News from July 2009
VISA a No No at Tax Collectors Office
VISA is no longer accepted at the counter in Tax Collector’s Office branches. VISA has ordered government agencies, to stop conducting lawful counter service payment transactions for tax payments, such as vehicle registration and business taxes.VISA is requiring government agencies, including the Tax Collector’s Office, to sign merchant agreements that would force them to pass on VISA’s charges to all customers, not just those who are using their credit cards at the counter. MasterCard, American Express & Discover continue to be accepted by the Tax Collector’s Office at the counter, through the mail, by way of automated telephone and online. Because of VISA’s order, the Tax Collector’s Office is limited to accepting VISA by way of mail, automated telephone and online transactions.
Posted on 21 July 2009
Chinese drywall suits to be heard in New Orleans
Chinese drywall lawsuits will be heard in New Orleans rather than Florida despite Florida having the most cases.The Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation has selected Louisiana judge Eldon E Fallon to hear the case due to his experience in large scale litigation - he recently oversaw a case involving the drug Vioxx. The order issued by JPML immediately moves 10 lawsuits to New Orleans, an additional 67 cases may also be included and website Law.com estimates there could be as many as 1,000 cases that eventually become part of it. So far 18 states have reported problems with Chinese Drywall.
Posted on 21 July 2009
Vehicle Registration Fees Go Up
During the 2009 State Legislative session, DMV fees were substantially increased for all Florida motor vehicle owners effective September 1, 2009.Vehicle owners with registrations that expire no later than November 30, 2009 may save money by renewing their registrations on or before August 31, 2009 and pay the lower fee amounts one more year. Subscribers tell us you can also renew for 2 years at a time at the Osceola office.
Posted on 22 July 2009
Swine Flu & Travel Insurance
National Pandemic Flu Service – the travel insurance position
As the National Pandemic Flu Service goes live, the travel insurance industry has confirmed that, in the absence of written documentation from a GP or other medical practitioner, it will accept as medical certification of swine flu diagnosis the unique ID number, together with the label on prescribed anti-flu drugs which will include an individual’s name and date of issue, for purposes of validating a related travel insurance cancellation claim. The confirmation comes following discussions between the ABI and the Department of Health about the new National Pandemic Flu Service hotline and web site.
The ABI confirmed this week that travel insurance policies of ABI members will cover costs arising from swine flu diagnosis, including medical treatment abroad and cancelled holidays and flights, subject to specific terms and conditions.
Nick Starling, the ABI’s Director of General Insurance and Health, said:
“Travel insurance is there to help people who are too ill to travel or who become ill on holiday. We understand that the National Pandemic Flu Service will only authorise an anti-flu prescription to people who are genuinely displaying symptoms of swine flu. On that basis, travel insurers will accept an individual’s unique ID number generated by the National Flu Service, together with the label on their anti-flu drugs which states their name and date of issue, as proof of diagnosis to validate a travel insurance cancellation claim.”
Customers who use the National Pandemic Flu Service to obtain anti-flu medication and need to make a travel insurance cancellation claim should ensure that they keep all the original documentation they receive, including the label from their medication, as insurers will need it to validate the claim.
The ABI is the voice of the insurance and investment industry. Its members constitute over 90 per cent of the insurance market in the UK and 20 per cent across the EU. They control assets equivalent to a quarter of the UK’s capital. They are the risk managers of the UK’s economy and society. Through the ABI their voice is heard in Government and in public debate on insurance, savings and investment matters.
Posted on 24 July 2009
