Capitol to Courthouse Headliners: Wednesday, January 13
Jan 13, 2010
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Florida Agents, Consumer Group Sound Alarm Over ‘Perilous’ Property Market
Insurance agents, a former insurance commissioner and a consumer advocate have sounded an alarm about the property insurance marketplace in Florida, a market that has seen four insurers get into financial trouble in the past year.
Insurance group pushes for higher Florida property rates
More than half of Florida’s residential property insurers lost money last year, despite four years without a major hurricane, according to a study released Wednesday by the Florida Association of Insurance Agents.
Florida’s Universal Insurance Holdings Abandons Plan to Form Texas Subsidiary
Fort Lauderdale, Fla.-based Universal Insurance Holdings Inc. announced it has withdrawn its application to form and license a new Texas subsidiary, to be named Texas Platinum Property and Casualty Insurance Company, which would have written homeowners’ insurance coverage in Texas.
More sinkholes discovered overnight in Tampa and Hillsborough County
Four more sinkholes were reported in Hillsborough County early Wednesday morning, adding to the list of others that have been blamed on the cold weather.
Florida homeowners sue U.S. drywall manufacturer
Drywall manufacturer National Gypsum has been named in a class-action lawsuit claiming the company produced defective wallboard responsible for corrosion of air-conditioning coils, wiring and other metals in affected homes.
Unusual Cold Spell Imperils Florida Crops, Homes
Here’s something you don’t often see in this town at the heart of the state’s $9 billion citrus industry: a sign at the public library that says, “ICE! On sidewalk. Be careful!”
- Florida Citrus Growers Report More Damage From Another Freeze
- Cold brings ‘absolute decimation’ of Florida fish
New Health Option for Self-Employed in Florida
A partnership between UnitedHealthcare’s Golden Rule Insurance Co. and the National Association for the Self-Employed is giving entrepreneurs, small business owners and other self-employed businesspeople new personal health insurance choices in Florida and 19 other states, and Washington, D.C.
Under an agreement announced Monday, insurance companies will cover routine medical care for cancer patients involved in clinical trials.
Blog: Gaetz will pursue marketing money for Cover Florida
Sen. Don Gaetz, fresh off signing a compact to guarantee insurance coverage to cancer patients in clinical trials, said he will pursue more money in the 2010-11state budget to market Cover Florida, Gov. Charlie Crist’s struggling low-cost insurance program for Floridians.
Blog: It may be a new year, but still no love lost with legislator and Florida’s OIR
Ouch. That was a rough half hour or so for Audrey Brown, chief of staff for the Office of Insurance Regulation.
Miami Judge Allows Insurer to Cancel Rothstein’s Policy
Scott Rothstein’s life insurance carrier can file a default judgment to cancel the alleged fraudster’s $14.8 million policy, a Miami federal judge has ruled.
Editorial: Don’t fix Florida’s budget gap by restructuring state employee insurance
There are other ways to bridge budget gaps than restructuring state employee insurance and retirement benefits.
Former Florida CFO Tom Gallagher: Don’t play politics with pension funds
As the state’s former chief financial officer and someone who has been a close observer of the state’s investments for more than 20 years, I have become increasingly concerned by recent attempts to play politics with Florida’s pension fund.
Glitches Found In Florida’s Prescription Drug Law
Florida’s new prescription tracking law doesn’t say what should happen if a pain clinic fails an inspection and gives the state’s “drug czar” an added job of raising funds to help pay for the program, state officials told lawmakers Tuesday.
Florida Attorney General pushes Thrasher attorney fee bill
Attorney General Bill McCollum announced Tuesday that a bill to limit contingency fees for lawyers hired by his office would his top legislative priority in 2010.
Florida leaders lobby for rail funding
U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson, D-Fla., said this morning he expects the Obama Administration to approve Florida’s request for high speed rail stimulus funds to create a Tampa-to-Orlando route by 2014 that could create thousands of jobs.
Fla. Rep. Patronis tapped for House Majority Task Force
Jimmy Patronis, R – Panama City, has been tapped to be the co-vice chairman of a new task force focused on getting state Republicans elected to the House in 2010.
Fla. lawmakers seek stronger Internet tax laws
With Florida continuing to face major budget problems, Sen. Evelyn Lynn, R-Ormond Beach, and a coalition of groups renewed efforts Tuesday to boost tax collections on items purchased over the Internet.
Column: Fair districts? Florida parties unite in opposition
Like cats and dogs, Florida politicians from opposing parties rarely play nicely.
Florida political races pick up as campaign coffers fatten
Former State Rep. Gayle Harrell, pulled in more money than Rep. Adam Fetterman, D-Port St. Lucie, during the final quarter of 2009, according to campaign finance records.
Fla. House Speaker candidate Weatherford to have Democratic challenger for seat
Will Weatherford, widely presumed to be the next speaker of the state House of Representatives, faces competition for the seat he hopes to retain in November.
Insurance Group Says Stolen E-Mails Show Risk in Accepting Climate Science
A major trade group for the insurance industry is warning that it is “exceedingly risky” for companies to blindly accept scientific conclusions around climate change, given the “serious questions” around the extent to which humans cause atmospheric warming.
Hartford plans $100 million catastrophe bond
Hartford Financial Services Group Inc. plans to place a $100 million catastrophe bond to cover a portion of its U.S. hurricane exposures, a market source confirmed Wednesday.
Insurers put frozen pipe damage in Texas at $70 million
Frozen water pipes caused approximately $70 million damage to about 10,000 Texas homes, according to the Insurance Council of Texas, an industry group.
Blog: Most California homeowners won’t collect on quake insurance
The California Earthquake Authority does not expect to pay many insurance claims as a result of Saturday’s 6.5-magnitude shaker near Eureka because most of the structural damage to homes with quake coverage won’t reach the policies’ standard 15 percent deductible.
Fire improvements will slash some Georgia homeowners’ insurance bills
McIntosh County homeowners will see their insurance rates fall because of a five-year goal to lower the county’s fire protection rating to a respectable level.
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