News & Updates

insurance commissioner

OIR Responds to Findings in Operational Audit

OIR Responds to Findings in Operational Audit

Florida’s Auditor General recently issued Report 2014-009 relating to its operational audit of the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation.  The Office of Insurance Regulation in turn has provided its responses to the audit findings.  The report identified the following four findings: Finding No. 1:  Office policies and procedures should be enhanced to require that the […]

Continue Reading →

Property Insurance Proposals Begin to Take Shape

Property Insurance Proposals Begin to Take Shape

The Florida legislature is expected to take steps this session to improve the Florida property insurance market.  After a series of committee meetings, some of the ideas are beginning to take shape.  According to Senate Banking & Insurance Chairman David Simmons, the committee will have a bill dealing with issues relating to Citizens Property Insurance […]

Continue Reading →

Legislative Proposals Would Codify Product Certification Process

Legislative Proposals Would Codify Product Certification Process

The Florida Office of Insurance Regulation issued orders last year allowing property and casualty insurers to certify most products’ compliance with the insurance code rather than seeking prior approval of the forms.  The orders are helpful to the Office of Insurance Regulation in reducing some of the workload associated with reviewing the filings.  At the […]

Continue Reading →

Wences Troncoso Takes Life and Health Deputy Commissioner Role

Wences Troncoso Takes Life and Health Deputy Commissioner Role

Insurance Commissioner Kevin McCarty has named Wences Troncoso the OIR’s Deputy Commissioner for Life & Health Insurance.  Mr. Troncoso follows Michelle Robleto. The Deputy Insurance Commissioner for Life & Health oversees the Financial Oversight and Product Review sections of the Office of Insurance Regulation.  These sections cover areas including review and approval of forms and rates and […]

Continue Reading →

Commissioner Discusses Misalignment Between Rates and Mitigation Discounts

Commissioner Discusses Misalignment Between Rates and Mitigation Discounts

Florida Insurance Commissioner Kevin McCarty presented ideas for “principle-based” insurance reform to the Senate Banking and Insurance Committee this afternoon.  In his presentation, Commissioner McCarty identified several reasons the private market has difficulty competing with Citizens Property Insurance Corporation.  Among these, the Commissioner noted a “mismatch” between primary rate levels and the mitigation discounts for […]

Continue Reading →

OIR Offers Resource for Life and Health Product Filings

OIR Offers Resource for Life and Health Product Filings

The Florida Office of Insurance Regulation (Office) has unveiled a new resource for allowing interested persons to provide input on life and health insurance form and rate filings.  “Hearing the opinions of Florida’s consumers about proposed changes to their insurance is considered a top priority of the Office. This feature presents a suitable forum for those opinions […]

Continue Reading →

OIR Approves Citizens Rates

OIR Approves Citizens Rates

The Office of Insurance Regulation has approved rates for Citizens’ homeowners and dwelling programs.  The average rate increase is 10.8% for homeowners insurance and 8.8% for the dwelling program.  Rate increases for sinkhole coverage are higher (by percentage), although less than Citizens’ indicated rates. The OIR approved the rates through an Order (attached).  Citizens’ ratemaking […]

Continue Reading →

OIR Conference Emphasizes Business Development

OIR Conference Emphasizes Business Development

The Florida Office of Insurance Regulation hosted its business development conference last week in Tallahassee.  The event marked the first time in four years that the OIR has hosted the conference.  Although styled as a filing conference in the past, the title of this year’s conference was expanded to include business development as the OIR […]

Continue Reading →

Attempt to Circumvent PIP Reform Draws Policymakers’ Ire

Attempt to Circumvent PIP Reform Draws Policymakers’ Ire

The efforts of a Tampa company to solicit chiropractors to circumvent PIP reforms has drawn adverse reactions from legislators and insurance regulators.  Governor Scott has not yet acted on the bill passed at the end of the 2012 legislative session, but he worked hard with legislators to pass the bill and is expected to sign […]

Continue Reading →

Reform for PIP Squeaks Through on Final Day of Session

Reform for PIP Squeaks Through on Final Day of Session

After intense debate throughout the 2012 legislative session, the Florida House of Representatives and Senate reached a compromise on reforms for Florida’s Personal Injury Protection (PIP) auto insurance system.  The bill and its reform proposals were the subject of considerable analysis and discussion prior to the session and throughout its two-month term.  Insurance Commissioner Kevin […]

Continue Reading →