Capitol to Courthouse Headliners: Thursday, July 24
Jul 24, 2008
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Insurance Rate Increase Divides Florida Lawmakers
After 24 years with State Farm, Brenda Harding is being dropped by the company she’s come to trust like an old friend.
Rolling retaliation for State Farm
When State Farm denied the sinkhole claim on Dave Bowers’ Port Richey home two years ago, he decided that venting to his friends just wasn’t enough. He had to take this to the streets.
EDITORIAL:Â Insurance rate-hike request over the top
OUR OPINION:Â State Regulators Must Consider all Relevant Factors
There is a silver lining in State Farm Florida Insurance Co.’s request to hike windstorm policy rates by as much as 70 percent in some areas: The insurer is asking state regulators to approve a rate-increase request, not an already implemented rate hike. This is because the 2008 Legislature extended a ban on the latter approach through next year, giving residents — especially those of us in South Florida — temporary respite from unreasonable, exorbitant rate increases.
Daytona Beach, Fla., insurance broker Brown & Brown Inc. has declared a regular quarterly cash dividend of 7 cents a share payable on Aug. 20 to shareholders of record as of Aug. 6.
Court asked to reconsider liability for condo owners’ outside property
A controversy that has divided South Florida condo boards, unit owners, insurance companies and the state since the hurricanes of 2004 and 2005 may be decided by the Florida Supreme Court.
AUDIO/LINKS: New Companies Offer Homeowner Insurance
The Office of Insurance Regulation suggests shopping around before accepting a policy under another company.
For years Florida homeowners were stuck with Citizens Property Insurance… no one else was writing policies, but things are changing.
State Insurance Regulators Levy $20 Million Fine Against Healthmarkets
State insurance regulators, working together through the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC), today announced the details of a $20 million regulatory settlement agreement between 29 jurisdictions and HealthMarkets, Inc., and its affiliated companies, MEGA Life and Health Insurance Company, Mid-West National Life Insurance Company and Chesapeake Life Insurance Company.
Report Says State’s Plan For Health Care Is Poor
Gov. Charlie Crist touted the new “Cover Florida” health-care plan as major step in helping the state deal with its huge uninsured population – which ranks fourth highest in the nation.
Booming business helps patients navigate medicine
After three surgeries, Judy Sherer still had chronic pain in her left shoulder. She’d lost faith in her doctors, and in despair tried a new health benefit offered by her employer.
State shuts care facility, details residents’ injuries
An Ormond Beach assisted-living facility has been ordered to close its doors because residents suffered injuries such as an infected bruise, torn skin and a spinal fracture that either were not reported or investigated, or medical care was not immediately given, officials announced Tuesday night.
Foster transplant case sparks DCF policy revamp
Among the lessons learned by welfare bosses when a foster child needed a new liver: Kids in care often need a ‘champion’ to fight for their cause.
He had an aunt who raised him from infancy whom he calls Mom. He had caseworkers and doctors and a high-ranking administrator from Florida’s child welfare agency all working on his behalf.
Regulator defends role in mortgage mess
Facing calls for his ouster after allowing thousands of criminals to sell home loans in Florida, the state’s embattled chief mortgage regulator proposed changes that would toughen the law to help keep felons out of the industry.
Dade commissioner’s bonus tied to fraud case
Miami-Dade Commissioner Jose ”Pepe” Diaz received $20,000 in 2004 from what federal prosecutors describe as a shell company used to conceal fraudulent proceeds from a hospital kickback scheme — a payment the commissioner says was a legitimate bonus.
Political climate has some shunning incumbency label
Jeff Atwater and J.D. Alexander are beaming, eager to bring new life to Tallahassee, ready to tackle high property insurance and cut wasteful government spending.
U.S. Rep. Robert Wexler reacts to accusation that he doesn’t live in Florida
U.S. Rep. Robert Wexler is defending himself against new accusations that he is playing a residency shell game by using his in-laws’ address in Delray Beach while living in a Maryland suburb.
Local votes split on congressional housing bill
The impact of Congress’ housing bill on Volusia and Flagler counties could go either way, helping to prop up an ailing housing market or creating slums.
EDITORIAL:Â Erase Political Favoritism From Legislative Redistricting
It’s no mystery why 42 state legislators and congressional representatives in Florida were re-elected without opposition this summer, and why many other incumbents are likely to breeze to new terms with only token opposition in the fall.
Florida ag chief to press for FDA changes
Florida Agriculture Commissioner Charles Bronson travels to Washington next week to seek changes in the way the U.S. government handles food-borne illness outbreaks in the wake of the salmonella scare that cost Florida tomato growers millions of dollars.
Sugar Cane Ethanol Production Coming to Florida?
South Florida cellular-tech entrepreneur Howard Melamed figures it could take the state 30 years to turn the U.S. Sugar land it’s buying into a restored Everglades.
State receives six proposals to lease Alligator Alley
Six teams are competing to lease Alligator Alley for the next 50 to 75 years.
The Florida Department of Transportation received “statements of qualification” from six teams Wednesday.
‘We’re not going,’ Citrix says of rumors
Fort Lauderdale’s Citrix Systems, which was studying whether to move at least some of its employees out of Florida, said Wednesday it’s not planning on moving its headquarters or any of its workforce.
Judge Drops Allstate Fine Over McKinsey Report
A Missouri judge yesterday vacated more than $7 million in fines and sanctions he had imposed on Allstate before the company agreed to make public a consultant’s report on handling claims.
Broker Compensation Disclosure Debated At N.Y. Hearing
Insurance industry representatives were divided on the level of disclosure needed on broker compensation in appearances at a hearing by New York State officials.
Federal catastrophe fund needed for the next ‘big one’
Much of the United States is susceptible to major natural disasters, so a national catastrophic insurance fund makes sense, Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon told a gathering of state legislators Wednesday.
LOUISIANA:Â More Bossier residents could need flood insurance
Bossier governments to adopt first new federal zone maps in 25 years
Bossier Parish and Bossier City will soon adopt their first new federal flood zone maps in 25 years, which will require an undetermined but potentially substantial number of residents to buy flood insurance.
Greenberg Nears Deal with Cuomo
Deposed insurance king Hank Greenberg is walking a tightrope toward the end of his long fight with New York officials over the way he ran his empire.
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