Court Question’s Insurance Office’s Claim to State Farm Sales Information

Florida Politics  Michael Moline A state appeal court panel appeared skeptical Thursday of the Office of Insurance Regulation’s arguments that trade-secrets protections don’t exempt State Farm Florida from having to turn over business information for public scrutiny. The judges wondered whether the plain language of the trade-secret exemption in Florida’s public records law doesn’t protect…

SENATE WORKSHOP MAKES THE CASE FOR AOB REFORM

SENATE WORKSHOP MAKES THE CASE FOR AOB REFORM   TALLAHASSEE, FL, (January 10, 2017) – The Personal Insurance Federation of Florida today applauded the Senate Committee on Banking and Insurance for holding a workshop on property insurance and the problem of non-catastrophe water claims and related “assignment of benefit” abuse. During today’s presentation, critical evidence…

Viewpoint: Hats Off to Citizens, But Reform Needed

Opinion – Steve Pociask What a difference a few years can make. Recent changes to insurance public policies have left homeowners better protected and given the state greater financial stability. Yet, there is still room for improvements, including changes that could dramatically reduce premiums for consumers. Over a decade ago, Florida property insurance market could…

Jeff Brandes Targets No-Fault Auto Insurance

State Sen. Jeff Brandes, wants to get rid of a car insurance requirement he says makes driving more expensive in Florida. On Tuesday, the St. Petersburg Republican filed legislation (SB 156) to repeal personal injury protection, or PIP, which covers minor accident claims, regardless of who was at fault. Required under state law since 1972, drivers…

Water Claims Could Lead To More Citizens Policies

CBSMIAMI.COM: Facebook | Twitter TALLAHASSEE (CBSMiami/NSF) – Increases in water-damage claims — primarily in South Florida — will likely reverse years of downsizing by the state-backed Citizens Property Insurance, board members were advised Wednesday as they approved a hike in the corporation’s operating budget. Citizens President and CEO Barry Gilway said efforts to shed policies have already slowed…

Jeff Brandes to File Flood Mitigation Bill

State Sen. Jeff Brandes says he will file legislation for the 2017 Legislative Session to fund flood mitigation in affected communities. The idea is to lower the cost of flood insurance by decreasing flood severity in areas covered by the National Flood Insurance Program’s (NFIP) Community Rating System. The legislation will create a matching grant program, in…