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PIFF releases Legislative Champions for Florida insurance industry

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Two Florida Lawmakers Recognized for Work to Protect Florida Consumers

The Personal Insurance Federation of Florida (PIFF) today named two Legislative Champions for work on issues impacting Florida insurance consumers during the 2018 Legislative Session. Recognized for protecting Floridians, Senator Kathleen Passidomo, R-Naples, and Senator Dorothy Hukill, R-Port Orange, both earned the honor from PIFF, the leading voice for property and casualty insurance companies offering personal lines insurance products in Florida.

Legislative Champions were selected through a convening of the PIFF Policy Group, made up of representatives from Allstate Insurance Companies, Farmers Insurance, the Progressive Group of Insurance Companies and State Farm Insurance Companies. The group worked to identify outstanding leadership and support for PIFF’s mission and legislative agenda, citing work to protect Floridians from fraud as contributing to the recognition this year.

“The consumer protections that did occur this year would not have been possible without the initiative of these lawmakers,” said Michael Carlson, president of the Personal Insurance Federation of Florida. “Senator Passidomo worked to protect a competitive auto market in Florida by thwarting attempts to throw all auto crash claims into courthouses. Senator Hukill acted on behalf of consumers, working to protect them from paying higher rates driven by inflated property insurance claims involving water and roofing losses. We are grateful for their support in tackling problems taking place in the insurance market, and to have seen the prevention of further harm with their leadership.”

Senator Dorothy Hukill
PIFF applauded the Senator Hukill for her outspoken support for the Consumer Protection Coalition and AOB (assignment of benefits) reform efforts. Although her bill, Senate Bill 62, was never heard in committee, it served as a vehicle for real “silver bullet” solutions to stop the rampant AOB abuse in Florida. While a solution is still needed, no further harm was done this year.

“I am honored to be recognized for consumer-focused efforts, and consider it my duty to advocate for policies that protect Floridians,” said Senator Hukill. “I will continue to work toward a solution that ensures when families are in an auto or home crisis they are protected and the AOB process is transparent and held accountable.”

Senator Kathleen Passidomo
Senator Passidomo championed the “bad faith” amendment on Senate Bill 150, which would have also removed the mandatory medical payments coverage for all drivers – PIFF believes this debate ultimately helped thwart the PIP repeal-and-replace discussion, a positive development for Florida consumers. Without a newly mandated rate increase, Floridians will continue to have choices in the insurance market.

“I am humbled to be recognized with my good friend, Senator Dorothy Hukill, for our shared concerns of constituents and consumers throughout the State of Florida,” said Senator Passidomo.

This is the second year PIFF has recognized Legislative Champions for Florida consumers, recognizing eight individuals in 2017. For more on PIFF’s 2018 legislative platform, visit PIFF.net.

CFO Patronis and Commissioner Altmaier: Florida Insurance Industry Preparing for Hurricane Irma

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Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis and Insurance Commissioner David Altmaier today hosted a conference call with insurance company executives to confirm that companies are prepared to meet Floridians’ needs following Hurricane Irma.
CFO Patronis said, “Florida’s decade-long hurricane-free streak offered the insurance industry years to prepare, to build reserves, and to update technology. Florida’s policyholders fully expect that the insurance companies they entrust to protect their homes will be there during their time of need, and we’ll do everything possible to protect Florida’s policyholders throughout the entire post-storm process.”
Insurance Commissioner Altmaier said, “Consumer protection is our number one priority as Hurricane Irma bears down on Florida. The Office is dedicated to constantly monitoring the financial health of insurers, and in the coming days, we will be available around the clock to address any insurer issues.”
Nearly 50 insurance company representatives were invited to participate in today’s call. Topics included: post-storm claims reporting, the availability of insurance adjusters, and homeowners’ abilities to file claims when traditional communication lines are down.
CFO Patronis confirmed that there are nearly 200,000 individuals currently licensed to adjust hurricane damage claims in Florida. Insurance companies can appoint (contract with) these adjusters to ensure adequate post-storm availability. CFO Patronis today stressed that insurance companies must be prepared and have an appropriate number of adjusters on staff to meet consumers’ post-storm needs.
Following the full impact of Hurricane Irma, insurance companies will be required to report daily claims information.
To help consumers with the filing of insurance claims when traditional telephone and Internet lines may be down, the Department of Financial Services has engaged in initial conversations to host an on-site insurance village following the storm’s landfall. Date and location will be determined by the future track and ultimate landfall of the storm.
Consumers who have questions about policy coverages or need help filing a claim can call Florida’s free Insurance Consumer Helpline, run by the Department of Financial Services, at 1-877-693-5236.