Florida Senate - 2005 SENATOR AMENDMENT
Bill No. CS for CS for SB 1488
Barcode 552756
CHAMBER ACTION
Senate House
.
.
1 4/RS/2R .
05/05/2005 08:13 PM .
2 .
.
3 .
.
4 ______________________________________________________________
5
6
7
8
9
10 ______________________________________________________________
11 Senator Garcia moved the following amendment:
12
13 Senate Amendment (with title amendment)
14 On page 18, line 6, through
15 page 40, line 10, delete those lines
16
17 and insert:
18 Section 7. Paragraphs (a), (c), (d), and (q) of
19 subsection (6) of section 627.351, Florida Statutes, are
20 amended to read:
21 627.351 Insurance risk apportionment plans.--
22 (6) CITIZENS PROPERTY INSURANCE CORPORATION.--
23 (a)1. The Legislature finds that actual and threatened
24 catastrophic losses to property in this state from hurricanes
25 have caused insurers to be unwilling or unable to provide
26 property insurance coverage to the extent sought and needed.
27 It is in the public interest and a public purpose to assist in
28 assuring that property in the state is insured so as to
29 facilitate the remediation, reconstruction, and replacement of
30 damaged or destroyed property in order to reduce or avoid the
31 negative effects otherwise resulting to the public health,
1
4:25 PM 05/02/05 s1488c2c-40-j04
Florida Senate - 2005 SENATOR AMENDMENT
Bill No. CS for CS for SB 1488
Barcode 552756
1 safety, and welfare; to the economy of the state; and to the
2 revenues of the state and local governments needed to provide
3 for the public welfare. It is necessary, therefore, to provide
4 property insurance to applicants who are in good faith
5 entitled to procure insurance through the voluntary market but
6 are unable to do so. The Legislature intends by this
7 subsection that property insurance be provided and that it
8 continues, as long as necessary, through an entity organized
9 to achieve efficiencies and economies, while providing service
10 to policyholders, applicants, and agents that is no less than
11 the quality generally provided in the voluntary market, all
12 toward the achievement of the foregoing public purposes.
13 Because it is essential for the corporation to have the
14 maximum financial resources to pay claims following a
15 catastrophic hurricane, it is the intent of the Legislature
16 that the income of the corporation be exempt from federal
17 income taxation and that interest on the debt obligations
18 issued by the corporation be exempt from federal income
19 taxation.
20 2. The Residential Property and Casualty Joint
21 Underwriting Association originally created by this statute
22 shall be known, as of July 1, 2002, as the Citizens Property
23 Insurance Corporation. The corporation shall provide insurance
24 for residential and commercial property, for applicants who
25 are in good faith entitled, but are unable, to procure
26 insurance through the voluntary market. The corporation shall
27 operate pursuant to a plan of operation approved by order of
28 the office. The plan is subject to continuous review by the
29 office. The office may, by order, withdraw approval of all or
30 part of a plan if the office determines that conditions have
31 changed since approval was granted and that the purposes of
2
4:25 PM 05/02/05 s1488c2c-40-j04
Florida Senate - 2005 SENATOR AMENDMENT
Bill No. CS for CS for SB 1488
Barcode 552756
1 the plan require changes in the plan. For the purposes of this
2 subsection, residential coverage includes both personal lines
3 residential coverage, which consists of the type of coverage
4 provided by homeowner's, mobile home owner's, dwelling,
5 tenant's, condominium unit owner's, and similar policies, and
6 commercial lines residential coverage, which consists of the
7 type of coverage provided by condominium association,
8 apartment building, and similar policies.
9 3. It is the intent of the Legislature that
10 policyholders, applicants, and agents of the corporation
11 receive service and treatment of the highest possible level
12 but never less than that generally provided in the voluntary
13 market. It also is intended that the corporation be held to
14 service standards no less than those applied to insurers in
15 the voluntary market by the office with respect to
16 responsiveness, timeliness, customer courtesy, and overall
17 dealings with policyholders, applicants, or agents of the
18 corporation.
19 (c) The plan of operation of the corporation:
20 1. Must provide for adoption of residential property
21 and casualty insurance policy forms and commercial residential
22 and nonresidential property insurance forms, which forms must
23 be approved by the office prior to use. The corporation shall
24 adopt the following policy forms:
25 a. Standard personal lines policy forms that are
26 comprehensive multiperil policies providing full coverage of a
27 residential property equivalent to the coverage provided in
28 the private insurance market under an HO-3, HO-4, or HO-6
29 policy.
