Capitol to Courthouse Headliners: Thursday, October 2
Oct 2, 2008
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Insurers may face class-action lawsuit
Gov. Crist is pushing for a class-action lawsuit against the property-insurance industry, saying it is cheating Florida homeowners.
Railing against the failure of the insurance industry to pass on savings to Floridians after the state took on more of the risk, Gov. Charlie Crist has appointed three high-powered lawyers to file a class-action lawsuit against the industry on behalf of state residents.
State-backed insurer backs off plan for new office
In the wake of criticism by key lawmakers, the state-backed property and casualty insurer, Citizens, is backing off plans to seek a new, larger office complex that once included a gymnasium, cafeteria and concierge service.
After long wait, Naples Cay residents might soon be eligible for federal flood insurance
The U.S. Senate passed legislation Monday correcting a federal mapping error that has prevented Naples Cay residents from participating in the Federal Flood Insurance Program. The House passed similar legislation in June. The bill now goes to President Bush for his signature.
Florida-based Main Street America Acquires Great Lakes Casualty
The Main Street America Group, based in Jacksonville, Fla., completed its acquisition of Great Lakes Casualty Insurance Co., a Michigan-domiciled private passenger auto insurance carrier, from Newco Financial Holdings Inc.
Under state scrutiny, Citrus Health Care stops marketing
Even as MD Medicare Choice was collapsing this week, another Tampa-based Medicare plan that has been under state scrutiny over its finances stopped writing new business. Citrus Health Care, which has 41,000 members in Tampa Bay and the Orlando areas, intends to resolve its issues with the state and be “full-steam-ahead very shortly,” an attorney for the company said.
COLUMN: For cash-strapped cities, crash fees could be just the start
Accident response fees? Brilliant. That’s the proposal being kicked around in Davie.
New law may allow kids to stay longer on parents’ health insurance
When is it time to get off mom and dad’s health insurance?
If you’re younger than 30, single and still in school, the state of Florida now says you may not have to make that decision right away.
Five Insurance Experts Speak Out About Fees, Taxes, Regulations, and Citizens
With politics, laws, economics, and elections currently uppermost in everyone’s minds, we asked a cast of Florida insurance experts to opine on legislative and regulatory “hot topics” of their choosing. This special “Legislative Issues” edition of Florida Underwriter carries extended cover stories on significant local, state, and national laws and initiatives directed at the insurance industry or its products.
Federal Insurance Regulation: What It Means for Florida Agents
Insurance regulation and the federal government probably never entered your mind at the same time, but you may need to change the way you think. Currently, each state regulates rates, agent and company licensing, company financial oversight and pretty much everything related to insurance. This allows states to affect laws and regulations that take into account regional issues. Although it’s not a perfect system, it’s still a lot more responsive than federal government usually is.
Amidst the ongoing saber-rattling over the future of the state’s homeowners’ insurance system, auto insurers last year watched the sunset — and then the confused return — of no-fault and mandatory PIP after years of hard-fought battles to try and reform the system. Now a new storm is churning that could soon spell more choppy waters for auto insurers in the Sunshine State, and this one takes aim at unsuspecting drivers and their insurers at their most vulnerable time — immediately after an auto accident.
COLUMN: Florida’s health care trend is just sickening
Tough news on the health care front — just as businesses start their enrollment season pitching worker health plan options for 2009.
Health insurance a rising concern
Like much of the nation, health insurance costs for Florida residents rose 3.6 times faster than did earnings, a new report says — a dynamic placing Floridians at increased risk for joining the ranks of the under-or-uninsured.
Cover Florida, 2 other plans to help uninsured hit snags
While the number of uninsured Floridians continues to grow, new state initiatives aimed at helping residents get health insurance have stalled.
David Rivera faces challenge for House District 112 seat
Democratic newcomer Beatriz ‘Betty’ Gaffney faces Republican incumbent David Rivera for the state House District 112 seat.
Martinez votes for $700 billion bailout package
Florida’s senators split their vote Wednesday night on a $700 billion financial rescue plan for Wall Street.
Crist: Local economy has ‘brighter future’
Local business executives told Governer Charlie Crist they are optimistic about the state economy Wednesday, urging him to talk up consumer confidence among Floridians worried about Wall Street.
Standard & Poor’s confirms Florida’s strong and conservative fiscal management
Governor Charlie Crist today praised more than $1 billion in federal support for Florida’s housing market, made possible by the federal Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008 passed by Congress this summer. He also announced that Standard & Poor’s has affirmed a “AAA” rating with a stable outlook to Florida’s general obligation bonds.
Floridians’ opinions changed after bailout bill failed
Public opinion is a fickle thing. In the days before Monday’s vote on a $700 billion bailout for the financial industry, Rep. Robert Wexler’s offices in Washington and Boca Raton were bombarded by comments from constituents.
Federal judge bars Fla. law on Cuba travel bond
A judge says a new Florida law requiring travel agents who book trips to Cuba to post a higher bond is likely unconstitutional and, for now, cannot be enforced.
Alligator Alley lease proposal to be discussed Friday
Those hungry for “alligator” wrestling will have another chance this week.
WATER WARS: Hearing begins on tapping St. Johns
A high-stakes legal fight over using St. Johns River water in Central Florida utilities opened Wednesday with lawyers arguing about the need for and impact of the river withdrawal.
An administrative law judge could spend most of this month hearing witnesses before deciding which argument should prevail.
Experts warn species in peril from climate change
Climate change threatens to kill off up to a third of the planet’s species by the end of the century if urgent action isn’t taken to restore fragile ecosystems, protect endangered animals and manage growth, scientists warned Wednesday as a wildlife summit opened.
Offshore drilling focus of tourism summit
Florida’s economic leaders will discuss offshore drilling at a tourism summit in Destin.
Crist taps conservative for Florida Supreme Court
Gov. Charlie Crist made his second Supreme Court pick for Florida, choosing an appellate judge from North Florida.
Ricky L. Polston, a conservative appellate judge who hailed from a small North Florida town, became the Florida Supreme Court’s newest member Wednesday after he was selected by Gov. Charlie Crist.
RMS: Wind Monitoring Stations Defied Hurricane Ike
A modeling firm said that a system of new weather stations it uses to monitor storm winds for parametric insurance kept going through Hurricane Ike when 10 government installations failed.
Insurers Weigh-in on North Carolina Committee’s Beach Plan Analysis
A North Carolina joint legislative study committee began hearings on Sept. 30 regarding the financial health of the state’s Insurance Underwriting Association, a.k.a. the Beach Plan.
As part of a special section this month, Claims worked with several contributors to put together a salvage report that will inform claim professionals of the opportunities and expectations related to this industry. On the next several pages, readers will learn about proven residential salvage techniques as well as read about the current state of automobile salvage parts as they relate to total losses.
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