Outgoing Insurance Commissioner Looks Back

By Jim Turner The News Service of Florida Published: Sunday, June 12, 2016 at 10:49 p.m. TALLAHASSEE — Kevin McCarty, Florida’s longtime insurance commissioner, is leaving the Office of Insurance Regulation during the first week of July. McCarty oversaw the insurance industry through the unprecedented 2004 and 2005 hurricane seasons and a global recession. But…

Shady Lawyers are Exploiting Loopholes in Property Insurance Policies

JAX Times Union Opinion Lead Letter: Shady lawyers are exploiting loopholes in property insurance policies By Michael Carlson, president, Personal Insurance Federation of Florida Fri, Jun 10, 2016 @ 3:31 pm Last year, Florida broke a record by going 10 straight years without a major hurricane. But not everything is calm as we enter this…

More Redistricting Drama: State Sen. Joseph Abruzzo, State Rep. Kevin Rader Swap Races

George Bennett – Palm Beach Post – June 10,2016 State Sen. Joseph Abruzzo, D-Boynton Beach, and state Rep. Kevin Rader, D-Delray Beach, are switching races less than three weeks before Florida’s candidate qualifying deadline. The maneuver comes 16 days before Florida’s June 24 deadline for candidates to submit paperwork and pay filing fees to secure their places…

More Private Insurance Available For High-Risk Coastal Properties In The U.S., According To Latest I.I.I. Residual Markets White Paper

Florida’s State-Backed Residual Policy Count Drop Drives 14 Percent Decrease Nationally June 6, 2016 NEW YORK, June 7, 2016 — High-risk coastal property owners in the United States are increasingly able to buy coverage from private-sector insurers, thereby reducing the exposure of state-run residual property insurers, according to the Insurance Information Institute (I.I.I.) The I.I.I.’s…

Report: Florida Insurers’ Ability to Respond to Next Catastrophe ‘Uncertain’

Ron Hurtibise  Sun Sentinel The ability of Florida’s young homeowner insurance companies to manage a large catastrophic hurricane is “uncertain” despite recent strong financial performance, a new Fitch Ratings analysis asserts. The report released last week, “Florida Homeowners Insurance Market Update: No Time for Complacency Following Hurricane-Free Decade,” says the short history and lack of…

Florida Voters Have Chance to Reshape Congressional Delegation

Tallahassee Democrat Paula Dockery, Syndicated columnist At every election, voters have the chance to make their voices heard but during 2016 balloting they have the opportunity to cause a massive shift in the direction we’re going—especially in Florida. The national election—driven by the presidential race—has illustrated the intensity of voter dissatisfaction toward the two-party system,…