Capitol to Courthouse Florida Insurance Report – Monday, March 06, 2017
Mar 6, 2017
Insurance Companies Have Plenty to Worry About as Florida’s Legislative Session Opens
The Insurance Industry already has a good idea how one of its top priorities for the 2017 Legislative Session seems likely to go. It found out when the House and Senate unveiled their Plans for fixing the Workers’ Compensation System Friday. Michael Moline reports for SaintPetersBlog.com.
House, Senate Release Details of Workers’ Compensation Legislation
The Senate released its version of a Workers’ Compensation Fix Friday, and the measure would lift limits on Attorney fees in some Cases and require Insurance Companies to File their own Rates, rather than let a Ratings Agency do the job for them. Michael Moline reports for FloridaPolitics.com.
Florida Judge Uses Unusually Blunt Language to Deny Motion to Remand in Insurance Coverage Case
Brenda Becker alleged that she had been injured in an automobile accident with an Underinsured Motorist on January 23, 2014. At that time, Becker carried $100,000 in Underinsured Motorist Coverage with Progressive American Insurance Company. Steven Meyerowitz reports via PropertyCasualty360.com.
Ride-Sharing Legislation Strikes the Right Balance, PCI’s Logan McFaddin Says
Legislation in Florida’s House and Senate is important to eliminating the Coverage Gap that arises when Drivers rely on their Personal Auto Insurance Policy while working for a Transportation-Network Company. Writes Logan McFaddin of PCI in the Sun-Sentinel.
Motorcycle was a Vehicle, and Excluded from State Farm Policy, Florida Court Decides
A Federal District Court in Florida has ruled that a Motorcycle was a Vehicle under the Terms of Three Automobile Insurance Policies and, therefore, that the motorcycle’s Owner was not entitled to Uninsured or Underinsured Benefits under the Policies for injuries he suffered in an accident. Steven Meyerowitz reports via PropertyCasualty360.com.
The Florida Justice Reform Institute recently released a Report in which it outlined what it sees as problems with Assignment of Benefits. The Florida Record’s Nicholas Guerguen reports.
CNA Relocates Its Florida Branch and Worldwide Operations Service Center
CNA today announced it has relocated its Florida Branch and Worldwide Operations Service Center to 500 TownPark at 500 Colonial Center Parkway in Lake Mary, Florida and it is open for business. The Florida Branch was previously located at 2405 Lucien Way in Maitland, Florida.
Enterprise Florida CEO Chris Hart resigns, Citing Lack of “Common Vision” with Rick Scott
Hart, who had previously served as the President and CEO of CareerSource Florida, was unanimously selected November 30 by the Enterprise Florida Board of Directors for the Job that paid between $175,000 and $200,000 a year. He had Officially been in the position since January 3. Phil Ammann reports for FloridaPolitics.com.
Will This Be The Year They Shut ‘ol Tallahassee Down? What’s Ahead for Session
Florida Lawmakers open their Annual 60-Day Session on Tuesday fresh off one of the most bitter political seasons in years and for Republicans, who control both Chambers and the Governor’s Office, the feuding has already begun. The Miami Herald’s Mary Ellen Klas reports via “The Buzz” blog.
· 10 Bills to Watch During Florida Legislature
· Gruters Diving Right into Contentious Issues
Bill To Restrict Rights Of Cities, Counties Backed By House Speaker
Laws passed by Local Governments – such as Minimum Wage Raises, Rules to Curb Pollution and Protection for LGBT People – would be null and void, unless they have been given specific permission from the State Legislature. Steven Newborn reports for WUSF.
Florida’s Legislative Leaders Talk Issues, Personalities
Florida Senate President Joe Negron and House Speaker Richard Corcoran are Republican Lawyers. But the similarities start to drift from there. The Associated Press reports via FloridaPolitics.com.
Trial to Begin in Richard Corcoran v. Florida Lottery
Lawyers for the Florida Lottery and House Speaker Richard Corcoran will square off today in what’s expected to be a One-Day Trial. FloridaPolitics.com’s Jim Rosica reports.
Controversial Public Records Bill to go Before its Second Committee Monday
A Bill that would give Judges Discretion in whether to Award Attorney’s Fees in Public Records Cases is set to go before the Senate Community Affairs Committee Monday. Drew Wilson reports for FloridaPolitics.com.
Ever the optimist and unencumbered by the past and future, Charlie is back. FloridaPolitics.com Publisher Peter Schorsch writes.
At NCOIL, State Lawmakers Look to Claw Back Power from NAIC
Newly assertive Leadership of the National Conference of Insurance Legislators appears eager to confront what it views as an ongoing usurpation of Authority from State Legislatures. Right Street’s Ian Adams blogs for Insurance Journal.
Enjoy NOAA’s Vital Satellite Imagery, While You Still Can
NOAA may soon be forced to dial back or pause some of this work if the Trump Administration succeeds in slashing the Agency’s Budget. Maria Gallucci reports for Mashable.com.
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