FLDC Contractor Day 2012 ~ Gulf Coast will be there for you!

 

February 14, 2012

The Florida League of Defense Contractors Presents

 

Florida Defense Contractor Day 2012  at the Capitol in Tallahassee, Florida.

 

With Special Guest Luncheon Speaker ~ Lieutenant Governor Jennifer Carroll

You are invited! Florida Defense Contractors, Economic Development Organizations, and professionals involved in Florida’s defense economy:

 

    Join us for Florida Defense Contractor Day 2012 in Tallahassee to meet directly with state leaders and defense contractors from across the state during the 2012 Regular Legislative Session. This once-a-year event is your opportunity to bring issues of importance to Florida’s defense economy straight to legislative decision makers.

    The state plays a significant role in the success of Florida’s defense economy. Join other defense business professionals to affect state policy.

 

Check out our 2012 state legislative priorities (opens new window)

 

    Florida Defense Contractor Day 2012 is open to FLDC Members, Sponsors, Associate Members, non-member Florida defense contractors, economic development groups, and special guests.

    Register and get your ticket online today! Reservations are limited. Look forward to seeing you.

NEW This Year:

FLDC reserved the State Capitol Courtyard to provide you space for exhibition displays. This is a high foot-traffic area which allows you the opportunity to network with other defense business professionals, state lawmakers, and the general public.

Space is limited. Reserve your spot when registering and selecting your tickets.

-in case of inclement weather, exhibits will be displayed in the 22d floor of the Capitol

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Admission to the entire event is FREE for FLDC Members. If you’d like your organization to join FLDC and receive the benefits of membership, call 850-320-8780 or email memberinfo@fl-dc.org.

Florida defense contractors, economic development organizations, and businesses involved with defense industry are eligible for FLDC Membership.

 

Additionally, contact us at 850-320-8780 if your organization is interested sponsoring a portion of the event.

 

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Lodging

FLDC has a block of rooms with:

Holiday Inn Capital Center

1355 Apalachee Parkway, Tallahassee, FL 32301 Map

Room rate: $129 for February 13. This includes full hot breakfast buffet, parking and internet.

Please identify yourself as part of the  FL Defense Contractor Day or FDC Group code. You may either call the reservation line at 1-800-315-2621 or go online at www.hicapitoleast.com and type in the group code FDC. The last day to make reservations under this block is Friday, January 27, 2012.

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Itinerary

February 13, 2012

FLDC Organizational Meeting (FLDC Members Only) – 4:00 P.M. to 5:00 P.M.

 

Welcome Reception (All attendees) – 5:30 P.M. to 7:00 P.M.

Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association (1 1/2 blocks from Capitol)

230 South Adams Street * Tallahassee, FL 32301

 

February 14, 2012

Morning Welcome (All attendees) – 8:30 A.M. to 9:00 A.M.

Exhibition (All attendees) – 9:00 A.M. to 12:00 P.M.

Florida Capitol Building Complex

400 South Monroe St. * Tallahassee, FL 32399

 

Luncheon (All attendees) – 12:00 P.M. to 1:30 P.M.

22d Floor Capitol Building

400 South Monroe St. * Tallahassee, FL 32399

 

Wrapup (All attendees) – 1:30 P.M. to 2:00 P.M.

22d Floor Capitol Building

400 South Monroe St. * Tallahassee, FL 32399

 

Further details provided to attendees as the event date approaches.

Call 850-320-8780 if you have any questions.

Safety Tips for the Holiday Season

 

Safety Tips for Decking the Halls

Haul out the holly, string up the lights, and hang the stockings by the chimney (with care)! The holiday season is finally here, which means it’s time to deck the halls with all kinds of festive decorations.   We want to ensure your holidays are as merry and bright as possible, so before you adorn your mantle with garland and dangle mistletoe over your door, please read these holiday decorating safety tips.   -  Christmas trees: Trimming the tree is the main decorating event in many households, but the tree can become a fire hazard if it’s dried out. Remember to replenish the water in your tree stand on a daily basis, so that your tree remains healthy and hydrated for the duration of the holiday season.   -  Holiday foliage: Poinsettias, holly, Jerusalem cherries, and mistletoe are all toxic if ingested. If you have pets or small children in the house, avoid using these decorations or opt for the artificial versions.   -  Artificial snow: If you’re longing for a white Christmas, spraying windows with artificial snow can give your house a frosty glow – even if you live in a warm climate. However, spray-on snow can irritate your lungs, so make sure to follow the directions carefully and only use the spray in well-ventilated areas.   -  Fireplaces: Adorning the mantle with garlands, stockings, and other decorations is a holiday tradition in many households, but keep these trimmings clear of working fireplaces. You should also be careful when using fire salts, which produce colored flames, since they are highly toxic if ingested.   -  Lights: Before hanging lights indoors or outdoors, check the strings for cracked sockets, broken bulbs, or frayed/bare wires. Also, only use lights that are approved by a national testing lab, such as UL or ETL/ITSNA. Do not use electric lights on metallic trees because faulty lights can cause branches to become charged and possibly electrocute someone. If you’re using outdoor lights, make sure they are approved for that use and plugged into a ground-fault circuit interrupter device.   -  Candles: Flickering candlelight can give your home a cozy, warm glow, but candles cause more than 11,000 fires every year, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. If you’re using candles to decorate for the holidays, keep a close eye on them when they’re lit, and don’t leave the room without extinguishing the flames. Never put a lit candle on a tree.

