Capitol to Courthouse Florida Insurance Report – Tuesday, May 31, 2016
May 31, 2016
As Hurricane Season Begins, Asking Tough Questions Of Citizens Insurance
With the official opening of hurricane season at hand, company officials say Citizens has enough money in reserve to pay claims if even a catastrophic Category 5 storm hits a major metro area, FloridaPolitics.com’s Joe Henderson reports.
Coalition Launches Petition to Encourage Pam Bondi to Investigate Insurance Mergers
A coalition of consumer and physicians’ groups isn’t backing away from its request for an investigation into insurance mergers, Jenna Buzzacco-Foerster reports for FloridaPolitics.com.
NCCI Seeks to Raise Florida Workers’ Comp Rates by 17% in Light of Court Ruling
Florida businesses could soon be paying almost 20 percent more for workers’ compensation coverage. In response to a recent decision from the Florida Supreme Court, the National Council on Compensation Insurance filed a 17.1 percent rate increase with the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation for all new, renewal and additional policies in effect on a “pro-rata” basis. Insurance Journal’s Amy O’Connor reports.
National Federation of Independent Business/Florida Joins Groups Opposed to Workers’ Comp Hike
The National Federation of Independent Business/Florida is adding its voice to the business groups decrying a proposed 17 percent hike in the cost of workers’ compensation insurance to employers, FloridaPolitics.com’s Jim Rosica reports.
Investor Calls for Shakeup at Tampa Insurer
One of the largest investors in a property and casualty insurance firm in Tampa wants the company to consider selling itself. Margie Manning reports for the Tampa Bay Business Journal.
Florida’s State Board Of Administration Decreases Stake in AIG
The State Board Of Administration Of Florida Retirement System decreased its stake in American Intl Group Inc by 6.6 percent based on its latest 2016Q1 regulatory filing with the SEC.
What Happened When the FBI Investigated Foreclosure Fraud in Florida
Six years ago, FBI agents in Jacksonville, Florida, wrote a memo to their bosses in Washington, DC, that could have unraveled the largest consumer fraud in American history. David Dayen reports for Vice.com.
Bevy of Big Cases Awaits Florida Supreme Court
A plethora of high-profile matters is scheduled for argument before the Florida Supreme Court next week, FloridaPolitics.com’s Jim Rosica reports.
Judge’s Ruling Nixes Nonpartisan Elections
Orange County candidates for sheriff, tax collector and the four other constitutional offices would be identified on this year’s ballot as Democrat, Republican or another party affiliation if a judge’s ruling holds.
Miami-Dade is “Focus of the Political Universe” in Senate Races
Miami-Dade County — long the epicenter of Florida’s bloodiest political battles – is hosting three key state Senate races whose outcomes could help reshape the chamber. THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA’s Dara Kam reports via SayfieReview.com.
Will Weatherford Plots Political Future, with a Wary Eye on Trump
Donald Trump’s outsized presence on the political landscape will shake up Florida in a multitude of ways, including redefining the field of contenders for governor in 2018. That’s clear after a talk with Will Weatherford, the former House Speaker who left office in 2014. Steve Bousquet reports for the Miami Herald’s “Naked Politics” blog.
Scott says Mega-Building is Generating Dollars that Help Florida Fight Environmental Problems
Florida’s building boom, which followed Governor Rick Scott’s rollback of growth management laws, is alarming many community activists and environmentalists. The Palm Beach Post’s John Kennedy reports for the “Post on Politics” blog.
Oklahoma Insurance Exec Picked to Lead Louisiana Citizens Insurance
Richard Newberry has been named the new chief executive officer of Louisiana’s Citizens Property Insurance, Insurance Journal reports.
Fed to Hold Open Meeting on New Insurance Rules on June 3
The U.S. Federal Reserve will hold an open meeting next Friday on proposals, in the works for more than five years, for capital requirements and other rules for insurance companies, Reuters reports.
US-EU Continue Talks on Insurance Regulation Covered Agreement
Trade representatives for the United States and the European Union, who met May 24 and 25 to negotiate a bilateral covered agreement on regulations for insurers and reinsurers, on Friday issued a joint statement indicating they have not reached a final agreement but that they will continue their efforts.
Flooded Homeowners Allege Negligence in Suit Against City of Houston
A citizen’s group and homeowners who have recently suffered repeat flood damage sued Houston, Texas, in federal court, alleging the city backed improvements at a commercial development they say were made without putting in adequate drainage.
South Carolina Insurance Head Talks Lessons Learned After Historic Flood
South Carolina’s coastal property insurance market is strong, but the state’s significant catastrophe risk remains an ongoing threat and not one that should be taken lightly. That is the message South Carolina Insurance Director Raymond Farmer hopes to get across to residents as the 2016 storm season gets underway. Amy O’Connor reports for Insurance Journal.
Xceedance Welcomes George Freimarck as VP of Business Development
Xceedance, a global provider of insurance and consulting services across all lines of property and casualty insurance, is pleased to announce George Freimarck has joined the company as vice president for marketing and business development.
Former Zurich Insurance CEO commits suicide
Martin Senn, the Zurich Insurance Group chief executive officer who stepped down in a December reshuffle, has died, the company said on Monday. He was 59. Business Day Live reports.
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