Florida Hurricane Catastrophe Fund Offers Tips on Avoiding WIRE System Validation Errors in Advance of September 2 Data Call Deadline

Based on insurer responses received in advance of the 2014 Florida Hurricane Catastrophe Fund (“FHCF”) Data Call deadline on September 2, 2014, the FHCF has noted several common electronic submission errors that are causing files to fail validation in its new WIRE (Web Insurer Reporting Engine) system.  In an email issued today, August 12, 2014, the FHCF reminded insurers that a quick check of files for these issues prior to uploading can avoid validation failure.

According to the FHCF, the following are common causes of validation failure:

1. LEADING ZEROES IN THE CONSTRUCTION FIELD – leading zeroes before the single digit construction codes (1, 2 or 7) will result in an “invalid construction code” error.  Insurers should ensure the codes are reported exactly as specified in the 2014 FHCF Data Call instructions.  For example, |1| is acceptable and |01| is not.
2. BLANK SPACES IN A RECORD – WIRE validation views blank spaces within a record as an invalid data type.  If an “invalid data type” error occurs, the fields should be checked for blank spaces.  Manual checks should be performed in the last field in a record (row), as a blank space at the end cannot be detected visually.  To do this, the cursor should be positioned at the end of the row directly behind the last character and press the right arrow key once.  If the cursor moves to the beginning of the next row, then there is no blank space. 
3. OMITTING THE CITIZENS PROPERTY INSURANCE POLICY NUMBER FIELD (Field 20) – this field must be included for a file to pass validation.  Either a zero or a Citizens Property Insurance Corporation (“Citizens”) policy number must be reported for every record.  If the policy was assumed from Citizens between July 1, 2013 and June 30, 2014, then the Citizens policy number should be reported.  If the policy was not assumed during that period of time, then a zero should be reported.  Companies that did not assume any policies from Citizens during the time period should zero-fill this column.  If field 20 is not included, a “not meeting minimum field count” error will be displayed.

WIRE‘s validation feature allows testing of a file unlimited times before submitting it to the FHCF.  Testing of files is encouraged well in advance of September 1 to allow time for the FHCF to respond to questions before the September 2, 2014 (4:00 p.m. ET) reporting deadline.

To contact FHCF staff with questions, call (850) 413-1228 or e-mail WIRE@sbafla.com Monday through Friday between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. (ET), excluding holidays. 

To view answers to common user questions on the WIRE website, check the information modules (on the right side of the WIRE home page), view the WIRE video tutorials (in the Submission Resources module), or browse WIRE‘s Frequently Asked Questions (click the FAQS tab in the top navigation bar).

NOTE:  The FHCF offices will be closed on September 1, 2014, for the Labor Day holiday.  Therefore, WIRE assistance will not be available.  

Should you have any questions or comments, please contact Colodny Fass& Webb. 

Click here to follow Colodny Fass& Webb on Twitter (@CFTLAWcom)

To unsubscribe from this newsletter, please send an email to Brooke Ellis at bellis@cftlaw.com.