Capitol to Courthouse Headliners: Friday, May 16

May 16, 2008

 

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Florida Insurance Commissioner McCarty Stays Allstate Suspension

Florida Insurance Commissioner Kevin McCarty today, May 16, 2008, announced that he has ordered a stay of the suspension of the Allstate Companies’ licenses to sell new business in Florida.

Florida Insurance Commissioner still reviewing Allstate deal

Insurance Commissioner Kevin McCarty and his legal team today continue to review a proposed deal with Allstate Floridian to get the company back in business.

’05 storm bills on the rise

Floridians are still paying for the hurricanes of 2005 — and the tab is growing.

The Florida Hurricane Catastrophe Fund soon could be tapping all state residents holding insurance policies to raise another $600 million to cover storm losses.

Court upholds Allstate suspension

A state appeals court lets Allstate’s license suspension ride, and the insurer could face additional sanctions in a related case.

Allstate has lost its battle in court.

Move quick on fire-related claims

Get inspections, policy information

Whether it be hurricanes or wildfires, the steps to filing a homeowners claim because of damage from a natural disaster can be quite cumbersome and stressful.

Insurer comes through

Mary Szeluga has an appointment first thing this morning with her insurance adjuster to file for a total loss.

Florida Office of Insurance Regulation to Conduct Symposium to Help Companies with Form and Rate Filings

The Florida Office of Insurance Regulation (Office) will host a Filing & Compliance Symposium May 22 and 23 at the Rosen Centre Hotel in Orlando, Fla. Geared toward insurance company personnel charged with making form and rate filings to the Office, the two-day event will teach participants how to make their filings more accurate and complete.

Florida-based Brightway Insurance Continues Statewide Expansion

Brightway Insurance of Jacksonville, Fla., recently acquired Mathis Insurance of Amelia Island, Fla.

EDITORIAL: Playing hardball

State should continue tough tactics to end rip-offs from insurance companies

Now they’re feeling the pain — and more should lie ahead.

Mary Brandenburg’s challenger drops bid for Florida House seat

Attorney Thomas Schmitt, who opened a Democratic primary campaign in February against state Rep. Mary Brandenburg of West Palm Beach, said today he’ll withdraw from the race and support Brandenburg.

Democrats Eye House Seat

May Bids to be First Black Rep Since Reconstruction

Lumon May hopes to do in 2008 what no black candidate west of Tallahassee has achieved since 1887.

In a new budget, old vetoes

Some “turkeys” are tough to shoot down.

Crist seeking bigger role in GOP

With national Republicans fretting the possibility of a disastrous election year, Gov. Charlie Crist is inviting political insiders to two sessions next month to discuss the political climate in Florida and the nation.

Next for Rubio? Not Dade mayor but maybe pundit

Sparing Miami-Dade County a potentially vicious mayoral race, state House Speaker Marco Rubio said Thursday that he won’t run against incumbent Mayor Carlos Alvarez.

McCollum: Verizon too slow to fix phone problems

Verizon doesn’t repair phone lines quickly enough, Attorney General Bill McCollum said in a filing with state regulators Thursday seeking a fine against the phone giant.

Water limits may be made permanent

Water managers on Thursday moved toward permanently imposing the twice-weekly irrigation restrictions on homeowners now in place across South Florida.

Massive Everglades restoration project halted

A massive Everglades restoration project will be put on hold pending the outcome of a lawsuit by environmentalists, a move that could end up costing the state nearly $14 million just for the delays.

Study: Moderate Income Households an Untapped Insurance Market

Many low- and moderate-income households need more insurance and want to know more about it, according to a recent study by the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago.

Experts: Shift Methods To Market Gen X

Insurers focusing on younger customers must develop simplified products and rely less on their sales force and more on technology, according to a group of experts speaking here at the ACORD/LOMA Insurance Systems Forum.

Lightning a Forgotten But Formidable Foe

While most homeowners carry flood or fire insurance, a commonly overlooked problem is lightning.

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