Capitol to Courthouse Florida Insurance Report–Tuesday, January 6, 2015
Jan 6, 2015
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
1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.—Florida Senate Committee on Banking and Insurance
- Florida Office of Insurance Regulation Presentation
Daily Florida Insurance-Related News
Florida’s Citizens Drops Coverage Limits on High-Value Properties
Florida’s state-backed property insurer is lowering the amount of coverage it provides for high-value properties from $1 million to $900,000, per a 2013 law change. Insurance Journal’s Michael Adams reports.
Florida needs new approach on insurance
The Sun-Sentinel’s Editorial Board explains that it believes the Legislature’s approach has been based on two false assumptions: that there can be a normal property insurance market in Florida, and that large national carriers will write more policies if premiums are high enough.
Overall, auto insurance rates haven’t dropped by much, state report shows
Overall, automobile insurance rates have remained the same despite a rewrite of the state’s personal injury protection laws, a new report issued by the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation shows. Christine Jordan Sexton reports for SaintPetersBlog.com.
Manatee County gets grant to plan for health effects of climate change
The Florida Department of Health awarded the grant to Manatee County’s health department to develop plans to safeguard public health against the effects of climate change. The Associated Press reports via SaintPetersBlog.com.
Governor Scott to Take Oath Of Office at Noon Today
Today’s events will not include an inaugural ball or parade, Lloyd Dunkelberger reports for the Lakeland Ledger.
- Rick Scott Gives GOP an Economic Game Plan in Inaugural Address
- Handful of political challenges face Rick Scott in second term
- 5 challenges for Scott’s second term
- Watch the inaugural ceremonies live on The Florida Channel
Most Republican leaders silent as gay marriages become legal in Florida
Leaders of the Florida Republican Party that supported the state’s 2008 ban on gay marriage were mostly silent Monday as throngs cheered South Florida couples given the right to wed. The Tampa Bay Times reports.
- Bondi’s office: “We wish these couples the best”
- Gay marriage not mentioned during Bondi’s private inaugural celebration
Florida Senators hear ideas for fixing abusive prison system
After a spate of questionable inmate deaths in the state prison system and a steady increase in the use of force by guards, a Florida Senate committee began discussions Monday into what it described as substantial reforms to the state’s prison system. The Miami Herald’s Mary Ellen Klas reports via the Tampa Bay Times’ “The Buzz” blog.
U.S. Looks At Pre-Empting State Reinsurance Rules
The federal government is considering pre-empting inconsistent state laws regarding reinsurance collateral because the inability of states to adopt a uniform approach is increasing the costs of insurance for U.S. consumers. National Underwriter’s Arthur Postal reports via InsuranceNewsNet.com.
Chairman Hensarling Promises TRIA Vote in House This Week
U.S. House Financial Services Committee Chairman Jeb Hensarling (R-Tex.) vowed Monday that the House will vote this week on a bipartisan bill to renew the Terrorism Risk Insurance Act as it did last month before the bill died in the Senate. Insurance Journal reports.
Wyoming Governor Names Glause Insurance Commissioner
Wyoming Governor Matt Mead has selected Paul Thomas Glause as the new commissioner of the Wyoming Department of Insurance, Insurance Journal reports.
U.S. Commerce Department Proposes Death Master File Rule
At the end of last year – on Dec. 30, in fact-the U.S. Department of Commerce published a proposed rule that spells out how “persons” can become “certified” to access the Death Master File information maintained by the Social Security Administration. Linda Koco reports for InsuranceNewsNet.com.
New Louisiana Department of Insurance Website Aims to Help Consumers Shop for Rates, Agents
The Louisiana Department of Insurance has launched a new website aimed at providing improved services to consumers, insurance agents and other groups it regulates, Insurance Journal reports.
30-year sea-level rise will vary along North Carolina coast, scientists say
A new scientific report warns that the sea is rising at widely varying rates along the North Carolina shore — ranging by 2045 from a possible low of 4 inches at Southport to as much as 12.1 inches on the northern Outer Banks. The Raleigh News & Observer reports via Advisen.com.
Information on how the insurance industry supports businesses, workers and communities through workers’ compensation, disability and life insurance is featured in an Insurance Information Institute brochure, which can be ordered by calling 212-346-5500, by email at publications@iii.org, or downloaded at http://www.iii.org/sites/default/files/docs/pdf/a_firm_foundation_2015_brochure.pdf.
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