OIR Conference Emphasizes Business Development
The Florida Office of Insurance Regulation hosted its business development conference last week in Tallahassee. The event marked the first time in four years that the OIR has hosted the conference. Although styled as a filing conference in the past, the title of this year’s conference was expanded to include business development as the OIR seeks to encourage insurers to expand writings in Florida. Even so, the filing included significant emphasis on the product filing and review processes for property and casualty insurance as well as life and health insurance.
Commissioner Kevin McCarty kicked off the conference with opening remarks encouraging companies to take advantage of opportunities to expand their business in Florida. Before breaking the group into separate P&C and life and health sessions, the OIR discussed how to protect trade secret documents under Florida law. The OIR also discussed updates to its i-apply system, which allows companies to electronically submit various types of filings.
The conference presented a unique opportunity for industry representatives to participate in roundtable discussions with the product review sections and other OIR officials. Members of the industry heard about challenges facing the OIR and common problems the OIR sees with product filings. At the same time, company representatives were able to ask questions and convey to the OIR their questions and concerns with the filing process.