Capitol to Courthouse Florida Insurance Report – Wednesday, May 17, 2017

 

Florida’s Private Flood Insurance Market is a Template for the Country

With Congress set to Deliberate this Summer and Fall on how best to restructure the Federal Program, which Americans have relied on for their Flood Insurance needs since 1968, there actually is a Model for how to Restore Fiscal Sanity to an Out-of-Control Government Insurance Program, while still taking into account the real and politically delicate issue of affordability.  Christian Camera shares his opinion with TheHill.com.

 

$7M Florida Lawsuit Filed Against Company That Made Weather Device Used on El Faro

The Insurance Companies Claim that the StormGeo Device, called Bon Voyage System Version 7, provided Inaccurate and Delayed Weather Information that led to the sinking on October 1, 2015.  WMTW reports from Maine.

 

Judge Orders Defendants to Pay More Than $130 Million Restitution in Insurance Fraud Case

A Federal Judge has ordered 15 people to pay more than $130 Million in Restitution for their roles in a Massive Insurance Fraud that was based in South Florida.  Paula McMahon reports for the Sun-Sentinel.

 

Can Florida Legislation Change Who’s at Fault?

Over the years there have been many attempts to fix, sunset or even repeal Florida’s No-Fault System.  The result has consistently been the same: Florida remains the most Fraud-Prone State in the Nation with Motorists paying some of the Highest Insurance Premiums around.  Claims consultant Chris Tidball writes for National Underwriter’s PropertyCasualty360.com.

 

Dead Florida Optometry Bill May Be Seen Again

HB 1037, sponsored by State Representative Manny Diaz, R-Hialeah, would have allowed Optometrists to perform certain Surgeries that are currently done only at Ophthalmologists’ Offices.  Naseem S. Miller reports for the Orlando Sentinel.

 

Florida Lawmakers Back Payments in Death, Injury Cases

Saying the Florida Department of Children and Families didn’t do its job, State Lawmakers last month approved paying $3.75 Million in a 2011 Child-Abuse Case that drew National Headlines.  THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA’s Jim Saunders reports via SunshineStateNews.com.

 

Senate Democrats are Ready to Block Override – Under Right Circumstances

Senate Democrats are prepared to work with Governor Rick Scott to Block an Override of a Veto if he rejects the sweeping Education Reform Bill pushed by House Leaders in the final days of Session and sold as a Take-It or Leave-It Budget Deal.  Senate Democratic Leader Oscar Braynon told the Miami Herald’s Mary Ellen Klas.

 

Constitutional Revision Commission Watchdogs Blast Draft Rules

Advocacy Groups like the American Civil Liberties Union and the League of Women Voters are sounding the Alarm as the powerful Constitution Revision Commission adopts its Own Rules and Procedures.  Jim Ash reports for WGCU.org.

 

Commissioner, Legislators Spar Over Homestead Exemption Expansion

Legislators are sending an initiative to the Polls that, if approved by Florida Voters, will Grant an Additional $25,000 Homestead Property-Tax Exemption for Home Values Greater than $100,000.   Christopher Guinn reports for the Lakeland Ledger.

 

Election Experts Begged Florida Lawmakers for New Tool to Fight Voter Fraud, But Got Nothing

Ignoring Pleas from County Election Experts across the State, Florida Lawmakers ended the 2017 Session last week without passing a Law that would improve the Reliability of Voter Rolls by making it easier to find Voters who are Registered to Vote in Florida and another State or who are Registered in Florida and died in another State.  The Tampa Bay Times’ Steve Bousquet reports.

 

Well Owner Awarded $41.6 Million From Insurer in Hurricane Rita Case

Hurricane Rita destroyed an Oil and Gas Well about 75 Miles off Louisiana in 2005, but when Prime Natural Resources sought to Recover Damages from its Insurance Company, it was Rebuffed.  L.M. Sixel reports for the Houston Chronicle.

 

Michigan No-Fault Insurance Up for Debate Again

The Legislative Session is well underway in Lansing, and what would it be without the discussion of No-Fault Auto Insurance Reform?  WoodTV.com reports.

 

New General Counsel Appointed by California Insurance Commissioner Jones

Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones announced the Appointment of Ken Schnoll as General Counsel for the California Department of Insurance. Schnoll brings more than 30 years’ experience to his New Role, including work in Regulatory and Transactional Matters with Health Insurers and Property-Casualty Insurers.

 

NAIC Hosts International Insurance Forum

Global Insurance Supervisors engage on Critical Regulatory Issues

 

 

 

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