News & Updates

FHCF

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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New Year to Start Fast for Insurance and Other Issues

New Year to Start Fast for Insurance and Other Issues

The holiday season always seems to pass too quickly.  After an extended period of unwinding and spending time with families and friends, the new year always brings an abrupt end to this relaxed pace as we return to work, children return to school and we pick up where we left off.  This will especially be […]

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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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A.M. Best Insurance Law Podcast Discusses FHCF Reform

A.M. Best Insurance Law Podcast Discusses FHCF Reform

I recently recorded a podcast in the latest episode of A.M. Best’s Insurance Law Podcast, a series that examines timely and important legal issues affecting the insurance industry from an attorney’s point of view.  In this episode, I discussed the pending proposal by the Florida Hurricane Catastrophe Fund to shrink its size and increase its costs over a […]

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FHCF Projects Shortfall

FHCF Projects Shortfall

The Florida Hurricane Catastrophe Fund has released the October update of its fund balance.  These projections take into account the FHCF’s cash on hand and its expected ability to issue bonds.  For the current FHCF contract year, the FHCF has $18.4 billion in aggregate potential reimbursement obligations.  However, the FHCF projects a $3.2 billion potential shortfall in […]

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FHCF Advisory Council to Consider Cat Fund Capacity

FHCF Advisory Council to Consider Cat Fund Capacity

The Advisory Council of the Florida Hurricane Catastrophe Fund meets October 18, 2011, to consider the most recent analysis of the FHCF’s claims-paying capacity.  The FHCF’s ability to reimburse participating insurers for covered losses consists of a combination of its cash on hand and its ability to issue bonds.  By law, the State Board of […]

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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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FHCF Seeks to Avoid “Over-Exposure”

FHCF Seeks to Avoid “Over-Exposure”

Several months ago, the Florida Hurricane Catastrophe Fund (FHCF) released a proposal to gradually reduce the FHCF’s exposure to ensure it is able to meet its obligations to insurers.  Jack Nicholson of the FHCF recently referred to moving from the current position in which the FHCF might meet its obligations, or hopes to meet its […]

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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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Differences in Property Legislation Remain at Session’s Midpoint

Differences in Property Legislation Remain at Session’s Midpoint

As we have now reached the midpoint of the 2011 legislative, some of the key elements of this year’s property insurance legislation still differ in significant ways between the House and Senate versions.  Property legislation tends to go down to the wire each year, and this year looks like it will be no exception. Some […]

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