Capitol to Courthouse Florida Insurance Report–Thursday, September 25, 2014
Sep 25, 2014
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
9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.–Florida Commission on Hurricane Loss Projection Methodology meeting. Continuation of 9/24 meeting. Teleconference: (888) 670-3525; access code: 7135858151. To view the agenda, click here.
10:00 a.m.–Florida Division of Insurance Agents and Agency Services Rule Development Workshop. Proposed Rule 69B-215.090 would implement a requirement under s.627.4553, F.S. that insurance agents or insurance companies provide certain information to consumers prior to the surrender of an annuity or life insurance policy. To view the Workshop notice, click here.
Daily Florida Insurance-Related News
Citizens removes 1 percent assessment from insurance policies
Florida property owners will stop paying a 1 percent emergency assessment on their insurance bills two years earlier than planned under a recommendation approved Wednesday by the board of Citizens Property Insurance, the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Personnel Note: Donovan Brown To Lobby For Colodny Law
Prominent insurance industry attorney Donovan Brown is joining law and governmental consulting firm Colodny Fass& Webb as a partner, SaintPetersBlog.com’s Phil Ammann reports.
Tampa Bay leaders support ride-sharing, despite regulators’ objections
A panel of local leaders, including politicians and the heads of bus and expressway authorities, gushed Wednesday about the positive aspects of having ride-share companies operate in Tampa Bay – despite fervent pushback from the Hillsborough County agency that regulates for-hire vehicles, Tampa Bay Times’ Caitlin Johnston reports.
FSU President-Designate John Thrasher Leaves Scott Campaign But Remains A Senate Candidate
Senator John Thrasher, R-St. Augustine, resigned Wednesday as the chairman of Gov. Rick Scott’s re-election campaign. Thrasher said he informed Scott Tuesday night, shortly after being named Florida State University next president that he would step down, SaintPetersBlog.com’s James Call reports.
Democrats say Scott camp trying to intimidate donors
A nasty contest for governor has become even nastier, with accusations that Republican Governor Rick Scott’s supporters tried to intimidate donors at a private home by photographing their license plates and videotaping their arrival for a fundraiser benefiting Charlie Crist, Associated Press reports via the Tampa Bay Times.
Florida judge throws out voucher expansion lawsuit
Florida judge on Wednesday threw out a lawsuit aimed at blocking a significant expansion of the state’s main private school voucher program, Associated Press’ Gary Fineout reports via the Tampa Tribune.
Florida’s Poverty Level Is More Than The National Average
A study released last week by the U.S. Census Bureau shows Florida’s poverty level lagging below the national average, SaintPetersBlog.com’s Janelle Irwin reports.
Federal Insurance Office Red Flags Include Lack of Agents and Low Interest Rate Impact
Concerns about the impact of low interest rates on the solvency of insurers, as well as a steep drop in the number of agents, are key life insurance issues raised in the 2014 annual report of the Federal Insurance Office, explains National Underwriter’s Arthur Postal for PropertyCasualty360.com.
State Farm, Blue Cross Partner to Sell Affordable Care Act Policies
Bringing together two of the best-known brands in insurance, State Farm said it would partner with Blue Cross Blue Shield plans in five states to sell Blues brand individual medical policies when signup begins in November for private coverage under the Affordable Care Act, Forbes’ Bruce Jabsen reports.
Mississippi, Alabama Homes Recognized As Storm-Fortified
The Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety has recognized three South Mississippi home builders for building homes that are more disaster-resistant, Insurance Journal reports.
PCI CEO Sampson Discusses Regulatory Issues Affecting the Insurance Industry
David A. Sampson, president and CEO of the Property Casualty Insurers Association of America, discussed regulatory issues and developments that are impacting the U.S. insurance and reinsurance industries at the 6th Annual Reactions North America Conference. The event, entitled “Adapting to a Changing Landscape” was held in New York, InsuranceNewsNet.com reports.
Ballinger to Retire from Surplus Lines Stamping Office of Texas
The board of directors of the Surplus Lines Stamping Office of Texas announced the retirement of Philip R. Ballinger as executive director after 22 years of distinguished service. He will remain in the post until January 2, 2015, Insurance Journal reports.
Insurance industry has taken over America
Somewhere along the way, the insurance industry got too big, Albany Herald columnist Carlton Fletcher writes.
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