Capitol to Courthouse Headliners: Thursday, January 7
Jan 7, 2010
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Blog: Insurers and public adjusters wrangle over claims delays
Representatives of Florida’s insurance industry and public adjusters — who represent policyholders in claims disputes — fiercely debated how to speed up repairs after hurricanes on Wednesday.
Complaints, accusations roil Florida’s disaster planning agency
Turmoil and finger-pointing within the state’s disaster planning agency intensified Wednesday — with the recently resigned general counsel accusing top officials of wasting taxpayer dollars and violating state laws for bids and contracts.
Chinese Drywall Suit Filed In Louisiana, But Most Claims Are In Florida
On Jan. 6, the WCI Chinese Drywall Trust, an entity formed in bankruptcy proceedings of residential homebuilder WCI Communities Inc., announced it had filed suit against 14 insurance companies seeking indemnification for losses arising from claims related to allegedly defective Chinese manufactured drywall.
Hillsborough looking for ways to tackle drywall problem
Mobile homes and recreational vehicles soon could be parked next to permanent homes in Hillsborough County, as residents rid their residences of defective Chinese drywall.
Hundreds complain of trip insurer fraud in Fla.
Hundreds of people who canceled a cruise vacation booked though Florida travel agents because of illness say the insurer didn’t pay.
Jacksonville-based Title Insurer Defends Staying Silent About a Legal Snarl
For years, Fidelity National Financial, the nation’s largest title insurance company, did not tell investors about dozens of lawsuits accusing two units and several employees of playing a role in an elaborate mortgage fraud scheme in San Diego.
Time: Florida Insurance Commissioner comments on what health care reform means to his state
As the battle enters its final stage in Washington, a rebellion is taking shape in the states, which are alarmed about the new financial burdens they will face in a revamped system.
Florida leads effort to secure multistate, multimillion dollar settlement with Abbot Laboratories
Attorney General Bill McCollum today announced a $22.5 million multistate settlement with Abbott Laboratories and two related French companies, Fournier Industrie et Sante and Laboratories Fournier, S.A.
Miami’s public hospital halts dialysis for poor patients
The financially strapped Jackson Health System has stopped paying for dialysis treatments for 175 poor patients with failing kidneys — a decision that experts say could be deadly.
Third Night Of Freezing Brings Significant Damage
Central Florida’s tropical fish farmers appear to have suffered the most after three nights of freezing weather, though citrus and strawberry growers were also looking at some damage Wednesday after the coldest night of the year so far.
In last quarter, McCollum outpaces Sink in fundraising
In the race for campaign cash, Republican gubernatorial candidate Bill McCollum outraised Democrat Alex Sink in the final three months of 2009.
GOP effort to unite behind new leader falters
John Thrasher could be the perfect salve for what ails the Republican Party of Florida.
THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA: Baxley seeking to return to Florida House
Former Rep. Dennis Baxley left the House in 2008 known as one of the staunchest social conservatives in the Legislature, and then burnished his credentials in his next job, leading the Christian Coalition of Florida.
Florida Senator Fasano blasts Workforce chief
A local lawmaker is angry at a new report showing that the state’s Workforce boards spent more than $600,000 on food and drink in a year and is calling for the president of the Tampa Bay Workforce Alliance to step aside.
Fla. State Senator Mike Haridopolos seeks testimony to boost port security in Florida
State Sen. Mike Haridopolos on Tuesday asked Port Canaveral Chief Executive Officer J. Stanley Payne and other officials to come to Tallahassee during the upcoming legislative session to testify on what needs to be done to strengthen security at Florida’s 14 deep-water ports.
Fla. Rep. Castor cites woes in call for high-speed rail money
U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor told President Barack Obama in a letter this week that Florida needs the jobs and economic investments high-speed rail can provide more than any other state.
Study: South Florida has $12 Billion in troubled commercial real estate
A report released Wednesday by found that South Florida has about $12.4 billion in trouble, with most of it headed over to lenders.
Florida builders shrinking luxury homes
The wealthy have a secret, but their home builders know.
Florida’s Lockheed, Harris land big deals for gear
Central Florida’s two largest defense contractors have landed separate contracts worth nearly $240 million altogether, the companies said Wednesday.
New York Plans First Steps to Creating Lloyd’s Competitor
New York regulators are aggressively pursuing plans for a reincarnation of the New York Insurance Exchange and expect to assemble a “working group” of industry insiders within the next two weeks who will guide the revival of a Lloyd’s of London-style insurance market at the heart of America’s financial capital.
HUD Helps Virginia Homeowners with Suspect Drywall
Some families in Virginia whose homes were built with suspect drywall from China may be eligible for assistance to help rehabilitate their properties.
Insurance Companies Are Latest Targets In Chinese Drywall Litigation
For the most part, Chinese drywall litigation has targeted homebuilders and drywall manufacturers.
RMS Forecasts Increased Growth for Insurance Linked Securities in 2010
A bulletin from Risk Management Solutions notes that the fourth quarter of 2009 was the “most active… ever for catastrophe bond issuance, reaching almost $1.1 billion in total volume, eclipsing the previous best fourth quarter by over 75 percent.”
Cat Bond Issuance At Record Level In 4th Quarter, Reports RMS
The end of 2009 saw the busiest fourth quarter ever for catastrophe bonds with issues exceeding $1 billion, and that high activity level should continue this year, Risk Management Solutions predicted.
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