Capitol to Courthouse Florida Insurance Report: Friday, June 1
Jun 1, 2012
To go directly to the section of your choice, click on a hyperlink below. Other hyperlinks to meeting information, bills and news are noted in bold type.
Daily Florida Insurance-Related Events
9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.–Citizens Property Insurance Corporation Depopulation Summit. Teleconference: (855)-312-8651; participant code: 4458606638#. To view the meeting notice, click here. To view the agenda, click here.
2:00 p.m.–Florida Workers’ Compensation Insurance Guaranty Association Investment Committee meeting. Tallahassee, Florida. To view the meeting notice, click here.
Florida justices rule on hurricane insurance issues
Customers cannot sue insurance companies for violating a law that requires hurricane policies to include warnings of large deductibles in oversize, boldface type and capital letters, but even if they could there’s no penalty, the Florida Supreme Court ruled Thursday.
Political storm looms as hurricane season begins Friday
State officials hope Florida can make it one more year without a major hurricane hitting the state, but a political maelstrom over the cost of property insurance seems inevitable.
Dolphin Tower repairs are years away
Even if a planned renovation occurs on schedule, the long-empty Dolphin Tower condominium downtown — which was deemed potentially unsafe in a hurricane by a city engineering consultant — will go through at least two more storm seasons before it is ready to be reoccupied.
Florida Insurance Consumer Advocate: Consumers will pay unexpected price for hurricanes
During my first legislative session as Florida’s Insurance Consumer Advocate, my office monitored many of the bills addressing the homeowners insurance marketplace in our state. However, very few of these initiatives were passed by the Legislature.
Citizens flunks roofs, raises rates
One missing nail may be enough to cost some Florida homeowners hundreds of dollars.
Editorial: Florida needs bolder insurance fixes
Another hurricane season starts today, and so do the annual rituals.
Editorial: Put reform of Florida state property insurer on fast track
As a coastal community vulnerable to hurricanes, Manatee County has much at stake in the years-long dilemma over property insurance.
Editorial: Relying on luck is bad insurance policy
Florida is relying on luck as protection against a serious hurricane strike.
Editorial: Cyclone of uncertainty threatens entire state
Another hurricane season begins today with the general public still very deeply on the hook to help cover insured losses if a major storm hits Florida.
United Insurance Holdings investor in the spotlight
Activist investor Joseph Stilwell is betting big on the future of United Insurance Holdings Corp.
Marion County shapes up health insurance
Health insurance companies make easy villains for many people these days. But despite a recent jump in big-dollar claims, a titan of the health-insurance industry recently cut Marion County – and its taxpayers – an $833,000 break.
Blog: Federal judge blocks “harsh and impractical” Florida voter registration restrictions
A federal judge has issued an injunction barring enforcement of part of Florida’s controversial new election law, ruling that a 48-hour deadline for third party groups to turn in voter registration forms is “harsh and impractical.”
Judge extends deadline for federal agency to issue new pollution limits
In an issue that pits some environmentalists against industry groups and state officials, U.S. District Judge Robert Hinkle grants the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency until Nov. 30 to develop new numeric criteria for nitrogen and phosphorus. Environmental groups had objected, and Hinkle warned the EPA not to expect any more extensions.
Suwannee River Water Management District issues first-ever watering restrictions
Three of the state’s five water management districts previously had restrictions in place. The move by the Suwannee River Water Management District leaves only the Northwest Florida Water Management District without watering restrictions in place.
With Easy Path in 2012, John Thrasher Can Focus on Other Races
With one eye on a leadership contest in the Florida Senate down the road and another on races with national implications, state Sen. John Thrasher, R-St. Augustine, appears headed to victory in November despite some changes to his district.
State Representative Glorioso rules out Senate run, stays in Hillsborough elections supervisor race
State Rep. Rich Glorioso said Thursday he will remain in the campaign for Hillsborough County elections supervisor, bypassing an unexpected state Senate race to replace Ronda Storms.
Wilton Simpson in Strong Shape in State Senate Race
With a week to go until candidate filing closes, Dade City businessman Wilton Simpson appears to be in solid shape as he runs for a seat in the Florida Senate.
Big Insurers Face Curbs on Risky Activities
Top insurers face curbs within five years on risky “non-traditional” activities, global regulators said on Thursday as they seek to avoid a repeat of AIG’s huge taxpayer bailout in the financial crisis.
Investors: U.S. Companies Should Disclose Climate Risk
Institutional investors and environmental advocates on Thursday urged companies to disclose their risks from the impact of climate change, two years after the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission issued guidelines for firms to do just that.
Scruggs Loses Attempt to Vacate Conviction, Files Appeal
Former prominent Mississippi plaintiffs’ attorney Richard “Dickie” Scruggs, reviled for his pursuit of insurance companies following Hurricane Katrina, lost a bid to get out of prison.
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