Farm Bureau's rate hike request officially denied

Ending a long saga, Florida Insurance Commissioner Kevin McCarty on Tuesday formally rejected Florida Farm Bureau's filing for a property insurance rate increase. His decision upholds an administrative law judge's ruling on the case. Florida Farm Bureau initially reduced its rates by an average of 24.9 percent, effective June 1, 2007. But in a May 2007 filing, Farm Bureau requested an average increase of 30.3 percent. Under a 2007 state law, property insurers were directed to buy cheaper reinsurance through the state and pass on the savings to policyholders. McCarty's office said Florida Farm Bureau and Hartford were the only two among 200-plus insurers to seek litigation fighting for an increase.