Florida is once again dealing with the aftermath of a Hurricane. On August 26, 2023, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis issued an Executive Order, which declared a state of emergency in counties projected to be targeted by Hurricane Idalia. The order provides a listing of the counties. 

The state of emergency allows the insurance commissioner to issue one or more general orders applicable to all insurance companies that serve any portion of the area under the state of emergency. The insurance commissioner, Michael Yaworsky, and the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation (OIR) issued an emergency order following the landfall of Hurricane Idalia.

The order addresses grace periods for payment of premiums and performance of duties by insureds, temporary postponement of cancellations and nonrenenwals, and miscellaneous provisions. 

Extension of grace periods

  • Any policy provision, notice, correspondence, or law that imposes a time limit to an insured to perform an act, which was to be performed before Sept 1, 2023, is extended until Oct 31, 2023. 

Cancellations and nonrenewals

  • Between Sept 1 and Oct 31, no insurer can cancel or non-renew a policy covering a property or risk in one of the affected counties, unless requested by the policyholder
  • All notices of cancellation issued within 10 days before Sept 1, 2023 affecting an insured located in one of the affected counties must be withdrawn and reissued on or after Oct 31, 2023
  • An authorized insurer may not cancel or nonrenew a personal or commercial residential property insurance policy located in any of the affected counties for a period of 90 days after the property has been repaired, if the property was damaged as a result of Hurricane Idalia. 

Miscellaneous provisions

  • All authorized insurers, surplus lines insurers, and regulated entities are expected to implement processes to facilitate the efficient payment of claims. 
  • Insurers are permitted, during the duration of this State of Emergency, to pay claims through electronic means without written authorization of the recipient
  • The OIR may amend the scope of this order if deemed necessary
  • The provisions of this order are to be liberally construed to afford maximum consumer protection

The emergency order can be found here.