As insurance reform loses momentum amongst legislators, the Florida Insurance Council says that it will continue pushing for major changes to the state’s regulations and the Citizens Property Insurance group. Reform has fallen to the wayside in the current session of the state’s Legislature, which will begin next week. While lawmakers focus more on budget and redistricting, the much needed insurance changes are not to be considered until the next legislative session, which will happen much later in the year. The Insurance Council is pushing for changes to the state’s…
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Citizens Property Insurance rate increase struck down by Florida’s Insurance Commissioner
Florida’s Insurance Commissioner has taken a bold stand against the state-run insurance company Citizens Property Insurance Corp. The insurer has been facing staunch opposition lately for a rate increase that will raise the rates of sinkhole coverage throughout the state by an average of 400%. Commissioner Kevin McCarty has ruled against the rate increase and now demands that the insurer make dramatic changes to their rate proposal. McCarty is keen to see the insurer propose new rates that are friendlier toward consumers. The insurer’s rate increase has been under investigation…
Read MorePembroke Pines seeks lower insurance rates for its drivers citing safer streets
Officials of Pembroke Pines, Florida, are petitioning the insurance industry to lower rates on auto insurance due to the safety of the city’s streets. Pembroke Pines is the first city in Florida to seek lower rates from the industry as a whole rather than going through state-run agencies. City officials say that lower rates are well earned because of the safe driving practices of the city’s residents as well as several other measures in place to improve road safety overall. Insurers, however, are unlikely to appease the desires of the…
Read MoreFloridians call for insurance reform to mitigate growing concerns of natural disasters
South Floridians were benefited with leniency earlier in the month when Tropical Storm Emily was weakened by its bout in the Caribbean. Only four months remain in hurricane season – one that was forecasted as being highly active – and no significant storms have yet reached the state. Despite the seemingly benign activity in the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico, insurers are warning residents of Florida to not be caught off guard, as a powerful storm can make landfall at any time. Spurred by this advice, and the recent disasters…
Read MoreMassive rate increases from Florida’s insurance program approved
Early this week, Florida’s Citizens Property Insurance proposed massive rate increases for sinkhole coverage. On average, policies would be impacted by an increase of 428% throughout the state. The proposal was seen as excessive by many consumer advocacy groups, but the insurers that make up the state-run program argue that higher rates are needed to combat fraud. Despite the best efforts of opponents, the proposals were passed as part of Senate Bill 408. Now that the new rates have been approved, Florida residents can expect to pay a lot more…
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