Cyber Crimes on the Rise

 

Historically, cyber security threats have been relegated to the IT department. As the 2011 Global Economic Crime Survey shows, cyber security threats are no longer just an IT problem.

In order to properly prepare for cyber security threats, organizations need to integrate cyber security-awareness into the culture, involving all employees and partners. If organizations fail to examine cyber security from every angle, they are leaving themselves exposed.

 

What the PWC Cybercrime survey revealed:

• Ranks among the top 4 economic crimes.
• 34% experienced economic crime in last 12 months (up 4%)
• 40% of respondents identified reputational damage as their biggest fear
• 60% of respondents admit to not monitoring social media sites
• 2 out of 5 respondents had no cyber security training
• 25% acknowledged that there is no regular formal review of cybercrime threats by the CEO and Board of Directors
• 48% of those who experienced economic crime in the last 12 months reported that they perceive the risk of cybercrime to be on the rise

How can you protect your organization against economic crime?

• Be aware of the current and emerging cyber environment
• Know who you are dealing with (staff, suppliers, partners and agents)
• Involve IT, Internal Audit and the Board of Directors in the fight against economic crime
• Implement a response plan for a cyber crisis
• Conduct regular fraud risk assessments
• Instill a cyber risk-aware culture through Cyber-Savvy leadership
• Recruit people with cyber security-relevant skills and experience

 

Unfortunately, some agents and insureds are under the impression that their crime policy will trigger coverage in the event of a cyber theft. The truth is, crime policies do not adequately protect insureds against cyber theft for the following reasons:

• Crime policies typically exclude the theft of information and do not address crimes committed by outsiders (i.e. cyber hacking, stolen laptops, stolen paper files)
• In today’s information-rich environment, organizations of all kinds need to consider the following key coverage components:

  a) Costs to notify clients as required by law
  b) Costs to manage crises and recover reputation
  c) Costs to defend client or vender lawsuit(s)
  d) Costs to respond to regulatory investigations
  e) Costs to pay damages, fines, and penalties

 

Cyber security threats are constantly evolving and becoming more prevalent.  Call us today. We have a program to cover your cyber liability needs.

Happy Thanksgiving to our friends, families and customers :)

 Thanksgiving is the appointed time
for focusing on the good in our lives.
In each of our days,
we can find small blessings,
but too often we overlook them,
choosing instead to spend our time
paying attention to problems.
We give our energy
to those who cause us trouble
instead of those who bring peace.
Starting now,
let’s be on the lookout
for the bits of pleasure in each hour,
and appreciate the people who
bring love and light to everyone
who is blessed to know them.
You are one of those people.
On Thanksgiving,
I’m thankful for you.
Happy Thanksgiving!

High Value Home? No Problem for Gulf Coast :)

 

Gulf Coast Underwriters has a new high value homeowners insurance program available in Florida! Effective October 31, 2011, we are very proud and excited to announce the release of American Platinum Property & Casualty Insurance Company. American Platinum is an affiliate of Universal Property & Casualty Insurance Company and will offer high value homes the HO3 policy form to be insured from 1 million to 5 million on dwelling coverage. APPCIC will also offer to schedule personal belongings to value (max 25K per item with appraisal necessary on items over 5K), endorse sink hole coverage (sink hole inspection required), and screen enclosures.  Contact us today for additional information and a no obligation quote.

 

Florida Hurricane Fund facing $3 billion dollar shortfall!

Florida’s hurricane fund is confronting a potential $3.2 billion shortfall, financial experts said in a new estimate of the money available to the pool intended to help insurers make disaster payments.

The fund was created after Hurricane Andrew devastated South Florida in 1992. Insurers get help to pay homeowners if a storm results in widespread damages.

But the fund doesn’t have enough cash on hand to meet all of its obligations in the event of a big storm, or just as bad, a series of hurricanes. So the fund must go out and borrow what it needs.

Financial experts for the fund, however, have drawn up new estimates that contend that turmoil in financial markets and a weak economy have made it unlikely that the fund would have enough money to help insurers after a hurricane.

This year the fund is providing $18.4 billion worth of coverage. It should have more than $7 billion of cash on hand by the end of the year, but it would still need to borrow another $11 billion if a storm were to strike.

The new estimates, which were to be presented to a state panel Tuesday, suggest the fund could borrow just $8 billion over a 12-month period.

The new figures, however, do suggest that the fund — formally known as the Florida Hurricane Catastrophe Fund — could borrow an additional $6 billion during a period one to two years following a major storm.

The news that the fund’s financial strength has eroded isn’t completely unexpected.

Last month Jack Nicholson, the chief operating officer of the fund, told state legislators that the fund is on “shaky ground.”

