Advocacy

I promise this is my last word on the Strems saga… probably.  Recall my last post “Collapse of an Evil Empire…DISBARRED!” where I wrote that “…based on his cumulative behavior”  the Supreme Court of Florida (SCOF) had finally ruled to “disbar” Scot Strems. I mistakenly said the disbarment was “permanent.”

Now comes the Strems team which responded with a petition for rehearing to replace the “non-permanent” disbarment with a 3-year rehabilitative suspension.  They also propose that the requested suspension become effective when Strems was first suspended back in June of 2020.  If granted, Strems could begin practicing law as early as June 9 of this year.  [Read more…] about STREMS—The Final Chapter?

Lady justice has two hands–one holds the scales of justice, the other a sword.  It’s taken over two full years, but…an end is finally here to the saga penned the “Collapse of an Evil Empire.”  It arrived yesterday (December 22, 2022) with a Supreme Court decision disbarring Scot Strems from the practice of law. [Read more…] about Collapse of an Evil Empire…DISBARRED!

Having addressed the predominant drivers of Florida’s litigation economy, lawmakers wrapped up their property insurance reform package last Wednesday and went home. They also provided some relief for Hurricane Ian victims and implemented toll-road discounts for frequent travelers.  (See NOTE #1 below)

For those who deal with the public, especially insurance agents, consultants and the like, I highly suggest you review the Staff Analysis of SB-2A.  Print it out. Keep it handy. Make sure your co-workers have a copy.  It’s a detailed synopsis of the rationale and data that drove this important reform effort. You’ll also find links to every source document, including OIR studies, Citizens data, litigation reports, media coverage and more. You’ll be fully equipped to answer client questions and consumer inquiries regarding the substance in the bill. [Read more…] about A Great First Step…

The obvious question is whether lawmakers will finally do what’s necessary to stop Florida’s epidemic of fraud and abusive litigation—a query spawned by previous reforms that appeased powerful abusers with halfway measures, some of which were (and still are) being litigated.

No need to belabor here unimpeachable data on property insurance lawsuits and the resulting premium increases.  This blogsite has many articles and docs on both the damage done and the cause of the damage (See Library tab &/or use Search bar).

[Read more…] about In the Crosshairs…

Two milestones in Florida’s property marketplace were reached last week.  Neither is hopeful. Neither received deserved fanfare.  Both foreshadow straits that are increasingly dire.

[Read more…] about A Tale of Two Pities…

Last month was the two-year anniversary of the two-year emergency suspension of Scot Strems license to practice law—the result of Florida Bar investigations regarding “…mendacious, bad-faith conduct.”  All initiated before data became available showing Florida has close to 80% of America’s total property insurance lawsuits.  [Read more…] about SCOT STREMS UPDATE by BARRY ZALMA!

The recent brouhaha regarding Demotech and its’ Financial Stability Ratings (FSR’s) of as many as 20 Florida insurers has now come full circle…almost.  One important question remains unanswered.

Before answering the question, and for those who’ve just joined the discussion, a good summary of these happenings can be found in Kyle Ulrich’s blog. As president of the Florida Association of Insurance Agents (FAIA) he’s got a valuable grassroots statewide perspective.  Not coincidentally his blog both begins and ends by asking the still unanswered question: “Is it time for Florida to turn the page on Demotech?” [Read more…] about DEMOTECH-An unanswered question!

Johnson Strategies LLC expert contributor, David Thompson CPCU, is often asked what he believes are the most undersold coverage’s by agents. His answer always includes the coverage which is the title of this article.  We asked David to share his thoughts on Ordinance or Law Coverage, often called “Building Code Coverage” as an assist to agents and others in sharing the value and importance of this often undersold coverage.

Here is David’s article written for that purpose.  Learn from it and understand that “every property owner” should consider the purchase and every agent should be fully informed as to its’ history, value and purpose.

[Read more…] about “Building Code Coverage”

Immediately after learning that the Special Session on property insurance had adjourned with the passage of SB-2D (See Note #1 below), I was astounded to see a TV ad assassinating the character and performance of Florida’s Insurance Commissioner, David Altmaier.

If you haven’t seen the ad, make sure your temper is in check when you do.  It’s on YouTube as well as TV and has been circulated by many others including the self-described “Johnny Appleseed of AOB”  Harvey Cohen, here.

[Read more…] about “The Fauci of Florida…”

There’s been another development in the Strems saga indicating that once again… “THE END IS NEAR.”

[Read more…] about Collapse of an Evil Empire! PART XII…A Settlement