Capitol to Courthouse Florida Insurance Report – Wednesday, January 24, 2018

Jan 24, 2018

Florida AOB Bill Passes Senate Insurance Panel Despite Business Opposition

A Florida Senate Panel gave a thumbs-up Tuesday to a Bill that would prevent Property Insurers from including Attorney Fees and other Legal Costs in their Rate Base, despite opposition from Insurance Firms and other business interests.  Michael Carroll reports for the Florida Record.

Costliest Year on Record for Weather Disasters, AON Reports

Impact Forecasting, Aon Benfield’s Catastrophe Model Development Team, today launches its Weather, Climate & Catastrophe Insight: 2017 Annual Report, which notes Texas’ Economic Cost of Hurricane Harvey as quadruple that of Florida.

Florida Senate Advances Tougher Texting-While-Driving Penalties

Florida Police may finally be able to pull over and ticket drivers caught texting while driving—without first seeing another infraction—under a Bill advanced by a Senate Committee Tuesday.  Mitch Perry reports for FloridaPolitics.com.

Florida Highway Patrol Report Confirms Driver Killed By Faulty Takata Airbag

A Florida Woman died because a Faulty Air Bag ruptured and fired shrapnel into her head during a crash she should have survived, a Report released Jan. 17 by the State’s Highway Patrol said.  The Associated Press reports via Insurance Journal.

Colodny Fass’ Insurance Defense Lawyer Maria Elena Abate Recognized Among South Florida Legal Guide’s “Distinguished Attorneys”

As Property Damage Claims multiply in the wake of Hurricane Irma, Ms. Abate’s focus on eradicating Insurance Fraud has been noted by her Insurance Company Clients, State Regulators and the Law Enforcement Community, among others.  

Florida Nursing Homes Agree To Install Generators

The Decision ends months of dispute with Governor Rick Scott, who issued a Rule requiring Nursing Homes to have Generators to Power Air Conditioning after 12 People Died in the Sweltering Heat at The Rehabilitation Center at Hollywood Hills.  The Sun-Sentinel’s Dan Sweeney reports.

Facing a Housing Discrimination Case Backlog, State Commission Warned of Suspension

The Florida Commission tasked with Investigating Housing Discrimination Cases is in peril of losing some Operational Funding if it does not quickly handle its Work Backlog of more than 300 Cases.  Ana Ceballos reports for FloridaPolitics.com.

Lawmakers Grapple With “Bo’s Bridge”

Florida Lawmakers are looking to salvage a fiscally failed project known as “Bo’s Bridge” near Pensacola.  FloridaPolitics.com reports. 

Initiative That Would Restore Felons’ Voting Rights Qualifies For 2018 Ballot

Florida is Home to more than 1.5 Million Citizens who can’t cast a Vote in Elections unless granted Clemency.  FloridaPolitics.com reports. 

California Commissioner Wants Insurers to Pass Tax Savings to Policyholders

California Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones wants Insurers in his State to pass along Savings from Taxes expected to be generated by the New Tax Bill passed in Congress recently.  Insurance Journal reports.

 

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