Capitol to Courthouse Florida Insurance Report–Tuesday, May 20
May 20, 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
2:00 p.m.–U.S. House of Representatives Financial Services Committee Hearing: Legislative Proposals to Reform Domestic Insurance Policy. For more information, click here.
Daily Florida Insurance-Related News
Mock hurricane to test Florida’s statewide preparedness
Florida emergency planners began a four-day “hurricane exercise” Monday that will help the state prepare for the annual storm season that begins June 1, Lloyd Dunkelberger reports for the Sarasota Herald-Tribune.
Evangelicals in Florida turn to climate change and call on Governor Scott to act
Evangelical leaders in Florida have taken on climate change as a cause and are trying to increase pressure on Governor Rick Scott to take action, while criticizing Senator Marco Rubio’s stance on the issue, Tampa Bay Times’ Alex Leary reports.
Editorial: Pressure on property insurers
When it comes to Florida’s property insurance rates, what a difference a little pressure from the state’s chief financial officer can make, the Ocala Star-Banner’s Editorial Board writes.
Uninsured Florida Drivers Helped by Regulatory Loophole
A CBS 12 investigation uncovered a loophole where criminals can get a Florida driver’s license and registration with no insurance, Peter Schaller reports for WPEC-TV.
Judge sentences former WellCare execs to prison in Medicaid fraud
Three former WellCare executives were sentenced to federal prison Monday for their roles in a scheme to keep Medicaid money for the company that should have been returned to the state, Tampa Bay Times’ Jodie Tillman reports.
Legislative redistricting battle begins
Florida’s two-week redistricting trial began Monday with a GOP political consultant as the first witness called to the stand, the Miami Herald’s Mary Ellen Klas reports via the “Naked Politics” blog.
- GOP consultant got preview of congressional maps
- Appeals court agrees to stay the release of secret docs in redistricting trial
House and Senate respond to blind trust financial disclosure case
Attorneys for the Legislature’s presiding officers asked the Florida Supreme Court Monday to quash a petition seeking to stop Governor Rick Scott and other political candidates from filing statements of “blind trusts,” instead of detailed financial disclosures, when they qualify for the 2014 elections next month, The Florida Current’s Bill Cotterell reports.
Broward “PAC Man” hit with highest elections fine in history
A Deerfield Beach man known for creating hundreds of political action committees – earning him the moniker “PAC Man” – has been hit with the largest fine in Florida elections history, Brittany Wallman reports for the Sun-Sentinel.
Cary Pigman Set to Be Tallahassee Force With Easy 2014 Assignment
After a brutal 2012, Cary Pigman should have an easier path this election cycle with no primary opponents or credible general election threats, Jeff Henderson reports for SunshineStateNews.com.
New York Tightens Rules On Private Equity In Insurance Deals
New York regulators are aiming to strengthen policyholder protection governance of private equity and other acquisitions of insurance companies, especially annuity companies, InsuranceNewsNet.com reports.
Superstorm Sandy lawsuit deadline in dispute
The National Flood Insurance Act says policyholders who receive a written denial, or partial denial, of a claim have one year to sue their insurers. There is disagreement over when the clock starts ticking, explains Karen Sudol for the New Jersey Record.
Overstock.com’s Entrance into Insurance
Overstock.com Inc., a discount online retailer based in Salt Lake City, Utah, which sells a range of products including furniture, electronics, clothing and cars, has added insurance to its growing inventory of offerings, InsuranceNetworking.com’s Bob Violino reports.
Fitch Publishes Global Reinsurance Results Dashboard
In its new Global Reinsurance Results Dashboard, Fitch Ratings says that the group of global reinsurers that it tracks improved their reinsurance calendar year combined ratio to 85.4% in 2013, compared with 89.3% in 2012, benefiting from lower catastrophe-related losses, Reuters reports.
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