A Florida Senate bill that would allow out-of-state property insurance carriers (surplus lines carriers) to take over policies now handled by state-funded Citizens’ Insurance has suffered a setback in the Senate chamber.  According to the Florida Current, “Sen. Mike Fasano, R-New Port Richey, and other senators are prepared to...

Currently, Citizens Insurance employs a three-tier assessment model consisting of a personal lines account, a commercial lines account, and a coastal account.  Under present law, insurers must pay an up-front assessment and recoup them from the policyholders.  However, the Florida Legislature is considering a proposal that would significantly change...

An ordinance passed last fall in Hillsborough County may be the reason why the Tampa Bay county is experiencing a reduction in “staged” auto accidents.  The ordinance was meant to close a loophole that allowed certain medical clinics to operate without a license.  Such a loophole, experts argued, was...

As the federal Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and the Treasury published new regulations concerning compliance with the Affordable Care Act, they also issued a helpful guide for employers seeking information on employee benefits issues related to their business.  1)The Affordable Care Act requires large employers (usually...

Attend our 2nd Annual Spring Seminar in which we’ll examine key economic regulatory and marketplace challenges and implications facing today’s employers. It will be held Tuesday, March 20 from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. at Feather Sound Country Club. For more information contact Karoline Moran (kmoran@ccfninsurance.com) or call her...

According to local media reports, it appears unlikely the Florida Legislature will tackle the thorny issue of windstorm insurance this session.  Some blame lawmakers’ unwillingness to confront a politically difficult problem during an election year while others believe that Florida residents can’t afford an increase in their property insurance...

We’ve all heard the tragic stories of seniors running out of money as they pay for their healthcare needs or the stories about retirees who have to choose between taking medicine or buying groceries.  As our life expectancy continues to grow, so do issues involved with paying for such...

As the 2012 Florida legislative session passes the midway point, both the House and Senate are under pressure to pass substantial personal injury protection auto insurance reform.  PIP reform advocates argue that auto insurance claims fraud cost the Florida consumer nearly $1 billion.  Thus far, proposals in the House...

In the past, many Floridians who have a so-called “pre-existing” medical condition could not obtain health insurance.  This was an obvious and serious challenge for those who find themselves in this category.  However, now there’s a program that does insure “pre-existing” conditions and it’s affordable.  Here are some of...

There really is no such thing as a free lunch.  While President Obama’s compromise on the contraception issue has dominated the news cycle, who is going to pay for free access to birth control has garnered very little attention.  Insurers will end up paying the bill for the “free”...