The Florida House Commerce Committee’s Insurance Subcommittee has advanced several bills aimed at reshaping the state’s insurance landscape, including legislation to repeal Florida’s no-fault automobile insurance system and modify various property insurance regulations.
House Bill 1181 and its Senate counterpart propose to eliminate the state's no-fault insurance law effective July 1, 2026. Under the proposed changes, drivers would be required to carry bodily injury liability coverage with minimum limits of $25,000 per person, $50,000 per incident, and $10,000 for property damage.
Industry groups and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis oppose the repeal, warning it could lead to increased insurance premiums. Michael Carlson, president of the Personal Insurance Federation of Florida, stated that the shift could result in more uninsured drivers and a rise in litigation due to the new bodily injury coverage requirements. DeSantis previously vetoed a similar repeal in 2021, and subsequent efforts have failed to pass.
The subcommittee also approved House Bill 643, which removes the requirement for insurance agents to make a “diligent effort” — defined as obtaining rejections from at least three authorized carriers — before placing policies with surplus lines insurers.
Additionally, House Bill 1047 was approved to revise general lines agent training requirements, reducing the mandatory coursework from 200 hours to 60 hours.
The bill also defines “sufficient evidence” for bad faith claims against liability insurers, requiring documentation such as accident reports, medical records, or repair bills. Insurers would have 10 business days to object to submitted evidence, with policyholders given another 10 business days to respond.
Further provisions in HB 1047 would require written proof-of-loss statements and permit insurers to cancel or non-renew policies if the insured no longer holds an insurable interest before repairs are completed.
Requests for comment from DeSantis, the Florida Association of Insurance Agents, and bill sponsors were not returned.
According to BestLink, Progressive, Berkshire Hathaway, and State Farm were the top auto insurers in Florida in 2024, while Citizens Property Insurance Corp. led the homeowners market in 2023.
Will repealing no-fault auto insurance help or hurt Florida drivers? Let us know what you think.
