Florida Insurance Consumer Advocate Urges OIR to Remember Struggling Businesses in Reviewing Workers' Compensation Rate Request

Press Release

Oct. 4, 2012

TALLAHASSEE—Florida’s Insurance Consumer Advocate Robin Smith Westcott today urged the Office of Insurance Regulation to keep foremost in mind Florida’s struggling businesses when reviewing a proposed 6.1 percent average increase for workers’ compensation rates that would take effect January 1, 2013. She also said stopping fraud in the system will remain a priority. 

“Under Florida Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater’s direction, the Division of Insurance Fraud has stopped hundreds of millions of dollars in workers’ compensation fraud,” Westcott said.  “Dishonest Floridians who participate in workers’ compensation fraud are on notice that we are finding more of them all the time and are committed to bringing them to justice. Honest Floridians who play by the rules should be reminded continuously that we are doing all we can to protect them.  

“I urge OIR to thoroughly review this rate request and ensure it is justified to protect our state’s employers and employees.”

 

The Insurance Consumer Advocate is appointed by Florida Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater and is committed to finding solutions to insurance issues facing Floridians, calling attention to questionable insurance practices, promoting a viable insurance market responsive to the needs of Florida’s diverse population and assuring that rates are fair and justified.