Capitol to Courthouse Headliners: Thursday, June 24

Jun 24, 2010

 

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State Farm to ‘non-renew’ Fla. Homeowners   

State Farm, citing exposure to possible hurricane damages, says it is dropping property insurance coverage of more than 100,000 Florida residents.

 

Towers Watson Boosts Florida Operations with Betz, Stofko 

Strengthening its presence in the Florida property/casualty market, global professional services company Towers Watson has appointed two industry veterans with experience in the state.

 

News Release:  Universal Insurance Holdings, Inc. Subsidiary UPCIC Completes 2010-2011 Reinsurance Program

Universal Insurance Holdings, Inc. announced the completion by Universal Property & Casualty Insurance Company, the Company’s wholly-owned regulated insurance subsidiary, of its 2010-2011 reinsurance program effective June 1, 2010.

 

Even though home is literally a fortress, St. Pete owners still lose insurance

Five years ago, local contractor Jim Kuhnsman built a hurricane-resistant fortress in St. Petersburg for his family.

 

Drywall decisions in favor of Florida homeowners portend a trend

Attorney says SW Fla. clients should benefit

A flurry of settlements and favorable verdicts for homeowners with defective Chinese drywall bodes well for homeowners in Southwest Florida and the rest of the state, an attorney who represents hundreds of Florida homeowners said Wednesday.

 

Insurance Agent Commentary:   Facing the 2010 hurricane season without property reform

Today we find ourselves at the start of what is predicted to be another active storm season following our governor’s latest veto of the much needed property reform legislation.

 

Fla. deputy faces theft, insurance fraud charges

A South Florida sheriff’s deputy allegedly filed a fake accident report to recoup the costs of two concert tickets.

 

Red-light camera citations in Collier County plummet from 5,400 in a month to 650 after right-on-red eliminated

Collier County’s red-light camera program has generated nearly 35,000 citations since its 2009 inception, peaking with 5,401 in April alone.

 

Medicare plans surge 9% in FL

For the first time, Florida has more than 1 million Medicare beneficiaries enrolled in managed-care plans, according to data released Tuesday by the Kaiser Family Foundation.

 

Loophole may let Florida’s ‘mini-med’ health insurance policies off the hook

The low annual payout limits on skimpy health plans, including the state’s own “Cover Florida” program, are supposed to go away in September under new federal rules released Tuesday afternoon. But a close reading of the rules shows some wiggle room.

 

News Release:  Governor Crist Authorizes Relief for Condominium Residents

Governor Charlie Crist today signed Senate Bill 1196, regarding condominium community associations.  Governor Crist praised the legislation for providing relief to communities facing financial strains in the current economy and incentives to buyers seeking to purchase condominiums.

 

Spill boon to SW Fla. companies

Some making money off of cleanup efforts

Local governments are spending millions to respond to the Gulf oil spill, and some Southwest Florida companies are using the opportunity to increase business.

 

Mortgage broker licensing rules to get tougher

New rules for mortgage license applications take effect later this year that require annual criminal background and credit report checks

After years of lax licensing requirements, all mortgage brokers in Florida — including those who may have just submitted an application — will have to reapply under more probing criteria later this year.

 

Proposed ‘Energy Economic Zone’ plan draws criticism

‘Green’ area may hurt state park, environmentalists say

Although the county describes it as eco-friendly “green,” environmentalists, controlled growth advocates and wildlife enthusiasts see fire-alarm red.

 

Tallahassee area native named U.S. Attorney

An attorney who grew up in the Tallahassee area is the new top federal prosecutor for North Florida.

 

Governor Crist Appoints Interim Secretary of the Florida Department of Elder Affairs

Governor Charlie Crist appointed Charles T. “Chuck” Corley of Tallahassee as Interim Secretary of the Florida Department of Elder Affairs, effective June 22, 2010.

 

Crist Blames Late Florida Citrus Commission Appointments On Lack of Applicants

A spokesman for Gov. Charlie Crist attributed his tardy appointments to the Florida Citrus Commission to not getting enough applicants for each seat.

 

New showdown looming between Crist and Legislature

A battle over proposed redistricting amendments is turning into an extraordinary legal fight between members of Congress, the Republican-controlled Florida Legislature, Gov. Charlie Crist and even a former governor.

 

Trial lawyers, union and Democratic loyalists are helping fund Crist in U.S. Senate race

By bolting from the Republican Party, Gov. Charlie Crist has one place left to raise big money in his race for the U.S. Senate: Democrats.

 

Third-party candidates gaining ground

Independents like Crist, Chiles are challenging Florida’s traditional two-party system

One is a long-time Republican and the other is the son of a Democratic governor. But now, Gov. Charlie Crist and would-be governor Bud Chiles are leading an unlikely cause: Candidates running without the infrastructure of the major parties – or any party at all.

 

Walt Disney Co. to offer high-end homes

Walt Disney Co. has changed homebuilding strategies by offering sites for 30 custom homes this year priced at $1.5 million to $8 million on Walt Disney World property as part of a new Four Seasons luxury resort that’s under construction.

 

News Release:  Baptist Hospital to Dedicate Maternity Waiting Area in Name of The Dosal Family Foundation

The Dosal Family Foundation will be recognized for its $250,000 donation to Baptist Hospital today, Thursday, June 24, 2010, at 1 p.m.

 

Lawmakers agree on scope of federal insurance office

House and Senate conferees working on a compromise financial services reform bill have reached agreement on the scope of a proposed insurance office within the Treasury Department.

 

Catastrophe Bonds Slump as Hurricane Forecasts Spook Buyers

Catastrophe bonds, used by investors to bet against natural disasters, have slumped the most since 2008 as forecasters predict a busier-than-usual Atlantic hurricane season.

 

RMS Hires Rao as Senior VP

Risk Management Solutions has appointed Dr. Guru Rao to the role of senior vice president, Portfolio Solutions Product Marketing.

 

State Farm To Speak With Scruggs In Prison

State Farm will visit Kentucky on Tuesday to speak with longtime nemesis, former attorney Richard “Dickie” Scruggs.

 

Offshore Insurer Tax Debate Takes To YouTube With Dueling Videos

A group of domestic insurers has responded to a YouTube video opposing an offshore insurer tax increase with its own video in support of the measure.

 

 

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