News & Updates

Travis Miller

Citizens Assessment Mechanism to be Revised

Citizens Assessment Mechanism to be Revised

The legislature passed a bill in the recently concluded 2012 session changing the way Citizens will recover deficits through assessments.  The bill was unique in that it enjoyed broad support from the Office of Insurance Regulation, the Insurance Consumer Advocate, Citizens Property Insurance Corporation and the insurance industry.  Despite this support, the proposal was in […]

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Surplus Lines Depopulation Bill Stalls

Surplus Lines Depopulation Bill Stalls

A proposal to allow surplus lines insurers to remove policies from Citizens Property Insurance Corporation failed in the waning days of the session.  Lawmakers considered ways of reducing the size of Citizens, and one proposal that emerged was to allow surplus lines insurers to assume policies from Citizens using a process similar to that used […]

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Special Session on Redistricting Next Week

Special Session on Redistricting Next Week

The Florida legislature wrapped up its 2012 regular session yesterday, but they’ll be back next week for a special session on redistricting.  Just as the session was wrapping up, lawmakers learned that the Florida Supreme Court rejected the newly drawn Senate districts by a 5-2 vote.  The Court approved the House plan.  This means the […]

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Session Drawing to a Close

Session Drawing to a Close

The 2012 legislative session is rapidly drawing to a close–  at least the regular session, anyway.  The session is scheduled to end tonight, and lawmakers will work at a frenzied pace to address bills that are bouncing back and forth between the chambers. No Florida session would be complete without a property and casualty insurance […]

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FHCF Right Sizing Proposal Up for Hearing

FHCF Right Sizing Proposal Up for Hearing

The so-called “right-sizing” proposal of the Florida Hurricane Catastrophe Fund (FHCF) is on the agenda of the Senate Budget Subcommittee on General Government Appropriations today.  This proposal would increase the FHCF’s retention over time, and reduce the amount of coverage it makes available to residential property insurers. I have written about this proposal, known in […]

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Citizens Assessment Revision in Hands of Senate

Citizens Assessment Revision in Hands of Senate

The Florida House of Representatives has advanced HB 1127 by a vote of 89-25, sending it to the Senate for consideration.  This is the bill that would decrease the reliance of Citizens Property Insurance Corporation on regular assessments, shifting instead to more of an emergency assessment-based approach.  This is a rare bill in which Citizens, […]

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Citizens Survey Reflects Market Concerns

Citizens Survey Reflects Market Concerns

Citizens Property Insurance Corporation recently sent a survey to companies authorized to write property insurance in Florida seeking their input regarding impediments to depopulation.  Citizens’ policy count has increased dramatically in recent months, and interest in so-called take-out has been limited.  The reconstituted depopulation committee of Citizens met last week to consider the results.  The […]

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Workers’ Compensation Excess Profits Repeal Passes House

Workers’ Compensation Excess Profits Repeal Passes House

The Florida House of Representatives has passed a bill (HB 4169) that would repeal Florida’s excess profits law for workers’ compensation insurance.  The Senate should consider this favorable proposal, but unfortunately no companion bill exists. The excess profits law requires workers’ compensation insurers to refund their “excess” profits earned over a three-year period if they […]

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The Foreseeable Consequences of SB 1372

The Foreseeable Consequences of SB 1372

A proposal to reduce the size of the Florida Hurricane Catastrophe Fund (FHCF) remains under consideration in the Florida Senate in the form of SB 1372.  A similar proposal exists in the House of Representatives but has not advanced thus far in the 2012 legislative session. This proposal, which has been termed the FHCF “right-sizing” […]

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Florida Tourism Hits Record Level

Florida Tourism Hits Record Level

Last night I read an article published by News Service of Florida, whose timely articles and analysis I always enjoy.  I mostly pay attention to their articles on insurance-related issues, legislative events, Florida politics and similar issues relating to being a member of a capital-based law firm serving regulated industries.  However, this article caught my […]

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