News & Updates

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Supreme Court Finds PIP Insurers Must Disclose Use of Medicare Schedule

Supreme Court Finds PIP Insurers Must Disclose Use of Medicare Schedule

On July 3, 2013, the Florida Supreme Court answered the following certified question relating to insurers’ efforts to limit medical reimbursements in Personal Injury Protection policies based on the Medicare fee schedules: WITH RESPECT TO PIP POLICIES ISSUED AFTER JANUARY 1, 2008, MAY AN INSURER LIMIT REIMBURSEMENTS BASED ON THE MEDICARE FEE SCHEDULES IDENTIFIED IN […]

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Ambiguity Expands Coverage in Home Health Policy

Ambiguity Expands Coverage in Home Health Policy

In its third insurance-related opinion of July 3, the Florida Supreme Court in Washington National Insurance Corporation v. Ruderman answered the following questions certified to it by the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit: IN THIS CASE, DOES THE POLICY’S “AUTOMATIC BENEFIT INCREASE PERCENTAGE” APPLY TO THE DOLLAR VALUES OF THE “LIFETIME […]

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Fifth DCA Finds Coverage Under Auto Policy for Modified Golf Cart

Fifth DCA Finds Coverage Under Auto Policy for Modified Golf Cart

On July 5, 2013, the Fifth District Court of Appeal issued its opinion in Angelotta v. Security National Insurance Company.  The case involved an insured who was operating a leased modified golf cart on a public road when he sideswiped a car and ran into a lawfully parked golf cart operated by the injured party.  […]

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Legislature Revises Forms Certifications and Rate Exemptions

Legislature Revises Forms Certifications and Rate Exemptions

The legislature altered Florida’s form and rate filing statutes in SB 468.  Perhaps most significantly, the legislature specified that a forms certification process similar to the one currently in effect by OIR order will continue for commercial property and casualty insurance.  However, personal lines and workers’ compensation are specifically carved out of the statutory change […]

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Legislative Edition of Florida Insurance Report Coming Soon

Legislative Edition of Florida Insurance Report Coming Soon

The firm’s legislative edition of the Florida Insurance Report is under development and will be available soon.  The report will provide a summary of the major insurance bills that passed in the 2013 session, and those that were heavily debated but did not survive at the end.  The report is available by mail simply by […]

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FHCF Right-Sizing Debate Results in No Changes

FHCF Right-Sizing Debate Results in No Changes

The legislature entered the 2013 session talking about reducing the amount of reimbursement capacity provided by the FHCF.  It leaves Tallahassee without changing the limits at all, but not for lack of thorough discussion of the issue. Lawmakers interested in reducing the state’s assessment exposure urged a reduction in the FHCF to be phased-in over […]

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Salary Tax Credit Survives

Salary Tax Credit Survives

The status of the salary tax credit against insurers’ premium tax obligations became one of the highest profile insurance issues of the 2013 legislative session.  The salary tax credit allows insurers to deduct 15% of the compensation they pay to Florida-based employees against the premium tax obligations they otherwise would pay.  The credit is designed […]

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Citizens-Lite Bill Heads to Governor

Citizens-Lite Bill Heads to Governor

After months of committee meetings and discussions, the Florida legislature reached compromises on changes to Citizens Property Insurance Corporation in SB 1770.  The bill now heads to Governor Scott’s desk for review.  The months leading up to the 2013 legislative session included discussion of far-reaching proposals that would aggressively restore Citizens to its role as […]

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Salary Tax Credit Repeal Breezes Through Senate, Goes to House

Salary Tax Credit Repeal Breezes Through Senate, Goes to House

SB 1832 relating to repealing the insurance industry’s salary tax credit against the premium tax came up today in the Senate and passed 39-0.  The bill’s sponsor, Senator Negron, discussed the rationale for the amendment, which essentially is to return the money to the citizens of Florida in the form of lower vehicle registration fees and not […]

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