Florida Underwriter October 2009
Cover Story
Workers' Compensation Today -- New Rates, New Reckoning
The repressed economy, record unemployment, and a polarizing health-care debate have pushed workers' compensation insurance off the radar screen in Florida -- perhaps too soon.
Features
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Dealing With That Sinking Feeling
We had sinkhole damage and, thankfully, had the proper insurance to cover the repairs. So, now I'm thinking of dropping optional sinkhole coverage since the damage has been done and it's unlikely to reoccur.
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Citizens Still Looms Large
Florida's largest property insurer is showing little signs of getting smaller anytime soon.
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Charlie's Big Bailout
Webster's Dictionary defines a demagogue as "a leader who makes use of popular prejudices and false claims and promises in order to gain power."
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Q&A With Bill Gunter
If you need the expertise of a key figure in the history of the Florida insurance industry, look up Bill Gunter.
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Stretching the Consumer Safety Net
The manmade and natural disasters of the past several years have brought new meaning to the catch phrase "safety net."
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Buying or Selling? Think Local
Florida independent agents and brokers contemplating mergers or acquisitions are at a crossroads -- a seminal moment in time that brings an end for some and a profound new beginning for others.
From the Editor
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Can You Hear Us Now?
At a September meeting with the Florida Cabinet, Insurance Commissioner Kevin McCarty said what the insurance industry has been saying for some time -- homeowners' insurers doing business in Florida are losing money.
People
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Health Underwriters Seat New Board
The Tampa Bay Association of Health Underwriters (TBAHU) has announced its 2009-2010 board of directors.
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PMSI Appoints Daugherty
Lori Daugherty has been appointed president of the pharmacy division of PMSI in Tampa.
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Shertenlieb Joins McAuley Woods
Catherine Shertenlieb, CIC, has joined the marketing team at McAuley Woods & Associates in West Palm Beach.
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Unisource Expands, Hires
Unisource Program Administrators (UPA), a workers' compensation wholesaler with a processing office in Sarasota, has expanded services nationwide with A-rated carriers and licensure in all 50 states.
FSLA
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A Conversation With FSLA President Bruce Bowers
The surplus lines industry wrote just over $37 billion in property and casualty premium nationwide in 2008.
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Florida Tops Nation in E&S Written Premium
Despite the dismal nationwide economic trends, Florida's surplus lines insurance market still managed to show some signs of strength this year.
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Keeping Us Safe on the Roads
The mission of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is to reduce large truck and bus crashes, fatalities, and injuries nationwide.
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How to Work With an E&S Broker
In a perfect world, a retail agent would be able to place all of his business in the admitted marketplace.
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Adjusters Get Back to Basics
The recent signing of HB 853 by Gov. Charlie Crist has had an interesting effect on the adjustment of losses for the E&S market.
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FSLA 2009 Convention Report
The Florida Surplus Lines Association (FSLA) returned to one of its favorite locations for its 2009 convention -- the Boca Raton Resort & Club in Boca Raton.
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Essex v. Zota -- A Look Back
When the Essex v. Zota decision was rendered in June 2008, the surplus lines industry was shaken to its very foundation by its implications.
Company Notes
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FCCI Named Top Company by AARP
Sarasota-based FCCI Insurance Group has been named to the 2009 AARP Best Employer for Workers Over 50 list.
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Ascendant on the Rise
Ascendant Commercial Insurance Inc., of Miami, is assuming some 15,000 policyholders from First Commercial Insurance Co. (FCIC) and First Commercial Transportation and Property Insurance Co. (FCTPIC).
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Florida High on Uninsured List
In Florida, an average of 3.7 million people lacked health coverage over the last three years, as poverty increased in the state and median income fell, according to recently released U.S. Census Bureau survey data.
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Help Wanted?
Insurance Commissioner McCarty issued an Immediate Final Order to Peck & Peck, Green Cross Managed Health, and Depawix Health Resources to immediately cease and desist transacting the unauthorized marketing and selling of health insurance.
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Fraud Increases in 2008
A recently released analysis by the Florida Division of Insurance Fraud that details the impact of insurance fraud in the state and globally said that "the increase in insurance fraud is indisputable."
Business Trends
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Generation Next Is Now
Insurance sales agent jobs are projected to increase nationally by 13 percent (436,000 to 492,000) between 2006 and 2016, according to the 2008-09 edition of the Occupational Outlook Handbook, U.S. Department of Labor.
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Trending & Most Popular
Events
17th Annual America’s Claims Event
When: June 19-21, 2013
Where: Austin, Texas
The ONLY industry event where senior managers, practitioners & experts involved with claims operations can get the insight they need to implement effective and tactical strategies for their claims handling process.
