News
Consumer group slams proposed PIP law
Debate is heating up in the Florida Legislature on how to change the personal injury protection (PIP) part of auto insurance coverage. House staffers gave a briefing Monday on their plans, drawing criticism from consumer advocates.
Agencies May Get Citizens’ Policies
They operate outside the safety net that pays claims when insurers fail, are not subject to prompt payment rules and have no limits on rate increases, but surplus lines insurance companies could soon seize tens of thousands of policies from state-run Citizens Property Insurance Corp. under a bill moving quickly through the Florida Legislature.
Bill to reduce hurricane assessments breezes through Senate panel
Legislation that would all but eliminate regular assessments on homeowners’ policies in the aftermath of a catastrophic storm easily moved through the Senate Banking and Insurance Committee Thursday, passing with a unanimous vote.
Committee OKs bill to whack doctors fees
Saying now is the “right time to do the right thing,” Sen. Alan Hays successfully maneuvered a bill that would limit how much doctors can charge or repackaged drugs in the workers compensation system.
Cat Fund, Citizens need reform
The end of the year is often a time of reflection. Looking back on 2011, Florida, thankfully, avoided a hurricane landfall for an unprecedented sixth consecutive year. While this string of good luck won’t last indefinitely, the new year brings about an opportunity to reform Citizens Property Insurance Corporation and the Florida Hurricane Catastrophe Fund …
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Florida capital briefs: Supreme court rules against hospital on documents
The Florida Supreme Court today rejected arguments by a Pensacola hospital in a legal battle about turning over documents to an injured woman’s attorneys.
Surplus lines bill to shrink Citizens moving swiftly through Legislature
A bill to allow out-of-state surplus lines property insurance companies to take over policies of Citizens Property Insurance Corp. passed through two committees Thursday – one in the House, one in the Senate – and is now headed to the floor in both chambers, despite objections from some lawmakers that it does not include enough …
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House says goodbye to PIP
A House committee on Wednesday scrapped the personal injury protection (PIP) no-fault program by passing a bill that establishes Emergency Care Coverage instead.
Governor touts PIP changes in his 2nd State of the State address
Although the House and Senate appear worlds apart, Florida Gov Rick Scott urged lawmakers in his State of the State address Tuesday to tackle personal injury protection and make the rates more affordable for Florida motorists.
Senate and House PIP proposals could be on a collision course
The House and Senate are deeply divided on the breadth of changes that need to be made to the state’s personal injury protection program.
Florida insurance agents protest ‘medical loss ratio’ provision in health care law
TALLAHASSEE — Naples insurance agent Mark Fiacable says a part of the federal health care act destroyed his business and caused him to lose his home.
PIP and Citizens: Two challenges for legislators
Gov. Rick Scott wants lawmakers to fix a pair of auto and property insurance issues that are costing Floridians hundreds of millions of dollars but have eluded resolution for more than a decade.
Seismic reform needed for CAT fund
Looking back on 2011, Florida thankfully avoided a hurricane landfall for an unprecedented sixth consecutive year.
Report: Florida workers’ comp market ‘competitive’
The state’s annual report on workers’ compensation insurance says Florida’s market is “competitive,” and its availability is not a significant problem.
Bill: Florida would join national insurance compact
TALLAHASSEE — Florida would join a group of 41 other states that have already standardized requirements and application procedures for life insurance, long-term disability coverage and other insurance products, under a measure filed Tuesday and backed by industry representatives and state regulators.
