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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
After two recent Supreme Court decisions and with the Governor’s race now decided, the process for selecting three new Florida Supreme Court justices has become a little clearer. The justices are retiring in early January 2019 due to reaching the mandatory retirement age. Their mandated retirement coincides with the transition from current Governor Rick Scott […]
The Florida Office of Insurance Regulation has approved a statewide overall rate level decrease of 13.8 percent for workers’ compensation insurance rates. The approval applies to new and renewal workers’ compensation insurance policies effective as of January 1, 2019. The National Council on Compensation Insurance submitted a rate filing in late summer providing for a […]
Several high profile races in Florida were decided, or at least appeared to have been decided, on election night by close margins. At the state level, Republican Ron DeSantis looked like the winner in Governor’s race, Republican Jimmy Patronis prevailed as Chief Financial Officer, Republican Ashley Moody won to succeed Pam Bondi as Attorney General, and […]