Fraud Pushing Up Premiums In Florida

By some accounts, Florida has the highest homeowner’s insurance rates in the country and rates keep rising, despite not having a major hurricane in the last decade. The culprit – a concentration of non-weather related water claims. In many cases, these claims are pushed along by unscrupulous contractors and attorneys. According to Citizens Property Insurance…

Sen. Thad Altman to Run for Florida House in 2016

Florida Sen. Thad Altman has filed to run for the Florida House seat now held by Ritch Workman, who cannot seek re-election because of term limits. Because of the Florida Senate redistricting process now underway, Altman’s current District 16 Senate seat will be on the ballot in 2016. But Altman, R-Rockledge, will not be able to seek re-election under Florida election…

A Tom Lee vs. Bill Galvano Fla Senate Primary?

Political junkies in Tampa Bay awaiting the redistricting process to finally wrap up a few months ago chattered about the prospect of an epic GOP primary fight between state Sens. Jack Latvala, R-Clearwater, and Jeff Brandes, R-St. Petersburg. The potential for such a battle-for-the-soul-of-the-GOP race seems to have ebbed, while the more common speculation is about another Yuuuuge…

Raschein Draws Challenger for House Seat

BY TIMOTHY O’HARA Citizen Staff tohara@keysnews.com Retired South Miami Dade County school teacher Artie Leichner will challenge State Rep. Holly Raschein in the 2016 general election. Leichner, a Democrat from Redland, is taking his first crack at politics in his quest for the House District 120 seat. District 120 includes the entire Florida Keys and a small…

Citizens Board Hailed for Taking Action to Curb Increase in Costly Water Damage Insurance Claims

Business leaders encourage lawmakers to rein in AOB abuse during 2016 session TALLAHASSEE, Fla., Dec. 9, 2014 – Citizens Property Insurance Corp. today took important steps toward addressing problems associated with fraudulent water damage claims that are resulting in higher insurance costs for its policyholders, particularly in South Florida. Citizens’ Board of Governors approved policy…