Volume 2 Number 44 October 31, 2005

One of the greatest heroines of the civil rights movement – Rosa Parks – passed away peacefully last Monday at the age of 92. Many of us recall the event that served as the catalyst for change in race relations in America and introduced Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. to the world.  Ms. Parks’ simple act of courage helped change the hearts and minds of so many. Her unassuming spirit and strength exemplified how one person, who remained true to her convictions, changed the course of a nation.  Even in death, “the Mother of the Civil Rights Movement” again makes history as the first woman to lie in honor in the rotunda of our nation’s capitol.  As we reflect on the progress of the past 50 years, the courage and willingness of Mrs. Rosa Parks to stand up for justice will not be forgotten.

GALLAGHER DEPLOYS MOBILE ASSISTANCE UNITS FOR FLORIDIANS IMPACTED BY WILMA Announcement follows fly-over with Agriculture Commissioner Charles Bronson Tom Gallagher, Florida’s chief financial officer, has deployed mobile assistance units to both Southeast and Southwest Florida to help hurricane victims begin the recovery process.  The mobile units are staffed with the Department of Financial Services’ consumer specialists who can help affected Floridians reach their insurance companies, start the claims process, and understand what steps they should take. “So many Floridians were impacted because of the wide path of destruction caused by Wilma, and we are here to help,” said Gallagher, who was on-hand for the opening of the mobile response unit in Plantation.  “My goal is to make sure no one takes advantage of storm victims and that insurance claims are paid quickly.   I’m encouraging Floridians to be patient as officials work to restore power and distribute critical items such as food, ice and water.”   In Broward County, the mobile response unit is now open for operation at 6901 West Sunrise Boulevard in Plantation, across the street from Plantation High School.  In Collier County, the response unit is set up in the Wal-Mart parking lot at 3451 Tamiami Trail East in Naples. On Wednesday, the unit in Naples will relocate to Hialeah. CONTINUED

GALLAGHER EXPRESSES SUPPORT FOR WORKERS’ COMPENSATION RATE CUT Recommended Decrease Will Save Employers $445 Million   TALLAHASSEE – Tom Gallagher, Florida’s chief financial officer, today expressed support for Insurance Commissioner Kevin McCarty’s rejection of the National Council on Compensation Insurance’s (NCCI) rate decrease request of  7.2 percent on workers’ compensation rates in favor of a larger decrease.  McCarty is recommending a statewide average decrease of 13.5 percent.   “Lowering rates and cutting costs will save Florida’s small-businesses an estimated $445 million that can be used to create new jobs and grow our economy,” said Gallagher, who oversees the Florida Department of Financial Services. CONTINUED

COMMITTEE TO SIMPLIFY HOMEOWNERS INSURANCE POLICIES FOR FLORIDIANS MET OCTOBER 28 The Standard Personal Lines Advisory Committee held its second meeting Friday, October 28th, at the Capitol in Tallahassee.  The committee met in Room 110 of the Senate Office Building from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.    During this meeting, Tom Terfinko, assistant director of the Division of Consumer Services in the Florida Department of Financial Services, addressed the committee and provided examples of coverage issues that consumers found to be confusing during the 2004 hurricane season.   Guy Marvin, president of the Florida Insurance Council,  addressed the committee regarding the industries' concerns with the prospect of a mandatory standardized homeowners contract and offered other suggestions on how the committee may reach its mission.  CONTINUED

GALLAGHER ISSUES EMERGENCY RULE CAPPING PUBLIC ADJUSTER FEES TO PROTECT STORM VICTIMS Florida’s Chief Financial Officer Tom Gallagher has issued an emergency rule to protect victims of Hurricane Wilma by capping public adjuster fees at 10 percent of claim payment and giving consumers up to 14 days to rescind a contract with a public adjuster without penalty. The emergency rule also prohibits public adjusters from demanding or accepting any type of compensation prior to the settlement of the claim. "South Floridians have experienced some serious damage, and we are going to do all we can to further protect them during the recovery period," Gallagher said.  Gallagher oversees the Department of Financial Services and has activated a storm hotline, 1-800-22-STORM (1-800-227-8676), to help storm victims with questions or complaints they may have with filing an insurance claim.  CONTINUED

ARREST MADE IN USF DORM FIRES   TAMPA – A suspect was arrested today in connection with several fires that were set inside a University of South Florida dormitory last Friday.   Detectives from the State Fire Marshal’s Office, Bureau of Fire and Arson Investigations, said that Justin Graffeo, an 18-year-old university student, admitted to setting the fires in the Cypress B dormitory.  The dormitory is located at 4202 E. Fowler Ave, Tampa. Damage is estimated at $1,500.   “As a parent, it is disheartening to see a young person commit these criminal acts and put the lives of other students at risk,” said Tom Gallagher, Florida’s state fire marshal.  “However, he will have to pay the consequences for his actions.” CONTINUED