The Office of Insurance Regulation (OIR) has directed the FSLSO by order to collect, on behalf of the Florida Hurricane Catastrophe Fund (FHCF), an emergency assessment fee of 1% on applicable surplus lines policies issued or renewed with an effective date on or after January 1, 2007. The premium on all property and casualty policies will be subject to the assessment, except the following: Medical Malpractice, Workers Compensation and Accident and Health. The “Assessment Period” begins on each January 1 and continues for 12 months. The emergency assessment shall be assessed in each successive “Assessment Period” until further order of OIR.

The assessment will be calculated as a percentage of the transaction’s premium, as defined by Section 626.932(6) Florida Statutes, (excluding the premium receipts tax, the FSLSO service fee, the $2.00/$4.00 Emergency Management Preparedness and Assistance surcharge and the Citizens Property Insurance Corporation assessment) and will be handled in a manner similar to the collection and payment of the premium receipts tax.

The Florida Surplus Lines Service Office will collect the assessment by generating an invoice specific to the Florida Hurricane Catastrophe Fund Emergency Assessment that will be sent on a quarterly basis along with the premium receipts tax invoice.

For more information relative to the Florida Hurricane Catastrophe Fund Emergency Assessment, you may visit: http://www.fslso.com/goto?id=144.

The Florida Surplus Lines Service Office will be conducting its 2006 continuing education course on September 19th in the Tampa area.  The Tools for Success in Florida's Surplus Lines Market is an intermediate level course which has been approved by the Department of Financial Services for four hours of property and casualty credit (Course ID# 56860).

This course is designed to help students better understand Florida's surplus lines insurance market by exploring topics such as: the differences between admitted and non-admitted insurers; avoiding illegal insurance entities; the distribution system; and agent responsibilities when accessing the market. The course will also introduces the Florida Surplus Lines Service Office; its mission, goals and values; and the products and services it offers to better aid the industry including SLIP and the Agent Software. Lastly, the class will conclude with a look at the hot topics affecting the industry and a roundtable discussion. 

The class will be conducted at the Embassy Suites Tampa (Airport), 555 North Westshore Blvd., Tampa, FL.

Class registration will begin at 8:00 a.m. with class starting at 9:00 a.m. and lasting until 1:00 p.m. A continental breakfast will also be available during registration. This course is free for all Florida-licensed surplus lines agents who may also bring up to two members of their staff at no charge.  All others must pay a nominal fee of $60. Early registration is encouraged as classes do fill up quickly. You may register online by visiting http://www.fslso.com/education/index.aspx

For additional information, please contact FSLSO's education section at (800) 562-4496 x 109.

Effective 8/1/2006, American Modern Surplus Lines Company was approved by OIR to write the following lines of business:

711 - "insurer is eligible to write all lines of business pursuant to the surplus lines provisions in Sections 626.913 through 626.937, Florida Statutes"

Company information:
American Modern Surplus Lines Company
7000 Midland Blvd.
Amelia, OH 45102-2607
(800) 543-2644
(513) 947-4111 FAX
FEIN:20-3901790
Florida Code# S2245

Contact: John Hayden
President & CEO
(800-543-2644)


Effective 8/1/2006, Gard Marine & Energy Limited was approved by OIR to write the following lines of business:

080 - Ocean Marine
220 - Aircraft

Company information:
Gard Marine & Energy Limited
18 Queen Street
Hamilton, HM11, Bermuda
FEIN:AA-3194320
Florida Code# S2244

Contact: John Dearie, Edwards & Angell LLP
U.S. Representative
(212-912-2737)