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Staff ReportsAugust 7, 2018

Two water and mold restoration companies have joined a Florida Chamber of Commerce-led effort to stop abuse of assignment of benefits agreements, or AOBs. They are Rytech and VetCor Services. Also joining the Consumer Protection Coalition Tuesday was the Insurance Information Institute and the National Insurance Crime Bureau. “Rytech is a strong supporter of the coalition and its […]

Staff ReportsJune 18, 2018

A contractor is facing charges in an alleged $140,000 assignment of benefits scam that targeted 19 homeowners. The Florida Bureau of Insurance Fraud named Timothy Matthew Cox, who operated Nationwide Catastrophe Services Inc. and Restoration Response Services Inc. “Criminals who prey on Florida families after a hurricane or tropical storm are some of the worst […]

Michael MolineJune 13, 2018

Hurricane Irma-related lawsuits surged at Citizens Property Insurance Corp. early this year, representing a nearly 50 percent increase in the company’s litigation load compared to the same period in 2017. More than 90 percent of those lawsuits originated in South Florida. The state’s insurer of last resort fielded 4,287 legal claims in January through April, […]

Michael MolineJune 4, 2018

The outcomes of 18 lawsuits — and potentially many more — rest on State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Co.’s appeal of a court order to reveal how it decides on a fair price to replace a shattered auto windscreen. State Farm v. Shazam Auto Glass may be the first test of whether the insurer’s “system […]

Guest AuthorJune 4, 2018

Hurricane season charged into Florida Friday with one storm already on the books. Subtropical Storm Alberto dampened many Memorial Day festivities but serves as a good reminder that Floridians must be prepared for storms and the damage they may cause. Protecting against storms doesn’t end with stocking up on supplies and shoring up property. It […]

Staff ReportsJune 1, 2018

A business group has issued an alert, tied to the start of hurricane season Friday, warning insurance policyholders against jumping into assignment of benefits agreements with any contractors they might call to make storm repairs. And never mind Subtropical Storm Alberto, which arrived unfashionably early over the Memorial Day weekend. Such AOB agreements aren’t necessary […]

Michael MolineMay 31, 2018

State Farm is fighting a Hillsborough County judge’s order to turn over details of its claims-handling process to an auto glass repair shop that argues the insurer short-changed it for replacing a policyholder’s damaged windscreen. State Farm claims the information the judge ordered turned over during the spring comprises legally protected trade secrets. Disclosure, it […]

Peter SchorschMarch 26, 2018

A coalition of businesses advocating for Assignment of Benefits reform released a new video Monday detailing the story of a Florida homeowner who was the victim of a shady contractor. In the Consumer Protection Coalition video, Weeki Wachee homeowner Barbara G. details the 10-month saga she went through after finding a leak under her kitchen […]

Guest AuthorMarch 16, 2018

Florida lawmakers adjourned last week without taking action—for the second session in a row—on two issues that threaten Florida communities: distracted driving and assignment of benefits (AOB) abuse. Two issues that, without action, continue to hurt Florida motorists and Florida homeowners. Vehicle crashes and fatalities are rising sharply nationwide and in Florida. The National Safety […]

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, […]

Tag: assignment of benefits

The anti-AOB abuse crowd picks up remediation companies

Charges filed in alleged insurance fraud scheme involving AOB agreements

Hurricane Irma produced a litigation wave at Citizens Insurance, committee told

Appeal could prove pivotal to auto-glass litigation in Florida

Mark Wilson: Consumer Protection Coalition warns Floridians to beware of AOB abuse this hurricane season

Business coalition meets hurricane season with consumer warning against AOB abuse and fraud

State Farm fighting disclosure order in AOB-linked auto glass repair dispute

Consumer Protection Coalition releases new video in AOB fight

Logan McFaddin: Stop distracted driving & AOB abuse

Coalition enlists consumer testimony in support of AOB reform