Capitol to Courthouse Headliners: Tuesday, December 29
Dec 29, 2009
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Florida Attorney General to look into proposed insurance requirement
Attorney General Bill McCollum has ordered his staff to check the constitutionality of the requirement in the federal health care bill that individuals buy health insurance.
Florida Insurer Magnolia Placed Under State Supervision
Home insurer Magnolia Insurance Co. has been placed under administrative supervision by Florida insurance regulators who said it is in unsound financial shape and its president, H. James Irl, has resigned.
Florida’s Homeowners Choice Assumes 23,000 Policies from Citizens
State officials have authorized a private Florida insurer to accept 23,000 policies from the state-owned insurer, Citizens Property Insurance Corp. Homeowners Choice, Inc. said the assumption of these policies represents a 44 percent increase from the 52,000 policies already on the its books.
Florida Office of Insurance Regulation Resolves Military Sales Litigation
Insurers to Pay $250,000 and Give Refunds to Policyholders
Florida Insurance Commissioner Kevin McCarty today announced the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation has entered into consent agreements with American Fidelity Life Insurance Co. and Trans World Assurance Co. resolving allegations contained in Orders issued on Jan.7, 2009 by the Office.
Editorial: State Farm deal good for Florida, even at a cost
Regulators balance company, policyholder interests
The Florida Office of Insurance Regulation stood toe to toe with State Farm Florida and won a significant victory for both the company’s clients and indeed all of the state’s property insurance consumers.
THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA: Insurance doctrine shifting back toward market
Nearly three years ago, the overwhelmingly Republican Legislature did something that seemed to some a little un-Republican.
Palm Beach Gardens is one step closer to $3.1 million Emergency Operations Center
The tense working conditions for emergency crews during hurricanes Frances and Jeanne should fade into a bad memory once the city completes its new $3.1 million Emergency Operations Center, Police Chief Stephen Stepp said.
Florida Municipal Insurance Trust Written Premium Increases 35% This Year
The Florida Municipal Insurance Trust, a non-profit insurance provider for government entities, increased written premiums by 35 percent in the 2009-2010 business cycle.
Hillsborough starts ticketing red light runners today
Starting today, drivers caught running red lights at six Hillsborough County intersections equipped with cameras will get $125 citations.
Florida cracks down on loan modification firms
The days of simply hanging out a shingle and opening up a loan modification business are coming to an end in Florida.
Rules complaint against Fla. State Rep. David Rivera dismissed
A Jacksonville man’s complaint against Miami Rep. David Rivera for allegedly breaking a House fundraising rule has been dismissed by Rules Chairman Bill Galvano.
New South Florida water rules dodge appeals, but face test in Tallahassee
Opponents of South Florida’s new year-round watering rules are taking their fight to the Legislature, opting for legislative muscle over courtroom battles.
Seminole rock mining could spark outcry
The Seminole Tribe has applied for a permit to expand a rock mine in a remote corner of northwest Broward County in a proposal that could generate opposition from environmentalists concerned about the Florida panther.
EPA: UF will pay a $175,000 fine
The University of Florida has agreed to pay a fine of $175,000 for alleged environmental violations that include illegally disposing of hundreds of gallons of a toxic chemical on campus over almost two decades, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced Monday.
Editorial: State pension funds needs reform, not petty political bickering
With more than $100 billion in investments, Florida has the nation’s fourth-largest pension fund.
TIME: Can Charlie Crist survive a right-wing uprising in Florida?
A new voter poll was released a couple of weeks ago that showed Florida Governor Charlie Crist dropping into a tie with former state House speaker Marco Rubio – an underdog Crist had led by more than 20 points last summer – in next year’s Republican primary race for the U.S. Senate.
Blog: Top 10 Florida political stories for 2009
1 – The Economy and dismal budget it wrought.
Florida Residents renting homes for big games
When South Florida hosted the Super Bowl in 2007, the average hotel room cost $499 a night.
Arbitration Program To Expedite Construction Defect Claims
Discussion about a new arbitration program designed to resolve inter-insurer disputes over construction defect claims more efficiently was recently held between two major associations.
Report: Deregulation Made Massachusetts Auto Insurance Market Worse
The deregulation of the Massachusetts auto insurance market has driven up prices, boosted insurer profits, reduced consumer protections and generally created confusion.
NAIC releases profitability report
Contains Key Ratios on Profitability Results for P&C Insurance On Countrywide, State Basis
The National Association of Insurance Commissioners today released the Report on Profitability by Line by State in 2008.
New Orleans Redlight cameras and parking tickets paying off
Illegal parkers and red light runners have become a much-needed source of revenue in New Orleans.
Swiss Re Forecasts Increasing Demand for Natural Catastrophe Coverage
Swiss Re has concluded that, despite the unusually quiet 2009 hurricane season, “overall natural catastrophe losses have increased significantly over time and are expected to grow further.
If the victims of contaminated Chinese drywall have a hope of relief, it is likely U.S. District Court Judge Eldon E. Fallon.
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