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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, […]

Michael MolineFebruary 6, 2018

The Senate Judiciary Committee on Tuesday stripped assignment of benefits legislation of an attorney-fee provision despised by the insurance industry. But that didn’t satisfy industry objections to the overall bill. And that really annoyed a couple of key senators. An amendment to CS/SB 1168 by Judiciary Committee chairman Greg Steube, a Sarasota Republican, eliminated language […]

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 […]

Peter SchorschJanuary 15, 2018

Right out of the gate, the Florida House took several major steps toward statewide insurance reform during the first week of the 2018 Legislative Session. On Friday, lawmakers advanced a trio of House bills: repealing the state’s motor vehicle no-fault law and PIP insurance requirements, addressing “assignment of benefits” abuse and making significant changes in […]

Phil AmmannDecember 15, 2017

As Floridians continue to rebuild after Hurricane Irma, a new consumer alert warns against bad actors trying to rip off homeowners seeking repairs from the storm. A joint effort of the Florida Chamber of Commerce and U.S. Chamber Institute for Legal Reform, the one-minute consumer alert hitting airwaves Friday is alerting homeowners about falling victim […]

Michael MolineNovember 14, 2017

House assignment of benefits (AOB) legislation cleared its sole committee Tuesday and appears headed to the floor, despite reservations about its limits on attorney fees and lack of language directly sanctioning insurance fraud. Judiciary Committee members also expressed skepticism about insurers pressing policyholders to accept their preferred vendors before approving the bill (PCB JDC 18-01) […]

Peter SchorschNovember 14, 2017

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The Florida Chamber of Commerce unveiled a legislative roadmap outlining its focus areas ahead of the 2018 Legislative Session, which starts Jan. 9. The organization held a press conference in the Capitol on Tuesday. “Year after year, the Florida Chamber has been at the forefront of solving issues that impact the competitiveness and future of […]

Peter SchorschNovember 2, 2017

One of the hottest topics in Florida’s insurance market today is assignment of benefits, its use — and abuse — throughout the state. Beginning Thursday in Orlando, Florida Chamber of Commerce’s Insurance Summit features industry leaders who hope 2018 will be the year the state Legislature will finally address the issue of AOB abuse. The […]

Michael MolineOctober 30, 2017

Corporate America has long looked to alternative dispute resolution — ADR, including mediation and arbitration — to avoid costly litigation. Might that be a solution to Florida’s assignment of benefits (AOB) debate? The Senate Banking & Insurance Committee is considering it. Sha’Ron James, Florida’s public advocate for the insurance industry, suggested ADR during recent hearings. […]

Michael MolineOctober 24, 2017

Alternative dispute resolution emerged as a possible solution to the political dispute over assignment of benefits, or AOB, agreements during a hearing Tuesday before the Senate Banking & Insurance Committee. Sha’Ron James, Florida’s insurance consumer advocate, raised the possibility as the committee members questioned representatives of the trial bar, the insurers, contractors and other parties. […]

Tag: assignment of benefits

Coalition enlists consumer testimony in support of AOB reform

Senators lash out at insurance industry during hearing on AOB reform

Florida voters want to reform AOB system, Chamber poll finds

In first week of Session, Florida House took big steps toward insurance reform

Florida Chamber issues alert on assignment of benefits abuse, rising premiums

House AOB package clears committee despite some qualms

Florida Chamber wants an end to AOB, ‘gotcha’ lawsuits in 2018

Florida Chamber Insurance Summit tackles industry’s hottest topic, AOB abuse

Contractors consider compromise in assignment of benefits battle

Senate committee considers sending AOB disputes to mandatory arbitration