Capitol to Courthouse Florida Insurance Report – Thursday, June 23, 2016
Jun 23, 2016
Florida’s Citizens Property Insurance Signs Off on Possible Rate Hikes
Pointing to a “Crisis” in costly water-damage claims, the Citizens Property Insurance Board of Governors on Wednesday unanimously approved a proposed 6.8 percent statewide rate increase. THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA’s Jim Saunders reports.
- Florida’s Citizens Says AOB Abuse to Blame for Statewide Rate Increase of 6.8%
- Citizens Insurance: Pay 9 percent more, Palm Beach County Homeowners
- Water-Damage Claims have State-Backed Insurer asking for 6.8 percent Rate Hike
Citizens Delaying Managed Repair Program Rollout Until 2017
In its effort to limit costs of water damage claims that it blames for the rate increases, Citizens has been planning a managed repair program that would require participating customers to choose from pre-approved repair contractors. The Sun-Sentinel’s Ron Hurtibise reports.
Lightning Capital Florida is an Expensive State for Getting Zapped
What’s really striking is how much more insurance companies had to shell out for lightning claims in Florida last year compared with the rest of the country. Jeff Harrington reports for the Tampa Bay Times.
Vertafore Expands Comparative Rating System into Florida Property Market
Vertafore, a provider of insurance technology, has added several new homeowner carriers to their flagship comparative rating system PL Rating, expanding the company’s reach into the Florida property market, Insurance Journal reports.
Florida Workers’ Comp Fraud Sting Ends with 8 Arrests
A multi-agency undercover workers’ compensation sting in Polk County, Fla., led by the Florida Department of Financial Services’ Division of Insurance Fraud, led to the arrests of eight individuals, Insurance Journal reports.
Florida Wildlife Officials Vote Against 2016 Bear Hunt
After nearly seven hours of comments Wednesday from staff and the public, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission voted 4-3 against a 2016 Black Bear Hunt. The Associated Press reports via the Tampa Tribune.
How Rubio’s Decision Scrambles Florida House Races
Marco Rubio’s decision to run for the Senate complicates the political lives of a number of other Florida Republicans, Simone Pathe reports for RollCall.com.
- Rubio’s Reversal sends Tremors Across Florida’s Political Landscape
- Lopez-Cantera ends Senate Bid, Endorses Rubio
- How Rubio’s Senate Return Could Get Awkward
- Andrew Korge Offered Dwight Bullard $25K to Pull Out of SD40 Race
Korge Move Shakes up Miami-Dade Senate Races
In a move that defuses one of the state’s most-watched legislative contests, Democrat Andrew Korge on Wednesday dropped out of a high-profile battle against incumbent Republican Senator Anitere Flores and instead waded into a Democratic primary for a nearby Miami-Dade County Senate seat. THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA’s Dara Kam reports via SayfieReview.com.
Orlando Home Prices Surge Beyond Florida’s
Orlando’s Housing Market outperformed the State’s during May, with double the percentage price increases compared with South Florida, a new report shows. Mary Shanklin reports for the Orlando Sentinel.
Zika Remains a Major Concern for Florida Voters
Floridians are concerned about the Zika Virus, a new poll shows. SunshineStateNews.com reports.
U.S. Issues Final Commercial Drone Regulations
The Federal Aviation Administration has finalized the first operational rules for routine commercial use of small unmanned aircraft systems or drones opening pathways towards fully integrating UAS into the nation’s airspace, Insurance Journal reports.
A.M. Best Affirms Ratings of MAPFRE U.S.A. Corp.’s Insurance Subsidiaries
A.M. Best has affirmed the financial strength rating of A (Excellent) and the issuer credit ratings of “A” of the Property/Casualty Members of MAPFRE U.S.A. Group.
Click here to follow Colodny Fass on Twitter (@ColodnyFassLaw)
To unsubscribe from this newsletter, please send an e-mail to colodnyfassnews@gmail.com.