The Department of Financial Services (DFS) administers two insurance claim mediation programs. The first program is for property insurance claims (homeowner and commercial residential) pursuant to section 627.7015, F.S., and the second program is ...

 

DEPARTMENT OF FINANCIAL SERVICES

Division of Insurance Agent and Agency Services

RULE NOS.:RULE TITLES:

69B-250.001Purpose and Scope

69B-250.002Qualifications of Mediators

69B-250.003Penalties for Violation of Section 627.745, F.S.

PURPOSE AND EFFECT: The Department of Financial Services (DFS) administers two insurance claim mediation programs. The first program is for property insurance claims (homeowner and commercial residential) pursuant to section 627.7015, F.S., and the second program is for automobile insurance claims pursuant to section 627.745, F.S. The mediators must be approved by the DFS to conduct such mediations. The requirements for approval as a DFS mediator in paragraph 627.745(3)(b), F.S., were amended in 2014 to allow an individual who possesses an active certification as a Florida Supreme Court certified circuit court mediator to qualify as a DFS mediator. The amendment also grandfathered in current and active DFS mediators if they conducted at least one mediation for DFS from July 1, 2010, through July 1, 2014. Paragraph 627.7015(4)(b), F.S., was amended to require the DFS to adopt rules for the denial of applications, suspension, revocation, and other penalties for mediators as provided in section 627.745, F.S., and the Florida Rules for Certified and Court-Appointed Mediators. Subsection 627.745(4), F.S., sets forth the grounds for the denial of an application and for the suspension or revocation of the approval of a mediator.

SUBJECT AREA TO BE ADDRESSED: The proposed rules establish mediator qualifications, specify grounds for the denial of applications, and specify grounds for the suspension or revocation of mediator approval.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY: 627.7015(4), 627.745, 627.745(4) FS.

LAW IMPLEMENTED: 627.7015, 627.745 FS.

IF REQUESTED IN WRITING AND NOT DEEMED UNNECESSARY BY THE AGENCY HEAD, A RULE DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOP WILL BE HELD AT THE DATE, TIME AND PLACE SHOWN BELOW:

DATE AND TIME: Tuesday, November 15, 2016, 10:00 a.m.

PLACE: Room 116, Larson Building, 200 E. Gaines St., Tallahassee

Pursuant to the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act, any person requiring special accommodations to participate in this workshop/meeting is asked to advise the agency at least 5 days before the workshop/meeting by contacting: Matt Tamplin, Bureau Chief, telephone: [phone], email: [e-mail]. If you are hearing or speech impaired, please contact the agency using the Florida Relay Service, 1(800)955-8771 (TDD) or 1(800)955-8770 (Voice).

THE PERSON TO BE CONTACTED REGARDING THE PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT AND A COPY OF THE PRELIMINARY DRAFT, IF AVAILABLE, IS: Matt Tamplin, Bureau Chief, address: 200 E. Gaines St., Tallahassee, FL 32303, telephone: [phone], email: [e-mail]. A copy of the preliminary draft may be found at: http://www.myfloridacfo.com/Division/GeneralCounsel/RuleWorkshopMeetings/default.asp

THE PRELIMINARY TEXT OF THE PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT IS AVAILABLE AT NO CHARGE FROM THE CONTACT PERSON LISTED ABOVE.