News & Updates

Insurance

Citizens Reinspection Program Continues to Identify Mitigation Errors

Citizens Reinspection Program Continues to Identify Mitigation Errors

Citizens Property Insurance Corporation recently indicated that as of March 31, 2012, it had completed processing 158,135 reinspections relating to mitigation discounts, with 68% of the reinspections showing a need for premium adjustments.  The reinspections include 62% showing a premium increase (i.e., removal of credits) and 6% showing a premium decrease (i.e., additional credits warranted).  […]

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Governor Regains Control of Executive Branch Rulemaking

Governor Regains Control of Executive Branch Rulemaking

Governor Rick Scott has signed HB 7055 into law restoring the Governor’s ability to directing rulemaking at agencies under his control.  The legislature passed the bill this year in response to the Florida Supreme Court’s decision in Whiley v. Scott.  That case arose from the Governor’s first official act when he took office, which was […]

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Implementation of PIP Law Under Review

Implementation of PIP Law Under Review

The Office of Insurance Regulation (OIR) and other state agencies are considering the implementation steps needed for the recently passed Personal Injury Protection (PIP) reform bill (HB 119).  One of the key upcoming action steps is for insurers to make their initial rate filings responding to cost savings resulting from the new law.  The filing […]

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Counties to Challenge Medicaid Accounting Law

Counties to Challenge Medicaid Accounting Law

The Florida Association of Counties announced this week that it would challenge HB 5301, which passed in the recent legislative session and has been signed into law by Governor Rick Scott.  Three counties (Pasco, Manatee and Leon) have indicated they will join the association’s suit and other counties also are expected to do so.  The counties […]

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Cat Fund Right-Sizing Supporters Vow to Bring It Back

Cat Fund Right-Sizing Supporters Vow to Bring It Back

The key Senator and Representative who promoted the Florida Hurricane Catastrophe Fund (FHCF) right-sizing proposal expressed disappointment that the bills did not receive more attention in the recently concluded session.  At least in the case of those who are eligible to return to the legislature next year, they vow to keep pushing for the reform. […]

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OIR Creates Review Exemption for Commercial Forms

OIR Creates Review Exemption for Commercial Forms

The Florida Office of Insurance Regulation (OIR) has created a process for insurers writing many lines of commercial insurance to use new or revised forms without having to obtain the OIR’s prior approval.  The OIR has adopted an Order dated April 9, 2012 describing the exemption from the forms review process.  The process is optional, […]

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Attempt to Circumvent PIP Reform Draws Policymakers’ Ire

Attempt to Circumvent PIP Reform Draws Policymakers’ Ire

The efforts of a Tampa company to solicit chiropractors to circumvent PIP reforms has drawn adverse reactions from legislators and insurance regulators.  Governor Scott has not yet acted on the bill passed at the end of the 2012 legislative session, but he worked hard with legislators to pass the bill and is expected to sign […]

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Governor Approves Citizens Assessment Change

Governor Approves Citizens Assessment Change

Governor Rick Scott has signed a bill into law changing the way Citizens Property Insurance Corporation will levy assessments following a storm.  The bill (HB 1127) had the support of the Office of Insurance Regulation, the Insurance Consumer Advocate, Citizens and the insurnace industry.  Under the new law, Citizens will not levy regular assessment on the personal lines […]

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Massage Therapists Calling for PIP Reform Veto

Massage Therapists Calling for PIP Reform Veto

One of the inevitable results of reforming an insurance system is that groups traditionally profiting from the system see their recoveries limited under the new law.  This is the case with the Personal Injury Protection reforms passed by the Florida Legislature during the 2012 session. Before and during the session, policymakers called for reforms that […]

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OIR to Hold Filing Conference

OIR to Hold Filing Conference

The Office of Insurance Regulation has announced it will hold a filing conference titled, “Successful Strategies for Business Development” on June 14, 2012.  In past years, the OIR has held similar conferences relating to its form and rate filing processes, requirements and reviews. Details about the conference are being developed and are expected soon.  Registration […]

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