Capitol to Courthouse Florida Insurance Report – Thursday, May 18, 2017

May 18, 2017

 

Florida Residents Get Reminder To Be On Guard During Hurricane Season

Hurricane Experts at a Wednesday event reminded Floridians to stay prepared for Hurricanes by taking steps such as maintaining Emergency Kits and Supplies.  FloridaToday.com reports via the PCI SmartBrief.

 

Florida’s Hurricane Fund Remains Strong Heading Into Season

The Florida Fund that helps Private Insurers pay out Claims after a Hurricane continues to be in strong shape ahead of Storm Season.  WFTV reports.

 

State Opioid Money Begins to Flow, Mainly to Central Florida

Two weeks after Gov. Rick Scott ordered the Department of Health to Declare a State of Emergency over the Opioid Crisis, the promised $27 Million in Aid is starting to roll out.  Pat Beall reports for the Palm Beach Post.

·         Federal Dollars Arrive to Combat South Florida’s Heroin Epidemic

·         Sober Homes Fraudster Who Gave Drugs to Addicts Sentenced to 27 1/2 Years in Prison

 

Work Starts On Florida’s Health Care Price Transparency Database

The Health Cost Institute already has a National Website with Health Costs. Florida will be its First State-Specific Effort.  Tom Hudson reports for WUSF.

 

Constitution Panel Wrestles With Sunshine Law

A Panel of the State Constitution Revision Commission deferred a decision Wednesday on how to follow Open-Government Laws as Commissioners undertake the once-every-20-years process of recommending changes to the Florida Constitution.  THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA’s Brandon Larrabee reports via SayfieReview.com.

 

South Florida Activists, Politicians Urge Trump Administration to Keep Haitian Temporary Protected Status

As Haitians across the United States worry they may lose protection from deportation, supporters and activists stepped up calls Wednesday for the Trump Administration to Extend Protection for another 18 months.  The Miami Herald’s Patricia Mazzei reports via the “Naked Politics” blog.

 

After Pushback, Medical Marijuana Biz Pulls out of Port Orange

A Spokesperson for Surterra said they are looking into Locations throughout the State and in the meantime will continue to deliver locally.  Casmira Harrison reports for the Daytona Beach News Journal.

 

Sean Shaw Bill for 2018 Would Stop Raiding of Sadowski Housing Trust Fund

For the tenth year in a row, Florida Lawmakers raided the Sadowski Housing Trust Fund to balance the Budget that currently sits on Governor Rick Scott‘s desk.  One State Representative says that needs to stop.  Mitch Perry reports for SaintPetersBlog.com.

 

Richard Corcoran: Don’t Believe Hyperbole, Hysterics From Budget Critics

Not anymore.  Not with your money.  And not on my watch, Florida House Speaker Richard Corcoran tells FloridaPolitics.com.

 

Global Insurers Face High Compliance Costs with New Accounting Rules

Insurers in over 100 Countries face a “Once in a Lifetime” Accounting Change from January 2021 with the introduction of a Uniform International Book-Keeping Standard, details of which will be published on Thursday.  Reuters’ Huw Jones reports via Insurance Journal.

 

GOP Prepares New 5-year NFIP Authorization

The House Financial Services Committee’s Republican Members have taken the first steps to Reform the National Flood Insurance Program with a Draft for its Reauthorization.  Insurance Business America reports.

 

Texas Governor Expected to Sign Measure on Storm-Damage Litigation

A Texas Bill aimed at Reducing Penalties for Insurers facing Lawsuits over Storm-Damage Claims has gained Final Senate Approval.  The Austin-American Statesman reports via the PCI SmartBrief.

 

Hackers Access Email Database of E-Signature Service Used by Insurance Industry

Electronic Signature Service DocuSign said Hackers had temporarily gained access to a Database containing Customer Emails, which the Company linked to a surge in phishing emails sent to its users.  Reuters reports via Insurance Journal.

 

Zurich Insurance Deploys Robots for Personal Injury Claims Handling

Zurich Insurance is deploying Artificial Intelligence in deciding Personal Injury Claims after Trials cut the processing time from an hour to just seconds, its Chairman said.  Reuters’ Brenna Hughes Neghaiwi and John O’Donnell report via Insurance Journal.

 

Washington Governor Signs Law Banning Holding Cellphone While Driving

The measure prohibits holding an Electronic Device, including Phones, Tablets and other Electronic Devices, while Driving, including while in traffic or waiting for a traffic light to change.  Insurance Journal reports.

 

 

 

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