Capitol to Courthouse Headliners: Friday, December 12
Dec 12, 2008
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Citizens insured may lose veto power in policy transfers
Policyholders with Citizens Property Insurance could soon be stripped of the opportunity to prevent Citizens from transferring their policy to a private insurer.
Insurers ease burden on Citizens
Insurers have taken nearly 400,000 policies out of the state-run Citizens Property, considerably reducing its exposure.
Fourteen Florida-based insurers have taken 361,324 homeowners’ policies from state-run Citizens Property Insurance, reducing Citizens’ exposure to hurricane claims by nearly $100 billion.
Property insurance company wants refund from state’s hurricane catastrophe fund
The state overcharged for the amount of backup insurance it was offering in its hurricane catastrophe fund, says a property insurance company.
A property insurance company wants a refund from the state’s hurricane catastrophe fund, saying the state charged for backstop insurance that it did not have enough reserves to provide.
Fla. high court says parents can’t waive liability for children
Parents can’t sign away their minor child’s right to sue businesses, the Florida Supreme Court ruled Thursday, a decision that threatens the ability of kids to participate in risky pursuits such as motocross or scuba diving, according to one lawyer.
Florida Supreme Court rejects appeal of smoker’s award
The Florida Supreme Court on Thursday let stand a Broward County Click here for restaurant inspection reports smoker’s $545,000 award in a tobacco case that also may affect liability claims for a broad range of other ‘inherently dangerous’ products. Those items can range from guns, knives, motorcycles and personal watercraft to less obvious products such as gasoline and sugar.
Aventura woman charged with organized fraud for filing hundreds of fraudulent insurance claims
Florida Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink today announced the arrest of a South Florida woman on one count each of organized fraud and grand theft after an investigation by the Department of Financial Services, Division of Insurance Fraud (DIF), uncovered evidence that she had submitted more than 480 fraudulent medical claims and received more than $640,000 on those claims.
Q&A: answers to some of your Cover Florida questions
Basic questions on the new state-sponsored program for the uninsured, Cover Florida, are answered at www.coverfloridahealthcare.com. But a lot of questions aren’t addressed there.
AvMed typo leads state workers to call sex line
State employees having consumer problems with their insurance coverage often complain about long waits on hold when calling one of Florida government’s health-maintenance organizations followed by cold, impersonal service from some bored bureaucrat. For those covered by AvMed Health Plans, an HMO serving about 21,000 state workers and their families, that’s not the first issue.’Hey there, sexy guy,’ says the greeting on the toll-free line listed on AvMed patient cards.
Leaders say big shortfall calls for big fix
Florida’s budget crisis has grown so severe that some state legislators are abandoning their long-held resistance to tax increases or severe program-altering budget cuts.
In bad economic times, all Florida bets are off
The wagering industry is feeling the pinch, too
The struggling economy has dealt a losing hand to the state and local gambling industries.
Social service agencies want more time to plead budget cases
As social-service agencies brace for deep cuts in state funding, they are getting stiff-armed by the lawmakers who will decide just how deep those cuts will be.
Castor will join health care panel
U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor of Tampa will relinquish her seat on two influential House committees to join the panel tasked with shepherding President-elect Obama’s health care plan through Congress.
Buzz Builds For Bush Senate Run
He could fill a Republican leadership void in Washington. He could steer the national agenda in his own conservative direction.
Governor gets a wife, but state gets a first lady
Not only is Gov. Charlie Crist gaining a wife as he marries Carole Rome this evening in St. Petersburg, but Florida is gaining a first lady who will likely use her high profile to bring the spotlight to causes such as foster care, a special interest.
State lab tests white powder sent to gov’s office
The white powder in an envelope sent to the Florida governor’s office was being tested in a state health lab while the FBI investigated similar letters sent to several governors around the country.
Florida is No. 2 in foreclosure activity
Foreclosure activity in Florida fell by nearly 10 percent in November, but it was still high enough to hold the No. 2 spot in the nation, according to a report released Thursday by RealtyTrac.
Tampa Bay area banks opt out of FDIC programs
First State Bank has opted out both parts of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp.s temporary liquidity guarantee program.
Budget cuts take toll on Road Rangers
Only two are left to help drivers during reduced hours
Starting Monday, drivers who run out of gas or get a flat tire on interstates 10 and 295 will no longer be able to count on the Road Rangers to show up and help them out.
Fla.–No. 3 in prison population turns to tents
Some prison inmates in Florida – which locked up more new ones last year than any other state, according to a federal report released Thursday – soon could be living in tents.
More research on Everglades projects ahead
With a federal judge blocking plans to build a new Tamiami Trail bridge, federal agencies fall back on plans for a new study.
Bulldozers won’t be breaking ground this year on a Tamiami Trail bridge the Bush administration called its top priority for reviving the struggling Everglades.
Regrets flow over Progress Energy rate hike
Facing outrage from customers and opposition from Tampa Bay legislators, Progress Energy may consider a compromise to soften the nuclear wallop expected to hit electric bills in January.
Zurich Pays $25 M To Settle SEC Charge Over Sham Reinsurance Deals
Zurich Financial Services has paid $25 million to settle a securities fraud action by federal regulators over its use of phony reinsurance transactions to pump up its financial statements.
SEC Ignores Congressional, State, and Industry Opposition to Indexed Annuity Proposal
The Coalition for Indexed Products issued a statement expressing “deep disappointment” in the Security and Exchange Commission’s decision to pursue Proposed Rule 151A, which would require all indexed annuities to be registered as securities. The SEC announced yesterday that the proposal would be an agenda item on the Commission’s December 17 meeting.
Sen. Baucus Lays Out Tax & Health Care Reform Plans
The chairman of the Senate Finance Committee laid out plans for next year to deal with issues of estate taxes and health care reform for the upcoming legislative session.
GAO Report Says Insurers Not Offering NBCR
Commercial property-casualty insurers in general still remain unwilling to provide nuclear, biological, chemical and radiation (NBCR) coverage under the Terrorism Risk Insurance Act due to uncertainties about the risk and the degree of catastrophic loss, the Government Accountability Office said.
Insurers’ Backing Sought for Car Key That Jams Teen Drivers’ Cell Phones
University of Utah researchers have developed an automobile ignition key that prevents teenagers from talking on cell phones or sending text messages while driving.
Federal Inspectors Complete Safety Reviews of Nation’s Mines
For the first time, federal inspectors have completed mandatory safety reviews of all the nation’s mines within a single year, the head of the U.S. Mine Safety and Health Administration said.
Mississippi Katrina Suit Challenges Funds for Port Instead of Homes
Housing advocates and low-income residents sued this week to stop Mississippi from spending a half-billion federal dollars to expand a damaged port rather than replace homes destroyed by Hurricane Katrina.
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