TAMPA – A state court has affirmed an order that blocks Allstate insurance company from writing new automobile insurance policies in Florida.

According to the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation, the 1st District Court on Wednesday “affirmed the appropriateness” of a January order by the regulatory agency that barred Allstate’s request for a rehearing and allowed a suspension of its business to go forward.

“As a result, the suspension now is back in effect,” said Kevin McCarty, Florida’s insurance commissioner.

The OIR and the Allstate have been in a legal dispute for months over regulating Allstate’s home and auto insurance businesses.

“Unfortunately the terrible uncertainty the Allstate agents, their families and their employees face will continue,” said Bob Lotane, spokesman for the Florida Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors.

Allstate did not have a comment available immediately.