Florida's new insurance consumer advocate took office yesterday and the state's chief financial officer said his post would be beefed up with increased authority.
The new advocate, former state comptroller Bob Milligan, a retired Marine Corps general, has the authority to challenge insurers over rates and business practices.
He was welcomed on his first day as advocate by state Chief Financial Officer Adelaide "Alex" Sink, who said she would work with him to increase consumer awareness of insurance issues.
"I want the insurance consumer advocate to become a household name in Florida," she said. "One of the first steps in strengthening the insurance consumer advocate is educating Floridians about this position and how it serves the people."
Among the duties of the ICA position is to examine complaints against insurers received by the state and to track trends that could indicate a company operating in bad faith, using unfair trade practices, or deceptive or misleading sales tactics.
In addition, Mr. Milligan will be in a position to challenge what he views as unfair or unjustified rate increases, and will have equal access to insurer information as the state Office of Insurance Regulation.
"As the insurance consumer advocate, it's my goal to help educate and help defend the rights of Floridians when it comes to insurance," said Mr. Milligan. "Together, the CFO and I will also be searching for new insurance solutions that will increase competition, stabilize the insurance market and offer consumers more choices."
Mr. Milligan replaces Steve Burgess, who served as the ICA under the state's former CFO Tom Gallagher. The position was created under a 1990 law, but Ms. Sink has said she will work with state lawmakers to increase the ICA's authority.
She said Mr. Milligan might possibly be given the right to intervene as a party in legal or administrative proceedings, investigative powers, or the right to appeal any actions taken by the Office of Insurance Regulation.
State Sen. Bill Posey, R-Rockledge, who chairs the Senate Banking and Insurance Committee, reportedly intends to introduce legislation that would equip the post with the powers being sought by Ms. Sink.
Mr. Milligan, after retiring in 1991 as a Marine Corps lieutenant general, served as Florida comptroller from 1994 until 2002. As a member of the Florida Cabinet, he also played a role in creating the CFO position for the Florida government.
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