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SEAN MICHAEL SHAW
Insurance Consumer Advocate

Florida’s Insurance Consumer Advocate -- A Strong, Independent Voice for Floridians

As Floridians become increasingly dependent on quality insurance products, a strong advocate is needed to represent the people when insurance decisions are made.  Florida's Insurance Consumer Advocate is an independent leader with an effective and powerful voice for all Floridians.

The Insurance Consumer Advocate 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.

VISION FOR THE INSURANCE CONSUMER ADVOCATE'S OFFICE

Balancing Florida’s Insurance Market
The Office of Insurance Consumer Advocate is instrumental in maintaining a balance between a viable, competitive insurance market with the fiscal capacity to fulfill obligations to policyholders and consumers’ needs for accessible, affordable insurance products that protect their lives, their health and their property.

Identifying Trends and Improving Market Practices 
Tapping into market reports, along with some 500,000 inquiries made annually to the Department of Financial Services statewide consumer helpline, the Insurance Consumer Advocate is able to identify, first hand, market trends affecting Floridians. This data empowers the Insurance Consumer Advocate to seek early and proactive resolution of business practices that may adversely affect Floridians, as well as to assist in expansion of those beneficial to the consumer.

Representing the Consumer in Rate and Form Filings 
Florida law authorizes the Insurance Consumer Advocate to represent consumer interests in regulatory proceedings regarding all insurance activities conducted under jurisdiction of the Department of Financial Services and the Office of Insurance Regulation. The Insurance Consumer Advocate also examines rate and form filings to assure rate changes are justified and fairly apportioned and that policies clearly and accurately reflect coverage provided.