“I think we are dangerously overexposed considering the current reality of the marketplace,” Nicholson said at the time. “… It scares me to death where we are.”

Nicholson wants state lawmakers to scale back the size of the fund. That would likely cause insurance premiums to rise but it has the backing of many key Republicans, including Gov. Rick Scott.

Every insurer currently in Florida is required to purchase coverage from the “Cat Fund” as it also called. The fund provides a backstop to insurers at a rate that is generally cheaper than reinsurance sold by private companies. Nicholson estimated that this low-cost option probably results in insurance premiums being about 25 percent cheaper.

If a storm causes enough damages the insurer can ask for reimbursements from the fund. But if the hurricane fund runs out of cash due to a large storm, it borrows money to pay insurers.

The state pays off its debts with an assessment, or what some call a “hurricane tax,” that is placed on nearly every insurance policy in the state, including auto insurance policies. Right now, homeowners and drivers in Florida are paying off charges due primarily to Hurricane Wilma.

Do You Need Animal Liability?

Did you know that most traditional insurance policies exclude animal liability coverage?  Gulf Coast Underwriters can help with our new animal liability policy.   Animal liability and dog bite insurance coverage will provide you with peace of mind, knowing you have filled the gaps and exclusions in your traditional policies. Most insurers have breed restrictions for animal liability and dog bite insurance coverage. At Gulf Coast Underwriters, we provide the coverage that you need no matter what the breed!  Contact us today!

A New Era ~ Introducing BLU to you

       

 

 

 

Gulf Coast Underwriters is pleased to announce our new partnership with BLU Insurance Group! The BLU division of the agency brings in staff with over 20 years of industry experience. Although they specialize in the hotel/motel industry their reach does not stop there. They also write large commercial property risks and have brought us a new market for County Club Programs.                                         

We are excited to introduce our new business associates to you. The agents coming on board with us are DJ Jakhotia and Sam Singleton. Supporting DJ and Sam is Karen Hawkins. DJ and Sam are from the Tampa Bay area and Karen has come to us from the Orlando area. 

Please help us in welcoming them all aboard. Gulf Coast Underwriters and BLU Insurance Group… a partnership designed to benefit you.

 

Change Is In The Air

Change is in the air for sure. The kids are back in school. The hurricane season is more than half over and according the calendar we are “officially” in the fall season. No more reruns on TV. Good times. It’s almost time to start thinking about Christmas and holiday parties! Can you believe that Christmas is only 89 days away?

Something blu..er uh, new is coming to Gulf Coast. We can’t release all the details just yet .. Check our blog next week for the big reveal!

 

 

 

The Tropics Are Heating Up

 

 

It’s a busy time of year for the National Hurricane Center in Miami. The NHC is currently following one hurricane – Katia, and two tropical storms – Maria and Nate.

Katia is following the previously forecast track between the east coast of the U.S. and Bermuda. Although the storm is still a category one hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson scale, with sustained winds of 87 mph, 141 km/h, and gusts up to 107 mph, 172 km/h. The NHC said hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 90 miles, 150 kms, from the center, and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 230 miles, 370 kms.

Although, on the forecast track neither Bermuda nor the U.S. are directly threatened, the NHC warned that surf and large swells generated by Katia “will continue to affect most of the east coast of the United States, Bermuda and east-facing beaches of the Bahamas during the next couple of days.  These swells are likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions.”

Tropical Storm Maria, which formed out of tropical depression 14, may pose a greater threat. The most recent bulletin from the NHC locates the storm around 940 miles, 1510 kms east southeast of the Leeward Islands. Maximum sustained winds are 50 mph, 85 km/h. The NHC does not expect Maria to gain strength during the next 48 hours.

It is moving toward the west “near 23 mph, 37 km/h, and this general motion is expected to continue today, followed by a gradual turn toward the west-northwest and a decrease in forward speed on Friday,” the NHC said. “On the forecast track the center of Maria would approach the Leeward Islands Friday or Friday night.

According to the 5-Day forecast track, unless the storm shifts significantly northward, or breaks up, it could come ashore along the U.S. east coast sometime next week.

Meanwhile, another Tropical Storm, Nate, has formed in the Gulf of Mexico. It is presently about 130 miles, 205 kms, west northwest of Campeche, Mexico, and about 200 miles, 320 kms, northeast of Coatzacoalcos, Mexico.

Maximum sustained winds are around 45 mph, 75 km/h. Tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 105 miles, 165 kms, from the center. The NHC expects “some strengthening during the next 48 hours.”

The NHC described Nate as following an “erratic course.” It could come as far north as southern Texas, but will likely do so somewhere along the east coast of Mexico, where tropical storm warnings have been issued.

“Nate is expected to produce total rain accumulations of 2 to 4 inches [5 to 10 cms] with isolated maximum amounts of 8 inches [20.3 cms] over the Mexican States of Campeche, Tabasco and Southern Veracruz,” the NHC said. “A storm surge will raise water levels by as much as 1 to 3 feet [0.3 to 1.0 meters] above normal tide levels along the immediate coast in the warning area.”

Source: National Hurricane Center