Articles by Brent Kallestad

Crist Leads Scott in 2014 Governor’s Race Poll

Former Florida Gov. Charlie Crist holds a big edge over Republican Gov. Rick Scott among registered Florida voters in a hypothetical gubernatorial match-up in 2014, a new poll shows. Crist was favored by 50 percent while Scott was preferred by …

Property Insurance on Agenda as Florida Legislature Opens

New leadership now controls Florida’s Republican-led Legislature, where the loquacious Don Gaetz presides in the Senate and 33-year-old Will Weatherford steps into the biggest test of his political career as speaker of the 120-member House of Representatives. As the nine-week …

Florida Senate Leader to Insurers: Where Are Savings from PIP Reforms?

Key Florida lawmakers are running out of patience with the state’s fraud-plagued no-fault motor vehicle insurance system that has cost policyholders hundred millions of dollars. Senate President Don Gaetz , R-Niceville, told The Associated Press he isn’t persuaded that reforms …

Even Without Big Storms, Florida Property Insurance Costs Rise

Marco Tarafa was stunned to find that his homeowners’ policy is increasing by nearly $1,000 a year —all because inspectors couldn’t get into his attic, where there was no crawl space and about 24 inches of insulation. Tarafa was a …

Florida Gov. Scott Seeks Audit of Citizens Over Firings

Florida Gov. Rick Scott has asked Inspector General Melinda Miguel to investigate the recent firings of four Citizens Property Insurance Corp. employees responsible for keeping an eye on any internal wrongdoing at the state-backed insurer. In a three-paragraph letter, Scott …

Florida Insurers’ Filings on PIP Rates Due Today

Automobile insurers have until today to show Florida regulators how much, if at all, they plan on reducing rates on the personal injury protection, or no-fault, portion of drivers’ policies. This could mean that Florida’s drivers will save money on …

Florida Adjusters Win Free Speech Case Against 48-Hour Solicitation Rule

A 2008 Florida law establishing a 48-hour moratorium on public adjusters has been ruled unconstitutional by the Florida Supreme Court on grounds that it restricts commercial speech. The decision was a blow to the insurance industry and Chief Financial Officer …

Florida Governor to Visit Lloyd’s of London

Florida Gov. Rick Scott is jetting off for foreign soil again — this time to the United Kingdom. Scott and his entourage left Saturday on a five-day trip that will include a visit to the world’s leading market for specialist …

Citizens Delays Rate Hike for New Business

The governing board for Florida’s state-backed Citizens Property Insurance Corp. has at least temporarily backed off a proposal to begin charging rates for new business next year at rates higher than allowed by law. Although existing Citizens policyholders are protected …

Tampa Medical Firm Accused of End Run Around Florida’s New PIP Law

A Tampa company has sent fliers to chiropractors suggesting ways to capitalize on potential loopholes in new legislation aimed at denting the runaway fraud plaguing Florida’s mandatory motor vehicle no-fault law. The legislation (HB 119) — which hasn’t yet reached …