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Archives for 2013

ANOTHER RIP-OFF…Assignment of Benefits!

- Opinions by Scott Johnson 3 Comments

Industry alarms are sounding as more and more contractors and loss remediation entities, emergency water extraction companies and the like, exploit “assignment of benefits” to take control of homeowner’s claims–usurping rights to negotiate and adjust the loss, then threatening to sue the insurer to force payment of inflated bills.

Consistent with Florida’s curse, this scam not only has links to lawyers and public adjusters, it’s a major cost driver and frighteningly fertile ground for even more fraud!  [Read more…] about ANOTHER RIP-OFF…Assignment of Benefits!

A CLAIMS FORUM…via the ICA’s office!

- Opinions by Scott Johnson Leave a Comment

Beginning Thursday, March 21st, 2013,  Florida’s Consumer Advocate, Robin Westcott and the DFS Director of Consumer Services, Tasha Carter, will conduct the first in a series of eight local forums to hear directly from consumers on how their Florida property claims are being handled. [Read more…] about A CLAIMS FORUM…via the ICA’s office!

A Citizens Clearinghouse and a Private Option!

- Opinions by Scott Johnson 2 Comments

No doubt you’ve heard the idea of a clearinghouse for Citizens new applications and possibly even, renewals.  It began making the rounds as early as last October and is now on the minds of  lawmakers, Citizens and the industry as something that would not only help with the so called “Citizens problem” but, which might even be politically feasible. [Read more…] about A Citizens Clearinghouse and a Private Option!

FLOOD REFORM–Icing on the Cake!

- Opinions by Scott Johnson Leave a Comment

This post may not sit well with some of my industry friends–Write Your Own (WYO) carriers and their agents ensconced in the current National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) approach as prescribed by federal law.

But…those taking umbrage may find comfort knowing that, like all my other good idea’s, this one will be totally ignored by anyone in a position to implement it. [Read more…] about FLOOD REFORM–Icing on the Cake!

Freedom of Speech & the USA!

- Opinions by Scott Johnson Leave a Comment

After my last blog providing a list from Citizens of public adjusters handling over $46 million in claims, I received slightly more than the usual number of comments. Most seemed to agree that, just like attorneys and Citizens employee’s, public adjusters would be a good addition to a Citizens Inspector General’s work plan.

Distracting from that point, however, was a threat from one public adjuster to file suit because I said the name of his firm and one other “…seem intended to make policyholders think they are with the government…”   [Read more…] about Freedom of Speech & the USA!

Citizens Inspector General & Public Adjusters

- Opinions by Scott Johnson Leave a Comment

It’s not just law firms that should be added to a Citizens Inspector General’s list of who to oversee or inspect, it’s also Public Adjusters (PA’s)!

Whether you look at the Case of the Yellow Hammer, when PA Jorge Espinosa revealed how threats and intimidation were used to fuel the worst kitchen fire epidemic in Florida history, or;  the case of PA Alina Nunez who organized arson rings of “straw renters” (See NOTE #1 below), the results were similar–millions stolen from premium payers to benefit a greedy fringe. [Read more…] about Citizens Inspector General & Public Adjusters