Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Staff ReportsOctober 10, 2016

Hurricane Matthew has generated nearly 5,000 insurance claims involving losses of $21 million, state regulators said Monday. They cautioned the results are preliminary, reflecting just three days of claims data — Friday through Sunday. “As many displaced consumers return to their communities and homes to assess damage and initiate the claims process, these numbers will increase […]

Michael MolineOctober 10, 2016

Citizens Property Insurance Corp. was quick to warn policyholders against signing away their rights in exchange for quick repairs following Hurricane Matthew. Meanwhile, the company announced the opening of two emergency operations centers to assist policyholders on the Space Coast. Florida’s insurer of last resort issued a press release Sunday urging policyholders to call the company […]

Guest AuthorOctober 10, 2016

Attention Florida business owners — in case you missed it, you are about to be hit with a workers’ compensation insurance increase that you most likely haven’t planned for, all for the benefit of Florida’s billboard trial lawyers. This week, the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation approved a 14.5 percent workers’ compensation rate increase that […]

Michael MolineSeptember 30, 2016

State regulators approved premium increases Friday for commercial policies issued by Citizens Property Insurance Corp., including a nearly 12 percent increase for condominium association common property in wind-vulnerable coastal areas. Premiums on those policies would increase by 11.9 percent effective Feb. 1. Citizens had sought an increase of 12 percent. Multi-peril policies for other condo […]

Staff ReportsSeptember 30, 2016

Florida Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater is the state’s “Consumer Champion” for 2016, an insurance industry watchdog organization announced this week, citing his support for legislative crackdowns on health and life insurers. The Florida Association for Insurance Reform bestowed the accolade Thursday night during its annual awards ceremony. The awards “recognize insurance and policy leaders whose […]

Michael MolineSeptember 28, 2016

The directors of Florida’s property insurer of last resort voted Wednesday to recalibrate consumer incentives to discourage policyholders from ceding damage claims to third parties, including attorneys and contractors. Under new incentives, Citizens Property Insurance Corp. would pay for initial repairs to non-weather-related water damage — removing any water and drying out the property. These […]

Michael MolineSeptember 27, 2016

State regulators Tuesday approved a 14.5 percent average increase in workers’ compensation insurance premiums — less than the 19.6 percent hike sought by an industry council. The new rates take effect Dec. 1. The original rate proposal by the National Council on Compensation Insurance, or NCCI, would have taken effect on Oct. 1. The higher […]

Staff ReportsSeptember 21, 2016

Florida’s business owners will soon find out the fate of a proposed increase of nearly 20 percent in workers compensation insurance rates. “We’re getting very close to being finished with those review and putting these rate filings out into the public, so our business owners and community can respond to that and plan effectively,” state […]

Michael MolineSeptember 16, 2016

State regulators approved premium increases averaging 6.4 percent on homeowner policies issued by Citizens Property Insurance Corp., Florida’s state-run insurer of last resort. The Office of Insurance Regulation pared down that increase slightly from the 6.9 percent Citizens sought during a rate hearing last month. You can read the order here. The office approved rate […]

Michael MolineSeptember 16, 2016

Florida’s insurer of last resort has paid more than $90,000 in Hurricane Hermine claims. That was the tally as of Friday afternoon, with 618 claims still being processed. “Most of the claims have been filed for the Tampa Bay area — relatively far from where the storm landed,” said Michael Peltier, spokesman for Citizens Property […]

Tag: Florida Office of Insurance Regulation
Michelin spotlights Miami's Sereia Portuguese seafood restaurant, one of six new eateries on the list.

Insurance claims begin to mount following Hurricane Matthew

Citizens Insurance, regulators warn of fraud post-Hurricane Matthew

Mark Wilson: Rising workers’ comp rates hurt businesses

Regulators approve increases in Citizens Insurance commercial premiums

FAIR names Jeff Atwater Florida’s ‘Consumer Champion’

Citizens Insurance juggles incentives in managed repair program

Regulators approve 14.5 percent workers’ compensation premium hike

Decision near on proposed workers compensation insurance rate hike

Citizens Insurance wins 6.4 percent increase in property premiums

Assessing Hermine: Citizens Insurance pays $90,000 in storm claims