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SUNSHINE STATE INSURANCE COMPANY

Company Information

Company Demographic Information
Name of Company:
SUNSHINE STATE INSURANCE COMPANY
Case Number:2014 CA 1432
Guaranty Association:
Florida Insurance Guaranty Association(FIGA)
Type of Coverage:
Property and Casualty
State of Domicile:
Florida
Status of Receivership:
Liquidation
Important Receivership Dates
Date of Rehabilitation:
N/A
Date of Liquidation:
June 03, 2014
Policy Cancellation Date:June 27, 2014
Claims Filing Deadline:
June 03, 2015
Objection Deadline:
October 16, 2017

Notice of Receivership

​On June 3, 2014, Sunshine State Insurance Company was ordered into receivership for purposes of liquidation by Judge Kevin Carroll of the Second Judicial Circuit Court in Leon County, Florida. The Florida Department of Financial Services is the court appointed Receiver of Sunshine State Insurance Company (Sunshine State).

Background Information
​Sunshine State was a property and casualty insurance company located in Jacksonville, Florida. It was licensed in Florida in 1997. The company was licensed in three states – Florida, South Carolina, and Mississippi – and primarily wrote homeowners’ insurance coverage. The company also offered Flood Insurance.

Policy Issues
Sunshine State had approximately 36,400 active policies as of March 31, 2014. Under the terms of the Liquidation Order, policies which had not expired prior to that time were cancelled effective 12:01 a.m. on the date 30 days after the entry of the Liquidation Order; provided that policies of flood insurance issued by Sunshine State were cancelled. The Department worked with the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation (OIR), and the Florida Insurance Guaranty Association (FIGA) on a transition plan which would provide continued coverage for the Sunshine State policyholders. The Transition Plan was approved by the Court on June 13, 2014.Policies subject to the Transition Plan were cancelled effective 12:01 a.m. on June 27, 2014, but policyholders were able to obtain continued coverage through Heritage Property & Casualty Insurance Company.

Flood Insurance Policy Information
Flood policies were not cancelled by the Liquidation Order and continued, except if the policy was previously cancelled as a result of the nonpayment of current premium, or upon the normal expiration date.

Builders' Risk Policy Information:
Builders' Risk insurance policies are not addressed in the Transition Plan.

Proof of Claim Forms

​On August 5, 2014, 655 Proof of Claim forms (POCs) were mailed via the U.S. Postal Service.  POCs were mailed to policyholders and/or claimants that were involved in an open loss claim.  

Notices of Determination

03/16/2015 - ​Notice of Determination for the First Interim Claims Report:

The Division mailed 1 Notice of Determination (NOD) to a claimant with a Class 2 claim.  The NOD was sent via the US Postal Service regular mail, and certified, return receipt requested.  The NOD informs the claimant of the recommendation concerning the amount recommended and classification of their filed claim. 

The objection filing deadline was April 27, 2015.  All objections must be filed in writing to both the Division and to the Clerk of Court.  All objections must be RECEIVED on or before the deadline date.  Objections received after the deadline will not be considered.  It is recommended that objections be sent by certified mail, return receipt requested.  

 

08/17/2017 - Notices of Determination for the Second Interim Claims Report:

The Division mailed 1,672 Notices of Determination (NODs) to claimants with Class 2 and Class 3 claims.  The NODs were sent via the US Postal Service. These NODs inform the claimants of the recommendation concerning the amount recommended and classification of their filed claim. 

The objection filing deadline was October 16, 2017.  All objections must be filed in writing to both the Division and to the Clerk of Court.  All objections must be RECEIVED on or before the deadline date.  Objections received after the deadline will not be considered.  It is recommended that objections be sent by certified mail, return receipt requested.  

 

10/05/2020 - Notices of Determination for the Third Interim Claims Report:

The Division mailed 86 Notices of Determination (NODs) to claimants with Class 2 through Class 11 claims. The NODs were sent via the US Postal Service. These NODs inform the claimants of the recommendation concerning the amount recommended and classification of their filed claim. 

The objection filing deadline was December 4, 2020.  All objections must be filed in writing to both the Division and to the Clerk of Court.  All objections must be RECEIVED on or before the deadline date.  Objections received after the deadline will not be considered.  It is recommended that objections be sent by certified mail, return receipt requested.   

W-9 Request Letters

On February 4, 2022, the Division mailed twenty-two (22) W-9 Request Letters with Internal Revenue Service W-9 Forms and Instructions attached.  For claimants receiving a letter, payment of claims is subject to court approval and the receipt of a properly executed W-9.  A response is requested by February 28, 2022 in order to expedite  the claims distribution.  

