Capitol to Courthouse Florida Insurance Report – Thursday, January 18, 2018
Jan 18, 2018
Ex-CEO sues over failures of Guarantee, Patriot National
Two lawsuits filed by Steven Mariano, former CEO and majority owner of insurance services provider Patriot National and worker’s compensation firm Guarantee Insurance Co., blame an auditor and hedge fund investors for destroying the two Fort Lauderdale-based companies, the Sun-Sentinel reports.
Judge could give early win to companies over insurance law
A Tallahassee judge now will consider whether life insurance companies are in the right over a 2016 law requiring them to track down beneficiaries. Jim Rosica reports for FloridaPolitics.com.
Brightline train records another fatal accident
A Brightline train killed a bicyclist Wednesday in Boynton Beach, the higher-speed line’s fourth person killed since this summer, the Sun-Sentinel reports.
- Senator Bill Nelson calls for investigation after two fatal Brightline train accidents
- With four Brightline pedestrian deaths, Debbie Mayfield imploring need for state safety regulation
Florida’s harsh driver’s license suspensions draw Senate scrutiny
The Senate Transportation Committee Thursday approved a bill (SB 1270) that would in many cases end practices that its sponsor, Senator Jeff Brandes, R-St. Petersburg, says put many Floridians in a downward spiral of lawbreaking — just to feed their families. The Tampa Bay Times’ Steve Bousquet reports via “The Buzz” blog.
Florida bill would move regulation of rental homes from local governments to state
Under the proposal, vacation rental properties also will be treated as transient rentals regarding certain tax, landlord and tenant provisions, Kyle Gibson reports for FloridaWatchdog.org.
No special elections in Latvala, Hahnfeldt districts
Those living in Pinellas and Pasco counties in Senate District 16 and The Villages in House District 33 will be out of representation until after the November elections. THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA reports via Tampa Bay Times’ “The Buzz” blog.
The judge has been pushing for plaintiffs and drug companies to reach a settlement, and earlier this month he invited the members of the multi-state investigation to attend the January 31 hearing. The Miami Herald’s Lawrence Mower reports via the “Naked Politics” blog.
Florida voters will decide future of casinos in state
The amendment makes it clear that only voters can approve casino gambling, the Associated Press reports.
Amazon 2nd HQ shortlist includes Miami, but not Orlando, Tampa Bay or Jax
The internet retail behemoth announced Thursday that it had narrowed a list from 238 proposals to 20, Scott Powers reports for FloridaPolitics.com.
As storms batter Texas, billions in state property goes unprotected
It wouldn’t be the first time an uninsured state agency has had to go begging to state leaders because it didn’t arrange property insurance coverage. Eric Dexheimer reports for the Austin-American Statesman.
Insurers Increasing Payments to California Wildfire Victims Sans Itemization
California Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones on Thursday released the results of the formal notice he issued last month to all residential property insurers requesting they provide up to 100 percent of contents coverage limits for fire survivors who experienced a total loss and relieve them from the requirement of providing a detailed home inventory, Insurance Journal reports.
Aon Benfield’s Christian Named Chair of ClimateWise, Raising Climate Risk Resilience
Dominic Christian, executive chairman of Aon Benfield International, has been appointed chair of ClimateWise, an organization that aims to help the insurance industry respond to the risks and opportunities of the climate-risk protection gap – the growing divide between total economic and insured losses from climate change, Insurance Journal reports.
NAIC Names 2018 Committee Leadership
The National Association of Insurance Commissioners has named its 2018 committee chairs and vice chairs.
Arkansas Insurance Commissioner Named Consumer Committee Chair at NAIC
Arkansas Insurance Commissioner Allen Kerr has been named chairman of the Market Regulation and Consumer Affairs (D) Committee of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) for 2018, Insurance Journal reports.
Subscription plan expands Porsche’s reach
In addition to the subscription plan potential, Porsche is anticipating changes in the purchase process. By 2025, 30 percent of all Porsche cars will be sold online, Automotive News reports.
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