Capitol to Courthouse Florida Insurance Report: Monday, October 15
Oct 15, 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
(CANCELED) 9:00 a.m.–Citizens Property Insurance Corporation Depopulation Committee meeting; Teleconference: 855-312-8651; participant code: 4458606638#. To view the meeting notice, click here.
It’s been years since a major hurricane has hit Florida, and the good news for Floridians is that property insurers are filing applications to write policies in the state again.
Citizens Property Insurance Looking To “De-Populate” Roles
Thousands of South Florida homeowners insured by the state-run Citizens’ Property Insurance have gotten a letter from them recently that said they’ve been dropped because they didn’t send in a form or time or encouraging them to go with insurance company that they’ve never heard of.
Walter Dartland: New Insurance Program Looks Promising
There has been a very lively debate surrounding a proposed program from the state-run Citizens Property Insurance Corporation.
South Florida State Farm customers may see rates decrease
Homeowners still covered by State Farm Florida Insurance Co. in heavily populated South Florida would see average rates decrease by up to 8.4 percent under rates approved last month.
Naples residents could see fire insurance rate increase if city doesn’t meet standards
Naples residents could soon pay as much as 11 percent more for their fire insurance if the city does not come into compliance with 2012 state standards.
Task force tracks down “cheat to compete” contractors
It’s a business model that is lucrative, flagrant and popular – but illegal.
Florida workers compensation rates now 29th most expensive
Florida’s workers compensation insurance rates have climbed from 40th to 29th most expensive in the nation over the last two years.
Marketing medical insurance to individuals
Dozens of senior citizens gathered last week at a handsome, two-story building with a glassy facade that resembles an upscale retail store.
Orlando title company exec pleads to embezzling
Orlando resident Douglas Wayne Bartle III, founder of Vision Title LLC, pleaded guilty to embezzlement charges recently in U.S. Middle District Court.
3 GOP senators endorse Supreme Court justices
Three Republican state senators, “deeply concerned” about mixing politics into the judiciary, urged their party Friday to reconsider its “unprecedented” call for voters to reject three Florida Supreme Court justices who are up for a hotly contested retention vote on the November 6 statewide ballot.
Column: In this taxing time, Florida proves to have an advantage
At a time when taxes are such a big part of the political discussion, Florida has been lauded once again as one of the top places for a favorable business-tax climate.
Blog: Trial lawyers, Disney underwriting new Dorworth group
Turns out, Florida’s trial lawyers are even bigger Chris Dorworth fans than we realized.
Blog: Five Florida governors offer critique of state’s future
Five of Florida’s living former governors met at the University of Florida Friday and offered up bi-partisan cautions about the future direction of the state.
Florida Senator Bill Montford seeking re-election to state Senate
State Senator Bill Montford, D-Tallahassee, is hoping his wealth of experience in education will help secure his District 3 Senate seat for another term.
THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA: Battle Takes Shape Over Local Gun Law
A Leon County circuit judge said last week that two South Florida counties can pursue a legal challenge against Governor Rick Scott about a state crackdown on local gun restrictions, though the House and Senate will be dropped from the case.
Virtually unregulated, Internet sweepstakes cafes multiply in Clearwater
Barbara Cramer plays the slots three times a week, handing over at least $60 each time and winning – so far – exactly nothing.
New York Times: Turning Point for Suits Over Chinese Drywall
Three years ago, Colleen Stephens moved her family from a 5,000-square-foot, newly renovated home overlooking the bay in Virginia Beach into a house half the size and much farther inland.
Texas Supreme Court Takes Up Contractual Liability Issue, Again
One of the most fascinating aspects of writing about insurance litigation is that often issues that we discuss seem to be “finally” decided, only to reappear again.
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