Capitol to Courthouse Headliners: Monday, August 10
Aug 10, 2009
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Florida insurance companies trying to limit discounts for storm improvements
Some Florida insurers are trying to limit the amount of discounts receivable for hurricane shutters and other storm mitigation improvements.
State may gut discounts for shutters
Kurt Bressner spent more than $16,000 installing storm shutters, a reinforced garage door and an impact-resistant front door on his Boynton Beach home. In return, he got more than peace of mind.
For Florida insurance woes, no shortage of suspects to blame
On Aug. 12, 2004, Tropical Storm Bonnie slammed into the state south of Apalachicola. For the next two months, Floridians would see a break between storms of more than two weeks just once.
Liberty National plans major Tampa-based hiring push
Liberty National Life Insurance Co. said it plans to hire more than 2,500 sales agents and sales managers in more than 125 hiring events in 19 states across the United States in one day.
Florida-based 21st Century Holding Company Reports Improved Gross Premiums Written and Net Income
21st Century Holding Company today reported results for the quarter ended June 30, 2009.
Five years later, heeding the lessons of Hurricane Charley
Hurricane Charley’s sudden swerve into Punta Gorda and its destructive rampage through Arcadia and central Florida five years ago changed the way officials evaluate, warn and prepare for coming storms.
Gov. Charlie Crist touts Cover Florida healthcare plan as ‘national model’ despite its failings
A success rate of less than a tenth of a percent might not sound like much, but to Gov. Charlie Crist it’s campaign-trail bragging material for healthcare reform.
South Florida doctors paid thousands by Eli Lilly
In the first revelation about how much drug makers are paying doctors, Eli Lilly has created an online registry detailing payments to 3,400 healthcare providers including more than two dozen in South Florida in the first three months of this year.
Lots of reason for concern about Cabinet candidates
While the governor is the most powerful person in Florida, the three other Cabinet members aren’t far behind. So as candidates line up for those positions, voters should try to figure out what they would be in for. Concerns already are emerging.
Drilling looms large in election
With a growing push to let four elected officials decide if drilling for oil and natural gas can occur within 10 miles of Florida’s coast, the issue could become a defining one for candidates seeking the sometimes obscure seats on the state Cabinet.
Column: Gov. Crist still upbeat on Everglades deal
Despite legal challenges that may stall the project, Gov. Charlie Crist continues to support the $536 million plan with U.S. Sugar Corp. to buy 73,000 acres in the Everglades.
Is seemingly invincible Crist in trouble with his party’s conservative base?
Whether appearing with President Obama to promote the $787 billion stimulus or appointing a Democrat to a hospital board, Republican Gov. Charlie Crist has infuriated some of his party’s grass-roots activists.
State Represenative Kriseman’s Eco-friendly home grows from fire’s ashes in St. Petersburg
Less than a year after a fire destroyed their St. Petersburg house, state Rep. Rick Kriseman and his wife, Kerry, moved into their rebuilt home on Third Avenue N.
Regulators have shut down two banks in Florida, bringing the number of federally insured banks to fail this year to 71.
Chase pumps $92M into Florida launch
The last vestige of the former Washington Mutual has disappeared, as Chase unveiled its name and logo on 233 bank branches and more than 400 ATMs in Florida.
Florida regulators failed to stop Stanford’s Miami operation
As Ecuadorean officials investigated questionable dealings from Allen Stanford’s Miami office, Florida officials took no action.
Desperate to prop up Allen Stanford’s financial empire, his Miami brokers jetted to South America with a sales pitch they said would deliver gold to investors: Invest in the Miami bank and reap spectacular returns.
Law on Web ads faces test in mayor’s race
Risking tens of thousands of dollars in potential fines, St. Petersburg mayoral candidate Scott Wagman is leaning toward challenging a complaint filed against him over Google and Facebook ads. The case has broad repercussions for candidates across Florida.
Florida gun owners are grabbing up concealed-weapon permits at a record pace.
Report: Fla. leads country in attacks on homeless
For the fourth straight year, an advocacy group has ranked Florida first in the nation in violence against the homeless.
Plan to install slot machines at Miami International draws questions from state officials
Miami-Dade County officials are hoping they can someday install slot machines at Miami International Airport, but Florida gaming regulators last week had plenty of questions about the plan.
Federal arbitration is now an option for Rita claims
Texas victims of Hurricane Rita with more than $500,000 in disputed claims can withdraw from the controversial FEMA claims process and turn to a federal arbitration panel to get a quick, independent and binding decision within five months, Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano said Thursday.
PIP Medical Fee Schedule Upheld By N.J. Appeals Court
A New Jersey appeals court has ruled that state officials can go ahead and implement a controversial medical fee schedule for auto injuries that doctors charged was too low.
Louisiana Retailers Mutual Insurance Company Converts to Retailers Casualty Insurance Company
Louisiana Retailers Mutual Insurance Company, a workers’ compensation insurer, announced today that the company has received all regulatory approvals from the Arkansas, Louisiana and Mississippi departments of insurance to convert to a mutual insurance holding company system, consisting of Retailers Casualty Mutual Holding Company and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Retailers Casualty Insurance Company.
Texas Agency Spending Some Hurricane Recovery Money
A Texas agency that was questioned for not spending much of the money it received to help 2005 hurricane victims has improved but still has spent only 31 percent of the funds, a state auditor’s report found.
Competitive Enterprise Institute: Limited government role seen in tackling catastrophe risks
Eli Lehrer is a senior fellow at the Washington-based Competitive Enterprise Institute, a free market-oriented public interest group. Mr. Lehrer directs the CEI’s studies of insurance and credit markets. Before joining CEI, he worked as speechwriter to former U.S. Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, R-Tenn. Mr. Lehrer recently discussed federal natural catastrophe and insurance policy with Business Insurance Senior Editor Mark A. Hofmann.
State Farm pushing for 45% rate increase in Mississippi
The message is a strong one from State Insurance Commissioner Mike Chaney. “I will not approve the increase they have submitted to us unless I have a court order to do so,” says Chaney.
Ohio High Court: Negligent Act Can Be ‘Occurrence’ in Some Cases
In a decision announced Aug. 4, 2009, the Supreme Court of Ohio held that when a liability insurance policy defines a covered “occurrence” as an “accident,” a negligent act committed by an insured party qualifies as an “occurrence” in cases where the insured’s negligent conduct is predicated on the commission of an intentional tort by another person (for example, where an injured party asserts a negligence claim against an employer for negligent hiring or supervision of an employee who intentionally injured the claimant).
State Farm, Companies target Latino market
Halfway through Univision’s top-rated variety show, Sbado Gigante, host Don Francisco yells out: ”Vamos a cantarle a State Farm! Msica, maestro!” — ”Let’s sing to State Farm”
Farmers Insurance Group of Companies(R), an active member of the National Restaurant Association and exclusive endorsed carrier of Sysco Foods, has formed a new program for restaurant owners; Farmers Restaurant Association of Colorado, to strengthen its member’s benefits and reduce restaurant owners’ membership dues.
NAIC CEO Terri Vaughan–State Insurance Regulation: An Island of Calm in a Turbulent Financial Sea
Given the current financial turmoil, policymakers are asking important questions.
With the summer season in full swing, the Insurance Information Institute advises recreational boat owners to assess whether they have adequate insurance coverage before hitting the high seas.
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