Capitol to Courthouse Florida Insurance Report–Tuesday, December 16, 2014
Dec 16, 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
Florida Commission on Hurricane Loss Projection Methodology (“FCHLPM”). 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Tallahassee, Florida. The FCHLPM will discuss the model submissions received under the Standards and Acceptability Process for 2013. To view the meeting notice click here.
- Following the FCHLPM meeting, its Flood Standards Development Committee will meet to discuss a working draft of the General Flood Standards, and, time permitting, will begin a discussion of the Meteorological/Hydrological Flood Standards. To access the complete meeting materials, click here.
Daily Florida Insurance-Related News
Florida’s Universal Insurance Raises $19 Million in Stock Deal
Florida’s largest private insurer has raised $19 million through a privately negotiated stock deal, Insurance Journal’s Michael Adams reports.
Judge lets couple back in home while foreclosure continues in reverse mortgage case
A little more than a month after a lender forced an elderly couple out of their home and failed to secure the property, a judge ruled the two are allowed back in while a foreclosure is ongoing involving a reverse mortgage gone wrong. Andrew Pantazi reports for the Florida Times-Union.
Uber “town hall” fizzles when Uber officials don’t show
After a late start, a town hall on Uber in Fort Myers quickly ran out of gas. Laura Layden reports for the Naples Daily News.
Federal data track hospital-acquired infections in Florida, nation
Seven Miami-Dade hospitals fell below national standards for combating infections acquired by patients in hospitals, and patients at one hospital — North Shore Medical Center in Miami — were more likely to develop infections than patients at any other hospital in South Florida, according to data collected by the federal government as part of a national effort to reduce such infections. The Miami Herald reports via Advisen.com.
After inmate deaths, U.S. Department of Justice may probe Florida prison system
The U.S. Department of Justice is gathering evidence for a possible investigation into whether the Florida Department of Corrections has violated prisoners’ constitutional rights. Julie K. Brown reports for the Bradenton Herald.
Florida Budget Surplus Nears $1 Billion
The surplus for next year’s State of Florida budget is nearing $1 billion, giving lawmakers more room to bankroll their priorities as well as Governor Rick Scott’s call for additional tax cuts and record per-student school funding. THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA’s Brandon Larrabee reports via SunshineStateNews.com.
Bondi asks U.S. Supreme Court to delay same-sex marriage ruling
Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi is asking U.S. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas to overturn a federal appeals court decision that would allow same-sex marriage in Florida beginning early next month. Matt Dixon reports via the Scripps “Political Fix Florida” blog.
Scott re-appoints surgeon general who’s played role in medical marijuana debate
Governor Rick Scott has re-appointed Florida’s surgeon general and chief of the state’s Health Department. John Kennedy reports for the “Post on Politics” blog.
Voting is Tuesday in Democratic special primary election to fill state House District 13 seat
Two-term State Representative Reggie Fullwood and Jacksonville Councilman Johnny Gaffney are competing to face Republican Lawrence Jefferson in the general election February 17. Florida Times-Union’s Steve Patterson reports.
Federal analysis calls Panama City unaffordable for homebuyers
The Panama City housing market is unaffordable for local homebuyers, according to an analysis by the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, also known as Freddie Mac. Pensacola News-Herald’s Valerie Garman reports.
Southwest Florida planners bracing for influx of residents
The population of Sarasota County could grow by 72 percent and Manatee County’s could grow by 67 percent over a 40-year span, according to research presented Monday to a regional transportation panel. Dale White reports for the Sarasota Herald-Tribune.
New Storm Surge Warnings Coming in 2015
Separate storm-surge warnings will begin with the 2015 hurricane season and should provide emergency managers and the public with better information, Claims Journal reports.
Louisiana workers’ comp insurance rates dropping in 2015
Fewer workplace injuries and less severe ones will result in lower Louisiana worker’s compensation insurance rates in 2015, the second year in a row and the seventh time in 10 years that rates have fallen. Ted Griggs reports for The Advocate.
The National Association of Insurance Commissioners urged the U.S. Senate yesterday to reauthorize TRIA before it adjourns for the year by passing S. 2244, the Terrorism Risk Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2014.
NAIC 2011/2012 NAIC Auto Insurance Report Now Available
The National Association of Insurance Commissioners has published its 2011/2012 Auto Insurance Database Report (fee), which provides the average costs associated with personal automobile insurance nationwide.
NAIC Publishes 2013 By-Line, By-State Profitability Report
The National Association of Insurance Commissioners’ Report on Profitability by Line by State in 2013 estimates and allocates profitability in property and casualty insurance by state and by line of insurance.
Tower Insurance loses in New Zealand Supreme Court
The New Zealand Supreme Court upheld a Court of Appeal decision finding Tower Insurance could not choose from a range of payment settlement options and could not discharge its obligations under the policy by paying the cost of another house elsewhere.
Lyft plays Whac-a-Mole with regulators nationwide
Lyft finalized an agreement last week to settle allegations by the district attorneys of San Francisco and Los Angeles that it misled customers and violated state laws. San Francisco Chronicle’s Carolyn Said reports.
Surplus lines insurer James River raises $231 million in IPO
Hamilton, Bermuda-based James River Group Holdings Ltd., the parent company of excess and surplus lines insurer James River Insurance Co., raised about $231 million in its initial public offering Friday. Bill Kenealy reports for Business Insurance.
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