Capitol to Courthouse Florida Insurance Report – Tuesday, May 03, 2016

May 3, 2016

 

Execs Warn of Impending Florida Market Crisis Over Water Loss Claims

Abuse of assignment of benefits from water loss claims has become a full-blown Florida insurance crisis that will mean higher insurance rates next year and for the foreseeable future for every Florida policyholder, according to Citizens Property Insurance CEO Barry Gilway and Chief Risk Officer John Rollins.  Insurance Journal’s Amy O’Connor reports.

  

Florida Condo Owners Lose Property Insurance Case

In a dispute over property-insurance coverage, the Florida Supreme Court will not hear an appeal from condominium owners in Palm Beach County, THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA reports via the Sun-Sentinel.

  

System to Pick Florida Insurance Chief Worked as it Was Supposed To

It wasn’t a pretty process, but Florida now has a new insurance commissioner.  Columnist Lloyd Dunkelberger writes for the Winter Haven News Chief.

  

Climate Change Shrinking South Florida Reefs Sooner Than Expected

A new University of Miami study has found that ocean acidification is already shrinking some reefs, the Miami Herald’s Jenny Staletovich reports.  Models had projected changes to start in 2050.

 

Sober Homes Invade Palm Beach County Suburbs

Palm Beach County homeowners say they’re living under siege from a clandestine invasion of sober homes — an incursion spawned by the gold rush of the lucrative addiction treatment industry.  Joe Capozzi reports for the Palm Beach Post.

  

Cruise Ship From Miami Docks In Cuba, Ending Decades-Old Freeze

The first cruise ship in nearly 40 years to sail across the Florida Straits from Miami to Havana docked in the Cuban capital on Monday, cutting a 90-mile ribbon of water that for years was a symbol of the political gulf between the two countries.  Victoria Burnett reports for The New York Times.

  

Speculation about Rick Scott as Trump Running Mate Increases

There are growing rumors that Florida Governor Rick Scott might be in the running for a higher-profile position than taking one of 100 seats in the U.S. Senate — that he could instead be the running mate for Donald Trump if the real-estate mogul clinches the GOP presidential nomination, as seems increasingly likely.  THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA’s Brandon Larrabee reports via the Tallahassee Democrat.

  

Putnam to Decide Whether to Run for Governor after November Elections

Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam is waiting until after the November elections to decide whether to run for governor in 2018, he said this weekend.  Jessica Bakeman reports for Politico Florida.

  

Orlando Still Top U.S. Destination

It’s a crowded world after all – at least in Orlando’s hotels and theme parks.  The Associated Press reports via FloridaPolitics.com.

  

Door Opens for Florida Cannabis and Hemp Research

 The next to last line of the medical marijuana bill this year allows Florida colleges and universities with agricultural programs to research Hemp and Cannabis, Mike Vasilinda reports for the Capitol News Service.

  

Redistricting Plaintiffs Seek Sanctions Against Corrine Brown

The winners of the congressional redistricting fight are seeking to make Corrine Brown pay for challenging them.  Jim Rosica reports for SaintPetersBlog.com.

  

Bill Addresses Insurance Industry Concerns over International Regulatory Proposals

Legislation filed Friday would require the Federal Reserve and Treasury Department to seek approval from Congress, feedback from state insurance regulators and comments from the public before assenting to proposals from the International Association of Insurance Supervisors, Bloomberg reports via the PCI Smartbrief.

  

Renters Dinged on Car Insurance

Good drivers pay more for auto insurance if they rent, rather than own their home, according to New Research by the Non-Profit Consumer Federation of America. Angie Moreschi reports for Bay News 9.

  

Seibels Expands Business Development Team, Hires Melissa Callahan to Market Claims Services

The Seibels Bruce Group, Inc., an insurance services provider of business process outsourcing solutions, is pleased to announce that Melissa Callahan has joined Seibels as an Account Executive within the claims division of the company, Seibels Claims Solutions.

 

 

 

 

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