Southeast News

Policyholders, Agents Say United Leaving Ian Claims in Limbo

The Florida Legislature’s insurance rescue bill, approved last week, won’t take effect soon enough to help policyholders and insurance agents who’ve had no response from beleaguered United Property & Casualty Co. on Hurricane Ian claims. The lack of information has …

Viewpoint: Florida Begins New Era with Major Property Insurance Reforms

For the fourth time since 2019, the Florida Legislature has enacted property insurance reforms aimed towards stabilizing a beleaguered insurance market. The bill, S.B. 2-A, creates a reinsurance assistance program, establishes additional oversight for insurers with high volumes of hurricane …

Ky. Supreme Court Overturns Jury Verdict in Bad-Faith Claim

Cincinnati Insurance Co. dodged a $4.6 million judgment last week when the Kentucky Supreme Court found that a trial judge should have preempted a jury and granted a directed verdict in a bad-faith claim. If the injured third-party plaintiff failed …

Lawmaker Calls for Removal of NC Hurricane Recovery Director

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina lawmakers rebuked on Wednesday the state’s disaster recovery director _ with one calling for her removal _ for the agency’s slow progress amid years-long delays that have left some low-income homeowners in temporary lodging …

Independent Adjusters Charge Florida Insurers With Doctoring Damage Estimates

Do some Florida property insurance companies hire independent adjusters to inspect property claims, then routinely alter their inspection reports to reduce estimated losses? Yes, and it’s a widespread and fraudulent practice, according to three adjusters who spoke Tuesday at a …

USDA: Florida Orange Crop Down 36% After Twin Hurricanes

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Production of oranges in Florida this season is forecast to be down 36% from earlier estimates, in part a reflection of twin hurricanes that battered growing regions, according to U.S. Agriculture Department figures released Friday. …

Rustic Fishing Towns Bounce Back After Hurricane Ian

Chokoloskee and Everglades City, two fishing villages-turned-travel-destinations that sit next to each other on the cusp of Everglades National Park and the Gulf of Mexico, have seen more than their share of hurricane destruction — most recently Donna in 1960, …

Duke Energy: All Equipment Damaged in NC Shooting Now Fixed

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) _ Duke Energy said Wednesday it has completed repairs on substation equipment damaged in shootings over the weekend that cut power to thousands of central North Carolina homes and it expects power to be fully restored by …

Florida Beach Erosion Uncovers Wooden Ship from 1800s

DAYTONA BEACH SHORES, Fla. (AP) — Severe beach erosion from two late-season hurricanes has helped uncover what appears to be a wooden ship dating from the 1800s which had been buried under the sand on Florida’s East Coast for up …

Mobile Claim Center Lawyer Agrees to ‘Interim Probation’

A Florida lawyer whose law license was suspended after setting up a “mobile claim center” near Fort Myers is able to resume the practice of law under the terms of an agreement she reached with the Florida Bar. Jennifer Perez, …

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