LMA NEWSLETTER July 1, 2019

My husband, who played football, baseball and basketball in his younger years (he is almost 70 now) has every ache and pain imaginable from being knocked around on some type of ball field.  Through the years I have noticed him talking to himself when he would get out of bed or stand up from a …

Insurance legislators consider model law to expand choice

Beginning today, mortgage lenders are required to accept private flood insurance coverage as an acceptable substitute to National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) coverage.  The NFIP is back in the news with a dubious new record: the average claim paid in 2017 surpassed $100,000.  It’s why private flood …

More schools likely to close as population declines

I was in Panama City and other parts of Bay County this past week as part of my regular post Hurricane Michael listening tour.  My visit, as usual, included meetings with local government officials and to volunteer where I could.  Hard hit Bay County has lost 25,000 …

by Mohammad Sherif, Esq.

The passage of House Bill 7065 brings with it widespread AOB reform to outline processes for dispute resolution under an assignment of benefits. For example, contractors and other service providers are required to provide insurance companies with at least 10 days’ notice of a dispute prior to filing a lawsuit. However, …

by Michael Packer, Esq.

While most of the news out of the 2019 Florida Legislative Session surrounding insurance has focused on House Bill 7065 and the wide-spread assignment of benefits (AOB) reform it promises, another piece of legislation that makes some big insurance-related changes – HB 301 – was signed by the governor June 18 …

Certain cases need not start in state court

Property owners now have the right to decide if certain land disputes with local governments can be heard in state or federal courts.  The U.S. Supreme Court recently ruled that property owners can skip local and state courts and sue directly in federal court for alleged private …

New economic report shows future is bright

Florida’s economy continues to outpace the nation and is evolving in ways that enhance the state’s long-run competitiveness, according to a new report by economists at Wells Fargo Securities.  Production, trade, employment, and home building are all up, despite hurricanes and other calamities, with the state poised to …

The Fourth of July—our country’s Independence Day—is this Thursday.  It has been a federal holiday in the United States since 1941, but the custom of Independence Day festivities dates back to the late 18th century and the American Revolution. The Continental Congress voted in favor of independence on July 2nd, 1776, and two days later, …