How could AI affect the future of Florida's insurance market?

TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — A subcommittee of Florida lawmakers met with insurance executives to discuss artificial intelligence, during which executives insisted that AI has increased productivity for insurers, making them work harder, smarter, and more accurately.

However, many lawmakers remain skeptical as to what possible risks an uninhibited reliance on AI may pose.

“Insurance companies have used AI for decades, but the rise of generative AI is a game changer. It’s not about proving existing processes, its about reimagining them,” said Gary Sullivan, of the American Property and Casuality Association

Reimagining the future of generative AI and how it can protect policyholders and premiums is the reason the House subcommittee chose to consult with executives, who continued tooting its praises.

“We have so much more ability to look at all of those factors that would go into determining whether you write it, price it, all the weather issues, satellite issues, all that kind of stuff,” said Thomas Koval, a board member and FCCI insurance group representative.

The subcommittee’s vice chair, from South Florida, continued to press the executives on ways to regulate reliance on AI when processing claims.

“What law in Florida is on the books that’s going to tell an insurance company that AI cannot be the sole basis for the determination of a denial whether it’s health insurance, property, etc.”

“We want to be careful and work with our IT people to make sure that it’s being done in the right way. It’s just not like we’re going to turn everything onto Google,” Koval said in response.