Johnson Strategies

Planning, Communications, Advocacy

CHARLIE’S CURSE

- Opinions by Scott Johnson Leave a Comment

The curse of any perfectionist is in seeing only that which keeps perfection out of reach.  Never being thankful for what’s been gained. Never being satisfied with the status quo.

For me Florida’s improved property market is such a curse.  I’m a perfectionist.

The market, however, has it’s own curse–Charlie Crist’s overreaction to a temporary market adjustment. We were helpless as he stuck pins in the  industry voo-doo doll. Bragging as he did and chiding “…good riddance” to Florida’s future. [Read more…] about CHARLIE’S CURSE

PA’s & CHIP MERLIN; “…until proven guilty!”

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Despite declining ranks, a decade of reform and record level prosecutions, news of dishonest public adjusters hasn’t abated.  Prompting one subscriber to comment on my “failure” to report recent arrests.  A bit strong I thought. Frequency, after all, can jeopardize classifying some occurrences as news.  Besides most public adjusters are honorable. [Read more…] about PA’s & CHIP MERLIN; “…until proven guilty!”

Wilbur Jones & the Killer in the Keys!

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This following story is timely for two reasons: one, hurricane season begins in a few weeks and; two, the National Hurricane Center just officially reclassified the Great Labor Day Hurricane of 1935 as the mightiest storm in history.  It replaces Hurricane Camille long thought worthy of such distinction.

I knew long ago the 1935 storm was the strongest ever. I knew because I interviewed one of its few survivors.  In my first book, “From Cartels to Competition”, I wrote about 24 year old Wilbur Jones.   Trapped inside an overturned rail road car,  he and others also were pinned beneath Henry Flagler’s rescue train.

I’ve just read that Jones,  formerly an insurance agent and well connected public figure, celebrated his 101st birthday. Perhaps his 1935 brush with death tells how fortunate we are today to have a Hurricane Center with advance warning systems.

Perhaps it’s a horrifying reminder of what mother nature may have in store beginning this June 1.  Enjoy! [Read more…] about Wilbur Jones & the Killer in the Keys!

Peoples Trust…some very good questions!

- Opinions by Scott Johnson 4 Comments

My postings on this blog site are often driven by my opinions. Opinions based on facts from everywhere and input from anyone in command of those facts.

In this report on Peoples Trust (PTIC) I’ll stick only to the facts and comments (good and bad) from others and refrain from personal speculation, (yes,  it’s possible).

You decide what it all means, if anything.  Feel free to share your thoughts with a published response below or an email to me directly. [Read more…] about Peoples Trust…some very good questions!

PA FEE’S…Florida Consumers pay too much!

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I’m sure you picked up on it. The proposed 15% cap on public adjuster (PA) fee’s in HB-743 is precisely midpoint between the existing 20% for non-catastrophic claims and 10% for catastrophe claims. (See NOTE #1 below)

The archetypal compromise. Between some PA’s and some insurer’s avoiding a fight by agreeing to reduce a cap they both know is too high–the highest in the entire United States. [Read more…] about PA FEE’S…Florida Consumers pay too much!

Public Adjusters Fee’s… consumer advocates fail consumers!

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Improving legal or regulatory landscapes often requires a careful survey.  Who wants to change?  What change do they want?  And, the always elusive political query… who is willing to go on the record one way or the other?

Such is the case with Florida’s statutory cap on public adjuster fee’s. [Read more…] about Public Adjusters Fee’s… consumer advocates fail consumers!