While I’ve come to expect opposition from the media against almost anything that might lower Citizens assessment burden, it appears that at least one elected official, Representative Frank Artile’s (and others) and Sean Shaw’s group (Policyholder’s of Florida) may have already made up their minds about the Surplus Note program…they don’t like it! [Read more…] about Citizens Surplus Notes–Freedom of Choice!
The Case of the Yellow Hammer!
The State Fire Marshall’s office and Division of Insurance Fraud have just completed their joint investigation of the infamous “Case of the Yellow Hammer”. Public Adjuster, Jorge Espinosa, used a yellow hammer on the floor in Angela Frye’s kitchen to inflate her small grease fire (and thus his fee) into a $70,000 fraud against Federal National Insurance Company. [Read more…] about The Case of the Yellow Hammer!
KICKBACK…The Final Chapter!
Last month a federal judge dismissed the libel suit against former New York Governor, Elliot Spitzer, for an article he wrote in 2010 criticizing those charged in what has become known as the worst scandal to ever hit the insurance agency/brokerage system.
With this news I believe the ugliest of insurance stories is now over. [Read more…] about KICKBACK…The Final Chapter!
CITIZENS Depopulation…Shut the Front Door!
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