United States Senators Bill Nelson (D-Fla.) and Mary Landrieu (D-La.) filed legislation last week to recall and ban the use of Chinese drywall in the United States. 


Read More Chinese Drywall – Two U.S. Senators File Legislation Seeking Recall and Ban of Chinese Drywall

Historically, builders used drywall (a/k/a sheetrock, gypsum board or wallboard) that was manufactured in the United States for residential construction.  However, during the construction boom years of 2002-2007, a shortage of domestic drywall forced many builders to purchase product that was manufactured in China. 


Read More Chinese Drywall– Florida Department of Health Finds Corrosive Compound

On April 1, 2009, the Florida Senate Judiciary Committee passed an amended Senate Bill 1894 (the “Amended Bill”) by a vote of 5-4.  The Amended Bill, while differing in form, incorporated some of the concepts proposed by Senator Jeremy Ring (D) that we reported about here. 


Read More UPDATE: Amended Surplus Lines Insurer Exemption Legislation Passed By Florida Senate Judiciary Committee

Legislation (Senate Bill 1894) introduced in the Florida Senate to exempt surplus lines insurers from the provisions of Chapter 627 has been amended by the Committee on Banking and Insurance and re-referred to the Judiciary Committee. 


Read More UPDATE: Florida Senate Committee Amends Surplus Lines Insurer Exemption Legislation

As we previously reported here, the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation recently held a hearing on the use of credit information in insurance ratemaking by insurers. 


Read More Florida Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink Opposes the Use of Credit Scoring when Determining Automobile Insurance Rates and Availability

An aviation repair company recently filed a lawsuit in federal court in Florida seeking recovery from its insurance broker and Lloyds of London for their alleged failure to cover a purported loss of plane engines leased to a Mexican airline that were confiscated by the Mexican government. 


Read More Aviation Repair Company Files Lawsuit to Recover for Alleged Total Loss of its Leased Plane Engines Due to Confiscation by the Mexican Government

Companion legislation has been introduced in the Florida House of Representatives and Senate to exempt surplus lines insurers from the provisions of Chapter 627, except when specifically stated otherwise, which contains Florida’s rate and form filing statutes. 


Read More Florida Introduces Legislation to Exempt Surplus Lines Insurers from Form Filing Requirements

Florida Insurance Commissioner Kevin McCarty (McCarty) issued an Order on February 13, 2009 announcing that he has conditionally approved the withdrawal plan , which State Farm Florida Insurance Company’s (State Farm Florida) submitted on January 27, 2009, as reported here


Read More Florida Insurance Commissioner Conditionally Approves State Farm Withdrawal Plan

Florida Insurance Commissioner Kevin McCarty (McCarty) announced on Thursday January 29, 2009 that he has issued a subpoena seeking detailed information from State Farm Florida Insurance Company (State Farm Florida) regarding the company’s Florida property insurance policyholders.  McCarty’s subpoena follows in the wake of State Farm Florida’s January 27, 2009 announcement that it is pulling out the Florida property insurance market (as reported here). 


Read More Florida Insurance Commissioner Subpoenas State Farm Florida Policyholder Information