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Florida Governor Open to Lawmakers Calling Special Session on Insurance Changes

Insurance Journal - March 22, 2022

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has not called a special session of the Legislature to tackle festering property insurance problems, but he said he welcomes the idea of legislative leaders convening lawmakers on their own.

Florida’s constitution and statutes allow the governor to call a non-scheduled session together. But unlike some states, the president of the Senate and the speaker of the House of Representatives also can issue a joint proclamation convening the Legislature. Another method: 20% of legislators can petition for a session, then three-fifths of both chambers must approve and set the date, statutes read. In a news conference Monday, 10 days after the 2022 regular session of the Legislature failed to act on insurance reform bills, the governor said he is “very receptive” to a special session. “I would welcome that,” DeSantis said, according to Florida news reports. “I think the Legislature just didn’t come through with it. If they can get an agreement, they should do it.” Florida insurers and advocates have said the property/casualty market is in meltdown, with six carrier insolvencies in the last 30 months, a halt on writing new policies for several insurers, and soaring premiums for many homeowners.

Avatar Policyholders Have Until April 13 to Find New Coverage, Florida Regulators Say

Avatar Property & Casualty Insurance Co. has officially entered into liquidation, and insured homeowners in Florida have less than three weeks to find new carriers. The insolvent company, the second this year and the sixth in Florida in the last 30 months, said on its website that all Avatar policies will be canceled by 12:01 a.m. on April 13. The company had 40,055 policies in force at the end of the third quarter for 2021, but was down to 37,000 policies by early March, state regulators have said.

“Your agent is best able to advise you as to your insurance options,” Avatar’s frequently asked questions web page reads. “To assist your agent and you in this process, we have notified your agent directly of the cancellation of your policy.”

That information comes despite Avatar representatives telling some policyholders that their policies will remain in force until their stated expiration date. But other insurance companies’ executives familiar with the liquidation process have said the abrupt cancellation is not unexpected and Avatar homeowners should start shopping around. A notice to agents provides similar information. The Avatar site did not indicate if Citizens Property Insurance Corp., Florida’s state-run insurer of last resort, would assume any of the policies. A Leon County Circuit Court judge last week approved a 59-page consent order that appointed the Florida Department of Financial Services the receiver for Avatar “for the purposes of liquidation.” All Avatar directors, officers and employees were terminated, except for some that may be retained by DFS to assist in the liquidation and transition process, the court order noted.

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