Archives for 2024

This article is from JS contributor Bill Wilson and pertains to a subject that falls within a topic area best described as… Insurance is only one form of Risk Management. Here, we are all reminded of needed protection via one homeowners experience–and that insurance can (should) be a last resort. Hope you enjoy this bit of wisdom (with some modifications) from Bill Wilson regarding check fraud and forgery, available at www.InsuranceCommentary.com.

The rain and wind had barely stopped when I received my first inquiry regarding Public Adjusters (PA’s).  Then came Milton and more inquiries, mostly from agents contacted by their clients who had been contacted by a PA, sometimes several PA’s.

I recently wrote a Foreword for Don Brown’s book; “The 9 Guideline Principles to Enact Change–A Legislators Memoir from Outhouse to Statehouse.” It’s a 576-page text I think every insurance person should buy and read, especially if you live in Florida. Rather than subject you to the standard sales pitch, I’ll just let you read the Foreword I wrote. The book is available on Amazon.

In Florida, and despite Homeowners rates declining due to legislative reforms, an alarming number of homeowners are considering going without insurance coverage. Those with mortgages may not follow through on their inclination but, Florida’s Insurance Consumer Advocate said the total number choosing to not buy home coverage could be close to 20%.

This is remarkably consistent with my agent friends telling me they’re fielding this question from clients, more than ever before. One agent even said he was going without wind coverage on his own home in Coral Gables.

So… I thought an article from JS contributor David Thompson might be helpful to those fielding such questions. It can certainly be used by any agent to provide a more complete perspective to clients who are literally asking if they should forego home premiums and instead, self fund the substantial exposures of home ownership.

Feel free to share far and wide.

With this article Johnson Strategies (JS) proudly announces the addition of another content contributor complementing our existing four JS experts. His name is Don Brown. Don is a former Florida State Representative and a renowned expert in legislative reforms who has dedicated his career to addressing complex issues within Florida’s insurance market. He’s not only a friend, he’s the consummate partner for the existing JS team with numerous white papers in the hopper and one very informative book which you’ll soon learn more about, (see below).  

This brief article is co-written with Dennis Ross who, like Don, also served in the Florida House and is a former U.S Congressman.   

Agents struggling to explain the need to depopulate Citizens Property Insurance Corporation (Citizens) will find this helpful and should feel free to share it with all homeowners, especially those insured in Citizens. 

This very old story, from JS contributor, Barry Zalma, recently caught my eye.  Perhaps it’s because I believe Florida is the American epicenter for insurance fraud. Maybe it’s because I’m currently retained as an expert witness in a RICO case filed by one fed-up insurer against an alleged fraudster. Maybe it’s because I think insurers, property insurers in particular, should exhaust more options going after law breakers before just paying obviously fraudulent claims to save money short term.  Please note, I understand it’s a formulaic process. I’m suggesting that sometimes the formula may be flawed and the decision myopic.

I also understand that recent reforms are helping in Florida–litigation is way down and property rates are  likewise trending.  But… attempts to defraud still linger.

In Zalma’s intriguing non-homeowners saga, the investigation costs, court costs, expert witness fees and attorneys’ fees exceeded half a million dollars. But the insurer defeated a one-million-dollar claim, including fifty million in punitive damages. Word went out: “This insurance company fights!”  And that truth stymied additional fraudulent claims against all insurers.

Enjoy! [Read more…] about Are there lessons to be learned?

The ownership and use of E-bikes has become increasingly important of late.  The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) reported more than 900,000 electric bicycles were sold in the US in 2021 alone, almost double the number of sales from 2020. This puts E-bikes on track to outstrip the number of electric car sales in the US.  Who better to hear from on this subject than expert JS contributor, David Thompson, AAI, CPCU, CRIS.  Enjoy!  [Read more…] about What You Need to Know About E-Bikes!