Capitol to Courthouse Florida Insurance Report: Monday, November 28
Nov 28, 2011
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 insurance-related events scheduled for today.
Florida Premium Finance Company Settles With Massachusetts Attorney General
Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today that her Office had settled with two premium finance companies that allegedly facilitated a scheme orchestrated by the Peabody-based KilgoreInsurance Agency to overcharge businesses and consumers by padding insurance premiums by millions of dollars.
HomeWise Insurance Company Ordered Into Liquidation
On November 18, 2011, HomeWise Insurance Company was ordered into receivership for purposes of liquidation by the Second Judicial Circuit Court in Leon County, Florida.
Column: We have a car wreck of a crisis
Much is made of Florida’s property insurance crisis, and with good reason. Rates are high.
Florida Wildlife Federation: Oppose national catastrophic fund
Despite there being 19 named storms this year, including Hurricane Irene which estimates suggest caused $10 billion to $15 billion in damages, Florida was once again spared this hurricane season.
As hurricane season ends, Florida eludes a major storm for sixth straight year
A positive hurricane trend is emerging, at least for the United States and Florida: Despite more storms, fewer hurricanes are striking.
Trouble in Gadsden County for Insurers, Too: Insurer must pay for Florida rental car crash
A rental car customer’s insurer must cover crash injuries, even though an unauthorized driver was behind the wheel.
Florida leads nation in staged traffic accidents, according to Gear Up Florida
The Sunshine State leads the nation in staged traffic accidents, according to Gear Up Florida, a coalition of business and law enforcement groups.
Florida Supreme Court invalidates arbitration agreements in nursing home cases
The Florida Supreme Court ruled in two separate cases Wednesday that nursing home arbitration agreements that limit damages in ways that contradict state law are not valid.
Blog: Florida Senate committee set to publish first redistricting draft
The staff of the Senate Reapportionment Committee is set to publish a rough draft of its redistricting plan for state Senate and congressional districts, the first time an official legislative proposal for the once-a-decade process will be revealed, briefs the News Service of Florida.
Education lawsuit moves to Florida Supreme Court
In a narrow decision Wednesday, the 1st District Court of Appeal ruled not to dismiss the case brought by public school students and parents and two advocacy groups that contend the Legislature is not providing enough money for schools.
After Gadsden County Decision, More Counties Pursuing Slots
A controversial decision this month by Gadsden County, allowing voters to decide whether to have slot machines at the new Gretna horse race track, has prompted several copycat efforts in other counties, despite questions over the legality of slots.
Gateway to the Caribbean Seeks Inland Expansion
As Florida’s leadership has focused on expanding port cargo traffic with the pending completion of an expanded Panama Canal, not every one of the state’s 14 ports is expected to directly benefit.
As rumors fly, Orlando mayor Buddy Dyer denies that he would quit to run for governor
Buddy Dyer wants voters to give him another term as Orlando’s mayor in an election next spring.
Insurance regulators urge changes to healthcare law’s medical loss ratio provision
A resolution asking for changes in the law was passed 26-20 by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners over the strenuous objections from commissioners who warned that the process and the resolution would undermine the group’s reputation.
New insurance offerings aren’t for everybody, experts say
Worried about losing your job? There’s an insurance policy that can supplement unemployment benefits if you do.
State Farm keeps its distance in Massachusetts
Since Massachusetts stopped setting auto insurance rates three years ago, 13 new companies have stormed into the market, including industry giants like Geico, Allstate and Progressive.
North Carolina insurance agents dispute fraud allegations
Four local, family-owned insurance agencies have presented evidence disputing state regulators’ fraud allegations while challenging the methods and motives of the investigation, according to North Carolina Department of Insurance records.
Blog: Laws for Sale–How Mercury Insurance is Buying Legislation in California
It’s happening right now in California, where a large insurance company has sponsored and funded a potential misleading piece of legislation that impacts people’s car insurance rates.
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