Overview of the Office of Insurance Consumer Advocate

The Office of the Insurance Consumer Advocate was created by the Florida Insurance Commissioner in 1990. In 1992, the Florida Legislature codified the position under Section 627.0613, Florida Statutes. The Insurance Consumer Advocate reports directly to the Chief Financial Officer, but is not otherwise under the authority of the Department of Financial Services or any employee of the department. The office generally represents the interest of the public and has the authority to intervene before the Division of Administrative Hearings, before the Department of Financial Services (DFS), the Office of Insurance Regulation (OIR) and before any forum in matters that arise under the jurisdiction of either DFS or OIR.

Specifically, activities of the Office of the Insurance Consumer Advocate include:

• Representing the general public and insurance consumers and recommending specific action or findings to the Department of Financial Services (DFS) or the Office of Insurance Regulation (OIR) in regulatory matters under consideration;
• Appearing in proceedings or actions before DFS, OIR, Division of Administrative Hearings or arbitration panel;
• Recommending to DFS or OIR any position deemed by the Insurance Consumer Advocate to be in the public interest and in the best interests of insurance consumers;
• Increasing consumer awareness and assisting consumers in matters affecting insurance issues;
• Serving as a member of statutory Boards, Commissions, or Ad Hoc entities related to Florida's insurance markets;
• Performing legal research, seeking public input, and developing proposed legislation that serves the interests of Florida's insurance consumers; and
• Reviewing, analyzing proposed legislation for purposes of preparing public testimony to support or oppose legislation affecting insurance consumers.