30 b. Basic personal lines policy forms that are policies
31 similar to an HO-8 policy or a dwelling fire policy that
3
4:25 PM 05/02/05 s1488c2c-40-j04
Florida Senate - 2005 SENATOR AMENDMENT
Bill No. CS for CS for SB 1488
Barcode 552756
1 provide coverage meeting the requirements of the secondary
2 mortgage market, but which coverage is more limited than the
3 coverage under a standard policy.
4 c. Commercial lines residential policy forms that are
5 generally similar to the basic perils of full coverage
6 obtainable for commercial residential structures in the
7 admitted voluntary market.
8 d. Personal lines and commercial lines residential
9 property insurance forms that cover the peril of wind only.
10 The forms are applicable only to residential properties
11 located in areas eligible for coverage under the high-risk
12 account referred to in sub-subparagraph (b)2.a.
13 e. Commercial lines nonresidential property insurance
14 forms that cover the peril of wind only. The forms are
15 applicable only to nonresidential properties located in areas
16 eligible for coverage under the high-risk account referred to
17 in sub-subparagraph (b)2.a.
18 2.a. Must provide that the corporation adopt a program
19 in which the corporation and authorized insurers enter into
20 quota share primary insurance agreements for hurricane
21 coverage, as defined in s. 627.4025(2)(a), for eligible risks,
22 and adopt property insurance forms for eligible risks which
23 cover the peril of wind only. As used in this subsection, the
24 term:
25 (I) "Quota share primary insurance" means an
26 arrangement in which the primary hurricane coverage of an
27 eligible risk is provided in specified percentages by the
28 corporation and an authorized insurer. The corporation and
29 authorized insurer are each solely responsible for a specified
30 percentage of hurricane coverage of an eligible risk as set
31 forth in a quota share primary insurance agreement between the
4
4:25 PM 05/02/05 s1488c2c-40-j04
Florida Senate - 2005 SENATOR AMENDMENT
Bill No. CS for CS for SB 1488
Barcode 552756
1 corporation and an authorized insurer and the insurance
2 contract. The responsibility of the corporation or authorized
3 insurer to pay its specified percentage of hurricane losses of
4 an eligible risk, as set forth in the quota share primary
5 insurance agreement, may not be altered by the inability of
6 the other party to the agreement to pay its specified
7 percentage of hurricane losses. Eligible risks that are
8 provided hurricane coverage through a quota share primary
9 insurance arrangement must be provided policy forms that set
10 forth the obligations of the corporation and authorized
11 insurer under the arrangement, clearly specify the percentages
12 of quota share primary insurance provided by the corporation
13 and authorized insurer, and conspicuously and clearly state
14 that neither the authorized insurer nor the corporation may be
15 held responsible beyond its specified percentage of coverage
16 of hurricane losses.
17 (II) "Eligible risks" means personal lines residential
18 and commercial lines residential risks that meet the
19 underwriting criteria of the corporation and are located in
20 areas that were eligible for coverage by the Florida Windstorm
21 Underwriting Association on January 1, 2002.
22 b. The corporation may enter into quota share primary
23 insurance agreements with authorized insurers at corporation
24 coverage levels of 90 percent and 50 percent.
25 c. If the corporation determines that additional
26 coverage levels are necessary to maximize participation in
27 quota share primary insurance agreements by authorized
28 insurers, the corporation may establish additional coverage
29 levels. However, the corporation's quota share primary
30 insurance coverage level may not exceed 90 percent.
31 d. Any quota share primary insurance agreement entered
5
4:25 PM 05/02/05 s1488c2c-40-j04
Florida Senate - 2005 SENATOR AMENDMENT
Bill No. CS for CS for SB 1488
Barcode 552756
1 into between an authorized insurer and the corporation must
2 provide for a uniform specified percentage of coverage of
3 hurricane losses, by county or territory as set forth by the
4 corporation board, for all eligible risks of the authorized
5 insurer covered under the quota share primary insurance
6 agreement.
7 e. Any quota share primary insurance agreement entered
8 into between an authorized insurer and the corporation is
9 subject to review and approval by the office. However, such
10 agreement shall be authorized only as to insurance contracts
11 entered into between an authorized insurer and an insured who
12 is already insured by the corporation for wind coverage.
13 f. For all eligible risks covered under quota share
14 primary insurance agreements, the exposure and coverage levels
15 for both the corporation and authorized insurers shall be
16 reported by the corporation to the Florida Hurricane
17 Catastrophe Fund. For all policies of eligible risks covered
18 under quota share primary insurance agreements, the
19 corporation and the authorized insurer shall maintain complete
20 and accurate records for the purpose of exposure and loss
21 reimbursement audits as required by Florida Hurricane
22 Catastrophe Fund rules. The corporation and the authorized
23 insurer shall each maintain duplicate copies of policy
24 declaration pages and supporting claims documents.
