Private Insurers Piggybacking on Citizens’ New Claims Restrictions

Private insurance companies are lining up to request state approval of two key policy revisions intended to reduce losses from a practice called “assignment of benefits.” In late March, the state Office of Insurance Regulation approved requests by Citizens Property Insurance Corp. to limit the cost of emergency repairs after water breaches or other emergencies…

Action 9: Orange County Man Says Roofing Company Hijacked His Insurance Claim

ORLANDO,Fla. — An Orange County man says a roofing company hijacked his insurance claim for hail damage that didn’t exist. Tony Annunziato blames the company for a questionable inspection and threats to sue his insurance company. He said he had a small roof leak, but an inspector from ELR Restoration claimed there was much more. “They said hail damage, there…

Commentary: Florida’s Failure to Pass AOB Reforms Will Impact State Insurance Market

Following the 2016 Florida Legislative Session’s failure to pass essential assignment of benefit (AOB) reforms, the insurance industry and Citizens Property Insurance Corp. are working in tandem with the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation (OIR) to find workable administrative measures to help combat this kickback-driven lawsuit-for-profit scheme. The sad truth is AOB abuse is organized…

Failure to Enact Meaningful AOB Reforms Hurts Florida’s Consumers, Coalition Says

Florida’s property insurance policyholders face paying higher rates due to the Legislature’s failure this legislative session to pass meaningful reforms to rein in fraud and abuse involving Assignment of Benefits (AOB). For the fourth straight year, legislators heard testimony about a rapidly growing scam in which shady home repair vendors pressure homeowners to sign away…

Lieutenant Governor Pressures Lawmakers on Insurance-Industry Priority

TALLAHASSEE — With time starting to run out on an insurance-industry priority, Lt. Gov. Carlos Lopez-Cantera is urging House and Senate leaders to take action on a controversial practice known as “assignment of benefits.” In a memo Thursday to House Speaker Steve Crisafulli and Senate President Andy Gardiner, Lopez-Cantera said assignment-of-benefits “abuse” has led to…