Florida Underwriter March 2010
Cover Story
2010 Session Brings Danger, Opportunity
Florida lawmakers face-off this session amid the continuing problems of budget deficits, high unemployment, and a sluggish economy -- along with growing disenchantment from voters.
Features
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What's Driving Florida's High Auto Rates?
"Given Florida's hurricane problem, I can almost understand why our homeowners' insurance costs so much. But what's the deal with our auto insurance rates?"
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Citizens' Board Divided Over Borrowing
The state's largest property insurer -- Citizens Property Insurance Corp. -- has found itself on the defensive once again in the last few months.
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Florida's E&S Commercial Property Insurance Market Continues to Seesaw
No news is good news, so they say, and that applies in some ways to the current Florida E&S commercial property market.
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Florida's Health Insurance Plans Tailored to Our One-Size-Does-Not-Fit-All Populace
With daily reports of new information and proposed changes on comprehensive health- care insurance reform, it may be time to look at what is already available to Floridians.
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Florida PEOs Mind Their Own Business - Along With Their Clients - in Tough Times
Good news in today's economy is welcome in almost any form. Some days, just maintaining the status quo is a reason to cheer.
From the Editor
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Come on Down!
Kathy Baylis wants to buy you dinner. Well, maybe not you specifically. She is more interested in the big shots from up North.
People
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Gresham & Assoc. Announces Promotions
Gresham & Associates has announced promotions at two of its Florida offices.
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PMSI Hires Steenland
Maurice Steenland has joined PMSI of Tampa as vice president of informatics.
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Mohr Joins eBridge
eBridge Solutions has hired Steven Mohr as a national account manager for insurance clients and prospects in Florida and the northern half of the United States.
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PMSI Leader Honored
Kent Takemoto, MD, president of PMSI Settlement Solutions in Tampa, has been selected by LexisNexis Workers' Compensation Law Center for its Workers' Compensation Notable People 2009 award.
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Reid Takes Top Post at PuroClean
Lauren Reid has been named CEO of Ft.Lauderdale-based PuroClean.
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Peeters Goes Main Street
Steve Peeters, the former president and chief operating officer of Jacksonville-based Zurich Insurance Services, has joined The Main Street America Group as vice president, commercial lines product.
Company Notes
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NAIFA-Florida Hosts State Farm Agents, Carriers Meet-and-Greet Expo in Sarasota
In the wake of the recent agreement between State Farm Florida and the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation, NAIFA-Florida saw opportunity...
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BCBS at Walgreens
BlueCross Blue Shield of Florida is now accepted at all Take Care Clinics in the state.
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New Cyber Liability Program
Irwin Siegel Agency, Inc., has partnered with CNA NetProtect Essential to offer protection for organizations that rely on electronic data, computers, and networks to manage and disseminate information.
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The Blues Are Happy
The Florida Office of Insurance Regulation (OIR) has granted Blue Cross Blue Shield of Florida an 11-percent rate hike for its Cover Florida program.
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Citizens Releases Mitigation Report
The Actuarial & Underwriting Committee of Citizens Property Insurance Corp. has completed its pilot study on wind mitigation credits.
Business Trends
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What's Your Insurance Smartphone App-titude?
Smartphone users, particularly the zealous followers of Apple's iPhone, are passionate about their devices. After all, how many consumer products can transform into something totally new for a few extra dollars, or better yet, for free?
National Notes
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Bad Times Are Spurring Uptick in Bogus Insurance Plans
According to the Coalition Against Insurance Fraud, bogus health plans are spreading rapidly around the U.S., defrauding consumers desperate for affordable health coverage in a downturned economy.
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ACSI Survey Shows Mixed Results
A recent customer satisfaction survey conducted by the American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI) produced good and bad news for the insurance industry.
