News & Updates

Insurance

FHCF Projects Shortfall on 12-Month Basis

FHCF Projects Shortfall on 12-Month Basis

The Florida Hurricane Catastrophe Fund (FHCF) Advisory Council has suggested that the fund will have a potential shortfall of $1.75 billion if it is required to attempt to reach its maximum payout within 12 months of an event.  The Advisory Council encouraged FHCF Chief Operating Officer Jack Nicholson to seek pre-event financing this year to close this potential gap. Nicholson sought […]

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Insurance “Train” Bill Becomes Law

Insurance “Train” Bill Becomes Law

Governor Rick Scott has signed HB 1101 into law, and it has become Chapter Law 2012-151.  This is the insurance “train” bill that picked up a wide variety of insurance-related measures as it progressed through the 2012 regular legislative sesion. The new law is varied in its impact on the Florida Insurance Code.  It contains […]

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Citizens Rates and the Silent Majority

Citizens Rates and the Silent Majority

The board of governors of Citizens Property Insurance Corporation considered a proposal Thursday that would have resulted in its charging actuarially appropriate rates for new customers while maintaining the statutorily-imposed glide path for existing customers.  The board ultimately decide to give further consideration to the issue before acting. A significant factor in the decision to […]

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Florida Seeks Captives

Florida Seeks Captives

OIR released an announcement on April 25, 2012 touting changes to its captives law after the implementing bill was signed by the Governor.   The release noted that existing law had already created provisions authorizing the creation of U.S. domiciled captive insurers by establishing operational criteria and standards. This year’s legislation, House Bill 1101, added new […]

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OIR Offers Workshop on Life and Health Reinsurance Collateral Rule

OIR Offers Workshop on Life and Health Reinsurance Collateral Rule

If requested by interested parties, the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation (OIR) will hold a workshop to discuss a proposed rule relating to life and health reinsurance collateral requirements.  The Office of Insurance Regulation may allow ceding insurers to take credit for reinsurance with unauthorized reinsurers that do not fully collateralize their programs as long […]

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Florida Surplus Lines Service Office to Act as Clearinghouse for NIMA, Inc.

Florida Surplus Lines Service Office to Act as Clearinghouse for NIMA, Inc.

The member states of NIMA, the Non-Admitted Insurance Multi-State Agreement, approved a Premium Tax Clearinghouse services agreement and license agreement, through which NIMA, Inc. contracted with the Florida Surplus Lines Service Office (“FSLSO”) to act as its central clearinghouse for the collection and allocation of surplus lines premium tax payments for multi-state surplus lines policies. […]

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FHCF Holds Rule Hearing Today

FHCF Holds Rule Hearing Today

The Florida Hurricane Catastrophe Fund (FHCF) has a rule hearing scheduled for 9:00 today relating to its reporting and insurer responsibility rules.  Administrative rule 19-8.029 pertains to insurer reporting requirements, and rule 19-8.030 sets forth insurer responsibilities.  The purpose of the rule hearing is to discuss the rules and receive public input pertaining to the […]

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Governor Nixes FHCF Premium Tax Program

Governor Nixes FHCF Premium Tax Program

Governor Rick Scott has vetoed HB 5505, which would have created a program by which insurers could prepay premium taxes in exchange for future credits, with the proceeds being used to create liquidity for the Florida Hurricane Catastrophe Fund (FHCF).  The Governor stated in his veto message that he would not approve the bill because […]

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PIP Reform and Other Insurance Bills Head to Governor

PIP Reform and Other Insurance Bills Head to Governor

Governor Rick Scott was presented with several insurance-related bills on Friday, perhaps most notably including the bill reforming Florida’s Personal Injury Protection (PIP) laws.  These bills passed during the recent legislative session.  The Governor has 15 days from receipt of the bills to decide whether to sign them into law, allow them to become law […]

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Citizens Releases Claims Performance Measures

Citizens Releases Claims Performance Measures

Citizens Property Insurance Corporation’s claims volume is up but policyholder satisfaction has increased according to claims performance measures through the first quarter of 2012.  Based on activity through the first quarter Citizens estimates it will receive First Notice of Loss on approximately 70,000 claims in 2012.  This would be an increase over the 66,044 First […]

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