Capitol to Courthouse Florida Insurance Report – Friday, October 28, 2016
Oct 28, 2016
Rick Scott, Business Leaders Talk Matthew Recovery
On Thursday, Scott heard a mixture of praise for the storm response of State, County and Local Recovery Workers, tempered by worries about issues ranging from loss of Income to Worker’s Compensation Claims and Property Insurance Appraisals. Jim Abbott reports for the Daytona Beach News-Journal.
11th U.S. Takata Airbag Death Reinforces Urgent Florida Warning
Federal Officials confirmed last week that a California crash has produced the 11th U.S. Death tied to a Takata Airbag Rupture — and it comes from a class of cars that pose the highest risk to drivers, especially in humid Florida. The Palm Beach Post’s Charles Elmore reports for the “Protecting Your Pocket” blog.
Lousy Credit Score Can Double Florida Car Insurance Bill, Study Says
Yikes. If your Credit Score goes from excellent to poor, your Car Insurance Bill could wind up doubling in Florida no matter how great a driver you are, The Palm Beach Post’s Charles Elmore reports for the “Protecting Your Pocket” blog.
Life Care $145 Million Nursing Settlement Biggest Ever, Feds Say
A chain of Skilled-Nursing Facilities with two locations in West Palm Beach and one in Palm Beach Gardens has reached a $145 Million Settlement that Federal Officials called the largest ever of its kind. The Palm Beach Post’s Charles Elmore reports for the “Protecting Your Pocket” blog.
Boca Spammer Forfeits $1.3M, Escalade, Ferrari in Hacking Plea Deal
A Boca Raton man has pleaded Guilty to hijacking other people’s email accounts to make more than $1 million while hiding the origins of spam pitching everything from legitimate insurers to illegal sellers of narcotics, Federal Prosecutors said. The Palm Beach Post’s Charles Elmore reports for the “Protecting Your Pocket” blog.
Busy, Frustrating, Deadly: I-4 is Deadliest Interstate in US, Study Suggests
Auto Insurance Quote Generator EverQuote said it looked at Interstate deaths using raw data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to compile a list of the most dangerous Interstates in the Country. MyNews13.com Traffice Anchor Ryan Harper reports.
Boca Hotline Calls Prompt Proposed Rules to Protect Senior Investors
Calls to a Financial Helpline for Seniors based in Boca Raton have prompted proposed rules to make it easier to contact trusted loved ones or freeze funds in cases of suspected financial exploitation, Regulatory Officials said. The Palm Beach Post’s Charles Elmore reports for the “Protecting Your Pocket” blog.
Florida’s Death Penalty in Limbo Despite Ruling
Florida’s Death Penalty is effectively on hold, leaving nearly all involved — Lawyers, Judges, Defendants and Victims’ Families — awaiting guidance from the Florida Supreme Court and State Lawmakers before Executions can resume. The Orlando Sentinel’s Gray Rohrer reports.
Measure in Florida that Claims to Back Solar Power May Discourage It
Florida’s biggest Electric Utility Companies are backing a proposed Constitutional Amendment that, the Campaign says, “Promotes Solar in the Sunshine State.” Not so: If Florida Voters approve the ballot measure, it could pave the way for utilities to raise fees on solar customers and cast a heavy cloud over the future of rooftop solar energy in Florida. John Schwartz reports for the New York Times.
A Look at How Voting is Going in Florida
It’s a dozen days from Election Day 2016. Here’s a snapshot of how close the Vote looks in Florida Based on overnight county-by-county turnout reports filed with the State Thursday morning. Nearly 2.5 Million people have Voted or nearly 20 percent of all Florida Voters based on the voter roll as of September 30. The Tampa Bay Times’ Adam Smith reports.
- Why isn’t Governor Scott Campaigning?
- 20 percent of Florida Voters Have Already Cast Their Ballots
- Federal Judge to Florida: Why Aren’t More People Registered?
Local Florida Sewage Spills Highlighted by New State Rules
A recent Executive Order from Governor Rick Scott after Industrial Waste and Sewage Spills at Mosaic’s phosphate processing Facilities East of Tampa and in St. Petersburg is shedding light on the size and frequency of small local spills that happen nearly every week. Zach Murdoch reports for the Sarasota Herald-Tribune.
California Insurance Commissioner Wants Workers’ Comp Insurers to Reduce Rates
California Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones issued a formal finding today that costs to insurers in the Workers’ Compensation System are declining and he’s asking Workers’ Comp Insurers to pass those cost savings on to employers in the form of lower rates, Insurance Journal reports.
Taxed Off: Some New York Hospitals’ Insurance in Offshore Investments
Nonprofit hospitals in New York have invested billions of dollars with secretive offshore financial firms, and some of the most complex deals involved high-stakes insurance coverage affecting doctors, health-care workers and patients. David Robinson reports for the New York Democrat and Chronicle.
North Carolina Lawmakers Poised For Special Session Amid Matthew Recovery
North Carolina Governor Pat McCrory plans to call Lawmakers back for a Special Session to address issues related to Hurricane Matthew’s aftermath. The General Assembly will consider Disaster-Relief Funding and makeup days for school closures. The Fayette Observer reports via the PCI SmartBrief.
State of New York Wins in $2 Billion Insurance Fee Dispute
Judge upholds money going to other Agencies, Brian Dearing reports for the Albany Times-Union.
Artificial Intelligence and the Insurance Industry: What You Need to Know
In the Huffington Post, Inguard CEO Parker Beauchamp rounds up AI Applications with the greatest potential to impact the Insurance Industry.
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