Capitol to Courthouse Headliners: Thursday, June 12
Jun 12, 2008
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Homeowners sue state over insurer Poe
A nonprofit agency formed by the Legislature to pay claims of the insolvent Poe property insurance companies has been slow to respond, say lawyers who have filed suit on behalf of nearly 300 homeowners in South Florida.
AmCOMP contests OIR claim of excessive profits
AmCOMP said it has it filed a petition requesting a hearing to review a claim by the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation that it realized $11.7 million in excessive profits.
Florida Startup Cuts Home Insurance Rates
Olympus Insurance Company, one of the newer entries in the Florida marketplace, said it is offering rate decreases of up to 35 percent in northern and central Florida.
COLUMN: Mobile home owners have issues adding on to their homes
Fred Fitch and his neighbors are a perfect example of the conflict between old and new.
Global warming spurs new flood worries
Will global warming cause the sea level around Florida to rise quicker than expected?
If so, officials from the South Florida Water Management District are concerned about what would happen to flood control structures and water supplies.
OP-ED: Insurance column: Some premiums on the mend
As we enter a new hurricane season, Florida businesses should be seeing signs of improvement when they renew their commercial property insurance.
LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Residents face new challenges in tighter property insurance market
Some condominium/homeowner association bylaws are adding to insurance hardships in Florida communities.
Brown & Brown, Inc. Announces the Asset Acquisition of Alpha Benefits Group, Inc.
Thomas E. Riley, Regional President of Brown & Brown, Inc. (BRO) and Robert D. Heller, President of Alpha Benefits Group, Inc., of Plymouth Meeting, Pennsylvania, today announced the asset acquisition of Alpha Benefits Group, Inc. by a subsidiary of Brown & Brown, Inc.
Quiet OK for dramatic trims to state budget
With a light veto touch and a closed door, Gov. Charlie Crist signed a $66 billion state budget Wednesday with a nearly 10 percent cut in spending that will affect schools, hospitals and all parts of state government.
China drilling off Florida coast?
As Congress has debated energy policy over the past several days, an unusual argument keeps surfacing in support of drilling off the U.S. coastline and in Alaska’s Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.
Negron will run to succeed Pruitt in 2010
Looking to get an early start in what could be a crowded Republican race, former GOP state Rep. Joe Negron of Stuart announced today he’ll run for state Sen. Ken Pruitt’s seat in 2010 when Pruitt is term-limited.
AIF: Pro-business legislation got fewer votes
Associated Industries of Florida said state Senate and House votes in favor of pro-business legislation were down this year.
High court hears arguments on legality of pre-release waivers
The Florida Supreme Court heard emotional arguments Wednesday in a case that could touch every parent asked to sign a release and every child who begs to be a cheerleader, play little league or go to the water slide or the skateboard park.
A few months ago, members of Congress asked the Social Security Commission to clear up a misperception of many Americans approaching retirement age.
Wexler backs impeachment of Bush
Rep. Robert Wexler, a leading Florida supporter of Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama, has signed on to a measure that would require impeachment hearings against President Bush, citing “unprecedented abuse of executive power.”
Boyd doesn’t endorse, but will vote for Obama
U.S. Rep. Allen Boyd, a leader of the conservative Blue Dog caucus in Congress, said Wednesday he will vote for Sen. Barack Obama but shied away from endorsing his party’s candidate for president.
Governor Crist Signs Military and Veterans Bills into Law
New laws expand benefits to current and former members of the military
Governor Charlie Crist today signed four bills into law that will benefit and honor Florida’s military members and veterans during a visit to the 601st Air and Space Operations Center at Tyndall Air Force Base.
High Court Ruling Affects Insurer Adverse Action Notices
Insurance industry groups are hailing a Supreme Court ruling that will keep questions about how to interpret willful violations of the Fair Credit Reporting Act from going to a jury.
Louisiana Accepting Applications for Business Recovery Program
Applications are being accepted for a second round of loans and grants being offered to small businesses in Louisiana struggling to recover from hurricanes Katrina and Rita.
U.S. Congressman Frank Announces Hearings on Financial Market Regulatory Restructuring
House Financial Services Committee Chairman Barney Frank today announced that the committee will hold a series of hearings on the policy implications of the transformation of domestic and international financial markets — chief among them are the dramatic growth in the share of assets held outside the commercial banking system, the complex arrangements that link firms that are regulated differently (or not at all) and the increasing amount of leverage.
State Farm won’t renew some Miss. coast policies
State Farm Insurance Cos. won’t renew homeowners policies within 1,000 feet of the beach on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, an area devastated by Hurricane Katrina in 2005, the company said Wednesday.
RMS Launches Public Catastrophe Update Service
Risk Management Solutions has announced the launch of an initiative to keep businesses informed of the impact of catastrophic events by making its expert analysis publicly available on its web site.
Louisiana House OKs Bill on Regional Storm Deductibles
Insurance companies should be allowed to adjust their so-called “named storm” deductibles on homeowner policies, depending on properties’ distance from the hurricane-prone Gulf of Mexico, according to a bill approved by the Louisiana House of Representatives.
Louisiana Gauging Interest in Home Elevation Grants
Louisiana residents who have applied to the state’s Road Home program have until June 16 to return forms indicating whether they’re interested in receiving grants to elevate homes they’re rebuilding after the 2005 hurricanes.
Property-casualty insurers are competing aggressively for the small commercial market, according to a new study by Conning Research and Consulting.
Wisconsin Communities Sign Up for Terrorism Insurance
Communities across the country and some in Wisconsin have signed up for domestic terrorism insurance.
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