Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Michael MolineApril 3, 2017

A Senate committee voted Monday to give the insurance industry more control over contractors operating under assignment of benefits agreements, but also to prevent them from factoring their litigation costs into the premiums they charge. The vote was 6-2, with Republicans George Gainer of Panama City and Debbie Mayfield of Melbourne voting ‘No.” HB 1218 would […]

Michael MolineApril 3, 2017

Legislation addressing assignment of benefits abuse comes up in the Senate Banking & Insurance Committee Monday — and it’s not the version insurance and business interests like. The panel will hear SB 1218 by Sen. Gary Farmer, a trial lawyer from Broward County. A rival bill, SB 1038, by Dorothy Hukill and Kathleen Passidomo, has yet to […]

Staff ReportsMarch 29, 2017

Citizens Property Insurance Corp. lost money for the first time in a decade because of water loss claims, assignment of benefits abuse, and rising litigation costs, the company said Wednesday. Staff at Florida’s insurer of last resort told its board of governors that they expect to post a $27.1 million loss for 2016. “Every year, we […]

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 […]

Michael MolineMarch 24, 2017

Gov. Rick Scott should spend less time talking about Enterprise Florida, and more seeking reform of the workers compensation system and assignment of benefits abuse, if he really cares about protecting jobs, House Speaker Richard Corcoran said Thursday. “We’re talking about a tremendous amount of bandwidth going to Enterprise Florida, going to Visit Florida,” Corcoran […]

Michael MolineMarch 17, 2017

Most of the 57 insurance companies evaluated by insurance ratings agency Demotech Inc. retained scores of “A” or better after boosting their loss reserves and capital contributions. The companies had added $200 million in loss reserves and $155 million in capital at Demotech’s urging, the agency said in a statement posted on its website. “This […]

Peter SchorschMarch 15, 2017

An op-ed in The Wall Street Journal Tuesday called out the assignment of benefits (AOB) system in Florida, saying the abuse of AOB by trial lawyers will get Florida taxpayers “whacked with Category 5 bills.” “Florida homeowners already face risks from hurricanes, hail storms and other natural phenomena,” the article states. “Do they need to face […]

Staff ReportsMarch 15, 2017

The House Insurance and Banking Subcommittee approved an assignment of benefits reform bill Tuesday. The bill links fees to pre-litigation offers of judgment and requires policyholders receive notice if a contractor files suit. “The Consumer Protection Coalition applauds Rep. Jamie Grant and House leadership for taking on the issue of Assignment of Benefits fraud and […]

Michael MolineMarch 14, 2017

The Legislature has been arguing over assignment of benefits reform for years, to no avail. Tuesday, Tampa Republican James Grant found out why — the hard way. The lesson was delivered by the House Insurance & Banking Subcommittee, which defeated by a single vote Grant’s bid to resolve the issue by boosting consumer protections and […]

Guest AuthorMarch 14, 2017

A state law that was originally intended to give individual policyholders special rights in disputes with their insurance companies is instead being used by some repair vendors and their lawyers to generate a self-serving windfall. The problem is serious and growing, and it’s driving insurance costs higher and higher. The so-called “one-way attorney fee” allows […]

Tag: assignment of benefits

Senate AOB reform bill bars insurers from charging litigation costs to customers

Assignment of benefits fight finally coming to a Senate committee vote

Citizens Insurance lost $27.1 million during 2016; first loss in a decade

Consumer Protection Coalition launches ad on Assignment of Benefits claims

House Speaker: Rick Scott’s focus on Enterprise Florida is misdirected

Most Florida insurers retain ratings, but agency warns of AOB danger

Wall Street Journal op-ed highlights assignment of benefits abuse

Capitol Reax: AOB reform, workers compensation, medical marijuana, gun bills

AOB reform passes House subcommittee, but it wasn’t pretty

William Large: Florida must end assignment of benefits abuse, self-serving windfalls