Residents in Florida have joined with business associations and law enforcement agencies to create the Gear Up Florida Coalition, with the goal of protecting insurance consumers in the state from the skyrocketing costs that are resulting from the increasing instance of fraud to its no-fault law. According to Tammy Perdue, the Florida General Counsel for Associated Industries, they want to bring fraud from car accidents to an end and change the organized systems that are encouraging these criminal behaviors. She explained that it will be critical for legislative action to…
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Florida catastrophe fund faces major financial deficit
Florida’s hurricane fund is facing a major financial shortfall, according to Jack Nicholson, chief operating officer of the fund. The fund, which was established in the wake of 1992’s Hurricane Andrew, provides money to insurance companies in order to help those displaced by natural disasters. Nicholson issued a warning to state legislators this week that noted that the fund faces a $3.2 billion deficit and will not be able to offer aid in the event of a major storm for the immediate future. This year, the fund has provided insurers…
Read MoreCoalition for Competitive Insurance Rates oppose new laws for foreign reinsurance companies
Two laws currently before Congress have found opposition from the Coalition for Competitive Insurance Rates, a group of businesses and consumers that rely on low rates stemming from competition in the national insurance market. The legislations in question are H.R. 3157 and S.B. 1693. Both laws impose greater taxes on foreign insurance and reinsurance companies that wish to do business within U.S. borders. The Coalition fears that this will dissuade foreign companies from entering the market, thereby reducing competition and raising insurance prices. Currently, the majority of the reinsurance needed…
Read MoreLloyd’s enters Florida’s reinsurance market on the heels of new law
Lloyd’s of London, one of the world’s leading insurance and reinsurance specialists, is entering Florida’s reinsurance market. The company joins several other reinsurance organizations flocking to the state to take advantage of a new law that reduces capital requirements for reinsurers. The law, first introduced in 2009 but only recently passed, is an attempt to attract more foreign reinsurance companies to do business in the state, thereby reinvigorating the somewhat stagnant market. Because of the law, Lloyd’s has been approved to do business in the state. According to the law,…
Read MoreState Farm pulls out of church market in Florida, as well as others
State Farm has announced that it will no longer be offering insurance coverage to churches in Florida. The company’s exit from the market leaves hundreds of churches throughout the state looking for new insurance companies. The move is part of the company’s desire to focus more on the property market in the state, a plan that sees the insurer pulling out of other markets in the coming years. The insurer has not released estimates of how many churches will be affected by the decision, but has said that at least…
Read MoreCitizens 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 MoreFlorida to host a series of meetings of insurance and consumer representatives to solve problems with PIP system
The Florida state government will be facilitating a series of meetings to resolve an issue with the state’s personal injury protection (PIP) insurance law. Insurers, medical professionals, state officials and representatives from a number of consumer advocacy groups will be attending the meetings and working together to find some resolution to the issue. Currently, PIP insurance is required throughout Florida, which has spurred rampant fraud in the state. Through the meetings, the groups will conclude whether the PIP system should be reformed or abolished altogether. Fraud has plagues Florida’s PIP…
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