Florida Insurance Commissioner feels certain that Governor will sign SB 408 into law. The bill pertains to property and casualty insurance and directly effects property insurance coverage and overhauling a system vulnerable to fraudulent claims. Property insurers have had to increase rates in efforts to keep up with mounting sinkhole claims, rising reinsurer fees and other issues that are pushing costs through the roof. However, with the passing of SB 408, much of that is likely to change. Bill 408 directly goes after what many insurers and several Lawmakers consider…
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Florida sinkhole damage is cause for change
Florida legislators have been struggling with property insurance reform for some time now. With insurers raising prices and the widespread accusations of fraud, specifically involving instances of sinkhole damage, the state has never been in such dire need of change, according to lawmakers. Fortunately, change is on the way as the Florida House of Representatives passed a bill that will address factors that are contributing to higher insurance costs as well as revitalize the state’s insurance market. The bill passed with an 85 to 33 vote. Lawmakers are representing the…
Read MoreFlorida sinkholes causing major damage to homes
The sunshine state is having more problems with sinkholes. A Florida company called CDS Business Mapping is working with insurance agents and underwriter’s to provide risk reports based on geographic data and maps. The company has mapped areas in ten counties that are sinkhole hazards. Florida’s Insurance Commissioner stated that sinkhole claims are one of the top five cost drivers that are causing insurance companies huge financial losses. In three years, Citizen’s insurance has paid almost 250 million dollars in sinkhole claims; and has another 100 million reserved for “in…
Read MoreFlorida Property Insurance Reform Underway
In Tallahassee Florida, the fight for the insurance reform could mean an expensive cost of millions of dollars to the concerned customers during the legislative session. According to the private insurance industry, Citizens Property Insurance – a government run company, should raise its rates to its customers as well as reduce the coverage for them since they cannot possibly compete with these. The state lawmakers are now considering this and it could lead to a rapid increase of payments for the residents of Tallahassee. Similar changes have been noted, such as…
Read MoreHomeowners insurance getting harder to find in Florida
Mercury General Corp. has decided that it will be pulling out of the Florida homeowners insurance market. The announcement was made on Monday and the move comes as reports of a $19 million loss in that particular market in the fourth quarter. The insurer is already making preparations to inform some 8,000 policyholders that their policies will no longer be renewed. Florida law mandates that notices be sent 180 days in advance and the insurer will begin sending them in March. Mercury General blames their fourth quarter losses on the…
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