Capitol to Courthouse Florida Insurance Report: Wednesday, November 23

Nov 23, 2011

 

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


There are no insurance-related events scheduled for today.

 

 

Daily Florida Insurance-Related Bills Filed for 2012

 

SB 7028 relating to Open Government Sunset Review (“OGSR”)/Consumer Complaints and Inquiries/Florida Insurance Code or Workers’ Compensation Employee Assistance and Ombudsman Office by the Senate Committee on Banking and Insurance

Addressing a public records exemption for certain records from consumer complaints and inquiries regarding matters or activities regulated under the Florida Insurance Code or Workers’ Compensation Employee Assistance and Ombudsman Office, SB 7028 relates to provisions of law that would save the exemption from repeal under Florida’s OGSR Act.  The bill would also delete a provision providing for the repeal of the exemption. Effective Date: July 1, 2012

 

SB 7026 relating to OGSR/Personal Information and Policy Numbers in Personal Injury Protection and Property Damage Liability Insurance Policies by the Senate Committee on Banking and Insurance

SB 7026 would amend provisions of law relating to a public records exemption for personal identifying information and policy numbers in Personal Injury Protection and property damage liability insurance policies; saving the exemption from repeal under the OGSR.  The bill would also delete a provision providing for the repeal of the exemption.  Effective Date: July 1, 2012

 

HB 753 relating to Insurance by State Representative Doug Holder

HB 753 would provide for the application of a standard personal lines residential insurance policy to certain commercial lines residential property insurance policies.  Upon the written request of a claimant, insurers providing liability insurance coverage would have to disclose information to the claimant within specified time after the written request.  The bill would authorize surplus lines carriers to issue real or personal property coverage containing a coinsurance clause imposing liability on an insured.  Policies containing separate windstorm deductible or coinsurance provisions would be required to include disclosures in boldfaced type.  HB 753 would further void separate deductibles for hurricane or windstorm coverage if a policy fails to make disclosures relating to separate deductibles, and also provide that the applicable deductible in a policy reverts to all covered perils deductible.  The bill also specifies that policies containing commercial lines residential coverage must include specified statements relating to dwelling policy limits and deductibles.  Separate deductibles for hurricane or windstorm coverage would be voided if certain policies containing commercial lines residential coverage fail to make required disclosures relating to dwelling policy limits and deductibles.  Effective Date: July 1, 2012

 

 

Daily Insurance-Related News

 

Florida Wildlife Federation:  Subsidizing coastal development is risky to taxpayers, habitat

Despite there being 19 named storms this year, including Hurricane Irene which estimates suggest caused $10 to $15 billion in damages, Florida was once again spared this hurricane season.

 

Florida Wildlife Federation:  Reform of Citizens Property Insurance Corporation is welcome

Based on a request from Governor Rick Scott, management from Citizens Property Insurance Corp. is expected to submit a proposal to the Florida Cabinet with a plan to reduce Citizens’ size and risk.

 

News Release:  Universal Insurance Holdings, Inc. Announces That Universal Property & Casualty Insurance Company Has Written Its First Homeowners’ Insurance Policies in Georgia

Sean Downes, chief operating officer, commented, “UPCIC’s entrance into the Georgia homeowners’ insurance market marks the fifth state where UPCIC conducts business and continues our expansion beyond Florida.”

 

Opinion:  Reform of Citizens Property Insurance Corporation is welcome

Based on a request from Governor Rick Scott, management from Citizens Property Insurance Corp. is expected to submit a proposal to the Florida Cabinet with a plan to reduce Citizens’ size and risk.

 

New flood rating qualifies Tamarac for lower insurance premiums

Tamarac is moving on up – to a better flood rating

Recently, the city announced it had qualified for a Class 6 rating under the National Flood Insurance Program’s Community Rating System, CRS.

 

Florida House Speaker:  Every ‘major policy area’ will see ‘reductions’ in new budget

The Palm Beach Post reports that Florida House Speaker Dean Cannon says it is “certain that another round of belt-tightening is in order when lawmakers reconvene January 10.”

 

Blog:  Former state Representative Ron Brise to chair Florida Public Service Commission

Described by other commissioners as stable and diplomatic, former state Representative Ronald Brise will serve as chairman of the Florida Public Service Commission for a two-year term starting in January, reports the News Service of Florida.

 

THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA:  Gadsden County decision prompts more slots referenda

Lilly Rockwell of the News Service of Florida reports that a controversial decision this month by Gadsden County allowing voters to decide whether to have slot machines at the new Gretna horse race track has prompted several copycat efforts in other counties, despite questions over the legality of slots.

 

Former Republican Party Chair Jim Greer suing Senate President Mike Haridopolos

Former Republican Party Chair Jim Greer expanded his lawsuit against the state party Tuesday to include Senate President Mike Haridopolos just days after taking a sworn statement from Haridopolos.

 

Associated Builders and Contractors strengthens lobbying presence in Tallahassee

Associated Builders and Contractors of Florida has contracted the services of a large legal firm to head its lobbying efforts in Tallahassee for the 2012 legislative session.

 

Central Florida job growth concentrated in low-wage industries

In Florida, the leisure and hospitality industry, which has played a major role in the state’s 2011 job growth, does not always provide good wages and benefits to workers.

 

Hello, goodbye:  Staff come and go at Florida agencies

The Florida Department of Transportation named Richard Biter as assistant secretary for intermodal systems development.

 

Governor Rick Scott gives up on new job training program

A week after including a new job training program for unemployed workers in a proposed committee bill, Governor Rick Scott is giving up on the idea, at least for now.

 

Group of U.S. Senators Opposes Flood Coverage Mandate for Levee-Protected Areas

An intense effort is underway to have the Senate Banking Committee drop a provision in flood-insurance legislation that would require homeowners and businesses to purchase federal flood insurance even if their properties are protected by levees.

 

Louisiana Legislative Auditor Pushes for Access to Records

Louisiana Legislative Auditor Daryl Purpera has told the state’s Legislative Audit Advisory Council that he wants lawmakers to change state law in the wake of court rulings restricting his office’s access to information he said he needs.

 

Allstate Drops North Carolina Homeowners Who Insure Autos Elsewhere

Some North Carolina residents who insure their residences through Allstate are finding themselves dropped by the company for refusing to bundle their home and auto coverage.

 

New York City Personal Injury Protection Claims Costs Outpace Inflation

Crooked medical providers and dishonest drivers continue to bilk New Yorkers and their insurers, exposing numerous dents in the state’s no-fault-based system.

 

 

 

 

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