Distribution

​On March 18, 2022, the Department mailed 1,557 distribution checks for claims that were filed and adjudicated in the Sunshine State receivership.  The checks are dated March 11, 2022 and are valid for 60 days from that date.  The Department does not anticipate any further distributions to these claimants.


Claims Information

How do I file a new claim or check on an existing claim?

FIGA is processing new covered claims and handling the claims filed with Sunshine State prior to liquidation. In order to file a new claim or check on the status of an existing claim, you should contact FIGA at:

Florida Insurance Guaranty Association
P O Box 14249
Tallahassee, Florida 32317
1-800-988-1450 (toll-free)
Fax 1-850-523-1888
Hours of operation are Monday - Friday from 8:00 A.M. - 5:00 PM Eastern Time

FIGA Website Link: www.figafacts.com (you are leaving the DFS website and opening a new browser window)

FIGA will process loss claims relating to damage to your property which are covered under your homeowners policies Claims are subject to a $100 deductible.

Does FIGA have limits on the covered claims they process and pay?

​The processing and payment of pending covered claims will be made by FIGA (subject to the lesser of policy limits or FIGA's maximum cap). The maximum amount FIGA will cover is $300,000 with special limits applying to (1) damages to structure and contents on homeowners claims and (2) on condominium and homeowners association claims. For damages to structure and contents on homeowners claims the FIGA cap is an additional $200,000. No claim will be paid in excess of this cap. All claims are subject to a $100 deductible over and above any deductible identified in your policy. You may file a claim in the estate of the insurance company for the $100 deductible and for amounts over the cap. The Receiver will send proof of claim forms and instructions for filing a claim. The last day to file a claim with FIGA will be 11:59:59 P.M. on June 3, 2016, or two years after the date of the order.

What is a covered claim?

​A covered claim is defined by Section 631.54, Florida Statutes, and means "an unpaid claim, including one of unearned premium, which arises out of, and is within the coverage, and is not in excess of the applicable limits of an insurance policy..."

When is the claim deadline?

​Pursuant to the June 3, 2014 court order liquidating Sunshine State, the last day to submit a timely filed claim with the Receiver was 11:59:59 P.M. on June 3, 2015

 

Due to a Claims Bar Date ordered by the Court, any claims submitted to the Receiver and received after June 4, 2019 will not be processed.

Is there a Claims Bar Date?

​A Claims Bar Date was ordered by Leon County Circuit Court of June 4, 2019.   See Court Order.


Contact Information

To report a new claim:

In liquidation, the Florida Insurance Guaranty Association ("FIGA") is activated to help pay outstanding claims. The claims process will continue with the adjusting being performed by representatives of FIGA.

What is the Florida Insurance Guaranty Association?

​The Florida Insurance Guaranty Association ("FIGA") is a nonprofit corporation statutorily created to provide a mechanism for the payment of claims when an insurance company is ordered liquidated.

FIGA is processing new covered claims. In order to file a new claim, you should contact FIGA at:

Florida Insurance Guaranty Association
P O Box 14249
Tallahassee, Florida 32317
1-800-988-1450 (toll-free)
Fax 1-850-523-1888
Hours of operation are Monday - Friday from 8:00 A.M. - 5:00 PM Eastern Time

To check on the status of an existing claim:
​FIGA is handling the claims filed by Sunshine State policyholders prior to the company entering receivership. please use the information above and contact FIGA at 1-800-988-1450 to check on the status of an existing claim.

Questions concerning transition policies:
Policyholders with questions about their transition policies should contact their agents. Policyholders with questions concerning Heritage policy-related issues should contact Heritage. Their customer service phone number is 1-855-323-8140.

Questions concerning the Flood Insurance policies:
Policyholders with questions about their Flood Insurance policies should call American Bankers Insurance Company. Their customer service number is 1-800-423-4403.

Questions concerning the Builders' Risk policies:
Owners of Builders' Risk policies should contact their agents regarding replacement coverage. Builders' Risk policies cancelled on July 3, 2014.

Questions concerning premium refunds:

FIGA is processing premium refunds for policyholders not offered replacement coverage or opting to take advantage of the Transition Plan. If you have questions concerning return premium, you should contact FIGA at:

Florida Insurance Guaranty Association
P O Box 14249
Tallahassee, Florida 32317
1-800-988-1450 (toll-free)
Fax 1-850-523-1888
Hours of operation are Monday - Friday from 8:00 A.M. - 5:00 PM Eastern Time

Policyholders opting to take advantage of the Transition Plan with Heritage Property & Casualty Insurance Company ("HPCIC") should contact either their agents or HPCIC at 1-855-323-8140 concerning premium issues. The Transition Plan was approved by the Court on June 13, 2014. For details of the Transition Plan, please see Related Documents.


Frequently Asked Questions

I am an Agent who owes unearned commission. Where should I send the payment?

