Capitol to Courthouse Headliners: Tuesday, Oct. 23

Click on a headline to read the complete story:

 

OIR mandates greater decrease in workers’ comp rate

The Florida Office of Insurance Regulation has rejected the National Council on Compensation Insurance’s (NCCI) latest rate filing for workers’ compensation insurance rates, ordering the NCCI to drop the rate an additional 1.9 percentage points.

 

Massive evacuations ordered as onslaught of fires spreads
 
Wind-whipped firestorms destroyed more than 700 homes and businesses in Southern California on Monday, the second day of its onslaught, and more than half a million people in San Diego County were told to evacuate their homes.

 

No big insurer losses seen from wildfires

NEW YORK (Reuters) – Wildfires raging through Southern California should not cause major losses to home insurers such as Allstate Corp (ALL.N: Quote, Profile, Research), Nationwide (NFS.N: Quote, Profile, Research) and State Farm, according to a report by Goldman Sachs analyst Thomas Cholnoky on Tuesday.

 

Insurers roll even before smoke clears
 
Insurance adjusters and company executives began hitting Southern California in full force today, beginning the complex job of assessing fire damage and helping homeowners and renters deal with claims.

 

It’s not-so-risky business for one new insurer

William K. Lowry Jr., 56, is president of Olympus Insurance Co. in Orlando, one of the newest entrants to Florida’s roiling residential-property-insurance industry. He recently spoke with Sentinel staff writer Anika Myers Palm.

 

If You Pay For The Risk, You Can Still Build Here

TIERRA VERDE – When Howard Isaacs bought his land in 1985, he used a machete to bushwhack his way onto the property.

 

Two years later, lives are still on hold due to Hurricane Wilma

Many condo owners still waiting to return to homes

Many must pay rent as well as their mortgage, insurance, taxes, maintenance and special assessments for repairs on a place they can only dream of living in again. 

 

Mass. Insurance Chief Urges Agents to Seize Opportunity in Auto Deregulation

Includes Exclusive Video: Commissioner Interview
Mass. Commissioner Burnes: Effect of Managed Competition on Mass. Agents

Some Massachusetts insurance agents are anxious about the state’s move to a deregulated auto insurance system but Insurance Commissioner Nonnie Burnes thinks they will fare just fine.

 

PCI Looks For Senate To Move Flood Bill

An insurance industry group is hoping that a hold placed on a bill in the Senate to reform the National Flood Insurance Program will not derail the legislation.

 

Local insurance agency network’s profits grow slower

DAYTONA BEACH — Brown & Brown reported Monday its profits grew 14.8 percent in the third quarter, slowed by fiercer price competition in property and casualty insurance. 

 

Aflac posts higher 3rd quarter net, exceeds view

NEW YORK, Oct 23 (Reuters) – Aflac Inc (AFL.N: Quote, Profile, Research), the world’s largest seller of supplemental disability insurance, said on Tuesday its net income rose 14 percent in the third quarter, helped by higher premium income in the United States.

 

North Pointe sells Florida operation

North Pointe Holdings Corp. signed an agreement to sell its Home Pointe Insurance Co. subsidiary to American Capital Assurance Corp.

 

Lawmakers weigh home loan reform

The U.S. House is considering reforms that attempt to prevent future episodes of foreclosures and turmoil in the U.S. mortgage industry.

 

Yes on R-67 restoring the balance

The Seattle Times supports Referendum 67, which would give judges the power to award triple damages to people who sue their insurance companies.

 

Local Holocaust survivors fight for WW II-era insurance payments

Even though Jack Rubin and Alex Moskovic passed their citizenship tests 50 years ago, nothing could have prepared them for the real-life civics lessons they had to learn since then.

 

No frenzy for flu shots

Charles Malta vividly remembers the long lines for flu shots in 2004, when supplies shrank unexpectedly, creating a hyper-demand among consumers.

 

Doctor gets 16 years for health insurance fraud

Brown, 61, who was also ordered to pay more than $1.1 million in restitution, was convicted in May of 80 counts of conspiracy, health care fraud and mail fraud for a scheme in which he recruited phony patients to bilk Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, as well as Medicare. 

 

Familiar Democratic challenger in House off to fast fundraising start

Business consultant Charlie Stuart burst out of the gate fast in his second bid for Congress, outpacing all his rivals for the Orlando-area seat by raising almost $164,000 in his first fundraising quarter.

 

Martin to vote on fee hikes for health agency services

STUART Some Martin County residents could soon find themselves reaching a little deeper in their pockets for medical services provided by the state.

 

Breast cancer survivor raises awareness

Andrea Ivory, a breast cancer survivor, has dedicated herself to helping low-income women get access to mammograms by going door to door to raise awareness and sign women up for mammograms.