Latest Florida Headlines
All the headlines from our Florida Topic Page, ordered by recency.
Travelers Must Pay $2M for Yacht Lost in Irma: Florida Law Bars ‘Technicality’ Denials
Jun 28 2023 // Travelers must pay a $2 million claim by the owner of a 92-foot-long yacht that was sunk by Hurricane Irma because Florida law does not allow insurers to deny claims based on inconsequential technicalities. A panel of the...
Catholic Church in Florida Struck as Insurance Costs Soar Toward the Heavens
Jun 27 2023 // It seems that few are safe from soaring property insurance rates in Florida, not even those with strong connections to a higher authority. The Crux, a Catholic news outlet, reported that the Catholic Church’s...
FIGA Sells Muni Bonds to Keep Up with Insolvent Insurer Claims
Jun 27 2023 // The Florida Insurance Guaranty Association, which handles the claims of insolvent insurers, plans to borrow $600 million by selling municipal bonds, according to preliminary offering documents. It is the first time in...
Construction-Defect Subrogation on the Rise But it Just Became More Difficult in Florida
Jun 27 2023 // Florida lawmakers this year approved a measure that could help reduce liability insurance premiums for home and condo builders – and limit exposure and litigation for liability insurers. But Senate Bill 360, which took...
Florida Homeowner Charged for Double-Dipping on Kitchen Water Damage Claim
Jun 22 2023 // A homeowner in Florida has been charged with fraud after failing to report a previous claim on her house, the state’s Department of Financial Services said Wednesday. Nancy Salomon, of Port St. Lucie, applied for an...
Structured Settlement Cash-out Left Impaired Man with Little. Transamerica Not Liable
Jun 22 2023 // Transamerica’s annuity and life insurance units have dodged a bullet and are not liable for their roles in a mentally challenged man giving away most all of his lifetime structured-settlement benefits, a federal...
Fitch: US Insurance Market Forecast to Withstand Losses From Large Hurricane This Year
Jun 21 2023 // With ample capital, Fitch Ratings’ latest annual ‘U.S. Hurricane Season’ report indicates U.S. property and casualty (P/C) and reinsurers can absorb losses if a large hurricane makes landfall this...
Senator Says DeSantis’ Veto of Flood, Other Projects is Political Retaliation
Jun 21 2023 // Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has vetoed flood-control and other measures in central and west Florida and at least one Republican claims that it was retaliation for his support for the governor’s rival in the 2024...
Texas Panhandle Storm Blamed for 3 Deaths, Wrecked Mobile Homes and Main Street
Jun 19 2023 // PERRYTON, Texas (AP) – As Sabrina Devers watched what would turn out to be a deadly storm approach her ranch just north of the Texas Panhandle town Perryton, she first spotted golf ball-sized and then softball-sized...
Tornadoes, Strong Winds Caused Property Damage Across South
Jun 19 2023 // Damaging winds and possible tornadoes toppled trees, damaged buildings and blew cars off a highway Wednesday as powerful storms crossed the South from Texas to Florida to Georgia late last week. The National Weather...
Stalled Contract Jeopardizes Relations Between New Disney District and Firefighters
Jun 19 2023 // After appointees of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis took over Walt Disney World’s governing district earlier this year, its firefighters were among the few employees who publicly welcomed them with open arms. But that warm...
Florida Agents Optimistic About Market – and Don’t Fear the A.I. Reaper
Jun 19 2023 // ORLANDO – Just as some California insurance agents are expressing grave concerns about the future of that state’s insurance market, a number of Florida agents feel like they’ve turned something of a...
Florida High Court Allows Attorney Fees for Non-Prevailing Party in Tobacco Case
Jun 19 2023 // The Florida Supreme Court has underscored the right for plaintiffs to win legal fees in some cases, even if they don’t prevail in court. The decision suggests that insurance companies’ efforts to reduce...
Business Moves
Jun 19 2023 // National Specialty, Socius Insurance Services Ryan Specialty has signed a definitive agreement to buy national wholesale broker Socius Insurance Services from Abry Partners, employees, and other shareholders. Socius will...
Why Abuse Reforms Will Protect Florida’s Economy & Consumers
Jun 19 2023 // Florida’s legislature and Gov. Ron DeSantis took a big step forward during the 2023 Legislative Session with the signing of House Bill 837, which protects the state’s consumers and business owners from runaway...
Florida Judge Slams SFR Restoration Firm for Misrepresentation, Fraud in Tower Hill Case
Jun 19 2023 // SFR Services, a Florida restoration firm made famous by its volume of claims litigation and its charges that United Property & Casualty Insurance Co. had instructed desk adjusters to alter their estimates, now finds...
Farmers Halts Homeowners Policies in Florida
Jun 16 2023 // Farmers Insurance has confirmed it has halted sales of new homeowners policies in Florida just as the new hurricane season is getting underway. The insurer cited rising costs as the reason. “With catastrophe costs at...
Two Florida Pharmacies to Pay $7.4 Million to Resolve False Claims Act Allegations
Jun 16 2023 // Jacksonville’s Smart Pharmacy, Inc., SP2, LLC, and owner Gregory Balotin have agreed to pay at least $7.4 million to resolve lawsuits filed in Jacksonville, Florida, alleging they violated the False Claims Act by...
Five Dogs Killed in RV Fire Before Florida Dog Show
Jun 16 2023 // Five dogs were killed in an RV fire the day before a dog show was set to begin in Florida, officials said. The fire was first reported Tuesday afternoon at the Florida State Fairgrounds in Tampa, Hillsborough County Fire...
Florida Gov. Signs One Last Bill, Allowing Higher Deductibles, More Storm Models
Jun 14 2023 // One of the last property insurance-related bills to come out of the 2023 regular session of the Florida Legislature was signed into law this week, potentially saving insurers some cash, giving them some flexibility on rate...
