Latest Florida Headlines
All the headlines from our Florida Topic Page, ordered by recency.
Fla. Lawmakers Urged: Stick to Key Issues
Dec 3 2004 // When the Florida Legislature meets in special sessions in December lawmakers should focus on the most pressing matters facing more than 1.2 million commercial and residential property owners and leave less urgent concerns...
Gov. Bush Urges Fla. Legislators to Discuss Multiple Deductibles, Repair Work
Dec 1 2004 // Florida Gov. Jeb Bush vowed to urge the Florida Legislature, during upcoming sessions before Christmas, to solve citizens concerns about multiple insurance deductibles, repair work and property taxes. The governor visited...
Task Force Formed to Improve Citizens’ Services in Fla.
Dec 1 2004 // A 13-member joint task force has been created in Florida to recommend improvements in the operation of the Citizens Property Insurance Corporation which would improve customer service and returning policies to the...
Floridians Can Anticipate State-wide Premium Hikes
Nov 30 2004 // Florida homeowners can expect an 8.3 percent statewide increase in the cost of homeowner’s insurance, Bob Lotane, spokesman for the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation told the Bonita News. He said worst-hit areas...
FEMA Notes Record Aid for 2004 Hurricane Season
Nov 30 2004 // The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) reported this week that a record $4.27 billion in FEMA disaster funds have been expended to date to aid people and communities...
Study Finds Medical Costs Driving Up Auto Injury Claims
Nov 30 2004 // A new study by the Insurance Research Council (IRC) finds that claimed losses for auto injuries have escalated at vastly different rates across four states with no-fault auto insurance regulations. From 1997 to 2002, the...
Fla. Legislature to Consider Changing Multiple Deductible Rule in December
Nov 29 2004 // In December the Florida Legislature will consider changing the state’s multiple-deductible rule during future hurricane seasons. The legislature is considering eliminating multiple deductibles for future hurricane...
Fla. Employer of Workers Killed at July Construction Site Accident Charged with Fraud
Nov 26 2004 // The employer of two workers killed in a July construction accident on a Hobe Sound work site has been arrested and charged with workers’ compensation fraud, Florida’s Chief Financial Officer Tom Gallagher...
FEMA Paid $28M Bogus Claims in Dade County, Fla.
Nov 24 2004 // The Florida Legislature has asked for an investigation on $28 million in illicit insurance claims paid for damage done by Hurricane Frances in Miami and Dade County, an area barely touched by the hurricane. U.S. Rep. Clay...
PIA of Fla. Board Honors Cobb, Silverman, Fowinkle
Nov 23 2004 // Dave Cobb, Ron Silverman and Bob Fowinkle were honored by the Professional Insurance Agents of Florida (PIA) board of directors during a meeting this week in Hutchinson Island, Fla. Mark O’Connell, PIA executive vice...
Fla. Cabinet Issues Emergency Rule: Extends Moratorium to Dec. 31 for Unrepaired Homes
Nov 23 2004 // Gov. Jeb Bush and members of the Florida Cabinet have approved an emergency rule extending the moratorium to Dec. 31 and banning insurance companies from canceling or non-renewing insurance policies for victims whose homes...
Fla. Agent Faces Felony Charges for Stealing Premiums
Nov 22 2004 // A Florida property insurance agent with customers in Hardee, Polk and DeSoto counties faces several felony charges stemming from allegations that he stole insurance premiums from homeowners and never secured property...
Moratorium Ends Nov. 30: Fla. Officials to Watch Non-renewals, Cancellations
Nov 22 2004 // Florida’s moratorium prohibiting insurers from canceling or non-renewing policies ends Nov. 30, and homeowners are bracing for notification letters. Tom Gallagher, Florida Chief Financial Officer, said his department...
Claims Mediation Meetings Begin in Four Fla. Cities
Nov 22 2004 // Mediation meetings began Monday in Punta Gorda, Orlando, Jupiter and Pensacola to provide Floridians with a process to quickly and fairly settle disputes with insurance companies, at no cost to them. To date, more than...
FAIA Convention Topic: “Power of One”
Nov 18 2004 // The “Power of One” will be the focus of the Florida Association of Insurance Agents (FAIA) 101st Anniversary Convention and Education Symposium scheduled June 23 to 25 in Orlando at the Gaylord Palms Resort and...
Fla. Commissioner Warns Adjusters Not to Discourage Consumer Complaints
Nov 18 2004 // Responding to complaints that some insurance company adjusters may reportedly be discouraging consumers from contacting the Florida Department of Financial Services for help with a complaint or with filing a hurricane...
OIR Orders Citizens to Review Fla. Rates
Nov 18 2004 // The Florida Office of Insurance Regulation has issued an order to the Citizens Property Insurance Corporation (Citizens) to conduct a review of its rates to assure they meet statutory guidelines. The Legislature ordered...
La. DOI Final Estimate of Hurricane Ivan Damages Totals Nearly $7.9 Million
Nov 17 2004 // Commissioner of Insurance Robert Wooley announced that the Louisiana Department of Insurance’s final estimate of Hurricane Ivan damage in Louisiana is $7,868,750.00. That figure is based on a reported 3,760 claims...
Fla. AG Issues Subpoenas to 11 Insurers
Nov 16 2004 // Florida Attorney General Charlie Crist on Tuesday issued subpoenas to 11 insurance companies as part of an ongoing investigation into the business practices of the insurance industry. The subpoenas seek documents and...
Nationwide Estimates Florida Hurricane Losses at $850 Million Pre-Tax
Nov 15 2004 // Ohio-based Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company and its P/C affiliates have issued an estimate of the losses and loss adjustment expenses from Hurricanes Charley, Frances, Ivan, and Jeanne of approximately $850 million on a...
