Capitol to Courthouse Florida Insurance Report: Wednesday, July 20
Jul 20, 2011
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
10:00 a.m.–Florida Board of Employee Leasing Companies Board meeting. To view the meeting notice, click here. To view the agenda click here.
10:00 a.m.–Florida Workers’ Compensation Insurance Guaranty Association Investment Committee meeting. To view the meeting notice, click here.
Castle Key Insurers Look for More than 30 Percent Hike
Florida insurance regulators leaning toward approval
Castle Key Insurance Group, the third-largest private homeowner insurer in Florida, asked state regulators Tuesday for average rate increases of 31.2 percent and 35.7 percent for Castle Key Insurance and Castle Key Indemnity, respectively, two different entities controlled by the company.
- Blog: Allstate’s Florida insurers grilled on rate hikes
- Consumer advocate favors bigger rate hike for insurer
Turner Named President of Patriot Underwriters in Florida
Richard G. Turner has been named president of Patriot Underwriters Inc. in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
Florida property owners who purchased coverage from the state’s run property insurer have seen their premiums increase by an average $476 as a result of the insuring inspecting their property.
Firefighting improvements to reduce home insurance premiums in St. Lucie County
Improved emergency services will help some county residents save on property insurance bills.
Letter to Editor: Cost of insurance is escalation, out of control
In 2008 I went on national TV to complain that Florida’s home owner’s insurance rates were outrageous – as outrageous as the healthcare costs that motivated health reform.
‘Sinkhole Guy’ pays home fee for disabled Pasco vet
Disabled Vietnam veteran Tim Carmack and his family can move into their home legally, thanks to the Sinkhole Guy.
Coast Lines: Skydiving business now has insurance
A skydiving business based out of the St. Mary’s Airport now has the necessary insurance to protect the city in case of an accident.
Florida justices uphold $28.3 million smoker verdict
The Florida Supreme Court on Tuesday upheld a $28.3 million verdict against R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co. in the first of about 8,000 lawsuits that have been filed against cigarette companies in Florida by sick smokers and their families.
100 groups ask feds not to approve Florida Medicaid waiver
A letter asking the Obama administration to reject Florida’s Medicaid overhaul has been signed by more than 100 state organizations, including some medical societies and a wing of the Florida Bar.
Florida drug monitoring database implementation moved to October 17
Though originally projected to go live at the end of September, a statewide prescription drug monitoring program will now be implemented on Oct. 17, according to recent projections.
Chris Finkbeiner, the 26-year-old deputy chief of staff to Senate President Mike Haridopolos, has joined Governor Rick Scott’s staff as his new deputy chief of staff for policy, replacing Mary Anne Carter.
More than 150 “failing” Florida schools must allow student transfers
Florida students at more than 150 public schools can transfer to higher-performing campuses in their school district or anywhere in the state that will accept them, thanks to an expanded school-choice law adopted this year.
Florida Police Benevolent Association suing to block the state’s prison-privatization plans
Florida Police Benevolent Association officials have filed suit to block the state’s prison-privatization plans and plan a news conference Wednesday in Miami.
Florida officials deny reserve funds for Port of Miami tunnel builders
The Florida Department of Transportation on Tuesday night denied a request by the multinational firm building the Port of Miami tunnel for an additional $67.5 million from a project reserve fund to prepare the soil beneath Biscayne Bay before boring of the underground roadway begins in October.
Florida Public Service Commission sides with utilities against proposed federal environmental rules
The Public Service Commission is echoing the concerns of electric utilities in comments against a pair of proposed federal environmental rules.
Governor Rick Scott RV camp plan sparks uproar
After 1,000 angry residents, including several Republican lawmakers, showed up at a public hearing in this west coast town, Governor Rick Scott this month killed a hastily contrived plan that would have allowed a private vendor to set up an RV camp at a beachfront state park.
Florida Attorney General’s ouster of 2 top investigators raises troubling questions
A few months ago, two of Florida’s assistant attorneys general were blowing the lid off foreclosure fraud in this state.
Public Adjuster Controversy Continues for State Regulators
Despite acknowledgment through licensing requirements in 44 states, public adjusters continue to face skepticism as evidenced by new legislation and criticism from the remaining states.
U.S. Building Supply Firm Sues Chinese Drywall Maker
A Florida building supply company is suing a German conglomerate for $100 million over defective Chinese drywall installed in tens of thousands of homes.
California Surplus Lines Law Allows State to Keep All Premium Taxes
California enacted a law Monday that allows the state to keep all the premium taxes generated by the surplus lines industry.
Insurance Keywords Add Big to Google Profits
Insurance is adding big bucks to Google’s profitability, according to new research released today.
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