News & Updates

CFO

Robin Westcott Named Insurance Consumer Advocate

Robin Westcott Named Insurance Consumer Advocate

Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater has named Robin Westcott as Florida’s next Insurance Consumer Advocate.  CFO Atwater chose Ms. Westcott based on her long career in insurance regulation and her knowledge of issues that affect the insurance-buying public.  “Robin will be an ardent, outspoken and persistent advocate for Florida’s insurance consumers,” said CFO Atwater.  “She is committed to […]

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OIR to Review Life & Annuity Claims Practices

OIR to Review Life & Annuity Claims Practices

The Florida Office of Insurance Regulation has announced a public hearing at which it will investigate claims settlement practices in the life and annuity industry.  The OIR has directed that representatives of two insurers appear in Tallahassee on May 19 to address its concerns, and OIR advises that it continues to examine other insurers. According […]

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House Subcommittee Takes Long Look At Gambling

House Subcommittee Takes Long Look At Gambling

This morning the House Subcommittee on Business and Consumer Affairs met in the House Office Building lower level to discuss gaming in Florida.  The House Building was simply packed with a number of stakeholders in the mix:  gaming representatives, opposition, lobbyists and bystanders.  The meeting started with a general update on current gaming activities in Florida.  […]

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New Financial Services Commission Takes the Reins

New Financial Services Commission Takes the Reins

The new year marks a new beginning for Florida’s Financial Services Commission.  Under Florida’s regulatory structure, the Governor and Cabinet make up the four-member Financial Services Commission.  This collegial body has rulemaking authority for the Office of Insurance Regulation and Office of Financial Regulation.  In addition, the Financial Services Commission is responsible for employing the […]

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Future Composition of Financial Services Commission Still Unclear

Future Composition of Financial Services Commission Still Unclear

With a little more than a month to go until the general election, the races to determine the future makeup of Florida’s Financial Services Commission appear they will go down to the wire.  Under Florida’s unique regulatory structure, the Financial Services Commission consisting of the Governor, Chief Financial Officer, Attorney General and Commissioner of Agriculture, […]

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Terry Butler Named Interim Consumer Advocate

Terry Butler Named Interim Consumer Advocate

Florida’s Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink has announced that Terry Butler will serve as the interim Interim Insurance Consumer Advocate.   Terry has worked as an attorney in various insurance regulatory capacities throughout his career, including as the Senior Attorney in the Office of the Insurance Consumer Advocate since August 2007.  “Terry’s legal experience and expertise in standing up for Florida’s […]

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Atwater, Ausley to Face Off for CFO Position

Atwater, Ausley to Face Off for CFO Position

Republican Senator Jeff Atwater and Democrat Loranne Ausley did not have to await Tuesday’s primaries to know they would be facing off in the race to follow Alex Sink as Florida’s Chief Financial Officer.  Although it initially appeared Atwater would have a primary opponent, Atwater’s formidable fundraising and campaigning long ago sealed his place as the […]

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Safeguard Our Seniors Becomes Law

Safeguard Our Seniors Becomes Law

Along with Governor Charlie Crist’s approval of a bill streamlining commercial insurance rates (SB 2176) came approval of the “Safeguard Our Seniors” annuity legislation.  The “safeguard Our Seniors” provisions were added to the commercial deregulation bill late in teh session and mark the culmination of three-year effort by CFO Alex Sink to pursue changes to […]

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Safeguard Our Seniors Heads to Governor’s Desk

Safeguard Our Seniors Heads to Governor’s Desk

Senator Mike Bennett, Representative Maria Sachs and CFO Alex Sink, among others, have been pursuing legislation for several sessions to increase regulatory protections for senior citizens in annuity transactions.  Although the proposals appeared at times to be stalled in the current session, they were amended onto a broader insurance bill at the end of the session […]

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