25 g. The corporation board shall establish in its plan
26 of operation standards for quota share agreements which ensure
27 that there is no discriminatory application among insurers as
28 to the terms of quota share agreements, pricing of quota share
29 agreements, incentive provisions if any, and consideration
30 paid for servicing policies or adjusting claims.
31 h. The quota share primary insurance agreement between
6
4:25 PM 05/02/05 s1488c2c-40-j04
Florida Senate - 2005 SENATOR AMENDMENT
Bill No. CS for CS for SB 1488
Barcode 552756
1 the corporation and an authorized insurer must set forth the
2 specific terms under which coverage is provided, including,
3 but not limited to, the sale and servicing of policies issued
4 under the agreement by the insurance agent of the authorized
5 insurer producing the business, the reporting of information
6 concerning eligible risks, the payment of premium to the
7 corporation, and arrangements for the adjustment and payment
8 of hurricane claims incurred on eligible risks by the claims
9 adjuster and personnel of the authorized insurer. Entering
10 into a quota sharing insurance agreement between the
11 corporation and an authorized insurer shall be voluntary and
12 at the discretion of the authorized insurer.
13 3. May provide that the corporation may employ or
14 otherwise contract with individuals or other entities to
15 provide administrative or professional services that may be
16 appropriate to effectuate the plan. The corporation shall have
17 the power to borrow funds, by issuing bonds or by incurring
18 other indebtedness, and shall have other powers reasonably
19 necessary to effectuate the requirements of this subsection,
20 including without limitation, the power to issue bonds and
21 incur other indebtedness in order to refinance outstanding
22 bonds or other indebtedness. The corporation may, but is not
23 required to, seek judicial validation of its bonds or other
24 indebtedness under chapter 75. The corporation may issue bonds
25 or incur other indebtedness, or have bonds issued on its
26 behalf by a unit of local government pursuant to subparagraph
27 (g)2., in the absence of a hurricane or other weather-related
28 event, upon a determination by the corporation, subject to
29 approval by the office, that such action would enable it to
30 efficiently meet the financial obligations of the corporation
31 and that such financings are reasonably necessary to
7
4:25 PM 05/02/05 s1488c2c-40-j04
Florida Senate - 2005 SENATOR AMENDMENT
Bill No. CS for CS for SB 1488
Barcode 552756
1 effectuate the requirements of this subsection. The
2 corporation is authorized to take all actions needed to
3 facilitate tax-free status for any such bonds or indebtedness,
4 including formation of trusts or other affiliated entities.
5 The corporation shall have the authority to pledge
6 assessments, projected recoveries from the Florida Hurricane
7 Catastrophe Fund, other reinsurance recoverables, market
8 equalization and other surcharges, and other funds available
9 to the corporation as security for bonds or other
10 indebtedness. In recognition of s. 10, Art. I of the State
11 Constitution, prohibiting the impairment of obligations of
12 contracts, it is the intent of the Legislature that no action
13 be taken whose purpose is to impair any bond indenture or
14 financing agreement or any revenue source committed by
15 contract to such bond or other indebtedness.
