News & Updates

OIR

OIR Issues Information Memorandum on Isaac Deductibles

OIR Issues Information Memorandum on Isaac Deductibles

The Florida Office of Insurance Regulation has issued Informational Memorandum OIR-12-05M relating to the deductbiles to be applied under Isaac losses.  Isaac was a tropical storm through the update on Tuesday, August 28, 2012, when it was declared to be a hurricane.  The OIR advises that its declaration as a hurricane triggers the hurricane deductible under […]

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OIR Publishes Profit and Contingency Factors

OIR Publishes Profit and Contingency Factors

The Florida Office of Insurance Regulation has issued an administrative order setting forth profit and contingency factors that insurers may use in their rate filings.  Property lines of business generally have positive profit and contingency factors, such as homeowners at 4.1% and fire at 3.6%.  Liability lines of business generally have negative P&C factors.

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NCCI Submits Workers Compensation Rates

NCCI Submits Workers Compensation Rates

The National Council on Compensation Insurance (NCCI) has delivered its annual workers compensation rate filing to the Office of Insurance Regulation (OIR).  The filing provides for an overall workers compensation rate level increase of 6.1%.  The proposed effective date is January 1, 2013.  Even with the proposed increase, the filing still reflects a significant reduction in rate […]

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Hearing to Address Proposed Penalty Rule Repeal

Hearing to Address Proposed Penalty Rule Repeal

A hearing will take place today on the Office of Insurance Regulation’s proposed repeal of administrative rule 69O-142.011, sometimes called the “penalty rule.”  The rule classifies many types of violations of the insurance codes into categories, ranging from the most severe to the relatively minor.  The rule then sets forth ranges of potential penalties based on […]

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Another Look at the Notice of Change in Policy Terms

Another Look at the Notice of Change in Policy Terms

The 2011 Florida Legislature established a new opportunity for insurers to inform policyholders of changes in their policies.  Case law in Florida previously suggested that insurers seeking to continue coverage with material changes in terms should nonrenew existing policies and offer replacement policies with the new terms.  This process could be confusing for policyholders, who […]

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OIR Scrutinizing Lender-Placed Insurance

OIR Scrutinizing Lender-Placed Insurance

The Florida Office of Insurance Regulation and Insurance Commissioner Kevin McCarty continue to take a close look at lender-placed or force-placed insurance.  In its most recent action, the OIR announced on Friday that it intends to disapprove a recent rate filing submitted by Praetorian Insurance Company (Praetorian). Praetorian submitted a rate filing proposing a modest statewide decrease […]

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OIR Cautions Against Premature Conclusions from Draft PIP Report

OIR Cautions Against Premature Conclusions from Draft PIP Report

One of the great benefits of Florida’s public records law is early and thorough access to information prepared for or on behalf of the government.  At this same time, this access can lead to dissemination of information before it has been finalized or fully vetted.  This is the case with the draft report titled “Impact Analysis of […]

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Citizens to Propose Risk Load But Not a New Business Rate

Citizens to Propose Risk Load But Not a New Business Rate

The Board of Governors of Citizens Property Insurance Corporation wresteld with the difficult issue of the residual market’s rate levels at its board and committee meetings last week.  Citizens’ rates receive a lot of attention in the media, and admittedly present a unique challenge for this state.  Citizens has a substantial share of the market, […]

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OIR Discusses Status of Federal Health Care Reform

OIR Discusses Status of Federal Health Care Reform

The Florida Office of Insurance Regulation recently summarized the status of implementation of federal health care reform at a meeting of the Florida Health Insurance Advisory Board.  Michelle Robleto, the OIR’s Deputy Commissioner overseeing life and health insurance, provided the update. The OIR’s summary began with a recap of the new law, including the reforms […]

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Citizens Rate Discussion Resumes

Citizens Rate Discussion Resumes

Rate levels for Citizens Property Insurance Corporation once again will be in the spotlight this week.  The board of governors will hold a workshop to discuss Citizens’ rate levels for the upcoming year.  Under Florida law, Citizens submits recommended rates to the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation, which then is responsible for approving Citizens’ final […]

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