Capitol to Courthouse Florida Insurance Report: Tuesday, December 17
Dec 17, 2013
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Daily Florida Insurance-Related Events
There are no events scheduled for today.
Daily Florida Insurance-Related News
Central Florida city declares state of local emergency from tornado damage
A Central Florida city has declared a state of local emergency in the wake of a tornado that destroyed seven homes and damaged more than 150 others, Associated Press reports via Naples Daily News.
Insurers have been raising their rates for years, and most of them are doing it again this year, the Ocala Star-Banner Editorial Board writes.
Jeff Brandes, Larry Ahern proposing legislation allowing more private flood insurance in Florida
Two Pinellas County state lawmakers propose to allow private insurers to issue flood insurance policies in Florida, as an alternative to the National Flood Insurance Program, SaintPetersBlog.com’s Phil Ammann reports.
Florida Senator David Simmons: Start from scratch to rid PIP of fraud
There is no denying that Florida is in an insurance crisis because its PIP insurance system has proved to be filled with fraud and inefficiencies, Florida Senator David Simmons writes in this Sun-Sentinel opinion column.
Former Clinic Owner Gets 15 Years for Defrauding Fla. PIP System
A Florida court convicted a former massage therapy clinic owner of schemes to defraud more than $50,000, filing false insurance claims exceeding $100,000, and knowingly participating in an intentional motor vehicle crash, National Underwriter’s Christina Bramlet reports for PropertyCasualty360.com.
Florida Has the Sixth Worst Drivers in America
Findings show that Florida drivers are the sixth worst in the nation, Broward New Times’ Chris Joseph reports.
Many cities struggle with old public pools like Tampa’s
Essentially buildings filled with water, these old pools come with maintenance issues that other buildings don’t have to deal with, Tampa Tribune’s Kevin Wiatrowski reports.
Florida Supreme Court Rejects Rule on Medical Malpractice Expert Testimony
The Florida Supreme Court refused last Thursday to adopt a state rule reflected in a law that creates restrictions on doctors who can testify during medical malpractice trials, agreeing it would have a chilling effect on the ability to find expert witnesses, Associated Press’ Brendan Farrington reports via Insurance Journal.
Insurance firm recruits nonprofits to sell Obamacare as a fundraiser
A Stuart-based firm is reaching out to nonprofit organizations that are registered supporters of the Affordable Care Act – so-called “Champions for Coverage” – and trying to get these organizations to help generate leads to sell insurance, Tampa Bay Times’ Tia Mitchell blogs for “The Buzz.”
Bills Would Exempt Florida Department of Health Prosecutors’ Public Information
Public records exemptions provide a modicum of cover for people in various scenarios where Florida’s Sunshine Laws may be too open for safety or comfort, SaintPetersBlog’s Peter Schorsch reports.
Benefits could cease for thousands of Florida unemployed
Thousands of jobless Floridians will be kicked off unemployment benefits in two weeks unless Congress extends the benefits before the end of the year, The Florida Current’s Gray Rohrer reports.
Florida Department of Law Enforcement Could Reach 1 Million Background Checks on 2013 Gun Purchases
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement says it is on target to conduct nearly 1 million background checks this year on private firearm purchases, THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA’s Jim Turner reports via SunshineStateNews.com.
Florida Ethics Commission offers advice
Legislators may use their office stationery to help worthy causes in their districts, as long as they have no financial stake in the success or failure of an endeavor, Bill Cotterell reports for The Florida Current.
Stakes Are High in Open Jacksonville House GOP Primary
Businessman Jay Fant started strong out of the gate as he battles Paul Renner for the Republican nomination to replace Daniel Davis in the Florida House. Davis is leaving the House to focus on leading the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce, Jeff Henderson reports for SunshineStateNews.com.
Mark Danish-Shawn Harrison Hillsborough House Rematch Complicated by Newcomer
Shawn Harrison wants a rematch with Mark Danish for a Florida House seat representing parts of Hillsborough County but a new Republican candidate could complicate things, Jeff Henderson reports for SunshineStateNews.com.
Al Lawson declines entering Congressional District 2 race
A high-profile U.S. House race in Northwest Florida might not have a Democratic primary next year, as former State Sen. Al Lawson announced he would not be seeking the Congressional District 2 seat, SaintPetersBlog.com’s Phil Ammann reports on yesterday’s Tallahassee Democrat story.
FPL wants customers to pay for new plants under emissions law
When the federal government issued new air quality guidelines in 2010 to protect the elderly, children, and people with asthma from nitrogen oxide emissions, Florida Power & Light took notice, the Miami Herald’s Mary Ellen Klas reports for the “Naked Politics” blog.
U.S. House, Senate Reject Efforts to Delay National Flood Insurance Program Rate Increases
Both the Senate and House last week rejected efforts to delay National Flood Insurance Program rate increases, making judicial action in federal district court in Gulfport, Miss. the last hope for those seeking to prevent the increases from taking effect in January, National Underwriter’s Arthur Postal reports for PropertyCasualty360.com.
Roy Woodall, the independent insurance expert on the Financial Stability Oversight Council (FSOC), spoke critically of the FSOC’s approach to its review of insurance companies as systemically risky, saying it does not provide the necessary direction, clarity or transparency to stakeholders, National Underwriter’s Elizabeth Festa reports for PropertyCasualty360.com.
NAIC: Global Insurance Capital Standards Won’t Replace State Risk-Based Capital Regime
The National Association of Insurance Commissioners said it has serious concerns about the timing, necessity and complexity of developing a risk-based global insurance capital standard, given legal and regulatory differences around the globe, but that it intends to stay in the process rather than resist it, National Underwriter’s Elizabeth Festa reports for PropertyCasualty360.com.
Texas Windstorm Insurance Associations Disavows Racism Allegations
Texas’ insurer of last resort in coastal areas has denied allegations that a culture of racism has existed within the organization, Insurance Journal’s Stephanie K. Jones reports.
What Goes Into a “Stable’ Outlook” for Property and Casualty?
Recent reports generally agree that the property and casualty industry outlook for 2014 is “stable,” with rate increases continuing, National Underwriter’s Phil Gusman reports for PropertyCasualty360.com.
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