Florida Office of Insurance Regulation Reviews Insurer Input on Uniform Mitigation Verification Inspection Form (OIR-B1-1802)
Jun 21, 2011
The Florida Office of Insurance Regulation (“OIR”) met yesterday, June 20, 2011, for a Rule hearing on proposed Rule 69O-170.0155, specifically in regard to Form OIR-B1-1802, also known as the “Uniform Mitigation Verification Inspection Form (‘Form’)” The purpose of the public hearing was to consider proposed updates to the Form that would reflect 2010 statutory changes and other related issues.
OIR officials present at the hearing included Deputy Director for Property and Casualty Product Review Michael Milnes, Attorney Steve Fredrickson and Actuary Ken Ritzenthaler.
To implement the statutory changes, which would allow engineers and contractors to use employees with certain skill, knowledge and experience to conduct inspections, the proposed updates delete reference to “My Safe Florida Home” inspectors and replaces the language with “Home inspectors licensed under section 468.8314, F.S. who have completed at least three hours of hurricane mitigation training and completion of a proficiency exam.” The Form is also being revised to incorporate reference to statutory criminal penalties for conducting false or fraudulent inspections.
A representative from Secure Enterprises, who was among those who testified at the hearing, stated that a separate check box for wind pressure resistant garage doors should be added under Section 9 of the Form.
A representative of various insurance providers stated there should be language in the Form providing that if a photo of the qualifying credit is not submitted with the Form, where applicable, it may result in non-approval of that credit. Clarification in the wording of Question Two of the Form is needed, he added.
While there was no discussion on whether tile roofs would, or would not qualify for insurance discounts, the representative mentioned that under Section 2C of the Form, it was his opinion that the check box for “Tile Roof” should remain. Under Section 4D, he recommended that the words “For Masonry Construction” be added to the beginning of the sentence, so that it would read: “For masonry construction, both metal straps must be secured to every rafter/truss with a minimum of three nails, wrapping over to the top plate of the wall frame or embedded in the bond beam in at least one place.”
OIR officials did not offer any comments during the Hearing.
A list of insurance industry recommendations that were submitted to the OIR is among the attached materials.
Additional written comments submitted prior to the hearing were not yet available.
The record will remain open for 10 business days before rulemaking continues.
Should you have any comments or questions, please contact Colodny Fass.
To unsubscribe from this newsletter, please send an email to Brooke Ellis at bellis@cftlaw.com.