Florida fire insurance warning issued

When most people think of wildfires, there are many places that might come to mind but Florida usually isn’t one of them. Since the first of the year, Florida has had over 2,660 wildfires. Florida’s drought conditions coupled with low humidity and high winds have made ideal conditions for wildfires. The director with the Division of Forestry in Florida has issued several warnings and urged residents to follow county burn bans. Visitors to the states parks are also encouraged to check any burn bans that may be in affect before…

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Florida insurer asking for 27% rate hike

As insurers all over the country continue to receive criticism from policyholders, and even then federal government, many of them continue to seek rate increases. Fidelity National Property and Casualty Insurance of Jacksonville, Florida, is proposing a rate hike of 27%. The proposal is a move to recoup the monetary losses of last year, according to vice president John Giorgianni. State regulators are currently reviewing the proposal and it may be subject to additional review by the Department of Health and Human Services. Giorgianni insists that the rate hikes is…

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New limitations on Florida sinkhole insurance imposed

Florida Governor Rick Scott has signed off on a bill that will change the state’s property insurance regulations. The bill was proposed several months ago and has been the subject of controversy since its introduction. Opponents of the bill call its provisions “anti-consumer.” State officials, however, say that the bill is a necessary measure to combat fraud. The Governor approved the law only six days after it arrived on his desk, drawing the ire of a number of consumer advocacy groups who stood in opposition of it. The new law…

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Recent ruling sets presidence for future drywall lawsuits

A recent ruling by a Florida judge may set precedence for other possible lawsuits. A Florida couple sued their home insurer for refusing to pay for repairs needed after contaminated drywall used to build their home ruined electrical wiring, air conditioner coils and pipes.  The insurance company, based in Springfield Illinois, argued that the damages weren’t covered due to the “wear and tear” clause, and the “defective materials” clause. The judge deemed that the drywall material wasn’t defective because it could serve its function. However, because the drywall material also…

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Hopes that new Florida insurance bill will solve fraudulent sinkhole claims issue

Florida Insurance Commissioner feels certain that Governor will sign SB 408 into law. The bill pertains to property and casualty insurance and directly effects property insurance coverage and overhauling a system vulnerable to fraudulent claims. Property insurers have had to increase rates in efforts to keep up with mounting sinkhole claims, rising reinsurer fees and other issues that are pushing costs through the roof. However, with the passing of SB 408, much of that is likely to change. Bill 408 directly goes after what many insurers and several Lawmakers consider…

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