16 4.a. Must require that the corporation operate subject
17 to the supervision and approval of a board of governors
18 consisting of 8 7 individuals who are residents of this state,
19 from different geographical areas of this state, appointed by
20 the Chief Financial Officer. The Governor, the Chief Financial
21 Officer, the President of the Senate, and the Speaker of the
22 House of Representatives shall each appoint two members of the
23 board, effective August 1, 2005. At least one of the two
24 members appointed by each appointing officer must have
25 demonstrated expertise in insurance. The Chief Financial
26 Officer shall designate one of the appointees as chair. All
27 board members serve at the pleasure of the appointing officer
28 Chief Financial Officer. All board members, including the
29 chair, must be appointed to serve for 3-year terms beginning
30 annually on a date designated by the plan. Any board vacancy
31 shall be filled for the unexpired term by the appointing
8
4:25 PM 05/02/05 s1488c2c-40-j04
Florida Senate - 2005 SENATOR AMENDMENT
Bill No. CS for CS for SB 1488
Barcode 552756
1 officer Chief Financial Officer. The Chief Financial Officer
2 shall appoint a technical advisory group to provide
3 information and advice to the board of governors in connection
4 with the board's duties under this subsection. The executive
5 director and senior managers of the corporation shall be
6 engaged by the board, as recommended by the Chief Financial
7 Officer and serve at the pleasure of the board Chief Financial
8 Officer. The executive director is responsible for employing
9 other staff as the corporation may require, subject to review
10 and concurrence by the board and office of the Chief Financial
11 Officer.
12 b. The board shall create a Market Accountability
13 Advisory Committee to assist the corporation in developing
14 awareness of its rates and its customer and agent service
15 levels in relationship to the voluntary market insurers
16 writing similar coverage. The members of the advisory
17 committee shall consist of the following 11 persons, one of
18 whom must be elected chair by the members of the committee:
19 four representatives, one appointed by the Florida Association
20 of Insurance Agents, one by the Florida Association of
21 Insurance and Financial Advisors, one by the Professional
22 Insurance Agents of Florida, and one by the Latin American
23 Association of Insurance Agencies; three representatives
24 appointed by the insurers with the three highest voluntary
25 market share of residential property insurance business in the
26 state; one representative from the Office of Insurance
27 Regulation; one consumer appointed by the board who is insured
28 by the corporation at the time of appointment to the
29 committee; one representative appointed by the Florida
30 Association of Realtors; and one representative appointed by
31 the Florida Bankers Association. All members must serve for
9
4:25 PM 05/02/05 s1488c2c-40-j04
Florida Senate - 2005 SENATOR AMENDMENT
Bill No. CS for CS for SB 1488
Barcode 552756
1 3-year terms and may serve for consecutive terms. The
2 committee shall report to the corporation at each board
3 meeting on insurance market issues which may include rates and
4 rate competition with the voluntary market; service, including
5 policy issuance, claims processing, and general responsiveness
6 to policyholders, applicants, and agents; and matters relating
7 to depopulation.
8 5. Must provide a procedure for determining the
9 eligibility of a risk for coverage, as follows:
10 a. Subject to the provisions of s. 627.3517, with
11 respect to personal lines residential risks, if the risk is
12 offered coverage from an authorized insurer at the insurer's
13 approved rate under either a standard policy including wind
14 coverage or, if consistent with the insurer's underwriting
15 rules as filed with the office, a basic policy including wind
16 coverage, the risk is not eligible for any policy issued by
17 the corporation. If the risk is not able to obtain any such
18 offer, the risk is eligible for either a standard policy
19 including wind coverage or a basic policy including wind
20 coverage issued by the corporation; however, if the risk could
21 not be insured under a standard policy including wind coverage
22 regardless of market conditions, the risk shall be eligible
23 for a basic policy including wind coverage unless rejected
24 under subparagraph 8. The corporation shall determine the type
25 of policy to be provided on the basis of objective standards
26 specified in the underwriting manual and based on generally
27 accepted underwriting practices.
28 (I) If the risk accepts an offer of coverage through
29 the market assistance plan or an offer of coverage through a
30 mechanism established by the corporation before a policy is
31 issued to the risk by the corporation or during the first 30
10
4:25 PM 05/02/05 s1488c2c-40-j04
Florida Senate - 2005 SENATOR AMENDMENT
Bill No. CS for CS for SB 1488
Barcode 552756
1 days of coverage by the corporation, and the producing agent
2 who submitted the application to the plan or to the
3 corporation is not currently appointed by the insurer, the
4 insurer shall:
5 (A) Pay to the producing agent of record of the
6 policy, for the first year, an amount that is the greater of
7 the insurer's usual and customary commission for the type of
8 policy written or a fee equal to the usual and customary
9 commission of the corporation; or
10 (B) Offer to allow the producing agent of record of
11 the policy to continue servicing the policy for a period of
12 not less than 1 year and offer to pay the agent the greater of
13 the insurer's or the corporation's usual and customary
14 commission for the type of policy written.
15
16 If the producing agent is unwilling or unable to accept
17 appointment, the new insurer shall pay the agent in accordance
18 with sub-sub-sub-subparagraph (A).
19 (II) When the corporation enters into a contractual
20 agreement for a take-out plan, the producing agent of record
21 of the corporation policy is entitled to retain any unearned
22 commission on the policy, and the insurer shall:
23 (A) Pay to the producing agent of record of the
24 corporation policy, for the first year, an amount that is the
25 greater of the insurer's usual and customary commission for
26 the type of policy written or a fee equal to the usual and
27 customary commission of the corporation; or
28 (B) Offer to allow the producing agent of record of
29 the corporation policy to continue servicing the policy for a
30 period of not less than 1 year and offer to pay the agent the
31 greater of the insurer's or the corporation's usual and
11
4:25 PM 05/02/05 s1488c2c-40-j04
Florida Senate - 2005 SENATOR AMENDMENT
Bill No. CS for CS for SB 1488
Barcode 552756
1 customary commission for the type of policy written.
2
3 If the producing agent is unwilling or unable to accept
4 appointment, the new insurer shall pay the agent in accordance
5 with sub-sub-sub-subparagraph (A).
6 b. With respect to commercial lines residential risks,
7 if the risk is offered coverage under a policy including wind
8 coverage from an authorized insurer at its approved rate, the
9 risk is not eligible for any policy issued by the corporation.
