Monthly Archives: <span>May 2005</span>

Guilty Pleas Entered for Fake Claims

Three of 14 Miami-Dade County, Fla., residents have pled guilty to mail fraud, wire fraud and filing a false claim of damage done by Hurricane Frances. They claimed to the Federal Emergency Management Agency that $156,354 worth of personal property …

N.C. Chiropractor Receives 28 Months

A chiropractor who operated clinics in Greenville and Raleigh, N.C., has been sentenced to 28 months in prison and ordered to pay $372,000 to insurance companies he defrauded in a billing scam. Steven Ira Cohen, 52, was handcuffed by federal …

Ala. Motel Settles Complaint

A Budget Inn motel owner in Crestview, Ala. has agreed to pay $10,000, plus restitution, to settle a complaint filed by Florida Attorney General Charlie Crist, claiming that it doubled its rates for victims fleeing Hurricane Frances. Don Anchors, the …

Fla. Initiates Fradulent Claim Fast-Tracking

Florida drivers who participate in a staged crash, regardless of whether they file a fraudulent insurance claim, now will not only face a minimum of two years in prison but will also lose their driving privileges if convicted. Florida’s Chief …

Fla. OKs Funds to Fight PIP Fraud

Florida’s Chief Financial Officer Tom Gallagher thanked legislators for approving his request for funding to add more law enforcement investigators to fight PIP fraud and workers’ compensation fraud, and a dedicated prosecutor to take on the expected increase in arrests. …

FLA. DFS LICENSES INTENDANT BROKERAGES

Bruce K. Howson, Intendant Hold-ing Corporation president and CEO, announced that the Florida Department of Financial Services has issued an operat-ing license to IHC’s reinsurance brokerage subsidiary King’s Bay Reinsurance Intermediaries Inc. and King’s Bay Insurance Services Inc., a principle …

KISSIMMEE LAKE DRAWDOWN UNDERWAY

In anticipation of the upcoming hurricane season, Florida water management officials have begun their annual drawdown of 17 lakes in the Kissimmee Basin, near Orlando. Bill Graf, a spokesman for the Tohopekaliga Water Management District said last year’s drawdown of …

“TAX HOLIDAY” FOR HURRICANE SUPPLIES

Gov. Jeb Bush indicates he intends to sign House Bill 6001, creating a 12-day tax holiday during which “certain” hurricane supplies will be exempt from Florida’s 6 percent sales tax. After the governor signs the measure Florida residents won’t have …

STATE FARM TO WRITE HOMEOWNERS, BUSINESS POLICIES

As of May 1, State Farm Insur-ance began accepting applications from West Virginia homeowners and businesses for new insurance policies. The company is the largest property and casualty insurer in West Virginia and in the U.S. In July 2002, State …

ALLSTATE TESTING ‘YOUR CHOICE’

A new auto insurance plan introduced by Allstate Corp. in Tennessee attempts to drive the market away from a price obsession and refocus attention on products and features. Called the “Your Choice” option, the plan promises Tennessee policyholders it will …