NU Online News Service, April 1, 3:52 p.m.EDT

State Farm Florida has until April 14 to submit an amendedpetition for an administrative hearing regarding its plans towithdraw the company's property insurance business from the state,and the insurer said it plans to meet that deadline.

The Florida Office of Insurance Regulation (OIR) dismissed theinsurer's initial request for a hearing.

Michal Connolly, spokesperson for State Farm Florida, said afterthe company submitted its plan for withdrawal from the state, theOIR gave conditional approval. The company then had 21 days torespond to the OIR.

Ms. Connolly said State Farm Florida still had not resolved allof its issues with the OIR's conditional approval by that date,March 6, and so the company made a filing to preserve its rightsfor an administrative hearing.

Ed Domansky, spokesman for the OIR, said the OIR has heard thatState Farm Florida objects to a condition in the approval plan thatthe company allow its agents to write homeowners policies forcompanies other than State Farm and Citizens Property InsuranceCorp., the state's insurer of last resort.

Ms. Connolly said State Farm Florida still believes it can reachan agreement with the OIR without a hearing, but if the company didnot make the filing, it would have forfeited its right to a hearingshould one become necessary.

The OIR rejected Sate Farm Florida's petition for a hearing onMarch 24. The OIR noted in a letter to State Farm Florida that thecompany's petition did not comply with Florida Statutes or FloridaAdministrative Code.

"Your petition fails to set forth with sufficient particularity'all disputed issues of material fact' that affect State FarmFlorida's 'substantial interests' that would entitle it to anadministrative proceeding," the letter states. "Rather, thepetition only reflects the company's displeasure with the terms ofthe Order."

Mr. Domansky said requirements for a petition for anadministrative hearing are specific. He added this was State FarmFlorida's opportunity to lay out all items of fact that the companydisagreed with.

"As the order spells out," Mr. Domansky said, "[State FarmFlorida] simply did not adequately lay out their claim" on thedisputed issues of fact.

He said the process is now on hold, and the insurer has untilApril 14 to file an amended petition or else it cannot move forwardwith its withdrawal plan as presented.

For consumers, Mr. Domansky said the six-month notice beforeState Farm Florida can issue nonrenewals is now pushed back evenfurther, but he said the OIR is still encouraging affectedcustomers to shop.

State Farm Florida spokesman Chris Neal said the company willresubmit a petition and attempt to address the concerns raised bythe OIR. In the meantime, he said the company is still talking tothe OIR about its plans.