The Florida Supreme Court has refused to weigh in on the ongoing clash between the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation (OIR) and Allstate. As reported here, here, and here, Florida Insurance Commissioner Kevin McCarty served subpoenas on Allstate, seeking internal documents concerning its reinsurance program. When Allstate failed to comply with the subpoenas, the OIR suspended the rights of Allstate companies to issue new policies in Florida.
Allstate brought an action in appellate court to challenge the suspension. Florida’s First District Court of Appeal affirmed the OIR’s actions. Allstate then appealed the First District’s decision to the Florida Supreme Court. Last week, the Florida Supreme Court issued an order, declining to accept jurisdiction of the matter and dismissing the appeal.
McCarty publicly stated:
“We are pleased with the Florida Supreme Court’s decision in declining to accept jurisdiction of the matter between Allstate and the Office of Insurance Regulation. We did not believe that there was any basis for the Court to extend jurisdiction in this matter, because the First District Court of Appeal’s decision was in full compliance with the laws of Florida. The Supreme Court’s decision reassures Floridians that the Office has full access to insurers’ books and records and upholds the Office’s actions in its efforts to protect consumers.”
The Supreme Court’s order is here.
