Eight insurance companies have been fined in Florida for mishandling claims during Hurricanes Ian and Idalia, state officials announced.

Insurance Commissioner Mike Yaworsky said the companies collectively face $2 million in penalties for violations that included using unappointed adjusters, failing to acknowledge claims communications promptly, omitting required disclosure statements, not providing the Homeowners Claims Bill of Rights, and neglecting to pay interest when owed.

One company, Yaworsky noted, recorded error rates exceeding 60% during Hurricane Ian and more than 80% during Hurricane Idalia for failing to include disclosure statements.

Penalized insurers and fines:

• American Coastal Insurance Company — $400,000
• American Mobile Insurance Exchange — $400,000
• Centauri Specialty Insurance Company — $100,000
• Clear Blue Insurance Company — $400,000
• Monarch National Insurance Company — $325,000
• Sutton National Insurance Company — $50,000
• Tower Hill Prime Insurance Company — $250,000
• TypTap Insurance Company — $150,000

Two more examinations are still underway and could lead to additional fines, Yaworsky said.

He also emphasized that penalties imposed by the Office of Insurance Regulation (OIR) do not affect policyholders’ rates.

Florida CFO Blaise Ingoglia backed the enforcement, saying the state is committed to protecting consumers. 

“These fines are proof positive that we are committed to holding insurers accountable,” Ingoglia said. “With peak hurricane season approaching, it is more important than ever to ensure insurance companies keep their promises to customers.”

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