Capitol to Courthouse Headliners: Thursday, Sept. 13

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Legislators scramble to save PIP

Hopes are dimming by the day that auto injury coverage can be extended before expiring Oct. 1.

TALLAHASSEE – When it comes to the demise of the state’s no-fault automobile insurance system,apparently it ain’t over till it’s over.

 

Bush administration opposes bill to stabilize insurance industry

WASHINGTON — The Bush administration opposes a bill by two Palm Beach County congressmen designed to stabilize the insurance industry, a U.S. Treasury official told a House panel Thursday.

 

Reinsurance Rates In Decline

Reinsurance rates are in decline and the market may be in a position to sustain a loss of up to $25 billion before the situation changes, according to a reinsurance broker’s report.

 

Pet congressional projects come out of hiding

Curious to know what secret projects Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen is angling to get in the federal budget? The Miami Republican posted them on her website. The same goes for Weston Democrat Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz.

 

Motorcycle helmet debate revs up with national proposal

The rumbling that motorcyclists are hearing might again go to their heads, and it has nothing to do with noisy tailpipes.

 

N.Y. Insurance Department Creates Elder Proection Unit

Superintendent Eric Dinallo has announced the formation of the New York State Insurance Department Elder Protection Unit, which he said will support elderly residents in dealing with their insurance concerns.

 

Plan urged to halt foreclosure scams

Advocates for victims of foreclosure prevention scams are turning to Florida’s attorney general for help.

A Broward legal aid organization is urging Florida Attorney General Bill McCollum to adopt emergency measures to curb foreclosure prevention scams, arguing the fraud has reached epidemic proportions and shows no sign of slowing down.

 

Allstate to Comply with N.Y. Anti-Tying Rule on Home Nonrenewals

Allstate Insurance Co. and its affiliates have agreed to comply fully with a directive by the New York State Insurance Department that insurance companies may not refuse to renew homeowners insurance policies based on whether a policyholder also has an automobile or life insurance policy with the same company, according to Insurance Superintendent Eric Dinallo.

 

Guaranty Conference Boss Seeks To Wise Up Insurers

The new head of the National Conference of Insurance Guaranty Funds, said after taking on the job he discovered that insurers have a knowledge gap about his operation.

 

Crist’s approval ratings may drop faster than taxes

Gov. Charlie Crist promised that property taxes in Florida would soon “drop like a rock.”

 

Democrats ponder options

The state party clings to a Jan. 29 primary while seeking ways to keep its delegates.

Having been spanked by the national Democratic Party and then snubbed by the leading presidential contenders, chastened Florida Democrats are taking another look at making their Jan. 29 presidential primary officially meaningless.

 

Mortgage Rejection Rates Higher in 2006

WASHINGTON — Applicants for home mortgages were turned down for loans at a slightly higher rate in 2006 than the previous year and significant disparities continued to exist between white applicants and minority applicants, the government reported Wednesday.

 

Words you don’t want to hear: ‘That’s my car’

He paid for a hot car and got a legal mess.

Add to the dance with used car dealers another disturbing twist: How do you know the car you’re buying hasn’t been stolen?

 

City: Time’s up for FEMA trailer

Three years after the hurricanes of 2004 and three years after Valerie Thompson received $5,339 from FEMA, a travel trailer from the federal agency still stands in her front yard.

 

Wining, dining, and prescribing

Each year, drug companies spend half again as much money marketing to doctors as they do to consumers.