Capitol to Courthouse Florida Insurance Report – Thursday, May 26, 2016

 

As Storm Season Approaches, Insurance Keeps Soaking Homeowners

After 10 straight storm-free years, hurricane season is almost here. Even without storms, South Florida homeowners have taken a battering — as anyone who’s opened a renewal notice lately knows.  Sun-Sentinel columnist Mike Mayo expounds.

  

Hurricane Technology Presented as Way to Pinpoint Storm, Surge for Early Warning

Florida’s U.S. Senators have jointly sponsored legislation aimed at accelerating research and development of hurricane forecasting tools, USA Today’s Ledyard King reports via the Naples Daily News.

  

Rising Seas Push Too Much Salt Into the Florida Everglades

Because of climate change and sea level rise, the ocean is starting to seep into Florida’s swampland.  If the invasion grows worse, it could drastically change the Everglades, and a way of life for millions of residents in South Florida.  NPR’s Christopher Joyce reports.

 

Florida Insurers Request Rate Hikes Under Federal Health Law

Nearly a dozen Health Insurers are proposing rate increases averaging 13 percent for 2017 Florida plans sold on the exchanges created under President Barack Obama’s Health Care Law, according to federal officials, but that won’t necessarily mean big consumer price hikes.  The Associated Press’ Kelli Kennedy reports via Naples Daily News.

  

Bondi Opts Not to Join Multi-State Lawsuit Over Transgender Directive

Florida has declined to join a Multi-State Lawsuit filed against the Federal Government over a recent directive regarding transgender students’ use of bathrooms in public schools, according to a spokesperson for Attorney General Pam Bondi.  Jessica Bakeman reports for Politico Florida.

  

Florida Supreme Court Ready to Wade into Major Cases

Florida justices are poised to hear arguments on a series of high-profile issues, including gambling, the death penalty, guns and medical malpractice, according to a schedule released Wednesday.

  

Scott Outlines Plan to Boost Universities’ 4-Year Graduation Rates

Governor Rick Scott outlined a plan to increase public universities’ four-year graduation rates, Jessica Bakeman reports for Politico Florida.

 

Exit of Research Firm from Florida Could Damage Governor’s Economic Plans

After enjoying nearly a decade’s worth of taxpayer-funded incentives, a prominent health research firm is considering leaving Florida, a move that could deal a crippling blow to Governor Rick Scott’s economic development agenda, Troy Kinsey reports for BayNews9.com.

  

Planning for The Big One: Election Experts Gather in Clearwater

Nearly six months before Florida chooses the next president, the people who count votes in Florida are deep into planning how to do it right while anticipating everything that could possibly go wrong.  The Tampa Bay Times’ Steve Bousquet reports for “The Buzz” blog.

 

Jacksonville Trying to Attract Puerto Ricans Fleeing Economic Crisis

As Congress grapples with debt relief for Puerto Rico, island residents are moving to the mainland in increasing numbers with many heading to Jacksonville.  Drew Dixon reports for the Florida Times-Union.

 

PBS/NPR Documentary Adds to Criticism of Private Insurers, FEMA Over Profits on Flood Insurance

Private insurance companies working for the government’s flood insurance program have made hundreds of millions of dollars at the same time that thousands of homeowners are claiming they have been underpaid for damage caused by Superstorm Sandy, according to a report by Frontline, the Public Broadcasting System investigative news show, and National Public Radio, Insurance Journal’s Andrew G. Simpson reports..

 

Allstate Debuts Insurance Coverage for Homeowners Sharing Their Homes

In a move to serve customers who rent out their homes on a temporary basis, Allstate has filed plans to offer home-sharing protection in six states — Arizona, Colorado, Illinois,Michigan, Tennessee and Utah — starting in mid-August, Insurance Journal reports.

 

Pennsylvania Advises Insurers on Arson, Insurance Fraud Reporting Rules

The Pennsylvania Insurance Department recently issued a notice to advise and remind insurers of their obligations under the state’s law in the reporting of suspected arson and insurance fraud, Insurance Journal reports.

 

 

 

 

Click here to follow Colodny Fass on Twitter (@ColodnyFassLaw)

 

 

 

 

To unsubscribe from this newsletter, please send an e-mail to colodnyfassnews@gmail.com.