The report examined 15 of the state's insurers, making up 80 percent of the Florida market, and found that compared to the five largest markets--California, Texas, Illinois, Pennsylvania and New York--the state is the third largest market in terms of direct written premium at more than $849 million.

The state ranks fourth highest in losses to earned premium ratio at 40.2 percent. It ranks third highest in terms of defense and containment costs to earned premium ratio at 21.3 percent and is number one when measuring the combined non-loss costs (commissions, licenses and taxes) to earned premium at a ratio of 29 percent.

In 2005, 33 percent of medical malpractice filings with rate impact were approved by the department, with companies receiving rate approvals ranging from a decrease of 29.2 percent to increase of 130 percent.

On claims, 3,753 were closed in 2005 and hospital inpatient facilities were the most common reported location for claims. A total of $676.9 million was paid out in 2005, $449 million in economic damages and the remainder in non-economic damages.

Of the fifteen insurers, First Professional Insurance Company had the biggest market presence with a share exceeding 25 percent, or $216 million in direct written premium; followed by Health Care Indemnity Inc. with more than 13 percent of the market and $112 million direct written premium.

MAG Mutual Insurance Co. stood third with more than 10 percent and $88.6 million in premium; Pronational Insurance Co. had less than 7 percent of the market with $57.5 premium; and Lexington Insurance Co. stood fifth on the list with more than 5 percent and $43 million in premium.