Consumers Need Legislative Fix to Home Repair Scam

on July 19, 2015 the Miami Herald ran the following op-ed by PIFF Executive Director Michael Carlson: For three years, state lawmakers have received mounting evidence about a scam in which frazzled homeowners are unknowingly signing away their insurance benefits to shady vendors during home repair emergencies. This spring’s annual legislative session melted down with…

Sen. Brandes Wants to Study Whether Uber Cuts DUIs

TALLAHASSEE — The Legislature may spend $10,000 on a study showing how Uber and other hired-car services are helping reduce drunk-driving accidents and arrests in Florida. The study appeared in “proviso language” Monday night as lawmakers continue their work on a 2015-16 state budget. More importantly, the language would prohibit local regulation of ride-booking services…

Effort to Limit Third-Party Property Insurance Claims Stalls in Legislature

By Ron Hurtibise Sun Sentinel Insurance industry-backed bills aimed at restricting repair contractors’ ability to require homeowners to sign over insurance benefits before repairs can commence likely won’t become law this year, supporters and opponents concede. The bills — in the state House and Senate — stemmed from arguments by insurers that water restoration companies…

Personal Insurance Federation of Florida Releases TNC Legislation Guidelines

INSURANCE JOURNAL:  Transportation network companies such as Uber and Lyft represent a promising technology that can serve consumers well in the future, but Florida legislators should clarify the insurance requirements for these services in state law in order to adequately protect both drivers and passengers, according to a statement by the Personal Insurance Federation of…