ORLANDO, Fla. — When Florida lawmakers go back into session in March, it doesn't appear there will be a big push for insurance reform from state regulators.
During the Florida Chamber of Commerce's Annual Insurance Summit in Orlando this week, one high-ranking Office of Insurance Regulation (OIR) official revealed the strategy for 2025.
"I think the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation (OIR) would really like to see just a status quo for now," Florida Deputy Insurance Commissioner Virginia Christy said.
Her boss, Commissioner Michael Yaworsky, told WPTV reporter Matt Sczesny — who attended the summit — that he remains confident the reforms on litigation from early last year are working.
"We are affirming the fact that the market is improving," Yaworsky told WPTV while outside meeting rooms at the summit.
He said that improvement is a result of more companies asking for modest rate reductions, new insurers entering the market and Citizens Insurance now below a million policies.
Christy explained how OIR is confident in the progress from reforms from December 2022 to curb insurance litigation.
"For now until that data comes through, we don't want to have any other tweaks that would set us back from this path we're on, which is a good path to reform," Christy said at the summit.
This revelation comes as lawmakers say they continue to hear about high insurance costs from homeowners and feel the pressure to do more.
"There's some concerns the Legislature could move backward in some areas," former state Sen. Jeff Brandes said. "I think that is probably going to be tempered right now."
Short of big reforms, many Florida lawmakers say they expect some action including adding more money to the popular My Safe Florida Home program.
Lawmakers admit they are still hearing from homeowners where improvement seems slow to offer financial relief from high premiums.
"Insurance premiums in Florida are very expensive, and I understand the Legislature will get pressure from consumers to try and bring those rates down," Dr. Charles Nice at Florida State University's School for Risk Management said.
Matt Sczesny is determined every day to help you find solutions in Florida's coverage collapse. If you have a question or comment on homeowners insurance, you can reach out to him any time.
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