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Staff ReportsFebruary 27, 2018

A business group pushing the House version of assignment of benefits reform is releasing video testimonials by consumers who feel they were harmed by AOB abuse. “I basically signed my life away,” said Darleen Masturzo of Davenport, one of the consumers. “For anyone who doesn’t believe AOB abuse is causing hardship and stress for consumers, […]

Drew WilsonFebruary 7, 2018

The Senate Judiciary Committee voted Tuesday to advance a bill by Sarasota Sen. Greg Steube, SB 1168, that the Consumer Protection Coalition said would “do little to protect consumers” from Assignment of Benefits abuse. The group said it prefers HB 7015 by Rep. Jay Trumbull, which includes modifications to one-way attorney fees which proponents say […]

Drew WilsonJanuary 18, 2018

Florida voters aren’t fans of Assignment of Benefits rules and are looking for a change according to a new poll conducted by the Florida Chamber of Commerce. Assignment of Benefits, or AOB, allows homeowners to sign over their insurance policy rights to third-party contractors who will make necessary repairs to damaged homes and then deal […]

Staff ReportsMay 5, 2017

The Legislature stiffed the Florida Chamber of Commerce on one of its top priorities this year — abuse of assignment of benefits agreements, or AOBs. The Chamber isn’t hiding how it feels about that. “Florida’s hardworking families should remember this – the Florida Senate chose to side with anti-consumer special interests, instead of stepping up […]

Staff ReportsApril 26, 2017

Assignment of benefits reforms ardently sought by the insurance industry and business passed the Florida House Wednesday on a vote of 91-26. A spokeswoman for the Consumer Protection Coalition, a business-oriented lobby aligned with the Florida Chamber of Commerce, immediately praised the action. “The House’s action is a big step toward ending costly AOB abuse […]

Drew WilsonMarch 27, 2017

The Consumer Protection Coalition launched a radio and television ad campaign Monday to warn homeowners of how Assignment of Benefits abuse could cause insurance rates to skyrocket in Florida. Assignment of Benefits, or AOB, is a system where homeowners can sign over their insurance policy to a contractor or lawyer in exchange for a quick […]

Guest AuthorMarch 20, 2017

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Florida homeowners need to start taking action regarding an escalating problem that will lead to increases in their insurance premiums in the near future. Abuses of the Assignments of Benefits (AOB) process have already led to substantial insurance rate increases in South and Central Florida and it is only a matter of time before those […]

Staff ReportsFebruary 15, 2017

The prospect that a national rating firm might downgrade Florida insurance companies because of rising costs linked to assignment of benefits agreements has lit a fire under advocates of reforming those contracts. “This issue is having a real effect on the pocketbooks of working Floridians and it’s time we take steps to clean up the […]

Michael MolineSeptember 8, 2016

A business coalition warned Florida homeowners Thursday against signing away their insurance claims for Hurricane Hermine damage to dodgy contractors or attorneys. The warning came amid a gathering campaign against such assignment-of-benefits agreements — sometimes known as AOBs. The effort promises to figure prominently when the Legislature meets next year. “Sadly, storms bring out scam […]

Peter SchorschSeptember 2, 2016

As the Sunshine State enters peak hurricane season, a consumer advocacy group is calling on state lawmakers to “get serious’’ about insurance fraud related to Assignment of Benefits, an increasingly widespread abuse that could raise costs for all Floridians. That’s the position of the Consumer Protection Coalition, which claims AOB abuse has led to skyrocketing […]

Tag: Consumer Protection Coalition
Image via Palatka Main Street.

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