News & Updates

Blog

Further Reduction in Citizens Coverage A Coming January 1

Further Reduction in Citizens Coverage A Coming January 1

As required by a law passed in 2013, the maximum Coverage A amounts for Citizens Property Insurance Corporation’s personal residential coverage will be reduced again effective January 1, 2017.  Effective at the beginning of net year, the following new business and renewals for personal residential risks are no longer are eligible for coverage in Citizens: A structure […]

Continue Reading →

NCCI Filings Available Through I-File

NCCI Filings Available Through I-File

The Florida Office of Insurance Regulation (OIR) announced this week that filings of the National Council on Compensation Insurance (NCCI) are now available through the OIR’s I-File system.  This includes prior filings dating back to the 2001 implementation of the electronic filing system. NCCI wrote to the OIR acknowledging that both the OIR and NCCI […]

Continue Reading →

Limitations on Agents’ Fees

Limitations on Agents’ Fees

The Florida Department of Financial Services from time to time takes enforcement actions against agents who charge unauthorized fees to policyholders.  In these situations, the agents typically are receiving their commissions from the insurers and separately are telling consumers they also must pay add-on charges by various names–  documents fees, notary fees, etc.  In a […]

Continue Reading →

DFS Reminds Industry of Scope of “Transacting” Insurance

DFS Reminds Industry of Scope of “Transacting” Insurance

One of the questions we receive from time to time is whether certain activities require an individual or business to obtain an agents’ license in Florida.  The Florida Department of Financial Services recently addressed this in a short article describing what it means to “transact” insurance in Florida.  In general, a person must obtain an […]

Continue Reading →

DFS Merges Units to Create Enhanced Investigative Team

DFS Merges Units to Create Enhanced Investigative Team

The Florida Department of Financial Services has combined three of its law enforcement units into a single division to create efficiencies and streamline its investigatory functions.  Previously, DFS operated three sworn law enforcement units–  the Division of Insurance Fraud, the Bureau of Fire and Arson Investigations, and the Office of Fiscal Integrity.  Effective July 1, […]

Continue Reading →

Commissioner Seeks Reliability, Availability and Affordability in Product Regulation

Commissioner Seeks Reliability, Availability and Affordability in Product Regulation

Speaking at an industry conference this week, Insurance Commissioner David Altmaier highlighted reliability, availability and affordability as the cornerstones of product regulation.  Commissioner Altmaier briefly discussed these areas as they currently relate to the Florida insurance market.  In the area of reliability, the Commissioner noted that the Office of Insurance Regulation’s financial oversight role seeks to ensure […]

Continue Reading →

DFS Reminds Agencies of Agent in Charge Requirements

DFS Reminds Agencies of Agent in Charge Requirements

The Florida Department of Financial Services has reminded agencies that each insurance agency, and each location of a multiple location agency, must have a designated agent in charge. The agent in charge (AIC) is defined as the licensed and appointed agent responsible for the supervision of all individuals within an insurance agency. Each business location […]

Continue Reading →

DFS Reminds Agencies of Prohibition Against Misleading Names

DFS Reminds Agencies of Prohibition Against Misleading Names

The Department of Financial Services has reminded agencies of the statutory prohibition against misleading names.  Section 626.602, Florida Statutes, allows DFS to disapprove an agency’s name if the name may mislead the public or if the name implies the agency is an insurer, state or federal agency, charitable organization, or an entity that provides advice and […]

Continue Reading →

Revised Workers’ Compensation Filing Would Produce 19.6% Increase

Revised Workers’ Compensation Filing Would Produce 19.6% Increase

The National Council on Compensation Insurance (NCCI) has revised its previous 17.1% rate increase filing in light of the Florida Supreme Court’s recent decision in Westphal.  The proposed increase is now 19.6%.  The effective date of the proposed rates is October 1, 2016.  However, the Office of Insurance Regulation has scheduled a public hearing on […]

Continue Reading →

Department of Revenue Issues TIP on FIGA Assessments

Department of Revenue Issues TIP on FIGA Assessments

The Florida Department of Revenue has issued TIP #16B8-02 advising of a change in Florida’s premium tax laws effective July 1, 2016.  The TIP specifies that assessments levied by the Florida Insurance Guaranty Association will no longer be subject to the insurance premium tax.  The TIP reflects changes to section 631.914, Florida Statutes, that were […]

Continue Reading →