Florida Insurance Council - Covering Florida Since 1962
By: Greenberg Traurig Following is a summary of the workers’ compensation discussion held in the House Commerce Committee on October 10, 2017. The summary is provided by Greenberg Traurig. Chairman Burgess: The following persons will be providing an update regarding Workers’ Compensation: Jeff Eddinger, Senior Division Executive National Council on Compensation Insurance (NCCI) …
By: Katrina Callaway, FIC General Counsel On October 4, 2017, Sen. Farmer filed another attack on the auto insurance industry. The bill filed, SB 414, prohibits insurers from using credit reports and scores for underwriting and rating for personal lines motor vehicle insurance. Sen. Farmer, a trial lawyer, has also filed bills for consideration…
By: Katrina Callaway, FIC General Counsel On October 3, 2017, Sen. Farmer, a trial lawyer, filed SB 410 which repeals current law allowing zip code rating for auto insurance under specified conditions and as long as the rate is not excessive, inadequate, or unfairly discriminatory. The bill also prohibits insurers from using a single zip…
By: Katrina Callaway, FIC General Counsel Sen. Hukill, a strong proponent of assignment of benefit reform in the property insurance area, filed an auto glass bill on October 3, 2017. The bill, SB 396, allows comprehensive auto policies to require an inspection of a damaged windshield before windshield repair or replacement is authorized by the…
By: Katrina Callaway, FIC General Counsel Rep. Hager, former chair of the House Insurance Committee, filed the House retroactive denial of claims bill for 2018 (HB 217). He also sponsored the 2017 bill that passed one House committee last session. Retroactive denial of claims bills have been filed each session for the past few…
By: Katrina Callaway, FIC General Counsel The Telehealth Advisory Council (Council) met for the eleventh time on September 19, 2017 to review and revise its report to the Governor and Legislature. A copy of the meeting materials that include the Council’s revised draft report with recommendations can be found here. The initial draft report…
By: Katrina Callaway, FIC General Counsel DFS has updated the list of insurers participating in insurance villages being held in hurricane impacted communities this week. Insurance villages are coordinated by DFS and give consumers a place to meet face to face with a representative from their insurer to get information and help with the claims…
By: Katrina Callaway, FIC General Counsel Rep. Masullo, a physician, filed the “any willing provider” bill for health insurance again for the 2018 Session. He filed the same bill in 2017. Last year’s bill was never heard in any committee. The 2018 bill, HB 143, requires most commercial health insurers and HMOs to accept any…
By: Katrina Callaway, FIC General Counsel The Florida Hurricane Catastrophe Fund (FHCF) held a rule workshop on September 13, 2017 to discuss proposed changes to the 2018-2019 reimbursement contract and the administrative rule relating to the contract, Rule 19-8.010. A red line version of the rule and contract and a summary of the changes are…
By: Katrina Callaway, FIC General Counsel Anne Bert, Chief Operating Officer of the Florida Hurricane Catastrophe Fund (FHCF), provided an update on Hurricane Irma claims to the FHCF Advisory Council during their meeting on September 13, 2017. Ms. Bert stated the FHCF has not yet received any requests for reimbursement/Proof of Loss Reports from insurers,…