Capitol to Courthouse Florida Insurance Report – Tuesday, April 04, 2017
Apr 4, 2017
Senate AOB Reform Bill Bars Insurers From Charging Litigation Costs to Customers
A Senate Committee Voted Monday to give the Insurance Industry more control over Contractors operating under Assignment of Benefits Agreements. Michael Moline reports for FloridaPolitics.com.
Florida Senator Slams Insurance Industry for “Smearing” Her
Senator Flores acknowledge during the Senate Banking and Insurance Committee that there are other Assignment of Benefits Bills the Insurance Industry prefers, but publicly took them to task for not proposing Amendments to Farmer’s Bill if they really wanted to get provisions of those other Bills considered. The Miami Herald’s Jeremy Wallace reports via the “Naked Politics” blog.
· Senator Flores: Insurers “Smearing” Me Because I Don’t Take Their Orders
Florida Lawmakers Taking Aim at Assignment of Benefits Agreements
Lawyers in the Sunshine State may see storm clouds on the horizon as Florida Officials look to shut down an alleged Plaintiff-Attorney Get-Rich-Quick Scheme. David Hutton reports for the Florida Record.
Florida Senate Panel OKs Workers’ Comp Bill Opposed By Insurance Industry
The Senate Banking and Insurance Committee Voted 7-1 Monday to approve Legislation that would require Workers’ Compensation Carriers to compete on price rather than propose Premium Levels through a Common Ratings Agency, and that would allow Workers to pay Attorneys Hourly Rates if they take Insurers to Court. Michael Moline reports for FloridaPolitics.com.
Bill Expanding Florida Workers’ Compensation for First Responders in Jeopardy
SB 1088 needs to move through Four Committees and Subcommittees in the Senate in Four Weeks. Julie Gargotta reports for BayNews9.com.
Patriot National Delays Annual Report Amid Accounting Review of Deals
On March 29, the Company’s Audit Committee, with the assistance of its Independent Counsel and Advisors, commenced an Internal Review of Accounting Matters involving transactions between Patriot National and Three Companies: Hospitality Supportive Systems LLC, Selective Risk Management LLC and Carman Corporation. The South Florida Business Journal reports.
Florida Attorney General: Local Government Can’t Outlaw Texting While Driving
The Legislature can’t create an exception for Palm Beach County to make Texting While Driving in a School Zone a Primary Offense there, Attorney General Pam Bondi‘s Office said in a recent Letter. Jim Rosica reports for FloridaPolitics.com.
Bill in Florida Senate Spurs Property Rights vs. Quality of Life Debate
A Senate Committee Monday approved a Bill Supporters say protects Property Rights, but Opponents say it would put Economic Development above Environmental Conservation and Quality of Life. Isadora Rangel reports for TCPalm.com.
Clock Runs Out On Vacation Rental Bill, But It’s Only Temporary
SB 188, sponsored by Senator Greg Steube, R-Sarasota, pits Private Property Rights against Local Home Rule in a Tourist-Friendly State that’s a big market for Airbnb and HomeAway Vacation Rental Platforms. Steve Bousquet reports for the Tampa Bay Times.
Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Gimenez: County’s Tax Deal “Not Condoning” Airbnb
Ahead of a Vote over collecting Local Taxes from Home-Sharing Platform Airbnb, Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Gimenez is setting the record straight: The Tax Deal doesn’t mean the County is condoning the Platform. Chabeli Herrera and David Smiley report for the Miami Herald.
Senate Panel OKs Medical Marijuana Bill, Speeds Up Pace For New Licenses
A Senate Panel is moving forward with its version of a Bill to implement the 2016 Medical Marijuana Constitutional Amendment. Jenna Buzzacco-Foerster reports for FloridaPolitics.com.
FPL Announces Plan for First Miami-Dade Solar Plant
Florida Power & Light hopes to construct its First-Ever Solar Power Center in Miami-Dade County under a 10-year plan submitted to State Utility Officials Monday. Jenny Staletovich reports for the Miami Herald.
CastlePoint National Ordered Into Liquidation to Protect Policyholders
California Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones announced today that CastlePoint National Insurance Company, the California Insurance Company Affiliate of the defunct Tower Group, has been ordered into Formal Liquidation, paving the way for protection of CastlePoint’s Policyholders through the National System of Insurance Guaranty Associations.
Froment Named Ohio Insurance Director as Taylor Steps Down
Republican Governor John Kasich said in a statement that Lt. Governor Mary Taylor was leaving her job as Director of the Ohio Department of Insurance. He named the Department’s Deputy Director, Jillian Froment, to serve as the New Director. Insurance Journal reports.
Virginia Bureau Names Blauvelt Deputy Commissioner of Life and Health Division
The State Corporation Commission’s Bureau of Insurance in Virginia has named Julie S. Blauvelt Deputy Commissioner of its Life and Health Division. Insurance Journal reports.
New Online Tool Bridges the Language Gap for California Insurance Consumers
California Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones announced today the launch of a New Online Agent Language Locator Service created to make it easier for Consumers to find Insurance Agents and Brokers in their area who speak their chosen language.
How Insurance Firms Are Learning to Read Our Minds
By the end of this year, all of Direct Line’s 7,500 Client-Facing Staff will be taught how to work out which of Four Basic Personality Types fit the people they are dealing with, so that they can bend their behaviour accordingly. The Daily Telegraph understands, an idea first tried out in the insurer’s call centres just over a year ago.
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