FIRM Expresses Support for Florida Insurance Commissioner Kevin McCarty
In response to recent word that Gov. Rick Scott may be making a move to oust Florida Insurance Commissioner Kevin McCarty, Fair Insurance Rates in Monroe [FIRM] made this statement:
“Key West, Florida – January 21, 2015 – Fair Insurance Rates in Monroe (FIRM) has expressed its strong support for Florida Insurance Commissioner Kevin M. McCarty. In a January 16, 2015 letter to Governor Rick Scott, FIRM President Mel Montagne said that Commissioner McCarty has been instrumental in beginning the correction of excessive windstorm property insurance rates in Monroe County, Florida. Montagne cited McCarty’s exceptional understanding of both consumer and business interests in the complex property insurance industry, as well as McCarty’s willingness to meet and work with FIRM during the past nine years. On behalf of FIRM’s membership of over 3,000 property owners in Monroe County, Montagne urged Governor Scott to retain McCarty in his role as the leader of Florida’s Office of Insurance Regulation.
FIRM was founded over eight years ago to combat escalating windstorm insurance premiums in the Florida Keys. Keys residents faced dramatic increases in their windstorm coverage through Citizens Property Insurance, despite few claims having been filed. Analysis of premiums collected versus claims paid demonstrated the increases were not justified.
FIRM succeeded in rolling back a 20% increase that had been implemented in August of 2006, and derailing a proposed 32% increase planned for 2007. Since then, FIRM was successful in slowing the rate of increase on wind insurance costs and in helping to repeal the most onerous aspects of 2012’s federal flood insurance reform. Year after year, FIRM works to hold back more increases and changes in coverage that adversely affect Keys residents.”