Southeast News

Florida’s Citizens Seeks to Stem Flow of New Policies with Drastic Rate Changes

After holding off on approving its 2021 rates last month, Citizens Property Insurance Corporation’s Board of Governors has approved rate recommendations that the insurer says will make its rates more competitive with the private market to slow the flow of …

South Carolina County Suffers Cyberattack Against Computer Network

A coastal South Carolina county says hackers broke into its computer network over the weekend. A statement from Georgetown County’s local government Monday said the county’s computer network “suffered a major infrastructure breach over the weekend.” Most of the county’s …

Florida Introduces Bill to Protect Businesses from COVID-19 Lawsuits

Florida businesses would be protected from coronavirus lawsuits if they made a good effort to follow state-issued guidelines to prevent the spread of COVID-19 under a proposal approved Monday at its first Senate committee stop. While Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis …

Purmort & Martin Insurance Agency Acquires Jeff DeJongh & Associates of Florida

Sarasota, Fla.-based Purmort & Martin Insurance Agency, a locally owned insurance agency, has acquired Jeff DeJongh and Associates to further expand its presence in the region. Located in Sarasota, Fla., Jeff DeJongh and Associates is a property and casualty insurance …

Tennessee Reports Highest Number of Boating Deaths in 37 Years in 2020

Tennessee had 32 boating-related deaths in 2020, the most in 37 years, wildlife officials said. The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency reported an increase in traffic on the state’s lakes and rivers in 2020 as outdoor activities such as boating increased …

Hay Joins Sedgwick in Tennessee as Global Chief People Officer

Sedgwick, a provider of technology–enabled risk, benefits and integrated business services, has added Michelle Hay as global chief people officer. With more than 25 years of professional experience and a human resources leadership and consulting expertise, Hay will have executive …

Real Estate Developer The St. Joe Co. Forms Watersound Insurance Agency in Florida

The St. Joe Company, a Northwest Florida-based real estate developer and asset manager, has formed Watersound Insurance Agency, LLC, a new venture offering personal and commercial insurance services in Northwest Florida. St. Joe has entered into a co-broker agreement with …

Georgia Spending $200K a Year on Indicted Insurance Chief

Georgia taxpayers are spending nearly $200,000 a year in salary and benefits for an insurance commissioner who’s been suspended for nearly two years. When Insurance Commissioner John King presented his budget to lawmakers last week, it included $194,899 for “one-time …

Ex-Rep Hayes Pardoned by Trump for Role in North Carolina Insurance Bribery Scheme

A former North Carolina congressman and state Republican Party leader who lied to FBI agents about a bribery scandal received a pardon from outgoing President Donald Trump in his final hours in office. Federal authorities said ex-Rep. Robin Hayes participated …

Teen Accused of Stealing Nearly $1M from Georgia Supermarket

A suburban Atlanta teenager has been arrested on charges that he defrauded a supermarket where he worked of nearly $1 million over a two-week period. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports 19-year-old Tre Brown was arrested Jan. 14 by Gwinnett County police …

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