10 If the risk is not able to obtain any such offer, the risk is
11 eligible for a policy including wind coverage issued by the
12 corporation.
13 (I) If the risk accepts an offer of coverage through
14 the market assistance plan or an offer of coverage through a
15 mechanism established by the corporation before a policy is
16 issued to the risk by the corporation or during the first 30
17 days of coverage by the corporation, and the producing agent
18 who submitted the application to the plan or the corporation
19 is not currently appointed by the insurer, the insurer shall:
20 (A) Pay to the producing agent of record of the
21 policy, for the first year, an amount that is the greater of
22 the insurer's usual and customary commission for the type of
23 policy written or a fee equal to the usual and customary
24 commission of the corporation; or
25 (B) Offer to allow the producing agent of record of
26 the policy to continue servicing the policy for a period of
27 not less than 1 year and offer to pay the agent the greater of
28 the insurer's or the corporation's usual and customary
29 commission for the type of policy written.
30
31 If the producing agent is unwilling or unable to accept
12
4:25 PM 05/02/05 s1488c2c-40-j04
Florida Senate - 2005 SENATOR AMENDMENT
Bill No. CS for CS for SB 1488
Barcode 552756
1 appointment, the new insurer shall pay the agent in accordance
2 with sub-sub-sub-subparagraph (A).
3 (II) When the corporation enters into a contractual
4 agreement for a take-out plan, the producing agent of record
5 of the corporation policy is entitled to retain any unearned
6 commission on the policy, and the insurer shall:
7 (A) Pay to the producing agent of record of the
8 corporation policy, for the first year, an amount that is the
9 greater of the insurer's usual and customary commission for
10 the type of policy written or a fee equal to the usual and
11 customary commission of the corporation; or
12 (B) Offer to allow the producing agent of record of
13 the corporation policy to continue servicing the policy for a
14 period of not less than 1 year and offer to pay the agent the
15 greater of the insurer's or the corporation's usual and
16 customary commission for the type of policy written.
17
18 If the producing agent is unwilling or unable to accept
19 appointment, the new insurer shall pay the agent in accordance
20 with sub-sub-sub-subparagraph (A).
21 6. Must include rules for classifications of risks and
22 rates therefor.
23 7. Must provide that if premium and investment income
24 for an account attributable to a particular calendar year are
25 in excess of projected losses and expenses for the account
26 attributable to that year, such excess shall be held in
27 surplus in the account. Such surplus shall be available to
28 defray deficits in that account as to future years and shall
29 be used for that purpose prior to assessing assessable
30 insurers and assessable insureds as to any calendar year.
31 8. Must provide objective criteria and procedures to
13
4:25 PM 05/02/05 s1488c2c-40-j04
Florida Senate - 2005 SENATOR AMENDMENT
Bill No. CS for CS for SB 1488
Barcode 552756
1 be uniformly applied for all applicants in determining whether
2 an individual risk is so hazardous as to be uninsurable. In
3 making this determination and in establishing the criteria and
4 procedures, the following shall be considered:
5 a. Whether the likelihood of a loss for the individual
6 risk is substantially higher than for other risks of the same
7 class; and
8 b. Whether the uncertainty associated with the
9 individual risk is such that an appropriate premium cannot be
10 determined.
11
12 The acceptance or rejection of a risk by the corporation shall
13 be construed as the private placement of insurance, and the
14 provisions of chapter 120 shall not apply.
15 9. Must provide that the corporation shall make its
16 best efforts to procure catastrophe reinsurance at reasonable
17 rates, to cover its projected 100-year probable maximum loss
18 as determined by the board of governors.
19 10. Must provide that in the event of regular deficit
20 assessments under sub-subparagraph (b)3.a. or sub-subparagraph
21 (b)3.b., in the personal lines account, the commercial lines
22 residential account, or the high-risk account, the corporation
23 shall levy upon corporation policyholders in its next rate
24 filing, or by a separate rate filing solely for this purpose,
25 a market equalization surcharge arising from a regular
26 assessment in such account in a percentage equal to the total
27 amount of such regular assessments divided by the aggregate
28 statewide direct written premium for subject lines of business
29 for the prior calendar year. Market equalization surcharges
30 under this subparagraph are not considered premium and are not
31 subject to commissions, fees, or premium taxes; however,
14
4:25 PM 05/02/05 s1488c2c-40-j04
Florida Senate - 2005 SENATOR AMENDMENT
Bill No. CS for CS for SB 1488
Barcode 552756
1 failure to pay a market equalization surcharge shall be
2 treated as failure to pay premium.
3 11. The policies issued by the corporation must
4 provide that, if the corporation or the market assistance plan
5 obtains an offer from an authorized insurer to cover the risk
6 at its approved rates, the risk is no longer eligible for
7 renewal through the corporation.
