News & Updates

Citizens

The Foreseeable Consequences of SB 1372

The Foreseeable Consequences of SB 1372

A proposal to reduce the size of the Florida Hurricane Catastrophe Fund (FHCF) remains under consideration in the Florida Senate in the form of SB 1372.  A similar proposal exists in the House of Representatives but has not advanced thus far in the 2012 legislative session. This proposal, which has been termed the FHCF “right-sizing” […]

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First Do No Harm

First Do No Harm

We’ve heard the phrase before in many contexts–  first do no harm.  Let’s hope this line of thinking applies to the 2012 legislative session, particularly as it relates to Florida’s residential property insurance market.  Governor Rick Scott issued a challenge several months ago for Citizens Property Insurance Corporation to dramatically reduce its exposures.  Unfortunately, its […]

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Citizens Board Opposes Cat Fund Reduction

Citizens Board Opposes Cat Fund Reduction

The Board of Governors of Citizens Property Insurance Corporation voted 5-3 to oppose legislation designed to reduce the size of the Florida Hurricane Catastrophe Fund.  The FHCF is Citizens’ primary source of reinsurance.  The FHCF has been promoting a plan to reduce its size through a combination of decreasing its maximum liability, increasing the co-participation requirement, and increasing […]

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Right-Sizing FHCF Adds Certainty But Affects Market Competitiveness

Right-Sizing FHCF Adds Certainty But Affects Market Competitiveness

One of the most significant legislative proposals for the upcoming session in the residential property arena will be reducing the size of the FHCF.  Jack Nicholson of the FHCF has said that while the FHCF currently projects that it could meet its mandatory obligations, worldwide financial conditions have reduced the margin for doing so to […]

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Officials Urge Phase-In of Citizens Sinkhole Rate Change

Officials Urge Phase-In of Citizens Sinkhole Rate Change

Citizens Property Insurance Corporation got the insurance world talking recently when it announced that rates for sinkhole coverage would increase by an average of 400 percent, and by much higher amounts in certain areas. Citizens’ rate increases are capped at 10 percent per policyholder per year, but the 2011 legislature removed sinkhole coverage from the […]

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Privatizing Citizens?

Privatizing Citizens?

Citizens Property Insurance Corporation Jim Malone created a buzz today when he suggested that Citizens’ risks should be privatized in some manner. Malone lamented that Citizens continues to grow as its rate levels remain subject to a glide path cap while the private market’s rate increase due to cost drivers in the market. So, can […]

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Citizens Updates Procedures for Data Requests

Citizens Updates Procedures for Data Requests

Insurers seeking to assume policies from Citizens Property Insurance Corporation understand the need to periodically obtain the most recent data from Citizens regarding its in-force policies. Likewise, a prospective investor group may be interested in obtaining the Citizens data to evaluate assumption opportunities and develop its business plan. Under updated procedures recently developed by Citizens, […]

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Office of Insurance Regulation Releases PML Report

Office of Insurance Regulation Releases PML Report

The Florida Office of Insurance Regulation (OIR) has released its Annual Report of Aggregate Net Probable Maximum Losses, Financing Options and Potential Assessments.  The report describes the potential impact of 50-year, 100-year and 250-year events on the Florida Hurricane Catastrophe Fund (FHCF) and Citizens Property Insurance Corporation (Citizens). Events ranging from a 50-year storm to […]

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