
Built by a startup called Flirtey, which makes deliveries needed for the retail and food industries, the drone on July 10 successfully transported Slurpees, a chicken sandwich, doughnuts, hot coffee and candy to a home in Reno, Nevada, 7-Eleven plans to make more drone deliveries more widely available in the long-term. TechCrunch.com reports via Crain’s Miami.
Why Insurance Companies Don’t Renew Policies
Industry Executives said Insurance Companies drop clients all the time. But why people are dropped is often more complicated than just filing a big claim. Paul Sullivan delves into the issue for the New York Times “Wealth Matters” blog.
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