A few days ago (Saturday 10/6/12) I expressed the opinion that the Citizens Surplus Note Program, had “a hard road ahead.”
That road, it turns out, was even harder than I thought! [Read more…] about CITIZENS Depopulation…Shut the Front Door!
CITIZENS Surplus Notes…Eight Reasons!
There’s no telling how many policies will actually be removed from Citizens via the two pending approaches. One, is the old fashioned way–a handful of carriers will take many thousands of policies under the traditional approach used since 2001. The other, more controversial approach, is the “Surplus Note” proposal–only the most “financially qualified” carriers will remove several hundred thousand policies for ten years with rate increases subject to Citizens 10% glide path for three years. [Read more…] about CITIZENS Surplus Notes…Eight Reasons!
AGENT FRAUD…Chip Merlin, again!
It feels like every time I begin looking for something to write about Chip Merlin bails me out with another blog.
In this case, after falsely accusing Citizens board of Governors of breaking the law, the head of a prominent sinkhole law firm alleged that insurance agents may be committing the crime of insurance fraud, via a blog he titled:
“Talk About Insurance Fraud, How About the Conduct of Some Insurance Agents?” [Read more…] about AGENT FRAUD…Chip Merlin, again!
CITIZENS, CONSUMER GROUPS & ROBIN HOOD!
Something extremely unusual, maybe even exceptional, happened last week.
At least one major daily published two side-by-side opinion pieces on Citizens. While that part isn’t so unusual, what’s extremely rare is that even though they were each written by groups that are often opponents, both authors expressed virtually the same opinion, namely…
CITIZENS SUBSIDIES NEED TO END & ITS RATES NEED TO RISE! [Read more…] about CITIZENS, CONSUMER GROUPS & ROBIN HOOD!
AUTO RATES–The $1-Billion Lizard II
In my recent post on auto insurance titled; Agents vs. the $1-Billion Lizard, I compared the cost of paying agents to sell and service auto insurance with the advertising expense of internet providers like GEICO and Progressive. Huge advertising expenditures, I said, were necessary for internet carriers to attract consumers to a website that only provided the opportunity for a sale. [Read more…] about AUTO RATES–The $1-Billion Lizard II
AUTO PIP ANALYSIS–Be Careful!
This year’s No-Fault reform bill (HB-119) contained a $200,000 allocation to study its impact on PIP premiums going forward. Media reports, I’m afraid, will leave consumers thinking their auto premiums will soon go down by 25%. [Read more…] about AUTO PIP ANALYSIS–Be Careful!
Andrew’s Anniversary–Serendipity for Independent Agents
Hurricane Andrew was a tropical nightmare.
What began as a middling storm measuring the shore from afar arrived as a 175 mph freight train leaving a wake of desolation eight miles wide. [Read more…] about Andrew’s Anniversary–Serendipity for Independent Agents
Public Adjusters–Free Speech & Paragraph (K)
Since Florida’s Supreme Court just ruled that preventing Public Adjusters from contacting claimants within 48 hours of a loss is an unconstitutional restriction on commercial free speech (Case #. ID10-2459), it’s appropriate to remove similar impediments to free speech for non-public adjusters as well. [Read more…] about Public Adjusters–Free Speech & Paragraph (K)
Citizens Falsely Accused of Breaking the Law!
Yesterday, July 24, 2012, the head of one of Florida’s top sinkhole law firms, Chip Merlin, accused the board of Citizens of breaking the law.
The accusation was false! [Read more…] about Citizens Falsely Accused of Breaking the Law!
CITIZENS COVERAGE…Cadillacs & KIAs?
In my last post I opined that Citizens could (should) employ a more consumer friendly and politically expedient approach to reducing its exposure and policy count.
I was flattered by comments on the cogency of my suggestions; especially regarding the three questions I used to demonstrate it was imminently possible for Citizens to do as I suggested.
Other comments, however, reflected a misunderstanding of one of the points I was trying to make. [Read more…] about CITIZENS COVERAGE…Cadillacs & KIAs?