M.D. (Miami), Edward J. Feller, M.D. (Miami), Alicia Rodriguez-Jorge, M.D. (Miami), and Steven L. Salman, J.D. (Ft. Lauderdale). Additional physician board members are expected to be added during 2004.The HUGFL Insurance model:HUGFL is an insurance reciprocal. A reciprocal is similar to a mutual insurance company because it is owned by its insureds—in this case, Florida doctors.The new company is non-profit and does not carry a premium load for profit.

HUGFL will operate as a non-assessable reciprocal, meaning that policyholders cannot be “assessed” to pay for losses if HUGFL’s losses are greater than anticipated. HUGFL has secured high-quality reinsurance for extraordinary losses.If, on the other hand, losses are less than anticipated, HUGFL’s policyholder-owners may receive either a dividend payment or a reduction in future premiums. Dividend payments and premium reductions are both subject to approval by the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation.A hallmark of HUGFL will be an aggressive approach to defending claims.

Through ownership in HUGFL, Florida doctors have a strong and unified voice on issues of medical liability. For example, a Subscribers Advisory Committee (physician board of directors) will review actuarial data and make recommendations for establishing annual premiums. Florida doctors will also be involved in setting underwriting and claims-handling policies.

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