Michael Moline, Author at Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Michael MolineOctober 12, 2016

Homeowners filing insurance claims following Hurricane Matthew might want to consider obtaining an independent appraisal of their storm damage. That advice Wednesday from two plaintiffs lawyers, one of whom is handling insurance claims arising from the recent floods in Louisiana, which he said provides a “snapshot” of what Florida can expect during the Matthew claims […]

Michael MolineOctober 12, 2016

Insurance claims related to Hurricane Matthew are arriving in earnest now — more than 39,000 of them as of Wednesday. The exact number, according to the Florida Department of Insurance Regulation, was 39,302. Estimated losses stood at $218 million. Of the total claims, 650 had been closed with payments to the policyholders; another 1,027 were closed without payments. […]

Michael MolineOctober 11, 2016

State regulators approved a 5.5 percent increase in water rates Tuesday for residents of a Pasco County retirement community. But Utilities Inc. of Florida can apply the new rates only after it switches from its own discolored, malodorous and nasty-tasting supply to cleaner county water. The new rates will amount to $48,235 per year — […]

Michael MolineOctober 10, 2016

Citizens Property Insurance Corp. was quick to warn policyholders against signing away their rights in exchange for quick repairs following Hurricane Matthew. Meanwhile, the company announced the opening of two emergency operations centers to assist policyholders on the Space Coast. Florida’s insurer of last resort issued a press release Sunday urging policyholders to call the company […]

Michael MolineSeptember 30, 2016

State regulators approved premium increases Friday for commercial policies issued by Citizens Property Insurance Corp., including a nearly 12 percent increase for condominium association common property in wind-vulnerable coastal areas. Premiums on those policies would increase by 11.9 percent effective Feb. 1. Citizens had sought an increase of 12 percent. Multi-peril policies for other condo […]

Michael MolineSeptember 30, 2016

A policyholder forced to file suit to get her insurer to repair sinkhole damage is entitled to recover her litigation costs from the company, the Florida Supreme Court has ruled. The Omega Insurance Co. paid more than $200,000 for the repairs only after homeowner Kathy Johnson hired counsel to press a legal claim. The company finally […]

Michael MolineSeptember 29, 2016

Hillary Clinton enjoyed a slim lead over Donald Trump in a Public Policy Polling survey of Florida voters released Thursday. Meanwhile, U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio extended his lead over Democrat Patrick Murphy in their race to seven points when respondents were asked to choose between the two and Libertarian Paul Stanton. Rubio pulled 42 percent […]

Michael MolineSeptember 28, 2016

Will next year’s legislative battle over workers’ compensation rates prove so all-consuming that other state priorities starve for attention? Fears that it might emerged during the quarterly board meeting this week of Citizens Property Insurance Corp., which wants the Legislature to clamp down on the assignment of benefits agreements blamed for driving up its own […]

Michael MolineSeptember 28, 2016

The directors of Florida’s property insurer of last resort voted Wednesday to recalibrate consumer incentives to discourage policyholders from ceding damage claims to third parties, including attorneys and contractors. Under new incentives, Citizens Property Insurance Corp. would pay for initial repairs to non-weather-related water damage — removing any water and drying out the property. These […]

Michael MolineSeptember 27, 2016

Florida employers knew a significant increase in workers’ compensation premiums was coming. That didn’t soften the blow that landed Tuesday, when the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation approved a 14.5 percent average premium hike on new and renewal policies, effective Dec. 1. “Since the decision by the Florida Supreme Court on the Castellanos case to […]

Michael Moline
Vladimir Putin has one big caveat for any peace talks with Trump. Image via AP.

Plaintiffs lawyers advise independent appraisal of Matthew damage

Hurricane Matthew-related insurance claims surpass 39,000

Water rate hike approved for Pasco community, but with big string attached

Citizens Insurance, regulators warn of fraud post-Hurricane Matthew

Regulators approve increases in Citizens Insurance commercial premiums

Insurer that denied sinkhole claim must pay policyholder’s attorney fees

PPP Florida poll gives slim lead to Hillary Clinton, 7 points to Marco Rubio

Citizens Insurance fears being left in lurch during workers’ comp fight

Citizens Insurance juggles incentives in managed repair program

Florida business up in arms about 14.5 percent worker comp rate hike