Every now and then, I come across something in the media that is simply wrong and feel compelled to do something about it. I recently came across an editorial in the Bradenton Herald, linked below, which is simply fear mongering. Accordingly, I responded with my opinion for all to contemplate on this very important issue in Florida:
Citizens Mission Review Task Force
Taking Tough Positions On Citizens Property Insurance Task Force
By Chip Merlin on
Posted in Citizens Mission Review Task Force
"be the change you wish to see in the world….."
Ghandi
My work on the Citizens Property Mission Review Task Force will be coming to an end soon. MSNBC, the Tampa Tribune, and the Sun-Sentinel have all run stories on Tuesday’s upcoming Task Force meeting. There are a multitude of issues coming up. I might as well report on some of my views.
The rates will have to go up. Next July, Citizens must file for actuarial sound rates and, at this time next year, the rates will go up. This is only fair. It is not right that the State of Florida and others provide a subsidy to Citizen policyholders where a valid market exists.…
Continue Reading Taking Tough Positions On Citizens Property Insurance Task Force
The Ongoing Work Of The Citizens Task Force
By Chip Merlin on
The Governor, Charlie Crist, who appointed me to the Citizens Mission Review Task Force has gotten married to a beautiful woman. While I am certain he was planning their honeymoon this past week, I was pouring over insurance rate data, market share analysis, and a reinsurance presentation regarding Citizens Property Insurance Corporation. I bet his work was a whole lot more fun.…
Continue Reading The Ongoing Work Of The Citizens Task Force
Citizens Gives Business Away
By Chip Merlin on
Posted in Citizens Mission Review Task Force, Insurance
As a member of the Citizens Task Force, I am charged with trying to find suggestions for Citizens to become less competitive with private industry. At the end of the first meeting, one obvious, but possibly not appreciated answer, is to raise rates. Charging more money for the same product and service would be less…
First Impressions From A Neophyte Government Type
By Chip Merlin on
Posted in Citizens Mission Review Task Force, Insurance
I know why I do not want to be a trial judge–it is really hard to be really good. And in government, there are also duties that may seem “easy”, like becoming a member of the Citizens Mission Task Force. Let me tell you, it is a whole lot harder to spend a Friday afternoon…
Citizens Task Force Materials
By Chip Merlin on
Posted in Citizens Mission Review Task Force, Insurance
Florida is a supposed to be a state where government is conducted in the public domain. Even I am skeptical about that, but there exist Sunshine Laws that afford the ordinary citizen the right to inspect documents and information that government uses to conduct its affairs. The Task Force members were provided a number of materials…
Citizens Task Force Agenda
By Chip Merlin on
The agenda for the first Citizens Mission Review Task Force meeting this Friday is as follows: Tampa Airport Marriott, Tampa International Airport, Tampa, FL Friday, October 10, 2008 Meeting: 10:00 am – 4:00 pm Conference Call Dial-in: 1-866-855-4989…
If The Big One Hits, Who Gets Stuck Holding The Bag?
By Chip Merlin on
Alex Sink may have been very wise to have paid Warren Buffet so much money for an option to have ready access to money if a major hurricane hit Florida. (She paid Berkshire Hathaway $224 million for the option of borrowing $4 billion this hurricane season). A recent St. Petersburg Times article highlighted the problems…