Capitol to Courthouse Headliners: Monday, November 1

Nov 1, 2010

 

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Blog:  What do home insurers do with your premiums? “Reinsurance” under fire

Ever wonder what your home insurer does with all the premiums you pay?

 

No Hurricanes, So Why Are Homeowners Getting Hammered On Insurance?

Reinsurance, the added layer of coverage that property insurers buy to protect themselves from catastrophes, is both more widely available and cheaper, with brokers reporting price drops of 10 percent to 25 percent for Florida business as of June 1.

 

News Release:  A.M. Best Affirms Ratings of Employers Holdings, Inc. and its Subsidiaries

Employers Holdings, Inc. today announced insurance rating bureau A.M. Best has affirmed the financial strength rating of A- (Excellent) and issuer credit ratings (ICR) of “a-” of Employers Insurance Group and its four pooled property/casualty operating subsidiaries, Employers Insurance Company of Nevada, Employers Compensation Insurance Company (California), Employers Preferred Insurance Company and Employers Assurance Company (both of Florida).

 

What’s In Florida’s New Pain Clinic Law

Applies to all pain clinics, medical offices where a doctor deals primarily with patients needing pain drugs, or offices that advertise treatment for pain.

 

Veteran Insurance Lobbyist Dies on Halloween

Veteran insurance lobbyist Mark Trafton passed away on October 31, 2010 after a long battle with a serious illness.   Described as a wonderful friend, Mr. Trafton also leaves behind a family. Arrangements are pending.

 

Foreclosure documents back allegations of overcharging

Internal files from a company used by Florida’s largest foreclosure law firm provide more detail about recent allegations that lenders were overbilled and lawsuits were served to people who don’t exist.

 

FPL not about to blow chance to harness wind power

What U.S. company produces the most wind energy?  It’s Juno Beach-based NextEra Energy Resources, a subsidiary of NextEra Energy, formerly known as FPL Group.

 

3 Florida U.S. Senate hopefuls wrap up campaigns

Democrat Kendrick Meek will get the chance to show former President Clinton still supports his Senate campaign on the day before the election.

 

Razor-close governor’s race triggers fear of recount, memories of 2000

Like most Florida election officials, Pasco County Supervisor Of Elections Brian Corley dreads a close and confusing vote. So he’ll seek help from a higher power Tuesday.

 

State workers have stake in governor’s race

Rick Scott cites an example from his days running hospitals, when asked about reducing the size of Florida’s government workforce and improving efficiency.

 

One in four candidates running for a seat in the Florida Legislature is unopposed

Next Tuesday could be a long Election Night for the candidates for U.S Senate, governor and the Florida Cabinet, but for 32 incumbent lawmakers, the night will be over before it starts.

 

Election Will Mean New Faces in State Insurance Commissioner Jobs

Tuesday’s elections could have ramifications for a number of state insurance commissioner posts across the country.

 

Wall Street Journal:  Car Insurers’ Pricing Practices Under Fire

Car insurers’ use of credit histories to decide what to charge customers has been controversial for years. Now, consumer advocates are trying to draw attention to other factors they dislike, including occupation and education.

 

Insurance regulators narrow definitions of care for medical-loss ratio rules

Anti-fraud efforts, enrollee incentives and marketing costs are among the expenses health plans should not classify as quality improvement or health care spending, according to model regulations an association of state insurance regulators approved Oct. 21.

 

Drywall fix has its doubters

Company’s solution is unsafe, experts contend

The settlement for a Chinese drywall manufacturer to establish a pilot fix-it program for 300 homeowners with tainted drywall doesn’t go far enough and may actually leave homes unsafe, according to some experts and local homeowners.

 

Lowe’s offering better deal for bad drywall

Lowe’s Cos. Inc. has dramatically amended a settlement for customers who bought defective Chinese or domestic wallboard from their stores, saying customers whose health or property was harmed can now be eligible for up to $100,000 in cash.

 

Horace Mann Says Property Line Remains a ‘Challenge’

The property insurance market remains the top challenge for Horace Mann Educators Corp., as the line is hurt by weather-related losses and mounting sinkhole claims in Florida, according to the company’s recently promoted president and chief executive officer.

 

First non-E.U. countries to undergo Solvency II assessments named

The European Commission has named Bermuda, Switzerland and Japan as the first non-European Union countries to undergo equivalency reviews prior to the proposed implementation of Solvency II.

 

Crop Insurers, Agents Adjusting to Cutbacks in Subsidy Program

A vibrant farm industry is currently helping the crop insurance industry cope with the Agriculture Department’s decision to substantively cut back its subsidy program, “but every year is a new year,” the head of the trade group that represents the industry said last week.

 

Endurance Promotes Anderson to Senior VP

Endurance Risk Solutions, unit of Bermuda-based Endurance Specialty Holdings, has promoted Gina Anderson to Senior Vice President, Excess Casualty, Diversified Industrial Practice Leader.

 

 

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