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With both agents and residents flocking to Florida, the Sunshine State is on the move. Florida Chief Financial Officer Tom Gallagher, who oversees insurance matters in the state, recently set aside time to talk with ÈȵãºÚÁÏ Journal Southeast regarding some of the issues impacting the state.

Gallagher’s life in public service began in 1974 when he was elected to the Florida House of Representatives. He served for 13 years in the House.

In 1987, Governor Bob Martinez appointed him Secretary of the Department of Professional Regulation, and in 1988, he was first elected to the Cabinet position of state treasurer, insurance commissioner and fire marshal. As insurance commissioner, Gallagher is best known for his leadership in the aftermath of the nation’s most devastating and costly natural disaster – Hurricane Andrew. Gallagher also spearheaded the creation of the Healthy Kids Corporation, a program that offers health insurance to more than 500,000 uninsured children in Florida.

After serving as education commissioner from 1998-2000, Gallagher was again elected state treasurer in November 2000.

In 2003, Gallagher was sworn in as Florida’s first Chief Financial Officer. Gallagher persuaded lawmakers to enact legislation putting an end to predatory rating practices used by out-of-state health insurance companies. Gallagher also successfully pushed for increased penalties for individuals and businesses selling unlicensed insurance or committing workers’ compensation fraud.

ÈȵãºÚÁÏ Journal: How would you describe the current property/casualty market for independent agents in Florida?
Gallagher: Most of Florida’s property/casualty agents are independent, holding an average of seven carrier appointments. Over the last 10 years, we have seen the number of property/casualty agents double from approximately 30,000 to more than 60,000. Florida has continued to experience economic growth and tremendous population growth, even during recent economic downturns. With new homes being purchased and new businesses being opened, the need for insurance protection continues, creating a bright outlook for independent property/casualty agents. The challenge for insurance regulators is to look for ways to ensure the affordability and availability of coverage for Floridians.

IJ: Talk a little bit about the problem of insurance fraud, its costs in Florida and what the department is doing to combat it.
Gallagher: It is estimated that insurance fraud costs the average Florida family as much as $1,400 a year in higher premiums and higher costs for goods and services. Employers are finding it increasingly difficult to afford coverage for their workers, including the required workers’ compensation coverage. And more Floridians than ever are driving uninsured. We all pay for insurance fraud, and that is why in Florida we offer to pay for information that can help us stop the most complex fraud schemes – up to a $25,000 reward.

This year, a prosecutor’s position was created to specifically address the growing problem of Personal Injury Protection (PIP) fraud. The department coordinates with local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies and our insurance fraud hotline, 1-(800) 378-0445, is listed in every fraud-related press release, on billboards and in all public service announcements. I’m also proud to announce that for the past several years, Florida has led the nation in the number of insurance fraud arrests and convictions.

IJ: How did the department respond to help businesses and individuals with storms and other catastrophes that hit the state in the last year?
Gallagher: The Department of Financial Services conducts a statewide public awareness campaign at the start of each hurricane season. These efforts include television PSAs, Hurricane Preparedness Expos, a Safety Checklist for consumers, an interactive Web site with tips and information at www.fldfs.com and more.
The department also offers assistance in contacting insurance companies and adjusters, and in filing claims in the event of a disaster. Last year, when several neighborhoods in Palm Beach County were devastated by tornadoes, I toured the area, offered assistance, and ensured that policyholders were treated fairly and received immediate responses from their insurance companies and agents.

IJ: How is the Florida workers’ compensation system doing?
Gallagher: Last year, the Florida Legislature passed important reforms of the state’s workers’ compensation system. Many of those efforts were aimed at eliminating the massive amount of claimant and employer fraud plaguing the system. According to a study by the University of Florida, fraud costs the industry more than $1.3 billion annually. The reforms had an immediate impact, reducing rates paid by Florida business by an average of 14 percent.
The Department of Financial Services was also granted more authority to impose increased fines and issue stop-work orders to businesses not providing coverage for their employees. It’s my hope that these reforms continue to have a positive impact on Florida’s workers’ compensation system, providing more affordable and available coverage for employers.

IJ: What are your goals in 2004?
Gallagher: This year, I’m offering a number of proposals to assist Florida’s financial consumers. Over the past several years, insurance coverage has become more difficult to obtain, and consumer rights have begun to erode significantly. My top priority is a Financial Consumer’s Bill of Rights, aimed at returning our marketplace to one that is fair and reasonable to the insurance buying public.
I’m also supporting a bill to help prevent identity theft when an insurance company or financial institution improperly disposes of customer records and a measure to prohibit abusive tactics used by some debt collection agencies. Lastly, I am pushing for legislation to require insurance companies and their agents to clearly document the suitability of annuities for seniors. We’ve heard horror stories from hundreds of seniors who lost their life savings because annuities sold to them did not meet their financial needs and objectives.

For more information on Gallagher and the department, visit www.doi.state.fl.us/