News & Updates

Travis Miller

Rate Reduction Proposed for Workers’ Compensation Insurance

Rate Reduction Proposed for Workers’ Compensation Insurance

The Office of Insurance Regulation (OIR) recently commented on the rate filing it received from the National Council on Compensation Insurance (NCCI) proposing a statewide average premium decrease of 2.2%.  The OIR pointed out that the filing includes a statewide average rate decrease of 1.9% and a reduction of the fixed expense cost applicable to […]

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OIR Seeks to Amend Holding Company Regulations

OIR Seeks to Amend Holding Company Regulations

The Florida Office of Insurance Regulation held a workshop at its office in Tallahassee to discuss potential amendments to key administrative rules governing insurance holding company systems and transactions between insurers and their affiliates. The workshop is the first step in the administrative rule making process, which ultimately leads to formal revisions to regulations governing […]

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Public Hearing Scheduled for Proposed Citizens Rate Changes

Public Hearing Scheduled for Proposed Citizens Rate Changes

The Office of Insurance Regulation has scheduled a public hearing for the following pending rate filings submitted by Citizens Property Insurance Corporation.  Citizens submits rate filings for all of its programs each year.  In connection with the OIR’s review, the OIR holds a public hearing at which Citizens presents information regarding the filings and the […]

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DFS Reminds Adjusting Firms to Designate Primary Adjuster

DFS Reminds Adjusting Firms to Designate Primary Adjuster

The Florida Department of Financial Services reminds adjusting firms that the primary adjuster law requires each person operating an adjusting firm, and each location of a multiple location adjusting firm, to designate a primary adjuster for each such firm or location.  The law defines a primary adjuster as the licensed adjuster who is responsible for the hiring […]

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DFS Cautions Against Unauthorized Charges

DFS Cautions Against Unauthorized Charges

The Florida Department of Financial Services has issued guidance to agents regarding unlawful or unauthorized charges.  The department advises that it has received an increasing number of inquiries from Florida agents asking if they can charge fees for services ancillary to placing insurance, such as issuing certificates of coverage.  The department responds that charging these types […]

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CFO Names New Insurance Consumer Advocate

CFO Names New Insurance Consumer Advocate

Florida’s Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater has named Sha’Ron James as the state’s Insurance Consumer Advocate effective August 3.  Ms. James most recently has been the Director of the Division of Rehabilitation & Liquidation within the Department of Financial Services.  “Sha’Ron’s experience holding insurance companies accountable and her in-depth understanding of the insurance industry raises […]

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DFS Issues Guidance to Agents Using Virtual Office

DFS Issues Guidance to Agents Using Virtual Office

The Florida Department of Financial Services (DFS) in its Insurance Insights publication has reminded life and health agents using “virtual offices” to list their home addresses as their business addresses on file with DFS if their records are kept at home.  DFS notes that many agents do not lease permanent locations but instead rent conference […]

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Department of Revenue Issues Tax Credit TIP

Department of Revenue Issues Tax Credit TIP

The Florida Department of Revenue has issued Tax Information Publication (TIP) 15ADM-03 relating to the community contribution tax credit.  Insurers may be interested in the tax credit against the insurance premium tax.  The credit also may be taken against the sales and use tax and the corporate income tax.  The text of the TIP is […]

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First DCA Issues Another Assignment of Benefits Opinion

First DCA Issues Another Assignment of Benefits Opinion

The First District Court of Appeal has issued its second opinion on assignment of benefit issues in recent weeks.  In its most recent opinion, the court in United Water Restoration Group, Inc. v. State Farm Florida Insurance Company found that a county court had improperly dismissed United Water’s complaint based on coverage issues raised by […]

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July Marks Effective Date for Statutory Changes

July Marks Effective Date for Statutory Changes

Bills passed by the Florida legislature specify when their provisions take effect, either upon the bills’ becoming law or upon a specific date.  For insurance-related legislation, the legislature often establishes July 1 as the effective date.  This is the case with several bills passed during 2015.  Insurers therefore should consider the impact of 2015 legislation […]

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