8 12. Corporation policies and applications must include
9 a notice that the corporation policy could, under this
10 section, be replaced with a policy issued by an authorized
11 insurer that does not provide coverage identical to the
12 coverage provided by the corporation. The notice shall also
13 specify that acceptance of corporation coverage creates a
14 conclusive presumption that the applicant or policyholder is
15 aware of this potential.
16 13. May establish, subject to approval by the office,
17 different eligibility requirements and operational procedures
18 for any line or type of coverage for any specified county or
19 area if the board determines that such changes to the
20 eligibility requirements and operational procedures are
21 justified due to the voluntary market being sufficiently
22 stable and competitive in such area or for such line or type
23 of coverage and that consumers who, in good faith, are unable
24 to obtain insurance through the voluntary market through
25 ordinary methods would continue to have access to coverage
26 from the corporation. When coverage is sought in connection
27 with a real property transfer, such requirements and
28 procedures shall not provide for an effective date of coverage
29 later than the date of the closing of the transfer as
30 established by the transferor, the transferee, and, if
31 applicable, the lender.
15
4:25 PM 05/02/05 s1488c2c-40-j04
Florida Senate - 2005 SENATOR AMENDMENT
Bill No. CS for CS for SB 1488
Barcode 552756
1 14. Must provide that, with respect to the high-risk
2 account, any assessable insurer with a surplus as to
3 policyholders of $25 million or less writing 25 percent or
4 more of its total countrywide property insurance premiums in
5 this state may petition the office, within the first 90 days
6 of each calendar year, to qualify as a limited apportionment
7 company. In no event shall a limited apportionment company be
8 required to participate in the portion of any assessment,
9 within the high-risk account, pursuant to sub-subparagraph
10 (b)3.a. or sub-subparagraph (b)3.b. in the aggregate which
11 exceeds $50 million after payment of available high-risk
12 account funds in any calendar year. However, a limited
13 apportionment company shall collect from its policyholders any
14 emergency assessment imposed under sub-subparagraph (b)3.d.
15 The plan shall provide that, if the office determines that any
16 regular assessment will result in an impairment of the surplus
17 of a limited apportionment company, the office may direct that
18 all or part of such assessment be deferred as provided in
19 subparagraph (g)4. However, there shall be no limitation or
20 deferment of an emergency assessment to be collected from
21 policyholders under sub-subparagraph (b)3.d.
22 15. Must provide that the corporation appoint as its
23 licensed agents only those agents who also hold an appointment
24 as defined in s. 626.015(3) with an insurer who at the time of
25 the agent's initial appointment by the corporation is
26 authorized to write and is actually writing personal lines
27 residential property coverage, commercial residential property
28 coverage, or commercial nonresidential property coverage
29 within the state.
30 (d)1. It is the intent of the Legislature that the
31 rates for coverage provided by the corporation be actuarially
16
4:25 PM 05/02/05 s1488c2c-40-j04
Florida Senate - 2005 SENATOR AMENDMENT
Bill No. CS for CS for SB 1488
Barcode 552756
1 sound and not competitive with approved rates charged in the
2 admitted voluntary market, so that the corporation functions
3 as a residual market mechanism to provide insurance only when
4 the insurance cannot be procured in the voluntary market.
5 Rates shall include an appropriate catastrophe loading factor
6 that reflects the actual catastrophic exposure of the
7 corporation.
8 2. For each county, the average rates of the
9 corporation for each line of business for personal lines
10 residential policies excluding rates for wind-only policies
11 shall be no lower than the average rates charged by the
12 insurer that had the highest average rate in that county among
13 the 20 insurers with the greatest total direct written premium
14 in the state for that line of business in the preceding year,
15 except that with respect to mobile home coverages, the average
16 rates of the corporation shall be no lower than the average
17 rates charged by the insurer that had the highest average rate
18 in that county among the 5 insurers with the greatest total
19 written premium for mobile home owner's policies in the state
20 in the preceding year.
