LMA NEWSLETTER November 1, 2021

Everything I Learned in Kindergarten

On a recent trip to South Florida I found a protein smoothie shop open on an early morning.  As I pulled in the parking spot, I looked up and saw the warning sign reminder (at left) of what I should do before I exited my car.  I sat for a minute and reflected on what …

Boyd Leading on Consumer Reforms

Focus on ACV & solicitations

It’s week #4 of legislative committee weeks in Tallahassee, but the agenda is rather light this week on insurance issues.  The big news was last week, when the chair of the Senate Banking and Insurance Committee, Senator Jim Boyd (R-Bradenton) said he will file bills to further enhance consumer protections …

Legal Challenges to SB 76

New insight

So what of the current legal challenges to Florida’s new property insurance reform law, SB 76?   I had the pleasure to sit down recently with Jose Pagan, a former fraud regulator who is now one of Florida’s leading insurance defense lawyers.  He shared his views on the lawsuits filed by roofers and restoration …

Court Says No to Attorney Fees

Second case in a row

Many in Florida’s insurance industry say further consumer reforms wouldn’t be complete without tackling another cost-driver that didn’t make it into SB 76: attorney contingency fee multipliers.  Further proof came last week when an appeals court overturned a Miami-Dade County Circuit Court decision, finding the award of not only the …

Preventing Another Surfside Condo Collapse

New reports offer suggestions

Two new reports are out suggesting specific changes to how Florida’s high-rise buildings should be inspected and managed decades after they’re built.  The reports are based on studies and discussions in the aftermath of the Champlain Towers South condominium collapse in June that killed 98 people in Surfside, Florida.

The Florida …

Florida’s Economy Booming

Important indicators all up

Florida’s economy is entering the last two months of 2021 in great shape, with upward indicators in job growth, tax collections, real estate sales, and tourist visits. 

Job Growth: Florida’s economy gained 84,500 jobs in the month of September, including nearly 73,000 private-sector jobs.  September also marked 17 months of private-sector …

Return of a Legend

After 146 years of entertaining, The Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus shut down in 2017. At the time, it was suspected that the sudden decline in ticket sales which led to the closure was due, in part, to a rise in animal rights protesting.  The company had opted to remove elephants from its …