Advocacy

Rarely do I post articles from other sites verbatim, but…the following arrived on the heels of my own post regarding property insurance lawsuits (and those who file them) creating the need to break with that tradition.

Sent to me by Floridians for Tort Reform it’s a Florida Politics article by Peter Schorsch (See Note # 1 below) reproduced here with permission. It’s a dart to the heart of Florida’s property insurance rate increases and another spirited refutation of false allegations made by Senator Gary Farmer who says “This crisis is manufactured plain and simple” and trial lawyer Chip Merlin, who says laws can’t lower rates. (See “Let’s Start with a Question“).

When you’re finished reading please contact your elected member of Florida’s House of Representatives using the link below and request that he or she implement the Texas style Tort Reforms recommended by Insurance Commissioner Altmaier and proposed in SB-76.  (See Note #2 below)

Now… read and weep for our property insurance market.

[Read more…] about As the lawsuits pile up, property insurance rates increase.

Before I tell you about the most damning information so far regarding the outright assault on Florida’s Homeowners system by a few dozen trial lawyers, you should first know the progress being made to stop them.

Via a bi-partisan (27-13) vote, Florida’s Senate recently approved the solution, SB-76. You can hear the debate on the Florida Channel  by moving to the 3 hours & 7 minute mark.  It’s quite illuminating and for many of you parts of it will be distressing.

[Read more…] about Let’s Start with a Question…

NOTE: The following article by JS contributor, David Thompson, CPCU, AAI, API, CRIS, should be read by every Florida driver and certainly by every Florida insurance agent.  David was asked, in his opinion, what coverage was the most critical for any driver to purchase.

This was his answer! [Read more…] about Uninsured Motorists Coverage is Critical!

With insurance fraud on the rise around the country and particularly in Florida, Johnson Strategies reached out to Barry Zalma for some thoughts and opinions which he summarizes in this true crime account titled: “The Largest Residential Burglary of All Time.” [Read more…] about INSURANCE FRAUD HURTS EVERYONE!

Lawmakers, please be aware…Florida’s domestic property insurers are losing money hand over fist!

2020 financials are in and tallied. Some “scary” Florida domestic numbers just came out from  Guy Carpenter, and Net Underwriting Losses have been published by S&P Global Market Intelligence.  Meanwhile, Demotech affirmed existing ratings for 22 carriers and demurred on a few others via its’ press release.  This, as prelude to its’ final ratings update due March 19.

[Read more…] about Hand over Fist!

First, let’s number this article PART II in the series dealing with Property Insurance Fraud, its’ precedent being PART I—Florida’s Pyramid of Property Insurance Fraud, which you should read first.

Next, don’t let the title or the startling image above mislead–this is not a critique of Florida’s Department of Financial Services (DFS).  To the contrary, it’s meant to answer the question I am persistently asked…“Why doesn’t DFS stop all the illegal claim solicitations?” Answer: it hasn’t been given the authority needed to do so–which is a legislative failing. [Read more…] about Public Adjusting– NO LICENSE?

NOTE: During this time of sticker shock rate increases many homeowners laser focus on price–perhaps understandably as some truly cannot afford to spend another penny. However, far too many react without a thought to the overall value proposition.  JS reached out to contributor, David Thompson, for his unique perspective and decades of experience in such matters.

To forward David’s article to anyone making important insurance policy decisions, see “share this article” below.

[Read more…] about GUEST COLUMNIST–David Thompson, CPCU, AAI, API, CRIS

This begins a multi-part series examining the epidemic level of fraud in Florida’s property insurance market. It’s triggered by a recent USA Today article featuring commentary and research laying the blame on lax state enforcement.

The article referenced a study by the Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability (OPPAGA), published February 1, 2021, requested by Senator Jeff Brandes (R-St. Petersburg) and delivered to the legislature, titled: Several Factors Hinder Homeowner and Auto Glass Insurance Fraud Processing.

[Read more…] about Florida’s Pyramid of …

In “Collapse of an Evil Empire! PART IX—Thumbs UP, Thumbs DOWN?” I opined that the Bar’s response to Scot Strems “Brief” arguing that his recommended sentence was too harsh, would be that it was too light and instead of two years suspended license, the Bar would argue that he be permanently disbarred.

I was right! The Bar asserted exactly that in a 90-page “Answer Brief” filed February 5th with the Supreme Court which you can read here.

Though the legacy of these proceedings will flourish for years to come, the final judicial chapter is now within site and will be available to us all when the Supreme Court decides these final assertions made by both sides.

Stay tuned for when that momentous day arrives, hopefully soon.

[Read more…] about Collapse of an Evil Empire! PART X

The first of many significant hurdles to normalcy in Florida’s property market was cleared Tuesday when SB-76 emerged unscathed from the Senate Banking and Insurance Committee via a 9 to 3 bipartisan vote.  Two Senate hearings remain before it goes to the floor–next being the sometimes prickly Judiciary Committee chaired by Senator Jeff Brandes (R-St. Petersburg). Senator Brandes voted for the bill as a member of Senator Boyd’s Committee and has been a staunch advocate for common sense reforms, including attorney fee multipliers and reductions in the time for promptly filing a claim.

In the House, Bob Rommel (R-Naples) is sponsoring the companion, HB-305, referred to Insurance & Banking, Civil Justice & Property Rights and the Commerce Committee. It has not yet been heard.

[Read more…] about First Reform Hurdle Cleared in Senate…