Articles by William Rabb

Rabb is Southeast Editor for Insurance Journal. He is a long-time newspaper man in the Deep South; also covered workers' comp insurance issues for a trade publication for a few years.

Florida Senate Committee Passes Reform Bill; Would Make Citizens ‘Noncompetitive’

A Florida Senate Committee spent about two hours Monday reviewing a sweeping property insurance reform bill before approving it along party lines – with no changes. All nine Republicans on the Senate Banking and Insurance Committee voted in favor of …

Florida Bills Offer Broad Attack on Insurance Costs: Legal Fees, AOBs, Reinsurance

After years of what some insurers have labeled half-measures, Florida lawmakers appear to be on the cusp of delivering “historic” and “transformational” reforms that would end one-way attorney fees, banish assignments of benefits and offer state-backed reinsurance at a discount. …

One Year Later: Kentucky Agency, Community Recovering from Powerful Tornado

A year ago Saturday, one of the most powerful tornadoes to hit the United States ripped through western Kentucky with 190-mph winds, destroying multiple homes, businesses, a candle factory, churches, a county courthouse and a city hall — along with …

Florida Ratings Crisis: Fannie and Freddie Agree to Accept Citizens-as-Backstop Plan

It took more than four months, but Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have now agreed to accept an innovative but temporary solution to Florida’s property insurer rating predicament. The mortgage-buying giants on Wednesday sent letters to primary mortgage lenders, notifying …

Florida Chamber Summit Panelists Confident Lawmakers will Stem Attorney Fees

If Florida lawmakers had any doubts about what reforms they need to consider at next week’s special legislative session, the Florida Chamber of Commerce’s Insurance Summit on Tuesday provided plenty of ideas. And most of the panel members expressed optimism …

Florida Session Agenda Calls for Claims Process Changes, More Oversight of Insurers

Florida legislative leaders posted a proclamation Tuesday painting the broad outlines of the special session scheduled to begin Monday, Dec. 12. And it quickly had tongues wagging around the industry. As expected, the proclamation from Sen. President Kathleen Passidomo and …

Update: Pickleball Explosion in Florida Creating New Hits and Misses for Insurers, Agents

If the insurance industry hasn’t noticed, the sport known as pickleball is exploding across the country, especially in Florida, where more than 15 indoor clubs, replete with air conditioning, cafes, locker rooms, video training and other amenities are planned or …

Update: Florida Consultant on Demotech Alternatives Faced Issues in Other States

A Mississippi-based consulting firm hired to figure out Florida’s insurance company financial rating conundrum has faced scrutiny in other states after audits found improper disbursement of funds, long delays in projects and other issues. Horne LLP, based in Ridgeland, Mississippi, …

Four Florida Cities in Top 10 Most Dangerous for Pedestrians, Affecting Insurance Costs

Six of the top 10 most dangerous cities for pedestrians are in the Southeast and four of those are in Florida, according to a report from an advocacy group that works for better planning and safer transportation designs. And the …

West Virginia High Court Issues Slew of Rulings – Some For, Some Against Insurers

The West Virginia Supreme Court has handed down four decisions that could affect insurers’ payouts in auto, homeowners and worker injury claims. Non-employee Covered In Ball vs. United Financial Casualty Co., the court found that the insurer must provide coverage …