Phil Buck, WTSP 3:16 PM. EDT July 25, 2017 TAMPA, FLA. – It’s a problem that affects almost anyone who owns or rents a home in Florida. Assignment of Benefits (AOB) fraud is costing thousands of people money even though they may not even know what it is or how they end up paying…
Miami Herald, July 16, 2017 BY ANDREA JANUTA ajanuta@miamiherald.com As South Floridians head into a hurricane season predicted to be busier-than-average, homeowners are wondering whether their insurers will pay up if their house is hit — and how to find out before a storm arrives. Marcelo Salup, a Coral Gables resident who owns a three-bedroom home…
Insurance Journal By Amy O’Connor | July 19, 2017 Florida’s home insurers hope the public doesn’t blame them as they implement rate increases, initiate coverage changes and nonrenew policies. They say they have no choice after the Florida Legislature for the fifth year in a row failed to address the crisis in water damage claims abuse. “We keep…
By Adrienne Cutway – Web Editor Posted: 7:22 PM, June 28, 2017Updated: 7:25 PM, June 28, 2017 CASSELBERRY, Fla. – Casselberry police say scammers are targeting residents, trying to convince them to needlessly replace the windshields on their vehicles. A resident told police that two men came to her door claiming to work for the state government, insisting…
By Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board June 23, 2017 hen board members of the state’s largest property insurer unanimously endorsed a proposed set of premium hikes for 2018 averaging 5.3 percent at a meeting this week in Maitland, they could have been forgiven for adding, “We told you so.” Citizens Property Insurance Corp., the insurer of…
Florida Record, Michael Carroll June 23, 2017 TALLAHASSEE — Some Florida counties are seeing a major spike in auto glass litigation, generating fears that auto insurance premiums may follow the trajectory of rising property insurance rates in the state. A recent study by the Florida Justice Reform Institute found an exponential rise in auto glass…
A.M. Best Financial Analyst reviews Florida’s practice of allowing contractors to assume responsibility from insureds for insurance repairs and the associated impacts to consumers. Watch here.
WFSU By NICK EVANS • JUN 15, 2017 Florida’s insurance officials are considering moves to rein in assignments after the Legislature again failed to take action. The procedure allows service providers to work directly with an insurer, but some say they’re taking advantage of the system. Insurance companies are complaining that a procedure called assignment of benefits is…
Palm Beach Post By Jim Saunders – News Service of Florida TALLAHASSEE — Readying to leave the state Cabinet at the end of the month, Florida Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater said Wednesday that lawmakers need to address an insurance practice that critics argue is driving up homeowners’ rates. Lawmakers this spring could not agree…
WINK News May 31, 2017 FORT MYERS, Fla. Fraud could be behind a recent surge in auto insurance rates. Rates are up 21.4 percent since 2015, according to Florida Office of Insurance Regulation data. Insurance agent Cindy Palmquist of The Thompson Agency puts the blame squarely on staged crashes, a practice in which drivers maneuver other motorists…