Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Michael MolineFebruary 7, 2017

Insurance Commissioner David Altmaier laid out his office’s solution to the insurance assignment-of-benefits problem to Gov. Rick Scott and the Cabinet Tuesday, and it includes limiting contractors’ ability to recover attorney fees in litigation against insurance companies. Florida’s one-way attorney fee statute is intended to shield policyholders against legal bills if they want to sue their insurers for failure […]

Michael MolineFebruary 2, 2017

With the Legislature poised to confront major challenges to Florida’s insurance industry and the businesses and consumers who rely on it, the Florida Chamber of Commerce will convene in Miami Thursday to map out possible solutions. On the agenda are mandatory personal-injury protection, or PIP, coverage for motorists; abuse of assignment-of-benefits agreements in property insurance; […]

Staff ReportsFebruary 1, 2017

The Florida Office of Insurance Regulation has cleared Southern Oak Insurance Co. to take over as many as 15,000 home policies from Citizens Property Insurance Corp. Southern Oak is eligible to assume the policies effective April 18 under the “take-out” process — a way for Citizens to shift policies to private insurers. The process is […]

Michael MolineJanuary 10, 2017

Home repair contractors lashed out against calls for a crackdown on assignment of benefits agreements during testimony before a key Senate committee Tuesday, insisting such contracts protect homeowners and reputable remediation businesses. They argued instead for increased regulation of their industry, to put fly-by-night contractors out of business. “Would you please regulate us?” said Dave […]

Staff ReportsDecember 22, 2016

Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater on Thursday announced the arrest of a Miami man on charges that he posed as a licensed public adjuster to defraud Citizens Property Insurance Corp. of nearly $100,000 in inflated insurance claims. Julian Garcia-Sellek faces multiple felony fraud and grand theft charges following an investigation by the Department of Financial […]

Staff ReportsDecember 14, 2016

The Property Casualty Insurers Association of America has thrown its weight behind the drive to control assignment-of-benefits fraud against insurance companies. The organization said in a written statement that it “will be encouraging public policymakers to explore ways to protect consumers better from contractor fraud and litigation abuses that frequently occur following major storms.” The statement […]

Staff ReportsDecember 7, 2016

State regulators cleared three private insurance companies to assume policies now provided by Citizens Property Insurance Corp., Florida’s state-run insurer of last resort. Effective in February, Avatar Property and Casualty Insurance Co. can take nearly 11,000 commercial and personal residential policies. Safepoint Insurance Co. was cleared to accept 15,000 policies, and Southern Oak Insurance Co. […]

Guest AuthorNovember 29, 2016

As the Nov. 30 end of the hurricane season approaches, Floridians should be thankful. While this year’s storms Hermine and Matthew brought an end to the state’s decade-long hurricane drought, they easily could have been stronger or cut a more destructive path. Indeed, had Hurricane Matthew tracked just 20 or more miles further west, it […]

Michael MolineOctober 12, 2016

Homeowners filing insurance claims following Hurricane Matthew might want to consider obtaining an independent appraisal of their storm damage. That advice Wednesday from two plaintiffs lawyers, one of whom is handling insurance claims arising from the recent floods in Louisiana, which he said provides a “snapshot” of what Florida can expect during the Matthew claims […]

Staff ReportsOctober 11, 2016

A coalition of business, consumer, and environmental groups found vindication Tuesday in the insurance industry’s ability to absorb the damage from Hurricane Matthew. Stronger Safer Florida in a news release credited “good luck and prudent decisions by the Florida Legislature” for the industry’s ability to weather the storm. Specifically, lawmakers and regulators invested in the […]

Tag: Citizens Property Insurance Corp.

Insurance Office going after one-way attorney fees in AOB fight

Florida Chamber hosting summit in Miami to take on state’s insurance woes

Private insurer cleared to assume 15,000 Citizens Insurance policies

Contractors mount defense of assignment of benefits agreements

Jeff Atwater: Arrest made in $100,000 fraud against Citizens Insurance

Insurance group joins campaign for assignment-of-benefits reform

Regulators OK private insurers to assume Citizens Insurance policies

Christian Cámara: Reinsurance saved Florida from catastrophic losses

Plaintiffs lawyers advise independent appraisal of Matthew damage

Group: Florida’s disaster preparedness strategy paying off