Another crisis, more reforms

Most recently, the legislature held another special insurance session and enacted a package of reforms that lawmakers hope will eventually reduce high claims costs, stabilize insurance rates and encourage national companies to offer more policies in the state. Time will tell whether the reforms will be enough to lure more insurers back to the Florida market.

John Rollins, former chief risk officer for Citizens and current director of ventures at

Texas-based Evans Insurance Group, called Crist’s cherry-picking ban a “showpiece provision” and said he was unaware of any enforcement activity.

Asked to comment on whether the cherry-picking provision had any impact on Florida’s insurance market, Crist’s campaign issued a statement that sidestepped the question and defended the package of reforms.

“Ron DeSantis is the worst property insurance governor in Florida history,” the statement said. “We are in the middle of a hurricane season and under Ron DeSantis, homeowners are getting dropped left and right. I am proud of the law I signed as governor in 2007 that stabilized the insurance market, held companies accountable, and lowered rates 10 percent.

“But not only do we need strong legislation that will protect Floridians, we need a governor who wants to enforce it. When I’m governor, I’ll be on the side of the people, not the insurance companies.”