21 3. Rates for personal lines residential wind-only
22 policies must be actuarially sound and not competitive with
23 approved rates charged by authorized insurers. However, for
24 personal lines residential wind-only policies issued or
25 renewed between July 1, 2002, and June 30, 2003, the maximum
26 premium increase must be no greater than 10 percent of the
27 Florida Windstorm Underwriting Association premium for that
28 policy in effect on June 30, 2002, as adjusted for coverage
29 changes and seasonal occupancy surcharges. For personal lines
30 residential wind-only policies issued or renewed between July
31 1, 2003, and June 30, 2004, the corporation shall use its
17
4:25 PM 05/02/05 s1488c2c-40-j04
Florida Senate - 2005 SENATOR AMENDMENT
Bill No. CS for CS for SB 1488
Barcode 552756
1 existing filed and approved wind-only rating and
2 classification plans, provided, however, that the maximum
3 premium increase must be no greater than 20 percent of the
4 premium for that policy in effect on June 30, 2003, as
5 adjusted for coverage changes and seasonal occupancy
6 surcharges. Corporation rate manuals shall include a rate
7 surcharge for seasonal occupancy. To ensure that personal
8 lines residential wind-only rates effective on or after July
9 1, 2004, are not competitive with approved rates charged by
10 authorized insurers, the corporation, in conjunction with the
11 office, shall develop a wind-only ratemaking methodology,
12 which methodology shall be contained in each a rate filing
13 made by the corporation with the office by January 1, 2004. If
14 the office thereafter determines that the wind-only rates or
15 rating factors filed by the corporation fail to comply with
16 the wind-only ratemaking methodology provided for in this
17 subsection, it shall so notify the corporation and require the
18 corporation to amend its rates or rating factors to come into
19 compliance within 90 days of notice from the office. The
20 office shall report to the Speaker of the House of
21 Representatives and the President of the Senate on the
22 provisions of the wind-only ratemaking methodology by January
23 31, 2004.
24 4. The provisions of subparagraph 2. do not apply to
25 coverage provided by the corporation in any county for which
26 the office determines that a reasonable degree of competition
27 does not exist for personal lines residential policies. The
28 provisions of subparagraph 3. do not apply to coverage
29 provided by the corporation in any county for which the office
30 determines that a reasonable degree of competition does not
31 exist for personal lines residential policies in the area of
18
4:25 PM 05/02/05 s1488c2c-40-j04
Florida Senate - 2005 SENATOR AMENDMENT
Bill No. CS for CS for SB 1488
Barcode 552756
1 that county which is eligible for wind-only coverage. In such
2 counties, the rates for personal lines residential coverage
3 shall be actuarially sound and not excessive, inadequate, or
4 unfairly discriminatory and are subject to the other
5 provisions of the paragraph and s. 627.062. The commission
6 shall adopt rules establishing the criteria for determining
7 whether a reasonable degree of competition exists for personal
8 lines residential policies. Beginning October 1, 2005, and
9 each 6 months thereafter, the office shall determine and
10 identify those counties for which a reasonable degree of
11 competition does not exist for purposes of subparagraphs 2.
12 and 3., respectively.
13 5. Notwithstanding subparagraphs 2., 3., and 4., for
14 personal lines residential policies and personal lines
15 residential wind-only policies issued or renewed between July
16 1, 2005, and June 30, 2006, the maximum premium increase must
17 be not greater than 5 percent of the premium for that policy
18 in effect on June 30, 2005, as adjusted for coverage changes
19 and seasonal-occupancy surcharges.
20 6.4. Rates for commercial lines coverage shall not be
21 subject to the requirements of subparagraph 2., but shall be
22 subject to all other requirements of this paragraph and s.
23 627.062.
24 7.5. Nothing in this paragraph shall require or allow
25 the corporation to adopt a rate that is inadequate under s.
26 627.062.
27 8.6. The corporation shall certify to the office at
28 least twice annually that its personal lines rates comply with
29 the requirements of this paragraph subparagraphs 1. and 2. If
30 any adjustment in the rates or rating factors of the
31 corporation is necessary to ensure such compliance, the
19
4:25 PM 05/02/05 s1488c2c-40-j04
Florida Senate - 2005 SENATOR AMENDMENT
Bill No. CS for CS for SB 1488
Barcode 552756
1 corporation shall make and implement such adjustments and file
2 its revised rates and rating factors with the office. If the
3 office thereafter determines that the revised rates and rating
4 factors fail to comply with the provisions of this paragraph
5 subparagraphs 1. and 2., it shall notify the corporation and
6 require the corporation to amend its rates or rating factors
7 in conjunction with its next rate filing. The office must
8 notify the corporation by electronic means of any rate filing
9 it approves for any insurer among the insurers referred to in
10 subparagraph 2.
11 9.7. In addition to the rates otherwise determined
12 pursuant to this paragraph, the corporation shall impose and
13 collect an amount equal to the premium tax provided for in s.
14 624.509 to augment the financial resources of the corporation.
15 10.8.a. To assist the corporation in developing
16 additional ratemaking methods to assure compliance with this
17 paragraph subparagraphs 1. and 4., the corporation shall
18 appoint a rate methodology panel consisting of one person
19 recommended by the Florida Association of Insurance Agents,
20 one person recommended by the Professional Insurance Agents of
21 Florida, one person recommended by the Florida Association of
22 Insurance and Financial Advisors, one person recommended by
23 the insurer with the highest voluntary market share of
24 residential property insurance business in the state, one
25 person recommended by the insurer with the second-highest
26 voluntary market share of residential property insurance
27 business in the state, one person recommended by an insurer
28 writing commercial residential property insurance in this
29 state, one person recommended by the Office of Insurance
30 Regulation, and one board member designated by the board
31 chairman, who shall serve as chairman of the panel.
