OIR Rule Workshop Report: Mitigation-Related Forms
Dec 17, 2008
The Florida Department of Financial Services, Office of Insurance Regulation (“OIR”) held a Rule Development Workshop on December 15, 2008 to discuss proposed amendments to Rule 69O-170.0155: Forms. To view the Workshop notice, click here.
This Rule is being amended to adopt revised versions of the following forms (click on the form number to view the current version of the form):
OIR-B1-1655: Notice of Premium Discounts for Hurricane Loss Mitigation
OIR-B1-1802: Uniform Mitigation Verification Inspection Form
The forms are being revised based on changes to the My Safe Florida Home program, along with firsthand OIR, insurer and policyholder experience with the forms since their most recent revisions in July, 2007.
The first form, OIR-B1-1655, is used by insurers to provide policyholders with information about available windstorm mitigation discounts. The second, OIR-B1-1802, is used by home inspectors to verify the presence of windstorm mitigation features on policyholders’ property, so that an insurer can calculate appropriate discounts.
Because the free inspections and the grants offered by the My Safe Florida Home program are no longer available, form OIR-B1-1655 is being revised to remove references to these programs. Form OIR-B1-1802 is being revised to use terminology commonly used in the construction industry in describing the construction features to be inspected, and to require the inspector and homeowner to verify the inspector actually conducted the inspection.
Public testimony at the Workshop expressed concern that the Rule amendments would hold hurricane mitigation inspectors, contractors, engineers and other qualified professionals responsible for work they have not seen in-person. Under current law, professionals are required to sign the mitigation verification form, but may do so without physically visiting the property. Instead, a professional may rely on photographs taken by a trained member of his or her staff.
A Workshop participant proposed that the form could require four signatures: the homeowner, inspector, representative, and the professional. This proposal was well-received by the panel and audience members.
Another Workshop participant submitted a revised, shortened version of the mitigation verification form together with a separate page of definitions. These items also were well-received by Workshop attendees.
The record will remain open for comment until December 31, 2008.
Should you have any questions or comments, please do not hesitate to contact Colodny Fass.
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