Almost lost amid the State Farm Florida versus Florida Office of Insurance Regulation battle is the story of how another former giant in our state’s homeowners’ market has become a bit player.
Just five years ago, Allstate Floridian Insurance Co. was Florida’s second-largest private property insurer and a proud “pup” of parent Allstate. The state allowed national insurers to create stand-alone companies (dubbed “pups”) after Hurricane Andrew in 1992; Allstate Floridian was formed in 1996, quickly securing and maintaining a solid position in the market.
Then the multi-storm 2004 season hit and the company began reducing its homeowners’ book, from 565,882 policies at the close of 2004 to about 225,000 now, placing it fifth among private carriers.
Now, Allstate Floridian and its sister company Floridian Indemnity have been stripped of the Allstate moniker and renamed Castle Key Insurance Co. Allstate officials said they changed the name to formally acknowledge that Castle Key is not funded by the parent company.
Taking them at their word, A.M. Best downgraded the financial strength rating for Castle Key from good to fair with a negative outlook, noting Castle Key’s exposure to hurricane risk. Unlike other Allstate companies, which buy reinsurance through the parent, Castle Key buys it from the Florida Hurricane Catastrophe Fund and the private market. If a storm hits and money runs out, Castle Key could walk away, leaving the state holding the bag. Allstate threw lifeline dollars to the company back in 2004, and Best’s report noted that it expects the company to do so again if need be, but it is under no obligation. The re-created insurer now is one more potential problem in the property insurance pot, which is already at boiling point.
Shifting to a more pleasant topic: This issue features a cover story on agency management systems and articles on branding and the growth of social media. In a happy coincidence, this coordinates splendidly with the launch of our magazine’s new and improved web site (www.floridaunderwriter.com).
Just as you invest time, talent, and dollars on tools to bring greater value to your customers, so too do we at Florida Underwriter and our partner publications. Our enriched web site is part of a larger initiative by parent company Summit Business Media to embrace the exciting opportunities of the digital world while maintaining our significant print presence in the business-to-business insurance, investment, and professional services arenas.
The site is set up similarly to our magazine, with the added benefit of fully functional search capabilities that allow you to easily gain access to archived content online. Specific areas include a Topics section, where articles are grouped by subject matter; a Personalities section, where you can read articles by your favorite contributing editors; and an Editor’s Choice section, where you can find articles and commentary on our changing and challenging insurance market. We have included links that allow you to send us comments and suggestions on articles, sign up for e-newsletters and informational updates, and gain access to the web sites of major industry groups and services with one click. Our online Calendar and Directory sections showcase current statewide events and provide up-to-date information on market resources.
Web sites are evolving commodities, and built into our site’s roadmap for the future is the ability to adapt to the changing media landscape. As we continually refine our site, we anticipate introducing more features and enhancing our user-friendly processes, always mindful of our commitment to keep content — the information and resources we bring to you, our customers — paramount.
We view this significant investment in electronic media as an opportunity to be even more responsive to your needs and relevant to your success.
We welcome your comments.
We’re just a click away.