After twelve years working for three governors, Florida’s tenth insurance commissioner has resigned his post effective May 2, 2016. Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater, Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam and Attorney General Pam Bondi will struggle mightily to fill the void. Governor Scott will offer up a name and if Atwater agrees, the entire Cabinet will vote to replace the irreplaceable Kevin McCarty. [Read more…] about Kevin McCarty…Right Man, Right Time!
Assignment of Benefits…The Good News!
Let’s start 2016 with some of the good news regarding AOB abuse. While the “parade of horribles” continues to worsen, there have been some hopeful occurrences on the reform front. [Read more…] about Assignment of Benefits…The Good News!
Assignment of Benefits…Lots & Lots of Dots!
More and more, it seems, the enumerable and often disparate dots of Assignment of Benefits (AOB) are being connected. Both the commentary and the data calls from Insurance Consumer Advocate Sha’Ron James and Insurance Commissioner Kevin McCarty beg acknowledgement of a major cost driver and a growing willingness to attack it head on. (See NOTE #1 below). [Read more…] about Assignment of Benefits…Lots & Lots of Dots!
Assignment of Benefits…the predators!
Despite Governor Scott’s inaugural pledge that “…we WILL NOT ALLOW a small group of predatory lawyers to stalk the business community in search of deep pockets…”, it appears that’s exactly what’s happening. (See NOTE #1 below) [Read more…] about Assignment of Benefits…the predators!
AOB… the “Tipping Point” is here!
Before I let you in on an important development in the fight against Assignment of Benefits (AOB), let’s set the stage by reviewing how we got to this point.
What is this point? I call it the “Tipping Point”. The point where someone on the other side admits that our side is right. [Read more…] about AOB… the “Tipping Point” is here!
Assignment of Benefits…Conspiracies Abound!
It’s December 30, 2009 somewhere in Miami, Florida–the day before New Year’s Eve. Carolina Espinosa, the 31 year old wife of 56 year old Fausto Espinosa, drives the couples’ Rolls Royce to the home of Jose Gonzalez. The three are concocting a plan to commit arson as a small part of their elaborate and immensely diabolical property insurance fraud ring–one this married public adjuster couple operated for close to a decade. [Read more…] about Assignment of Benefits…Conspiracies Abound!
Assignment of Benefits–the fight!
Since the courts have punted AOB reform to lawmakers, we now know who, and to some extent how, to give consumers needed reforms. That doesn’t mean that the executive branch isn’t needed to assist. Indeed…it doesn’t mean that its’ inaction or decision making, so far, isn’t partially responsible for the continuing consumer abuse. [Read more…] about Assignment of Benefits–the fight!
Assignment of Benefits…The Agent Connection!
In case it’s not apparent, and even if it’s not welcomed, agents are on the front line of the Assignment of Benefits (AOB) fight. They (you) are who consumers turn to for advice after a loss. You are the ones who often have the opportunity, sometimes even the obligation, to assist with recovery efforts, particularly when it comes to avoiding fraud and/or unethical practices by remediators. [Read more…] about Assignment of Benefits…The Agent Connection!
Assignment of Benefits…an explosion!!
As bad as things are with AOB, including yet another bad decision from the 1st DCA affirming that courts are powerless to protect consumers, it now appears the scam has launched into the stratosphere! (See NOTE #1 below).
An explosion of abuse, and aggression from the abusers, has mushroomed property litigation to a point “..unthinkable a year ago”. [Read more…] about Assignment of Benefits…an explosion!!
AOB…Best Laid Plans!
My plan for this report to be another on the AOB “blame game” was just preempted by the most recent in a series of hurtful court decisions. [Read more…] about AOB…Best Laid Plans!