Over the past couple weeks I led virtual presentations ranging from the current use of Assignment of Benefits documents (yes they are still being used with a twist or two) to the importance of real estate agents and insurance agents in educating homeowners to protect themselves from floods. In these discussions, panelists and attendees expressed …
As damage estimates are tallied from Friday’s Hurricane Delta, our thoughts and prayers are with those in Louisiana and Mississippi who were caught in the storm’s path – the ninth named Atlantic storm to make landfall in the U.S. this hurricane season. Florida’s western Panhandle area received some rain …
So the question remains, how can we make flood insurance more available and affordable to more homeowners? On the heels of a new national private flood insurance model act, South Carolina has become the latest state to enact legislation to encourage a private market. I visited with South Carolina Insurance Director …
The judge in the disbarment trial of South Florida plaintiff insurance lawyer Scot Strems has recommended to the Florida Supreme Court that Strems be suspended for two years, followed by one year of probation with special monitoring, plus costs and fees. Eleventh Judicial Circuit Court Judge Dawn Denaro in her final Referee …
The Scot Strems cases are prompting broader interest and review by state policymakers. The Florida Legislature’s research service is now examining homeowner and auto insurance fraud in Florida and whether it’s being effectively prosecuted. The project by the Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability (OPPAGA) was prompted by …
After a sharp slow-down in real estate activity this past spring due to the coronavirus pandemic, home sales have rebounded strongly due to pent-up demand, with South Florida realtors reporting particular interest from folks up north wanting to move to the Sunshine State.
Home sales records are being set all over …
(Editor’s note: This is the final of a three-part series on the six proposed state constitutional amendments that will appear on the November 3 ballot for Florida voters to consider. View part one and part two.)
Amendment 5 is titled “Limitation on Homestead Assessments.” It would …
The Halloween season has finally arrived, and in a year where time has seemingly run amuck, let us give pause to celebrate the beauty of fall in our great Sunshine State. While we may not have the classic New England fall colors and cold weather, we can always pay a visit back to nature for …
