An unprecedented peek behind the curtain at how homeowners insurance rates are set in Florida has given state lawmakers plenty of ideas to take to bill-drafters in advance of this spring's annual legislative session. ...more

February 6, 2008

Regarding "Allstate Defends Rising Rates" (Business, Feb. 5): The recent hearings in Tallahassee to find out why we were lied to by "big insurance" remind me of the thousands of wasted hearings - at much cost to the taxpayers - in Washington, D.C. over the past 40 years: much ado about nothing because nothing is ever accomplished. These hearings are designed to provide cover for feckless legislators and regulators who never seem to ask the "right" questions. ...more

February 6, 2008

The head of Allstate Floridian pleaded poverty as the reason behind rising homeowners insurance rates on Monday, insisting the back-to-back four-storm seasons of 2004-05 nearly crippled the company and continue to squeeze its ability to cover claims. ...more

February 4, 2008

On the eve of Florida's presidential primary, two local Republican lawmakers talked property tax relief, state budget challenges and homeowners insurance to about 30 people in a town-hall meeting. ...more

January 29, 2008

TAMPA BAY AREA Labor Survey Pans Pulte Fifty-nine percent, or 236, of 400 Pulte and its Del Webb homeowners surveyed in Arizona reported construction defects in their homes in a report released Friday by Building Justice, which represents labor unions. Respondents with defects described faulty electrical wiring, peeling paint and bad air conditioners. The labor group says it plans to conduct the survey in other states where Pulte builds, including Florida. Pulte spokesman Mark Marymee said the group's motivation is to unionize the workers of subcontractors who build Pulte homes. Pulte has done well on other quality surveys, he said, such as J.D. Power & Associates'. "That is the survey we care about," he said. ...more

January 26, 2008

It's Already Saturated Regarding "County To Weigh Stimulus Plan" (Metro, Jan. 17): ...more

January 25, 2008

Accusing Allstate Corp. of engaging in an "ongoing crime," state regulators asked a state appeals court Wednesday to reinstate an order prohibiting the insurer from conducting new business in Florida. ...more

January 23, 2008

Behind the fight between Florida's insurance commissioner and Allstate Insurance Co. is a mystery that could have come from a John Grisham novel. ...more

January 23, 2008

With a sharp attack on the industry by a heavyweight national consumer advocate, state lawmakers on Tuesday opened their own investigation into why homeowners' insurance rates haven't dropped to expected levels. ...more

January 23, 2008

Allstate agents were back at their desks Friday after a Tallahassee court lifted the state's order preventing the company from selling insurance in Florida. ...more

January 19, 2008