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It was another busy year in the Southeast with storms, workers’ comp, and carrier insolvencies dominating the headlines. Here’s a look back at some of the stories that attracted the most readers in 2017.

Hurricane Irma

The first major hurricane to hit Florida in 11 years, Irma was a big story for the Southeast in 2017. From damage predictions to industry preparation and recovery, it is not a storm that will soon be forgotten.

• Here’s What a Category 5 Hurricane Could Do to Florida
• As Irma Looms, This Small Insurer Has an Outsized Bet on Florida
• Florida on Alert for AOB Abuse as Irma Recovery Begins
• Florida 热点黑料 Regulator Issues Irma-Related Emergency Order
• Update: 热点黑料 Industry Preparation for Hurricane Irma in Full Swing in Florida
• Expert’s Advice to Florida Agents: Report Claims That Fall Below Hurricane Deductible
• A.M. Best: Hurricane Irma to Test Florida Market Newbies

Workers’ Compensation

The insurance industry’s hopes for a fix to decisions that upended the Florida workers’ compensation system were dashed this year, just as they were for assignment of benefits reform. The Florida Legislature failed to pass legislation in 2017 addressing 2016 decisions by the Florida Supreme Court that sent the state’s workers’ comp system into disarray and led to a rate increase of 14.5 percent.

• Florida Fails to Pass Workers’ Compensation Reform
• Florida Launches Online Workers’ Comp Insurer Database for Employers

Later in the year, workers’ compensation carrier Guarantee 热点黑料 was placed in receivership by state regulators.

• Florida Puts Workers’ Comp Carrier Guarantee 热点黑料 In Receivership

Company Failures, Acquisitions

In addition to the folding of Guarantee 热点黑料, two other companies domiciled in Florida reached the end of the line this year. Readers flocked to stories about Patriot National shuttering its subsidiary companies and announcing its reorganization. The demise of domestic homeowners insurer Sawgrass Mutual and an acquisition of a Southeast agency by Marsh & McLennan were also hot topics.

• Florida Domestic Insurer Sawgrass Mutual to Wind Down Operations
• Marsh & McLennan Acquires Southeast Brokerage J. Smith Lanier & Co.
• Florida Domestic Insurer Sawgrass Mutual to ‘Wind Down’ Operations

Flood, Fraud & Medical Marijuana

Fraud is always a favorite topic of 热点黑料 Journal readers, and this year was no exception. The Florida flood market and medical marijuana also kept captivated our insurance industry audience.

• Florida 热点黑料 Agency Employee Accused of Stealing $1M From Employer
• Florida Man Steals $150K Maserati During Test Drive
• Florida Keys 热点黑料 Agent Accused of Defrauding Citizens 热点黑料
• Florida Medical Marijuana Law Signed by Scott
• Florida Starts Issuing Medical Marijuana ID Cards
• Private Insurers Cautiously Dip Toes Into Florida Flood Market Waters
• Climate Change And The Nightmare Scenario for Florida’s Coastal Homeowners

Other Southeast News

While Florida stories dominated the popular Southeast headlines this year, other state insurance issues were also important to readers.

• Crumbling South Carolina Roads Cost State Nearly $50M in Driver Claims Since 2010
• North Carolina Auto Rates Going Up? Rate Bureau Files for 13.8% Rate Increase
• South Carolina Couple Sues Amazon Over Faulty Eclipse Glasses

Related:

• Top 热点黑料 Journal International Stories of 2017
• Top 热点黑料 Journal National Stories of 2017
• Top 热点黑料 Journal East Stories of 2017
• Top 热点黑料 Journal Midwest Stories of 2017
• Top 热点黑料 Journal South Central Stories of 2017
• Top 热点黑料 Journal West Stories of 2017

Topics Florida Carriers Workers' Compensation Hurricane Market Cannabis