Latest Florida Headlines

All the headlines from our Florida Topic Page, ordered by recency.

Business Moves

May 22 2023 // American Financial Group, Crop Risk ServicesAmerican Financial Group Inc. and American International Group entered into a definitive agreement whereby AFG will purchase Crop Risk Services (CRS) from AIG. Under the terms of...

TypTap Insurance President Talks About Insurtech’s First Profit, Future

May 19 2023 // When HCI Group’s TypTap Insurance launched in 2016, it created a buzz in the industry and some skepticism, due to the company’s plan to rely heavily on mapping technology and property data. This month,...

Insurance Journal, Carrier Management & Claims Journal Staffs Win Awards of Excellence

May 17 2023 // Wells Media Group publications, online, research and podcasts have won a total of nine 2023 Azbee Awards of Excellence from the American Society of Business Publication Editors (ASBPE).“Being recognized by our...

Fla. Appeals Court Upholds Lawyer’s $104,000 Fine for Sabotaging Med Mal Trial

May 17 2023 // An attorney with one of Florida’s largest insurance defense firms must pay more than $100,000 in sanctions after deliberately trying to sabotage a medical malpractice suit in order to win a mistrial, a Florida...

Florida Insurance Agent Convicted in $6M Ponzi Scheme That Defrauded Investors

May 16 2023 // A federal jury has found a Sarasota insurance agent and financial consultant guilty of defrauding elderly Floridians out of $6 million, money that the victims believed was going to fund a life insurance startup known as...

More States Adopting Professional Standards for Public Adjusters

May 16 2023 // A movement to establish professional standards for public adjusters gained ground this year, with lawmakers in five states passing bills that impose new controls over a trade that already requires a license in 46...

More States Adopted Professional Standards for Public Adjusters This Year

May 16 2023 // A movement to establish professional standards for public adjusters gained ground this year, with lawmakers in five states passing bills that impose new controls over a trade that already requires a license in 46...

Florida Governor Signs Bill Limiting Skate Rink Liability

May 16 2023 // Florida’s governor has signed into law a bill that could help reduce premiums for the dwindling number of roller-skating rinks in the state.Senate Bill 1458, sponsored by state Sen. Clay Yarborough, R-Jacksonville,...

Some Florida Insurers Stop Altering Adjuster Reports, But Many Claims Still Not Paid

May 16 2023 // Even before the Florida Legislature adopted the Insurer Accountability Act of 2023, requiring insurers to stop altering independent adjusters’ damage estimates without providing transparency, a number of Florida...

Florida Jury Finds McDonald’s Liable for Hot McNugget that Burned Girl’s Leg

May 15 2023 // McDonald’s and a franchise holder are at fault after a hot Chicken McNugget from a Happy Meal fell on a little girl’s leg and caused second-degree burns, a jury in South Florida found in a case reminiscent of...

Want to Limit Roof Claims in Florida? Why Not a Roof Endorsement?

May 15 2023 // Editor’s note: The Florida Legislature’s 2023 regular session concluded May 5, but people in the property insurance industry continue to offer ideas for the state’s distressed market. Here’s one...

Florida Driver in 116-mph Fatal House Crash Sentenced to 27 Years

May 11 2023 // A Florida man who was driving his Tesla at least 116 mph (186 kph) before crashing into a house and killing two people in 2021 has been sentenced to 27 years in prison.Vaughn Mongan, 45, of Palm Harbor, was sentenced...

Flood Requirements, Condo Inspection Rules Revised in Fla. Bills Sent to Governor

May 11 2023 // When a bill passed at a December special session of the Florida Legislature required all Citizens Property Insurance policyholders to buy flood insurance, many owners in high-rise condominiums were outraged. Already facing...

Florida Could Study Use of Radioactive Gypsum on Roads if Bill Signed

May 10 2023 // Florida may study whether a radioactive waste byproduct of fertilizer production can be used to help build roads under a bill passed by the Legislature.The proposal, which awaits a signature from Republican Gov. Ron...

Disney Updates Lawsuit Against DeSantis to Add New Developments

May 10 2023 // Disney on Monday amended its free speech lawsuit against Gov. Ron DeSantis to add recent developments in the tit-for-tat fight between the entertainment giant and the Florida governor, such as a new law granting the state...

It’s Time to Roll up Our Sleeves and Rebuild the Florida Insurance Market

May 10 2023 // With the Florida legislative changes passed in December – prohibiting assignments of benefits and one-way attorney fees – there is now an opportunity to change the dynamic in Florida and create a more stable...

Light Duty or Scheme to Avoid Workers’ Comp Claim? Florida Appeals Court to Decide

May 9 2023 // Most people will be familiar with the posters at workplaces noting the number of days since a lost-time work injury.Well, there’s a dirty little secret behind that, one that helps employers avoid higher experience...

Florida-based Bankers Insurance Founder Menke Remembered for Entrepreneurial Spirit

May 8 2023 // Bob Menke, the man who founded St. Petersburg-based Bankers Insurance Co., one of the oldest property insurers in Florida, died last week at age 89.“The company that Bob founded in 1976 has grown into one of the...

The Impacts of Inflation: Uncertainty and Non-Modelled Loss

May 4 2023 // This post is part of a series sponsored by CoreLogic.Insurers affected by Hurricane Ian’s damaging path across Florida at the end of September 2022 faced operational, regulatory and statutory requirements for...

Florida Lawmakers Approve Expanded Wind-Mitigation Program

May 3 2023 // More rich and more poor residents will qualify for home-hardening grants under an expanded My Safe Florida Home measure approved by lawmakers.House Bill 881, if signed into law, will raise the wind-mitigation grant level...