Category(s): - 01/22/2026

The U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has now reported the participants on the National Flood Insurance Program’s (NFIP) reinsurance placement for 2025, with a 50% increase in the number of participants when compared with the previous year. Click <a href="https://www.reinsurancene.ws/fema-saw-50-rise-in-number-of-participating-reinsurers-for-2025-nfip-renewal/" target="_child">here </a> to read more.

Category(s): - 01/22/2026

The National Association of Mutual Insurance Companies (NAMIC) on Thursday called on U.S House leaders to pass a bipartisan bill containing sweeping reforms to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Click <a href="https://www.insurancejournal.com/news/national/2025/11/13/847507.htm" target="_child">here </a> to read more.

Category(s): - 01/22/2026

The Life Insurance & Financial Planning Committee then met, Chaired by Rep. Carter. The Committee continued its discussion on the NCOIL Model Act Regarding Life Insurers’ Use of Genetic Information, sponsored by Rep. Carter, and heard different perspectives on the issue from Professor Anya Prince at the University of Iowa College of Law, and Dr. Deborah VanDommelen, Chair of the American Council of Life Insurers (ACLI) Risk Classification Committee. Click <a href="https://insurancenewsnet.com/oarticle/ncoil-discusses-prior-authorization-reform-at-annual-meeting" target="_child">here </a> to read more. 

Category(s): - 01/22/2026

The Alaska Division of Insurance issued a Bulletin with new guidance for Third Party Administrators (TPAs) operating in the state based on changes to the law made by Alaska Senate Bill 132, effective Jan. 1, 2026. See <a href="https://www.commerce.alaska.gov/web/Portals/11/Pub/B25-09.pdf" target="_child">
Bulletin B 25-09, </a> published on Dec. 2, 2025. 
Senate Bill 132 amended AS 21.27.650(a)(2) to eliminate the exemption from the TPA licensing requirement that previously applied to a TPA that: (1) filed a certification with the Division certifying that the TPA is operating only for a foreign insurer other than a self-funded multiple employer welfare arrangement regulated under AS 21.85; and (2) is registered as a TPA by the TPA’s resident insurance regulator in a state that the Division has determined has enacted provisions substantially similar to those contained in AS 21.27.630 — 21.27.650 and that is accredited by the NAIC.  
Additionally, the exemption from the TPA licensing requirement that was previously available pursuant to AS 21.27.630(f) has also been repealed. AS 21.27.630(f) previously exempted a person who performs management services for an admitted insurer if the person's compensation is not based on the volume of premium written and the person (1) is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the admitted insurer; (2) wholly owns the admitted insurer; (3) is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the insurance holding company that owns or controls the admitted insurer; or (4) is a United States manager of the United States branch of an alien admitted insurer.
TPAs previously exempt pursuant to AS 21.27.630(a)(2) or AS 21.27.650(f) may now have to apply for a license using the application procedures set forth in AS 21.27.040, which require full organization documentation, designation of a compliance officer and satisfaction of all required financial and experience qualifications under AS 21.27.640. However, the Bulletin does not provide specific guidance about the process, and the Division has not yet posted any additional guidance about the process or updated the application forms on its website to reflect the changes under Senate Bill 132.  
Moving forward, TPAs that are exempt from licensure will be required to annually certify their exempt status with the Division by submitting the Division’s Exempt TPA Annual Certification Form, pursuant to AS 21.27.630(l). Licensed TPAs will continue to have quarterly reporting requirements under the new law. Additionally, TPAs may now be examined under the same authority as an insurer operating in Alaska pursuant to AS 21.06.120(a), and TPAs are financially responsible for paying the cost of an examination.

Category(s): - 01/22/2026

The Arizona Department of Insurance and Financial Institutions has issued a Notice of the Opportunity to Comment on a proposed draft Regulatory Bulletin that rescinds previously issued Bulletin 2025-03, which addressed the inclusion of ancillary coverages in personal auto and homeowners’ policies that can be obtained through a service contract. The new draft bulletin addresses what the Department considers best practices for insurers to educate consumers about these ancillary coverages, either by identifying the coverages and related premiums on policy declaration pages or through endorsements, and to educate consumers about how filing claims for coverage under these ancillary coverages may impact underwriting and renewal. The Department has asked for comments no later than February 4, 2026. The Notice of the Opportunity to Comment is available <a href="https://difi.az.gov/sites/default/files/Notice%20of%20Opportunity%20to%20Comment%202026%20Service%20Contract%20Bulletin_1.pdf" target="_child">here </a> on the Department’s website.

Category(s): - 01/22/2026

Citizens Property Insurance Corp. has reduced its policy count to 396,387, the lowest level since at least 2012, as Florida continues efforts to shift customers back to the private market. The insurer, once the state’s largest with 1.4 million policies in 2023, has seen steady declines due to a depopulation program and legislative reforms aimed at reducing litigation costs. Officials hope to shrink Citizens further to mitigate financial risks from major hurricanes. Click <a href="https://www.floridatrend.com/articles/2025/12/23/citizens-drops-below-400000-policies/" target="_child">here </a> to read more.

Category(s): - 01/22/2026

Florida Insurance Commissioner Mike Yaworsky issued a Final Order approving a statewide overall rate decrease of 6.9% for workers' compensation policies. The reduction proposed by the National Council on Compensation Insurance (NCCI), applies to both new and renewal policies effective in Florida starting Jan. 1, 2026. Click <a href="https://floir.gov/newsroom/archives/item-details/2025/11/17/commissioner-mike-yaworsky-approves-6.9--rate-decrease-for-florida-workers--compensation-policies--marking-9th-consecutive-year-of-decreases" target="_child">here </a> to read more.

Category(s): - 01/22/2026

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’s litigation reforms are starting to pay off for the state’s citizens in a big way. Auto and home insurers are announcing rate cuts—and get this—even issuing rebates. State Farm said recently it will reduce auto rates in the Sunshine State by 10%. Combined with last year’s premium cut, its policyholders will save $400 a year on average. Click <a href="https://f.datasrvr.com/fr1/425/22986/Florida_Pays_a_Tort_Reform_Dividend.pdf" target="_child">here </a> to read more.

Category(s): - 01/22/2026

The approved rate decrease comes as Florida’s insurance market continues to improve from legislative reforms and advocacy efforts that have reduced legal costs, cut down on unnecessary claims activity, and helped steady the reinsurance market. Click <a href="https://f.datasrvr.com/fr1/325/85705/Heritage_Insurance_Announces_Approved_Rate_Decrease_up_to_Nearly_10_for_Property_and_Casualty_Insurance_Policyholders_in_Florid.pdf" target="_child">here </a> to read more. 

Category(s): - 01/22/2026

Florida’s Insurance Commissioner says the state’s three-year-old property insurance reforms are continuing to push the market toward stability, but there’s still work to be done on litigation, accountability and claims handling. Click <a href="https://floridapolitics.com/archives/768379-michael-yaworsky-insurance-market-stabilizing-but-work-remains/" target="_child">here </a> to read more.