Capitol to Courthouse Headliners: Tuesday, July 14
Jul 14, 2009
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Rating lowered for insurer formerly known as Allstate
Allstate was Florida’s second-largest private property insurer when four hurricanes walloped the state in 2004.
Commentary: It’s Back to Square One in Florida Insurance
In May, when Gov. Charlie Crist vetoed a bill (SB 714) to fix a glitch in the state’s condominium insurance laws because he did not like a minor fire sprinkler provision in it, a frustrated Jeff Grady, president of the Florida Association of Insurance Agents, had this to say.
Insurer’s exit leaves Florida on the brink
State Farm’s decision to quit providing homeowners insurance in Florida shows that the state’s insurance market simply can’t survive in its current form.
Orchid Insurance CEO: Surplus-lines companies can offer solid coverage
Regarding a recent letter about surplus-lines insurance companies: Lloyd’s does write ordinance or law coverage (code-replacement cost coverage). In fact, it will also provide all-risk coverage.
Editorial: Storm, and consumer, protection
Homeowners need help to avoid untested products
Few home improvement projects are more important than hurricane protection. Yet choosing the right system — shutters, panels or other products that are supposed to keep people and property safe — can be immensely challenging.
Lennar Homes puts tainted drywall price tag at about $100,000 per home
More news on the tainted Chinese drywall front, which has spread from a smelly, health-suspect condition inside many new homes built in Florida to a multi-state investigation and federal debate over what to do with this mess.
Tampa may raise fees for emergency calls, building inspections
The price tag for city rescue workers to restart your heart, start an intravenous line or take you to the hospital may soon go up.
Record settlement reached with fuel supplier over post-hurricane price gouging
A major fuel supplier has agreed to the largest settlement ever reached under Florida’s price-gouging law, stemming from price increases following Hurricane Ike last September that generated thousands of consumer complaints.
Obama taps former FAMU trustee to be surgeon general
The Rev. R.B. Holmes Jr. couldn’t hide his excitement Monday afternoon after hearing about President Obama’s nominee for surgeon general.
Budget director: State-worker layoffs at start of fiscal year will likely mean fewer later
Florida’s new fiscal year brings 159 layoffs of state employees.
House Speaker collects large war chest in state Senate race
It didn’t take long for former House Speaker John Thrasher to make a mark in the race for a state Senate seat that includes parts of Volusia and Flagler counties.
Florida Sheriffs CCE backs Negron in state Senate race
Former state House Rep. Joe Negron, a Republican from Stuart, picked up in the endorsement of the Tallahassee-based Florida Sheriff’s CCE in the race to replace retiring State Sen. Ken Pruitt, R-Port St. Lucie.
FAU’s Frank Brogan a finalist for university chancellor
Former lieutenant governor and education commissioner Frank Brogan moved a step closer Monday to becoming the state university system’s next chancellor.
SEC Freezes Assets of Florida Resident Stealing Investor Funds for Luxury Purchases
The Securities and Exchange Commission today announced fraud charges and an asset freeze against a Weston, Fla., resident who stole more than $15 million in investor funds to purchase a multi-million dollar home, luxury vehicles, and millions of dollars in jewelry and home furnishings.
PCI: Louisiana Takes Steps to Stop Accident Taxes
The Louisiana Legislature this session made a strong statement in favor of consumer protections and passed House Concurrent Resolution 147, which directs all local governing authorities and public emergency service providers to cease assessing accident response fees, according to the Property Casualty Insurers Association of America (PCI).
Guy Carpenter Wins Reinsurance Initiative of the Year at 2009 British Insurance Awards
Guy Carpenter’s intellectual capital website, www.GCCapitalIdeas.com, was selected as the “Reinsurance Broker Initiative of the Year” at the 2009 British Insurance Awards, presented at Royal Albert Hall in London on July 8.
Insurance regulators need rating options, NY industry watchdog Brooks says
Insurance regulators are too dependent on ratings firms and need alternatives to companies like Standard & Poor’s and Moody’s Investors Service, said New York’s chief industry watchdog, Kermitt Brooks.
Michigan Democrats Target Insurers Over Bad Faith Claims Denials
Democrats in the Michigan House are pushing a dozen bills they say are needed to protect consumers from unfair claims practices by insurance companies.
AT&T to Conduct Largest-Ever Network Disaster Recovery Exercise in Washington, D.C.
With the continued, rising importance of maintaining communications in ensuring continuity of operations during a disaster continues to grow, AT&T will conduct its largest ever Network Disaster Recovery (NDR) exercise at the Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium in Washington, D.C., from July 8 to 17.
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