Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Michael MolineApril 30, 2018

An appellate court has rejected a community group’s challenge to premium levels for Citizens Property Insurance Corp. customers in Monroe County. State law provides no avenue for the formal administrative challenge sought by Fair Insurance Rates in Monroe Inc., a unanimous three-judge panel of the 1st District Court of Appeal in Tallahassee concluded on Monday. The […]

Michael MolineNovember 14, 2017

A ‘clean’ workers’ compensation bill is headed to the House floor after the Commerce Committee rejected a series of amendments pitched as worker-friendly Tuesday. The bill (PCB COM 18-01) cleared the panel on a vote of 18-8. It closely follows legislation the full House approved during the spring Legislative Session, in that it encourages injured […]

Staff ReportsNovember 10, 2017

The cost to buy worker’s compensation insurance is going down in the Sunshine State. Florida Insurance Commissioner David Altmaier on Thursday issued a final order granting approval to the National Council on Compensation Insurance (NCCI) for a statewide overall rate level decrease of 9.5 percent and premium level decrease of 9.8 percent, according to a press release. […]

Staff ReportsOctober 6, 2017

State Sen. Tom Lee‘s office announced he had again filed legislation to add financial protections for residents of continuing care retirement communities (CCRCs). The Thonotosassa Republican, a former Senate president, filed the 70-page bill (SB 438) on Thursday; he filed similar legislation last session. “Part independent living, part assisted living and part skilled nursing home, CCRCs […]

Guest AuthorAugust 31, 2017

According to a study conducted by the risk assessment group Karen Clark & Co., if Hurricane Andrew hit today, it would cause nearly $50 billion of insured losses, compared to its $15.1 billion in 1992. Indeed, Florida enjoys a relatively stable insurance market with more companies writing more policies. However, there are concerns that new, untested […]

Michael MolineMay 18, 2017

Belinda Miller, a stalwart of Florida’s insurance regulation efforts since 1985, will retire on July 2, but plans to keep her hand in the industry via consulting work. ”I’m going to retire from the state,” Miller said during a telephone interview Thursday. “It’s just time. I’ve been there a long time, so I’m going to […]

Michael MolineApril 3, 2017

The Senate Banking and Insurance Committee voted 7-1 Monday to approve legislation that would require workers’ compensation carriers to compete on price rather than propose premium levels through a common ratings agency, and that would allow workers to pay attorneys hourly rates if they take insurers to court. The ‘No” vote was by Sen. George Gainer, […]

Michael MolineJanuary 27, 2017

The group behind a 14.5 percent workers’ compensation premium can’t get around Florida’s Sunshine Law by arguing that a single individual worked on the matter, and not a full-fledged internal committee, an appellate brief argues. The law holds that meetings by such committees at rating organizations like the National Council on Compensation Insurance, or NCCI, […]

A.G. GancarskiJanuary 24, 2017

The phrase “you better shop around” applies to love, according to at least one old song. And a Florida House bill would apply that to medical procedures as well. On Tuesday, Rep. Paul Renner filed House Bill 449 (the “Patient Savings Act”) in the Florida House. The bill would create a “shared savings incentive program” starting on Jan. 1, […]

Peter SchorschDecember 1, 2016

This Thanksgiving, a Leon County judge gave trial lawyers one more reason to be thankful. But that may not last long. On Nov. 23 – just one day before Thanksgiving — Circuit Judge Karen Gievers put the brakes on a 14.5 percent workers’ compensation rate increase, scheduled to go into effect Dec. 1. Gievers ruled […]

Tag: Office of Insurance Regulation
No on 4

Court rejects Keys residents’ challenge to Citizens rates

House pressing on with workers’ comp reform

Workers’ comp costs going down

Tom Lee files bill to protect seniors

Christian Cámara: In Florida insurance market, all is not equal

Office of Insurance Regulation veteran Belinda Miller announces retirement

Senate panel OKs workers’ comp bill opposed by insurance industry

NCCI, state insurance office can’t evade Sunshine Law, brief argues

‘Patient Savings Act’ filed in Florida House

Workers comp rate hike ruling gives trial lawyers reason to cheer. But how long will it last?