insurance industry

A high number of crashes and fatalities, uninsured drivers, hurricanes, theft and fraud are among the many factors contributing to the cost of car insurance in the state.

Prior authorization is a common tool used by health insurers for many tests, procedures and prescriptions. Frustrated by the process some patients and doctors want to elevate their denials for further review.

The AM Best report focused, in part, on reinsurance, which is backup coverage that insurers buy to help pay claims for such things as hurricanes. Florida-based carriers rely heavily on reinsurance, but prices have soared and coverage has become harder to find.

The Florida Department of Financial Services will liquidate the Orlando-based St. Johns Insurance Co. and is seeking court approval of a “transition plan” that would move policies to Slide Insurance Co.

The 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals will be asked to decide whether Florida Blue violated antitrust laws by preventing agents from selling policies for rival Oscar Insurance.