News & Updates

Insurance

Flood Disclosure Adjustment Continues to Move

Flood Disclosure Adjustment Continues to Move

A second Senate committee has approved an adjusting to existing law relating to flood insurance disclosures.  Last year, the legislature adopted a requirement for all homeowners’ policies to state that they do not cover flood damage.  Unfortunately, there is no exception in the current law for policies that actually do contain flood insurance in the […]

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Governor Supports Resolution of AOB Concerns

Governor Supports Resolution of AOB Concerns

Governor Ron DeSantis had many topics to choose from as he addressed the legislature at the outset of this year’s session. More information here. However, the Governor opted to touch upon the highlights rather than exhaustively list the priorities of his first session as Governor.  Among these, Governor DeSantis discussed the need for AOB reform, calling […]

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Legislative Session Draws Near

Legislative Session Draws Near

The 2019 Florida legislative session in only about a week away.  This year’s session will be different in some respects than recent sessions, if only due to significant changes in executive branch and legislative officers.  The Governor’s office often sets the tone for legislative sessions through developing proposed budgets and advancing public policy issues.  The […]

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Altmaier Elected NAIC Vice President

Altmaier Elected NAIC Vice President

Florida Insurance Commissioner David Altmaier has been elected as Vice President of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC), effective immediately. Commissioner Altmaier will continue to serve as Florida’s Insurance Commissioner. In a press release relating to his election, Commissioner Altmaier said, “It is my distinct honor and privilege to join such a distinguished group of individuals […]

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Supreme Court Changes Fuel Workers Compensation Discussion

Supreme Court Changes Fuel Workers Compensation Discussion

The Florida workers’ compensation insurance market presents interesting regulatory and legislative dynamics. Two Florida Supreme Court cases threatened to unravel some of the legislative reforms that helped reduce workers’ comp rates in this state. This prompted concerns among some policymakers that the legislative must revisit workers’ compensation laws to head off future rate increases for […]

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House Proposals Address Auto Insurance Issues

House Proposals Address Auto Insurance Issues

Two bills of interest to the auto insurance industry have been filed in the Florida House of Representatives. Neither has a Senate companion yet, although it is still early. HB 323 attempts to address concerns with an explosion of auto glass claims and resulting litigation. The bill would prohibit motor vehicle repair shops and their […]

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Governor DeSantis Selects Barbara Lagoa for Supreme Court

Governor DeSantis Selects Barbara Lagoa for Supreme Court

In addition to leading Florida’s executive branch, Governor Ron DeSantis has an immediate opportunity to reshape the Florida Supreme Court.  Three of Florida’s Supreme Court Justices–  Barbara Pariente, Peggy Quince, and Fred Lewis, reached mandatory retirement coinciding with Governor DeSantis’ becoming Florida’s next Governor.  Although sometimes it is difficult or even unfair to apply labels […]

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Florida Supreme Court Resolves PIP Deductible Debate

Florida Supreme Court Resolves PIP Deductible Debate

Just before the new year, the Florida Supreme Court released its opinion in Progressive Select Insurance Company v. Florida Hospital Medical Center resolving a split among Florida’s appellate courts about the proper application of the deductible in Personal Injury Protection (PIP) claims.  The underlying question related to whether the PIP deductible should be applied before […]

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Happy New Year!

Happy New Year!

Radey wishes all of our friends a happy and prosperous new year.  As 2019 begins, Florida’s capital city will be embarking on a new era.  Governor-elect Ron DeSantis will take office next week, succeeding Rick Scott who was Governor for eight years.  Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis returns, having been elected to the Cabinet office to […]

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Senate President Considers Workers Compensation Reform

Senate President Considers Workers Compensation Reform

New Senate President Bill Galvano has signaled that the Senate might take up workers’ compensation reform notwithstanding that rates have decreased in the last two years. Galvano reasons that the recent downward trend in workers’ compensation rates might not be sustainable, and in fact might be followed by future rate increases, due to the Florida […]

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