The FSLSO has completed enhancements to Agent SLIP in an effort to further streamline the filing process and help surplus lines agents better manage their filings.

Changes include:
- A new "Manage TIQs" link on SLIP's homepage provides the user with a list of all transactions-in-question.
- Transactions-in-Question will now be highlighted in yellow for the user to more easily locate.
- A "Review Policy" page will now appear prior to submitting a new policy to FSLSO. This page provides the user the opportunity to review and edit policy information prior to completing a submission.
- A more streamlined way to backout policies.
- The "Comment Field" is now mandatory when selecting "Other Reason" when a transaction is filed 30 days past the effective date.

All of these enhancements have been completed to improve the overall usability of Agent SLIP, and it is our hope that our users find these changes to be seamless. For a more in-depth look at these changes, FSLSO has created short, mini-tutorials to give users a first-hand look at these new enhancements.

To view any of these tutorials, please visit:
http://www.fslso.com/education/SLIPEnhancements/index.aspx

Expansion of state rate deregulation to all commercial auto and property was endorsed last week by both insurance committees in the Florida Legislature, with the plan showing strong support and momentum.

The House bill (HB 99) was approved unanimously Wednesday, February 9 by the Banking and Insurance Subcommittee. Senate Banking and Insurance approved the Senate version (CS/SB 178) on February 7.

Rep. Brad Drake, R-DeFuniak Springs, amended his bill to clarify that insurers and rating organizations would absorb costs for providing data requested by the Office of Insurance Regulation to support rate increases implemented under the package.

As noted above, the Drake bill was passed unanimously and will next be heard by the House Economic affairs Committee. It is supported by the American Insurance Association, Florida Insurance Council, Property Casualty Insurers and other insurance trades. Significantly, it is supported by the business lobbying associations, including Associated Industries of Florida and the Florida Chamber.

The Senate bill (CS/SB 178) by Sen. Steve Oelrich, R-Gainesville, was approved 7-2 by banking and Insurance on Monday, February 7. It is now in Senate Commerce and Tourism.

Legislative committees are doing pre-session work and interim committee meetings. The formal, 2011 session begins March 8.

For more information relative to this article, please visit:
http://www.fslso.com/publications/news.aspx?ID=457

* This information was released by the Florida Insurance Council (FIC). As a member of FIC, we have received permission to publish news information posted on their website

As of today, 227 agents have yet to file their 4th quarter 2010 affidavit - are you one those? If so, FSLSO is asking that you file your Quarterly Report Affidavit as soon as possible. Remember, filing your quarterly affidavit is a statutorily mandated requirement, and FSLSO has tried to make the process as easy as possible by making it available electronically through SLIP.

Again, if you have not filed your 4th quarter affidavit, please get it in today! Should you need assistance, please contact Lisa French at 800-562-4496, ext. 106.