Capitol to Courthouse Florida Insurance Report–Tuesday, October 28, 2014

Oct 28, 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

 

There are no events scheduled for today.

 

 

Daily Florida Insurance-Related News

 

Months-old company makes Citizens takeout offers, but coverage unclear to consumers

In a rare development, a new company is offering insurance to mobile home owners covered by state-run insurer Citizens – but consumers say transfer letters leave them scratching their heads over exactly how much coverage is being offered.  Charles Elmore reports for the Palm Beach Post.

 

The Unsustainable State Of The Florida Property Insurance Market, Part I

Florida’s insurance market is a highly politicized brew of public and private incentives, which is neither effective nor sensible, SeekingAlpha writes on Nasdaq.com.

 

NextGen Climate sinks another $3 million into defeating Rick Scott

In the campaign to defeat Governor Rick Scott, NextGen Climate sunk another $3 million into its Florida operation, according to finance reports with the state Division of Elections.  SaintPetersBlog.com’s Phil Ammann reports.

 

Florida ranks third in nation for heavy equipment theft

The National Insurance Crime Bureau released a report today on heavy equipment thefts in 2013, InsuranceNewsNet.com reports.

 

Florida Supreme Court Upholds Travelers’ Family Vehicle Exclusion

The Florida Supreme Court ruled this week that the family vehicle exclusion in a Travelers automobile insurance policy doesn’t conflict with Florida’s uninsured motorist law.

 

Universal Insurance Holdings, Inc. Subsidiary Receives Certificate Of Authority From Indiana

A Certificate of Authority was issued to Universal Property & Casualty Insurance Company by the Indiana Department of Insurance yesterday, the company announced.

 

Hundreds of millions in Medicaid rate cuts coming for Florida HMOs next year?

Florida’s health maintenance organizations responsible for coordinating health care coverage to the poor, elderly and disabled have been targeted for $556 million in rate reductions under a proposal crafted by the state agency that oversees the Medicaid program.  Christine Jordan Sexton reports via SaintPetersblog.com.

 

Florida Health Insurance Companies Hiring Agents To Help Consumers Choose

Some Florida health insurance companies are hiring new agents to help guide consumers through Affordable Care Act open enrollment, the Sun-Sentinel’s Marcia Heroux Pounds reports via InsuranceNewsNet.com.

 

Florida Senate President Don Gaetz to receive Ebola updates today

Republican Senate President Don Gaetz asked Florida Governor Rick Scott and state Surgeon General John Armstrong for a briefing over Florida’s Ebola preparation efforts, SaintPetersBlog.com’s Phil Ammann reports.

 

South Florida’s early voting Monday is a warning sign for Rick Scott

In a reversal from this weekend’s early voting numbers, South Florida saw a surge in new votes yesterday, the Miami Herald’s Marc Caputo reports via the “Naked Politics” blog.

 

In Florida, a water-pollution warning that glows at night

In Florida, where three-quarters of the state’s 20 million residents live in coastal counties, a sudden change in the water is more than a colorful curiosity, the Washington Post’s Joby Warrick and Darryl Fears report.

 

Florida leads the nation in ex-felon voter disenfranchisement

A new study criticizes Florida’s handling of restoration of rights for ex-felons, Janelle Irwin reports via SaintPetersBlog.com.

 

Florida’s “Growler” Ban Unconstitutional, Lawsuit Claims

Florida is violating the United States Constitution by arbitrarily banning restaurants, taverns, and breweries from selling or filling the most popular portable jug for craft beers, a lawsuit alleges.  Nancy Smith reports for SunshineStateNews.com.

 

Rule Addresses Lenders’ Flood Insurance Escrowing, Mandate Exemptions

Five federal regulatory agencies are seeking comment on a proposed rule pertaining to loans secured by property located in special flood hazard areas, Insurance Journal’s Andrew Simpson reports.

 

NAIC Calls on International Body to Increase Transparency

The NAIC is united in its strong opposition to the measure to close IAIS meetings to stakeholders.

 

Texas to Hold Hearing Windstorm Association Maximum Limits

The Texas Department of Insurance has scheduled a public hearing to consider the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association’s petition related to the maximum limits of liability for windstorm and hail insurance policies, Insurance Journal reports.

 

State Farm seeks to test drones in Illinois

State Farm insurance company is seeking federal approval to test drones in evaluating property damage and responding to natural disasters, USA Today reports.

 

Top 10 Market Conduct Issues For U.S. Insurers

A lists of top criticisms found on U.S. property and casualty and life and health insurance market conduct actions was unveiled yesterday for the 10th consecutive year, InsuranceNewsNet.com reports.

 

Mississippi County Rejects State Building Code

A Mississippi county has opted out of a new state building code law and is drawing up its own instead, the Associated Press reports via Insurance Journal.

 

Arkansas Insurance Department Streamlines With State-Based Systems

The Arkansas Insurance Department announced today that it has completed the initial phase of the State Based Systems implementation process, making it the latest state to take advantage of the NAIC’s electronic application for its regulatory needs.

 

Ridesharing Uber Halted in Nevada For Now

It didn’t take long for Uber to come to a screeching halt in Nevada, Associated Press reports via Insurance Journal.

 

 

 

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