Inforamtion from the Office of Insurance Regulation re Public Hearing Scheduled in Bradenton on Insurance Problems Faced by Florida Businesses 8/07/06

Please find below news from the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation.

Should you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact this office.

Regards,

Fred E. Karlinsky

PUBLIC HEARING SCHEDULED IN BRADENTON ON INSURANCE PROBLEMS FACED BY FLORIDA BUSINESSES

�������� TALLAHASSEE (8/7/2006) � Florida Insurance Commissioner Kevin McCarty today announced a public hearing will be held in the Bradenton area to compile testimony on commercial insurance problems faced by Florida businesses.� The hearing is the latest effort by the Office of Insurance Regulation (Office) to gauge the scope and nature of a burgeoning commercial insurance crisis in the state.

����������� The hearing will be held Friday, August 11, 2006, from 4 p.m. until 6 p.m. The meeting is sponsored by Bradenton Rep. Bill Galvano and will be held at the Holmes Beach City Hall, 5801 Marina Drive, in Holmes Beach.� Interested parties who cannot attend the hearing can submit written testimony to the Office by email at ratehearings@fldfs.com.� Please be sure to put Bradenton Town Hall in the subject line of the email.�

����������� “We have heard from the governor�s office as well as numerous lawmakers from around the state about how difficult accessing commercial property insurance has become,” said McCarty.� “An online poll conducted by the Office mirrored the concerns forwarded by policymakers, therefore, I want to hear from commercial property owners, insurance agents and businessmen and women who are having�these difficulties face-to-face.”�

����������� The online poll conducted by the Office found that of the 1,900 respondents, 42 percent were either cancelled or non-renewed by their insurer in the last six months and 32 percent were able to secure new coverage but with generally much higher rates, less coverage or both.� Some of the respondents said they may relocate their businesses to other states due to insurance difficulties.�

����������� McCarty recently presented a draft plan to the governor and Cabinet to help Florida businesses that cannot find adequate insurance coverage to protect their commercial property.� In his presentation, McCarty said that under existing law the state can form an association to help provide commercial property coverage if enough businesses appeal to the state because they cannot access adequate insurance.�

����������� The Office is presently drafting a rule to create such an association to present to the Cabinet at its meeting on August 15th.