Articles by Amy O'Connor

O'Connor is the Southeast editor for Insurance Journal and associate editor of MyNewMarkets.com.

Florida Regulator Calls for Further Workers’ Comp Rate Decrease

Florida’s insurance regulator has called for a further decrease to proposed workers’ compensation insurance rates in response to a filing by the National Council on Compensation Insurance (NCCI). In an order issued Oct. 30, Florida Insurance Commissioner David Altmaier said …

Causey Re-Elected as North Carolina Insurance Commissioner

Incumbent Mike Causey, a Republican, has defeated Democrat Wayne Goodwin in the third rematch between the two candidates for the position of North Carolina Insurance Commissioner. The Associated Press reported Wednesday night that Causey beat Goodwin with 52% of the …

Candidates in Hotly Contested North Carolina Insurance Race Talk Scandal, Priorities

The race for the next North Carolina Insurance Commissioner features two familiar faces to state voters in what is a three-peat showdown featuring Republican Mike Causey and Democrat Wayne Goodwin. Causey, the incumbent, bested the two-term former commissioner Goodwin in …

Florida Property Insurance Market Inches Closer to Crisis – Part 2

The Florida Office of Insurance Regulation is monitoring the state’s property insurance situation that is seen as in a crisis by those in the industry. The regulator said the insurance market has been buffeted by multiple hurricanes in the last …

Florida Property Insurance Market Inches Closer to Crisis – Part 1

After years of warnings that the Florida property insurance market was heading towards an availability crisis, many in the industry say the moment of reckoning has arrived. They blame unchecked claims litigation from non-catastrophe water losses and rising reinsurance rates …

Sticking Together Through Tough Times

Opportunities for growth, a team-oriented culture and unwavering support during an unprecedented situation are just some of the reasons that employees of Fisher Brown Bottrell Insurance, Inc. nominated their employer as a Best Agency to Work For. The Insurance Journal …

South Carolina Looks to Boost Private Flood Market Through New Law

The state of South Carolina is aiming to foster new flood insurance coverage options through the enactment of the South Carolina Private Flood Insurance Act. South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster signed the legislation, passed Sept. 23 by state lawmakers, into …

Florida Homeowners Insurtech TypTap Goes National; Plans Roll-Out in 20 States

After launching in Florida as a flood insurer in 2016 and expanding into the homeowners market in 2018, TypTap Insurance Co. has officially started the process of becoming a nationwide company. The technology-driven insurer and subsidiary of HCI Group launched …

Judge Finds Strems Guilty of Misconduct; Advises 2-Year Suspension, Probation

After finding Florida attorney Scot Strems in violation of numerous rules regulated by The Florida Bar last month, the court-appointed referee overseeing his case has recommended a 24-month suspension followed by one year of probation. In a report issued to …

Florida Homeowners Insurtech TypTap Goes National; Plans Roll-Out in 20 States

After launching in Florida as a flood insurer in 2016 and expanding into the homeowners market in 2018, TypTap Insurance Co. has officially started the process of becoming a nationwide company. The technology-driven insurer and subsidiary of HCI Group launched …