20
4:25 PM 05/02/05 s1488c2c-40-j04
Florida Senate - 2005 SENATOR AMENDMENT
Bill No. CS for CS for SB 1488
Barcode 552756
1 b. By January 1, 2004, the rate methodology panel
2 shall provide a report to the corporation of its findings and
3 recommendations for the use of additional ratemaking methods
4 and procedures, including the use of a rate equalization
5 surcharge in an amount sufficient to assure that the total
6 cost of coverage for policyholders or applicants to the
7 corporation is sufficient to comply with subparagraph 1.
8 c. Within 30 days after such report, the corporation
9 shall present to the President of the Senate, the Speaker of
10 the House of Representatives, the minority party leaders of
11 each house of the Legislature, and the chairs of the standing
12 committees of each house of the Legislature having
13 jurisdiction of insurance issues, a plan for implementing the
14 additional ratemaking methods and an outline of any
15 legislation needed to facilitate use of the new methods.
16 d. The plan must include a provision that producer
17 commissions paid by the corporation shall not be calculated in
18 such a manner as to include any rate equalization surcharge.
19 However, without regard to the plan to be developed or its
20 implementation, producer commissions paid by the corporation
21 for each account, other than the quota share primary program,
22 shall remain fixed as to percentage, effective rate,
23 calculation, and payment method until January 1, 2004.
24 11.9. By January 1, 2004, The corporation shall
25 develop a notice to policyholders or applicants that the rates
26 of Citizens Property Insurance Corporation are intended to be
27 higher than the rates of any admitted carrier except when the
28 provisions of subparagraph 4. apply and providing other
29 information the corporation deems necessary to assist
30 consumers in finding other voluntary admitted insurers willing
31 to insure their property.
21
4:25 PM 05/02/05 s1488c2c-40-j04
Florida Senate - 2005 SENATOR AMENDMENT
Bill No. CS for CS for SB 1488
Barcode 552756
1 (q) The corporation shall not require the securing of
2 flood insurance as a condition of coverage if the property
3 risk of the insured or applicant is located in a Special Flood
4 Hazard Area as defined by the Federal Emergency Management
5 Agency for the National Flood Insurance Program. executes a
6 form approved by the office affirming that Flood insurance is
7 not provided by the corporation and that if flood insurance is
8 not secured by the applicant or insured in addition to
9 coverage by the corporation, the risk will not be covered for
10 flood damage. A corporation policyholder that does electing
11 not to secure flood insurance and makes a claim executing a
12 form as provided herein making a claim for water damage
13 against the corporation shall have the burden of proving the
14 damage was not caused by flooding. Notwithstanding other
15 provisions of this subsection, the corporation may deny
16 coverage or refuse to issue or renew a policy to an applicant
17 or insured who refuses to purchase flood insurance as required
18 by this subsection to execute the form described herein.
19
20
21 ================ T I T L E A M E N D M E N T ===============
22 And the title is amended as follows:
23 On page 2, lines 9 through 28, delete those lines
24
25 and insert:
26 amending s. 627.351, F.S.; revising the
27 appointments to the board and the approval of
28 officers and employees of the corporation;
29 providing additional legislative intent
30 relating to the Citizens Property Insurance
31 Corporation; authorizing the corporation to
22
4:25 PM 05/02/05 s1488c2c-40-j04
Florida Senate - 2005 SENATOR AMENDMENT
Bill No. CS for CS for SB 1488
Barcode 552756
1 issue bonds and incur indebtedness for certain
2 purposes; requiring creation of a Market
3 Accountability Advisory Committee to assist the
4 corporation for certain purposes; providing for
5 appointment of committee members; providing for
6 terms; requiring reports to the corporation;
7 revising requirements for the plan of operation
8 of the corporation; deleting limitations on
9 certain personal lines residential wind-only
10 policies; deleting an obsolete reporting
11 requirement; specifying nonapplication of
12 certain policy requirements in counties lacking
13 reasonable degrees of competition for certain
14 policies under certain circumstances;
15 specifying that rates may not be increased by
16 more than a specified percentage; requiring the
17 commission to adopt rules; deleting an obsolete
18 rate methodology panel reporting requirement
19 provision; requiring the corporation to require
20 the securing of flood insurance as a condition
21 of coverage under certain circumstances;
22 providing requirements and limitations;
23 amending s.
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
23
4:25 PM 05/02/05 s1488c2c-40-j04