In some ways, 2006 has been the best of times and the worse of times. Regulators, lawmakers, and the industry have breathed a collective sigh of relief after this year's hurricane season passed by with no major storm, which allowed Citizens Property Insurance Corporation, the Florida Hurricane Catastrophe Fund, and the private market to regain its financial footing. Yet, even though the weather patterns have spared the state, the physical and financial wreckage of the eight major hurricanes that made landfall in 2004 and 2005 remain largely unresolved.

Among the normal bills accrued by a household, families are also being greeted by a new tax to help pay off Citizens Property Insurance Corporation deficits even as the government helped foot the bill. But even as the property market continues to be the number-one priority of lawmakers, lawmakers tackled a variety of issues that also impacted other markets. What follows are just a few quotes reflecting the issues of 2006.

Agent Issues

“Young agents don't need motivating. They need the arena to express their passion. They want to get involved. I spend hours on e-mail with them. They're asking for leadership and sales skills, a place to talk to others in the industry and make connections for markets. And they want to be able to socialize with each other – to feel like they belong.” — Melissa Champany, head of the Florida Association Insurance of Agents, on grooming new agents through the association's Young Agent Council.

“Please understand we have always asserted that agent remuneration is not dependent exclusively on the 'amount' of work or service provided by the agent, although that is certainly an important component. Agent remuneration is also directly correlated to the overall cost of transaction business. This explains why virtually every insurer pays to its agents a percentage of premiums as compensation.” — FAIA President Jeff Grady, in a letter to Insurance Commissioner Kevin McCarty, arguing against a flat fee on Citizens' policies.

Citizens Property Insurance Corporation

“We hear loud and clear from agents in five or six counties that there is no private market, so we would favor a modest increase in Citizens' areas.” — FAIA Executive Vice President Scott Johnson, on the need to expand Citizens' eligibility zones.

“Storm victims pay sales tax when they repair their homes and businesses, which is essentially a tax on storm repairs. Then they turn around and get hit with another tax in the form of higher premiums and special assessments.” — Senator Tim Ryan (D-Dania Beach), supporting the use of tax dollars to offset the Citizens' assessment.

“Practically speaking, Citizens' rates have been the ceiling and the department has been reluctant to approve rates above Citizens'.” — William Stander, representing the Property Casualty Insurers Association of America on the continuing battle over Citizens' rates.

“I think Citizens, in its current form, is not good for the people of our state. They have been scandal-ridden, they had to get a bailout, it is a mess. The fact that the legislature spent almost three quarters of a billion dollars to bail out Citizens is unacceptable.” — Republican candidate for Governor Charlie Crist, on the legislature's decision to use $750 million in sales revenue to reduce Citizens' assessment.

Property Issues

“Just increasing policyholder deductibles and worrying about reinsuance is not enough. Everyone should now realize that the key to solving the insurance challenge is to build sturdier structures.” — Leslie Chapman-Henderson, executive director of the Federal Alliance for Safe Homes.

“Hurricanes are a fact of life in Florida, and every Floridian needs to have a plan for hurricane season. Our ability to respond and recover from a hurricane is critical to our economy and our quality of life. A strong response and a quick recovery sends a message to businesses and tourists that Florida remains the best option for both investments and vacations, which keeps our economy strong.” — Governor Jeb Bush, on a new program aimed at creating a “Culture of Preparedness.”

“It's a mess here.” — Senator Mike Fasano (R-New Port Richey), on the sinkhole crisis bill. That cost increase was triggered by a dramatic rise in sinkhole claims, which averaged $50,400 per claim in 2005, as compared to $28,500 per claim in 2003. As a result, Citizens' average premiums for homeowners in Pascoe County have increased from $1,006 in 2003 to $2,368 last year.

“Strengthening building standards in this region can also encourage more insurance capital to enter our state, which ultimately will translate to greater competition in the property insurance market and lower premium rates for consumers.” — Insurance Commissioner Kevin McCarty, on the need for stronger building codes.

“I have heard from too many Florida business owners who are facing losing their insurance in the middle of hurricane season. If left unchecked, this problem would have a negative affect on our state's economy, as we have heard from businesses that may have to move out of Florida.” — Insurance Commissioner Kevin McCarty, on the need for a commercial joint underwriting association.

“We have learned over the past two years that Florida will be hit by hurricanes. The only question is, who will pay for their destruction – the government or the insurance industry? It is my fundamental belief that the insurance industry should assume the financial risk for hurricanes.” — Governor-Elect Charlie Crist, on his position about the industry.

Workers' Compensation

“People are watching more closely property insurance. I've heard less about this proposed rate reduction that I've had in nearly any year.” — Paul Hughes, president of the Orlando-based Risk Transfer, which brokers insurance contracts for a wide variety of professional employment organization, on NCCI's proposed 13.3 percent rate cut.

“It is a cause for concern. But it's not going to be a problem for quite some time.” — Laura Torrence, on the financial condition of the Florida Workers' Compensation Joint Under-writing Association.

“Among other things, the report notes that compliance officers issued 2,672 stop-work orders and levied over $46 million in fines and penalties in fiscal year 2004-2005. As a result of the increased compliance efforts, the Division of Insurance Fraud made 213 arrests that resulted in 100 convictions.” — Andrew Sabolic, bureau chief of the DWC's Bureau of Fraud, on the Division of Workers' Compensation's impact on reducing fraud.

Auto Issues

“This is a quiet crisis. People don't realize they are paying too much.” — Andy Martinez, representing Nationwide Insurance Co., on why the personal injury protection bill failed.

“We didn't think the system could be reformed and the proof is in what happened in the legislature this year.” State Farm Ins. Co., on why it didn't support the PIP bill.

“I look forward to signing this important legislation, which will remove an unfair burden on Florida businesses and will make our state more competitive in our efforts to recruit higher paying jobs. Floridians have worked too hard and our state has come too far to allow abusive litigation to continue.” — Governor Jeb Bush, on signing a bill ending joint and several liability.

Medical Malpractice

“Florida's trial lawyers are ignoring the will of the people. They have created yet another avenue to put more money back into their own pockets, by requiring clients to sign this form before they will take a malpractice case. If an individual signs this lawyer's waiver, they give up their right to receive what they deserve – a larger portion of a medical liability award. The bottom line, only the lawyer benefits.” — Florida Medical Association Executive Director Sandra Morthum, on a Supreme Court Ruling allowing claimants to bypass a constitutional amendment restricting attorneys' fees.

Special Reports /

The Year in Quotes

Related Stories

Recommended For You