Florida Senate - 2009                                    SB 2118
       
       
       
       By Senator Dean
       
       
       
       
       3-00655-09                                            20092118__
    1                        A bill to be entitled                      
    2         An act relating to homeowners' insurance; requiring
    3         that the Office of Insurance Regulation provide
    4         policyholders with written notice of certain
    5         information regarding the termination of a policy and
    6         the selection of a new policy; providing deadlines by
    7         which information must be provided; requiring that the
    8         office provide policyholders with instructions for
    9         contacting a broker, agent, or counselor for the
   10         purpose of selecting a new coverage plan or making
   11         changes to an existing policy; providing an effective
   12         date.
   13  
   14  Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
   15  
   16         Section 1. Termination of homeowners' insurance; notice;
   17  assistance.—The Office of Insurance Regulation or its designee
   18  shall provide:
   19         (1) Written notice to each homeowners' insurance
   20  policyholder in this state of the possibility that his or her
   21  policy may be terminated by the provider or insurer, including
   22  potential reasons for termination.
   23         (2) Written notice to such policyholder of any options
   24  available to the policyholder with regard to choosing a new plan
   25  or provider if their policy is terminated, including the names
   26  of any providers or provider networks having the capacity to
   27  accept new enrollees in this state.
   28         (a) The office shall immediately provide the written notice
   29  required by this subsection to any policyholder whose policy has
   30  been terminated by the provider.
   31         (b) The office shall provide such written notice at least
   32  60 days before the last date on which a policy remains in effect
   33  to any policyholder who cancels, decides not to renew, or
   34  otherwise terminates his or her policy.
   35         (3) Instructions to all homeowners' insurance policyholders
   36  in this state regarding how to contact a broker, agent, or
   37  counselor for the purpose of selecting a new coverage plan or
   38  making changes to an existing policy.
   39         Section 2. This act shall take effect July 1, 2009.