Capitol to Courthouse Florida Insurance Report–Wednesday, October 15, 2014
Oct 15, 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
10:00 a.m.–Florida Board of Employee Leasing Companies Board meeting. Teleconference: (888) 370-6525; conference code: 2295006118#. To view the agenda, click here.
Daily Florida Insurance-Related News
Florida’s insurance fund remains strong
New estimates approved Tuesday show that the Florida Hurricane Catastrophe Fund should have nearly $13 billion available. Wall Street firms estimate that the fund could also borrow an additional $8.3 billion if needed, Associated Press reports via Advisen.com.
Heritage Insurance Announces Assumption of 2,000 Commercial Residential Policies
Heritage Insurance Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: HRTG), announced that its wholly-owned subsidiary, Heritage Property & Casualty Insurance Company, assumed over 2,000 commercial residential policies on October 14, 2014 from Citizens Insurance, the company reports.
Why Has Florida Been Spared A Direct Hurricane Hit in 2014?
Nine years is the longest streak on record in which Florida has been spared from a direct hurricane hit. The next-longest stretch is five seasons from 1980-84, in records dating back to 1851, according to The Washington Post. Linda Santacruz reports for the Palm Beach Post.
Insurance Industry Putting Finances Behind Scott in Florida Governor’s Race
Insurance industry groups and individuals are providing significant backing to Republican incumbent Governor Rick Scott in his race for re-election against the Democrat candidate, former Governor Charlie Crist, A.M. Best reports (subscription only).
Ancient Arctic flooding sent icebergs to Florida, study says
The ocean floor off the coasts of South Carolina, Georgia and Florida is scarred, left furrowed and plowed with V-like trenches by colossal icebergs that once made their way southward during massive Arctic flooding, according to a study published this week in the journal Nature Geoscience. Advisen.com notes the story.
Plant City insurance company celebrating golden anniversary
Poppel Insurance Company has grown and merged with other local agencies during the years, including Moody & Moody, Tampa Tribune’s Dave Nicholson reports.
Scott and Crist set to clash in 2nd debate tonight
Republican Governor Rick Scott and Republican-turned-Democrat former Governor Charlie Crist are squaring off again in the second of three debates, the Associated Press reports via the Miami Herald.
Judge rejects Adrian Wyllie’s try to participate in governor debate
A South Florida federal judge has rejected a lawsuit filed by Libertarian Party candidate Adrian Wyllie seeking to force his way into the next gubernatorial debate, SaintPetersBlog.com’s Peter Schorsch reports.
Governor Rick Scott drawn deeper into records lawsuit
A bitter public records dispute is now forcing Florida Gov. Rick Scott to dip into his own pocket, and may force him to testify on his own behalf before next month’s election, Associated Press’ Gary Fineout reports via SaintPetersBlog.com.
Costa Farms argues transparency lacking in Charlotte’s Web rulemaking
Administrative Judge W. David Watkins is holding two-days of hearing in Tallahassee on challenges to the proposed regulatory structure for the Charlotte’s Web law approved by lawmakers in May. Monday, Turner said a lottery was not the result of public input but was a “fait accompli.” SaintPetersBlog.com’s James Call reports.
Six Florida appellate judges up for retention
Political races can be an expensive enterprise in Florida, but not for the judges seeking retention by the First District Court of Appeal, the Gainesville Sun reports.
Charlie Crist stakes election victory on Broward County turnout
For Charlie Crist, Broward County is ground zero. He has largely staked this election on Broward, home to 545,000 Democrats, more than in Pinellas and Hillsborough counties combined, Tampa Bay Times’ Steve Bousquet reports.
Senator Hukill files bill allowing access to online accounts after death
Senator Dorothy Hukill seeks to create a process for Florida families and relatives to safely access online accounts of those who have gone to the great cloud in the sky, SaintPetersBlog.com’s Peter Schorsch reports.
PCI’s David Sampson at Brookings on Key Industry Issues and Regulation, Post Crisis
David A. Sampson, president and CEO of the Property Casualty Insurers Association of America, discussed key domestic and international property and casualty insurance issues and industry regulation post 2008 financial crisis at the Brookings Institute yesterday, InsuranceNewsNet.com reports.
Where Do Greg Abbott And Wendy Davis Stand On Texas Homeowner Insurance Rates?
During a recent debate, Texas gubernatorial candidates Greg Abbott and Wendy Davis were asked whether they believe home insurance rates are too high and if so, what changes they would make. KERA News reports.
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