Southeast News

Former Florida Insurance Commissioner, Agent and FAIA Chair Gunter Dies

Former Florida insurance commissioner, treasurer and Congressman Bill Gunter died Monday at his Tallahassee home. He was 89. “He was a strong, thoughtful public servant and pioneer in insurance regulation as commissioner of insurance, paving the way for future CFOs …

11 Injured When Bus Carrying Fraternity Members Blows a Tire in Mississippi

BAY ST. LOUIS, Miss. (AP) — Eleven people were injured when a bus carrying University of South Carolina students blew a tire and hit a concrete barrier in Mississippi. Mississippi state troopers said the driver and a student were critically …

Florida Panhandle Wildfire Destroys Home, Damages 15 Others

PENSACOLA, Fla. (AP) — A wildfire in the Florida Panhandle has destroyed a home and damaged at least 15 others. The Florida Forest Service said Friday that the blaze, which broke out Thursday near Pensacola, was now more than 60% …

Gunfight at South Florida Bar Leaves 2 Dead, 7 Injured

DORAL, Fla. (AP) — A gunfight at a suburban Miami bar left two people dead and seven injured early Saturday. Investigators said a fight between customers broke out around 3:30 a.m. at the Martini Bar in the CityPlace Doral development …

SC Bill, Passed by House, Would Let Captives Solve the Liquor Liability Squeeze

With one month left in the South Carolina legislative session, two bills designed to ease liquor liability insurance costs are evolving and moving forward. The state House of Representatives late last month voted 106-2 to approve House Bill 5066, which …

Higginbotham Continues Growth Spurt with Tennessee’s Thompson & Smith

Higginbotham, the large U.S. insurance brokerage, has added another arrow to its quiver with the acquisition of Thompson & Smith Insurance, an independent agency in Jackson, Tennessee. T&S, offering commercial and personal lines, was founded in 1998 with the merger …

Florida OIR Says Enhanced Data Reporting on Hurricane Ian Claims is Due April 17

The Florida Office of Insurance Regulation is reminding carriers that additional data is due April 17 on Hurricane Ian claims. All property insurers are required by law to submit the enhanced catastrophe reports, including additional claims and other data gathered …

Viewpoint: Florida Insurance Market on the Mend

Almost one year ago, on May 31, 2023, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed sweeping insurance reform legislation into law. At that time, the Florida insurance market was on life support. Homeowners’ insurance companies, stung by massive losses, were leaving the …

South Florida Crane Collapse Kills 1 Worker, Injuries People on Bridge

A construction worker was killed and three other people were injured when a crane section fell onto a bridge in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, heavily damaging cars that were crossing the bridge Thursday. The Miami Herald and other news sites reported …

Nationwide Wants 19% Increase in Auto Rates in West Virginia

Nationwide Insurance is asking West Virginia regulators for a 19% average rate increase on auto liability insurance, a move that could affect more than 27,000 insured drivers. The West Virginia insurance commissioner said in a bulletin this week that written …

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