Capitol to Courthouse Florida Insurance Report – Thursday, March 24, 2016
Mar 24, 2016
Governor Rick Scott settles on top contender for Florida Insurance Commissioner
Scott’s office on Wednesday morning recommended the Florida Cabinet conduct a final public interview with just one of 55 candidates who applied to be the next insurance commissioner, the Tampa Bay Times’ Jeremy Wallace reports.
Insurers see a Scam, Critics see an excuse to raise rates
Let’s assume the attorneys are entirely benevolent, the insurance companies have your best interest at heart and the contractors haven’t exploited a rigged system, Tampa Bay Times’ columnist John Romano writes.
Florida Insurer Launches Company Offering Admitted, Standalone Flood Coverage
A Florida-based homeowners insurer has beefed up its flood insurance offering with the launch of a new flood-coverage only company called TypTap, Insurance Journal’s Amy O’Connor reports.
PCI’s David Sampson: What are the reasons behind Rising Auto Insurance Rates in Florida?
Florida is at the leading edge of a nationwide trend on increased accident frequency that began in the last quarter of 2014, but dramatically accelerated in 2015. Property Casualty Insurers Association of America President and CEO David Sampson gives his opinion via the Orlando Sentinel.
Insurers Plot Test to build better provider directories
America’s Health Insurance Plans, known as AHIP, will attempt to streamline health provider directory updates by testing a new concept next month in California, Florida and Indiana. The Associated Press’ Tom Murphy reports via the Charlotte Observer.
Children of Legal Immigrants soon will be Eligible for Health Coverage
Thousands of children of legal immigrants will be closer to obtaining subsidized health insurance this summer, after the Florida Legislature passed a long-debated expansion of the state’s KidCare program, THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA’s Margie Menzel and Tom Urban report via SunshineStateNews.com.
New Wilton Manors company offers Life Insurance to people with HIV
MacDonald Financial Services LLC has opened an office in Wilton Manors, providing life insurance for people with HIV, the Sun-Sentinel reports.
Nuclear Plant Leak Threatens Drinking Water Wells in Florida
When Florida’s largest power company added two nuclear reactors to an existing plant that sat between two national parks – Biscayne Bay and the Everglades – the decision raised the concerns of environmentalists and some government officials about the possible effects on water quality and marine life. Lizette Alvarez reports for the New York Times.
Governor Scott signs needle exchange, rape kit bills
Governor Scott signed into law new requirements that rape kits be tested faster, as well as a needle exchange program to combat HIV in South Florida, the Tampa Bay Times’ Michael Auslen reports.
U.S. House ethics panel opens probe into Florida’s Corrine Brown
The House Ethics Committee has officially opened an investigation into Florida Democrat Corrine Brown over a number of allegations, including “fraudulent activity” with an unnamed organization, the Associated Press reports.
Florida Appeals Court upholds restriction on Homestead Exemptions
A Florida Appeals Court waded into questions about whether state law only barred multiple homestead exemptions in Florida — or whether the prohibition also addresses properties in other states. THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA’s Jim Saunders reports via SafieReview.com.
The Villages is nation’s fastest growing metro area, again
The retirement community in Central Florida famous for its souped-up golf carts once again was the nation’s fastest growing metro area, according to figures released Thursday by the U.S. Census Bureau.
New 24,000-Acre Development announced for Mormon Lands in Orange, Osceola Counties
A nearly 24,000-acre mixed-use development plan was announced Monday for two areas of Orange and Osceola counties that are rural holdings for the Mormon Church, Scott Powers reports for FloridaPolitics.com.
Siplin seeks return trip to Tallahassee
Former Democratic lawmaker Gary Siplin is looking to return to Tallahassee in November. THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA reports via SayfieReview.com.
Insurance Highlighted at Congressional Hearing on Cyber
North Dakota Insurance Commissioner Adam Hamm testified before Congress yesterday on known and emerging issues impacting cybersecurity in the insurance sector. Testifying on behalf of the NAIC, Hamm, who chairs the NAIC Cybersecurity Task Force, spoke about the importance of keeping consumer data protected as well as the development of a strong cyber insurance market.
Texas Seeks Data on Weather-Related Property Claims, Lawsuits
The Senate Business and Commerce and the House Insurance Committees of the Texas Legislature have requested data from the Texas Department of Insurance related to weather-related property claims, the incidence of lawsuits related to these claims, and the impact this may have on the insurance market place and insurance consumers, Insurance Journal reports.
Federal Appeals Court Sides with Lexington Insurance in Deductible Dispute
A federal appeals court has upheld a lower court’s ruling in favor of an insurance company in a breach of contract suit brought by a Houston-based oil and gas exploration and production company, Insurance Journal reports.
Silicon Valley is now eager to disrupt the highly regulated, expensive insurance market
For years, startups trying to disrupt financial services have focused on areas like payments and lending—things customers do frequently that companies can take a slice of. Quartz’s Ian Kar analyzes the market.
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