Update: Another Carrier, Vision Insurance Exchange, to Set Up Shop in Florida

Regulators have tentatively approved another new property insurer for the Florida market – Vision Insurance Exchange – led by former Florida Peninsula Insurance CEO Roger Desjadon.

The Florida Office of Insurance Regulation posted a consent order Aug. 7, noting that the Cape Coral-based Vision would be granted a certificate of authority if it provides documentation within 60 days, including a reinsurance agreement, a managing general agency agreement, proof of adequate funds held by a bank, and other information.

Desjadon declined comment but told Insurance Journal that he will be able to provide more information about the company’s finances and plans later this fall.

If a license is granted, Vision would be at least the 14^th property-casualty firm to set up shop in Florida since state lawmakers approved landmark changes that have reduced what many in the industry had called excessive and frivolous claims litigation.

Desjadon was one of the more vocal advocates for reform leading up to the 2022 and 2023 legislative sessions that ended assignments-of-benefits agreements and one-way attorney fees.

“I think it’s beyond just urgent, it’s desperate, frankly. If you were to look at the rate increases that have been going in for the industry, there’s a reason for that and that reason is because all of these cases, the lawsuits, the overinflation of claims have gotten totally out of hand,” Desjadon told Insurance Journal in 2021.

As several new Florida insurers have done in recent years, Vision plans participate in takeouts of policies held by the state-created Citizens Property Insurance Corp., although the firm is not on the OIR list of companies approved for takeouts in 2025.

The firm’s website notes it was “built by independent agents” and will offer homeowners coverage in most Florida counties, the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation and local news reports indicated.

Mark Berset, who was at one time the CEO of Comegys Insurance, is chairman of the Vision exchange oversight committee, Desjadon said Tuesday. Ronald Scalzo Jr., previously with Flagler Insurance Agency, according to his Linkedin page, is chief operating officer. Frank Lattanzio is chief financial officer. The OIR consent order can be seen here.

Topics Carriers Florida