Payments made prior to October 12, 2021 should be sent to the following address: 

Division of Rehabilitation & Liquidation

P.O. Box 865694

Orlando, FL 32886-5694 


Effective October 12, 2021 payments should be sent to the following address: 
For Standard Payments Only:
State of Florida 
Division of Rehabilitation & Liquidation
P.O. Box 946694
Atlanta, GA 30394-6694 
For Express Payments Only:
Lockbox Services - #0865694
State of Florida
Division of Rehabilitation & Liquidation
3585 Atlanta Ave.
Hapeville, GA 30354​

Why did I received a Notice Regarding Time Sensitive W-9 Forms and Information?

The Department is preparing for a claims distribution in the Sunshine State Insurance Company Receivership.  You have been identified as someone that monies may be owed to in connection with your claim.  In order for you to receive monies for this distribution, the Department must have a W-9 on file for you.  If you do not fill out and submit the requested form(s), you will not receive a check.  If you do not receive a check with this distribution, you will have to go through the DFS Unclaimed Property process after Sunshine State Insurance Company has been discharged by the Department.

If you have additional questions, please contact Consumer Services at 800-882-3054. 


Financial Statements

The following documents are provided as Adobe Acrobat PDF files and are best viewed using the free Adobe Acrobat reader software.

DateTitleSize
12/31/2022Financial Statement280K
09/30/2022Financial Statement297K
06/30/2022Financial Statement295K
03/31/2022Financial Statement297K
12/31/2021Financial Statement283K
09/30/2021Financial Statement281K
06/30/2021Financial Statement281K
03/31/2021Financial Statement285K
12/31/2020Financial Statement704K
09/30/2020Financial Statement 837K
06/30/2020Financial Statement208K
03/31/2020Financial Statement124K
12/31/2019Financial Statement270K
09/30/2019Financial Statement269K
06/30/2019Financial Statement1,810K
03/31/2019Financial Statement272K
12/31/2018Financial Statement274K
09/30/2018Financial Statement263K
06/30/2018Financial Statement632K
03/31/2018Financial Statement151K
12/31/2017Financial Statement631K
09/30/2017Financial Statement628K
06/30/2017Financial Statement611K
03/31/2017Financial Statement607K
12/31/2016Financial Statement603K
09/30/2016Financial Statement61K
06/30/2016Financial Statement53K
03/31/2016Financial Statement47K
12/31/2015Financial Statement52K
09/30/2015Financial Statement46K
06/30/2015Financial Statement158K
03/31/2015Financial Statement156K
12/31/2014Financial Statement83K
09/30/2014Financial Statement89K
06/30/2014Financial Statement242K
03/31/2014Financial Statement1,109K

 


The following documents are provided as Adobe Acrobat PDF files and are best viewed using the free Adobe Acrobat reader software.

Court Documents

DateTitleSize
02/01/2022Order Approving Final Claims Report, Claims Distribution Report and Distribution Accounting and Authorizing Distribution349K
09/16/2020Order Approving Department's Motion for Approval of Third Interim Claims Report and Recommendation on Claims518K
09/15/2020Department's Motion for Approval of Third Interim Claims Report and Recommendation on Claims373K
06/04/2019Order Granting Florida Department of Financial Services Motion for Claims Bar Date79K
08/01/2017Order Approving Department's Motion for Approval of Second Interim Claims Report and Recommendation on Claims24K
07/28/2017Department's Motion for Approval of Second Interim Claims Report and Recommendation on Claims100K
03/13/2015Receiver's Motion for Approval of First Interim Claims Report and Recommendation on Claims100K
03/13/2015Order approving Receiver's First Interim Claims Report and Recommendation on Claims639K
06/13/2014Order Approving Receiver's Plan of Liquidation and Transition480K
06/03/2014Consent Order Appointing the Florida Department of Financial Services as Receiver for Purposes of Liquidation, Injunction, and Notice of Automatic Stay198K
06/02/2014Petition for Order Appointing the Florida Department of Financial Services as Receiver for Purpose of Liquidation, Injunction, and Notice of Automatic Stay555K

 

Notices

DateTitleSize
03/11/2022Notice Regarding Time Sensitive Distribution Checks135K
02/04/2022Notice Regarding Time Sensitive W-9 Forms and Information38K
06/20/2014Notice to SSIC's Florida Policyholders183K
06/17/2014Notice to Agent or Broker Regarding the Liquidation of and Policy Transition Plan for Sunshine State Insurance Company (English Version)77K
06/17/2014Notice to Agent or Broker Regarding the Liquidation of and Policy Transition Plan for Sunshine State Insurance Company (Spanish version)82K

 

Other

DateTitleSize
06/20/2015Insolvency Report1,436K