News & Updates

Department of Financial Services

DFS Proposes Changes to Appearance of Annuity Cover Pages

DFS Proposes Changes to Appearance of Annuity Cover Pages

The subject of annuities was addressed in the last days of the 2010 Florida Legislative Session in a general insurance bill (SB 2176), now Chapter 2010-175, Laws of Florida.  The statute, section 626.99(4)(c), was amended to require cover pages for fixed and variable annuity contracts.  For fixed annuities the statute requires the notice to be […]

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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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Senate Committees to Study Property and Casualty Insurance Issues

Senate Committees to Study Property and Casualty Insurance Issues

Each year, the legislature asks its committees to review significant issues and prepare reports in anticipation of the the next legislative session.  This year is no different, and the Senate recently released its list of interim projects.  Projects of the Banking & Insurance Committee can be seen in the attached document. Project 2012-11 will be […]

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Department of Financial Services Issues Orders Setting Assessment Rates for 2012

Department of Financial Services Issues Orders Setting Assessment Rates for 2012

The Division of Workers’ Compensation has issued 2 informational memoranda setting assessment rates for the 2012 calendar year. Workers’ Compensation Administration Trust Fund – DFS-02-2011 – The assessment rate for 2012 is 1.75%. Each year the Department estimates the amounts needed for the administration of Chapter 440, Florida Statutes.  This figure takes into account the […]

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Florida Surplus Lines Office (FSLO) Ready to Implement Nonadmitted and Reinsurance Reform Act (NRRA)

Florida Surplus Lines Office (FSLO) Ready to Implement Nonadmitted and Reinsurance Reform Act (NRRA)

The Florida legislature passed Senate Bill 1816 authorizing the Florida Surplus Lines Office to implement NRRA, a Federal law designed to simplify surplus lines regulation by delegating most of the responsibility to the “home state” of the insured.  How much taxation is actually simplified remains to be seen as a myriad of state laws and […]

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CFO Atwater Obtains $76 million Judgment Against Owner of Insolvent Insurer

CFO Atwater Obtains $76 million Judgment Against Owner of Insolvent Insurer

On April 13, 2011, a judgment for more than $76 million was handed down by the Complex Litigation Division of the Miami-Dade Circuit Court against the former owners of Aries Insurance Company.  The judgment announced by CFO Atwater, follows an extensive investigation by the Department of Financial Services (Department) that determined that Marcos Fraynd and […]

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OIR Issues Memorandum on Disaster Response Coordination

OIR Issues Memorandum on Disaster Response Coordination

The Florida Office of Insurance Regulation has issued an informational memorandum (OIR-11-02M) informing property and casualty insurers of Partners in Recovery, a not-for-profit organization intended to expedite the settlement of property insurance claims.  The program coordinates disaster preparation and response communications among the Department of Financial Services (DFS), Office of Insurance Regulation (OIR), emergency management agencies, […]

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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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