Florida News Straight From the Source
More than one year since category 5 Hurricane Michael, packing 155-mile-per-hour winds, threw the people, land and economy of northwest Florida into disarray, recovery is ongoing. [Read more…] about Homeowners Should Know their Rights during a Hurricane Claim
The Florida Senate Judiciary Committee today passed a bill that will prevent attorneys from exploiting an outdated and unnecessary legal tactic to enrich themselves at the expense of insurance consumers. [Read more…] about Bill Curbing “Attorney Fee Multiplier” Heads to Next Stop
The Florida Senate Judiciary Committee today passed a bill that will create a new standard for determining medical damages from personal injury or wrongful death cases, better reflecting the true cost of damages and preventing attorneys from inflating them to seek a greater recovery. [Read more…] about Bill Adding Accuracy to Legal Cases Passes First Committee
Florida’s personal lines insurance market is still under stress from lawsuit abuse and hurricane recovery. [Read more…] about PIFF: Insurance priorities address marketplace challenges
The Florida Senate Committee on Banking and Insurance today passed a bill that will prevent attorneys from exploiting an outdated and unnecessary legal tactic to enrich themselves at the expense of insurance consumers. [Read more…] about Bill preventing attorneys from “double dipping” passes first stop
The Personal Insurance Federation of Florida (PIFF) today released the following statement and background information related to Hurricane Michael insurance claims. [Read more…] about Hurricane Michael Victims Remain a Priority to Florida Insurers
The Personal Insurance Federation of Florida (PIFF), a member of the FL DNT TXTNDRV COALITION, commended Florida lawmakers this week for supporting House Bill 107, Texting While Driving, which would make texting while driving a primary offense in Florida. [Read more…] about PIFF Cheers Progress of Texting While Driving Bill
The Florida Senate Banking and Insurance Committee today held a workshop on the assignment of benefits (AOB) issue, with a focus on the need for attorney fee reform. [Read more…] about Former Supreme Court Justice Ken Bell Makes Case for AOB Reform
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.
The Personal Insurance Federation of Florida (PIFF) today issued the following statement applauding Senator Doug Broxson (R-Pensacola), for filing an amendment to Senate Bill 1168 that will resolve the problem of assignment of benefits abuse (AOB), which is driving up homeowners’ insurance rates for many Floridians. The Senate Banking and Insurance Committee will have the opportunity to vote on the bill this afternoon.
Statement from Michael Carlson, president of the Personal Insurance Federation of Florida (PIFF):
“This amendment is a silver bullet with strong consumer protections that will cut down on frivolous lawsuits and finally give relief to thousands of Floridians facing increasing premiums.
“We hope Chair Flores and the members of the committee give this amendment a fair hearing based on the mountains of evidence on this problem.
“As the latest Wall Street Journal editorial pointed out just this week, Florida can’t continue to prosper if it becomes a mecca for ‘looting by lawsuit.’ Republican leaders in the Senate have an opportunity to prove their commitment to constituents rather than caving to special interests.”
Background
PIFF is a member of the Consumer Protection Coalition, which is a grassroots organization whose goal is to educate policymakers on the problem of AOB abuse and to find sensible, pro-consumer solutions that will reduce costs. Learn more about the AOB problem and the Coalition at fightfraud.today.
