Capitol to Courthouse Florida Insurance Report – Tuesday, February 07, 2017
Feb 7, 2017
Guidance Suspended for Florida Property Insurers – Rating Revisions Expected in March
Although the 57 Property Insurers that Demotech Reviews, Rates, and follows were able to respond to Florida’s Weather Related Damages during 2016, the Company suspended previously written guidance applicable to Property Insurers writing in Florida due to the recent Judicial Reversals of Industry Claims Procedures which remain intact in other operating environments. The remaining 340 Carriers rated by Demotech are not impacted by this communication.
Insurance Office, NCCI Refute Sunshine Law Claims in Workers’ Comp Appeal
The Florida Office of Insurance Regulation and an Organization that proposes Workers’ Compensation Premium Rates have filed Legal Briefs refuting Arguments that they calculated Florida’s recent 14.5 percent Rate Hike in violation of the Sunshine Law. Michael Moline reports for SaintPetersBlog.com.
Broward Insurance Firm-Turned-“Ponzi Scheme” Cost Florida, Policyholders $100 Million
The Final Act in the little-noticed liquidation of a Fort Lauderdale-Based Insurance Company that Regulators say evolved into a “Ponzi Scheme” that cost Florida and its Policyholders more than $100 million is set to unfold in Court this Spring. Dan Christenson reports for the Florida Bulldog.
Business Group To Hold “What Insurers Don’t Want You to Know” Seminar
The Above Board Chamber of Florida is hosting Two Seminars on Business Insurance titled, “What Insurance Companies Don’t Want You to Know” on Thursday, February 9 and Monday, February 13, Florida Business Daily reports.
Did Key Emergency Alert System Fail in Palm Beach County During January Tornado?
The National Weather Service is investigating whether a Key Emergency Alert System for Palm Beach County Failed during last month’s Tornado leaving an unknown number of Residents with No Warning of the Overnight Threat. Kimberly Miller reports for the Palm Beach Post.
Donkey Statue Leads to Alleged Injury, Lawsuit in Tallahassee
A Tallahassee Woman is Suing a Mexican Restaurant after she fell off its Donkey Statue and broke her back, FloridaPolitics.com’s Jim Rosica reports.
Florida Department of Health Holds First Medicinal Marijuana Workshop in Jacksonville
The Conference Room at the Duval County Health Department in Arlington was packed with area Residents and Physicians who were demanding more access to Medicinal Marijuana in the State following November’s Statewide Referendum that Legalized the Drug. Drew Dixon reports for the Florida Times-Union.
As rhetorical attacks mount against the Judiciary in Florida and in Washington, the Chief Justice of the Florida Supreme Court on Monday named three people Who Value “Judicial Independence” to serve on the powerful Panel to revise the Florida Constitution. The Miami Herald’s Mary Ellen Klas reports for “The Buzz” blog.
Governor Talks Transportation at Port Canaveral
Florida Governor Rick Scott on Monday sought to build support for his Proposed State Transportation Budget for 2017-18, saying it will help further boost Florida’s Economy. David Berman reports for FloridaToday.com.
After Mass Shootings, Little Changes in Florida on Mental Illness and Access to Guns
The January 6 Mass Shooting was just the latest to be followed by hand-wringing from Politicians, particularly Gun-Rights Supporters, who blamed shortcomings in the Mental Health System for the Tragedy. Michael Auslen and Kristin M. Clark report via “The Buzz” blog.
Florida Citrus Growers Look Beyond Oranges
Faced with two existential threats—a disease that depletes citrus trees and a dramatic decline in orange-juice consumption—Florida’s Citrus Industry is seeking alternatives from Olives to Hops, Pomegranates to Peaches. Arian Campo-Flores reports for the Wall Street Journal.
House Targets 23 “flawed” Incentives for Permanent Elimination
The suddenly endangered Enterprise Florida and Visit Florida are getting all the attention, but a House Plan to overhaul State Economic Development Programs would wipe 23 Specific Incentives off the Books. Steve Bousquet reports via the “Naked Politics” blog.
Florida House Speaker’s Proposed Lobbying Ban Would be Toughest in Nation
A new Study by the National Council of State Legislatures shows Florida Lawmakers would face the toughest Lobbying Restrictions in the County under a Proposal by House Speaker Richard Corcoran. Jim Ash reports for WFSU.
Puerto Rico Crisis Panel Brings it Home to Florida
The Social Fallout from Puerto Rico’s Multi-Fasceted Financial Crisis must be dealt with in more immediate ways in Central Florida where so much of the diaspora is fleeing, a Panel of Scholars urged Key Puerto Rican Political Leaders in Orlando Friday. Scott Powers reports for FloridaPolitics.com.
Warm Winter Fuels Deadly Southeast Tornadoes
Scientists wonder if it’s Climate Change or coincidence that’s behind the Region’s string of Tornado Outbreaks, citing lack of Long Term Data and Conflicting Theories about Storm Dynamics. Matt Smith reports for Seeker.com.
Assurant to Offer Liability Coverage for Vacation Rental Owners
Assurant has Partnered with Vacasa, a U.S. Vacation Rental Management Company, to provide Liability Coverage and Property Insurance for Vacasa’s Homeowners, Insurance Journal reports.
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