University of Miami summit highlights the increasing cost of auto insurance

A summit held at the University of Miami on the topic of insurance fraud provided those in attendance with the opportunity to exchange stories, request assistance, and talk about litigation that is directed at this rising issue. One of the favorite examples, which was shared by Mary Lathrop, a Florida Highway Patrol Captain, involved a fender bender in the south end of the state. One of the drivers noticed that there was one fewer people in the car when the accident occurred than there were when the police arrived on…

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Florida to host a series of meetings of insurance and consumer representatives to solve problems with PIP system

The Florida state government will be facilitating a series of meetings to resolve an issue with the state’s personal injury protection (PIP) insurance law. Insurers, medical professionals, state officials and representatives from a number of consumer advocacy groups will be attending the meetings and working together to find some resolution to the issue. Currently, PIP insurance is required throughout Florida, which has spurred rampant fraud in the state. Through the meetings, the groups will conclude whether the PIP system should be reformed or abolished altogether. Fraud has plagues Florida’s PIP…

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Florida Legislature may be looking to change how the state’s insurance industry works as fraud continues to grow unabated

According to experts, Florida’s auto insurance industry is currently facing the possibility of changes or the outright elimination to the no-fault system, which may provide drivers who are well-insured with an appealing decrease in premiums, but may also increase the price of basic policies. In Florida, drivers must have at least $10,000 in coverage for personal injury. However, Governor Rick Scott has stated that he would prefer to make this an optional protection. Personal injury protection (PIP) system critics are saying that scam artists are provided with incentive to stage…

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NJ regulators to revamp rules for PIP car insurance

Insurance regulators in New Jersey are preparing to give the rules for auto insurance as the struggle continues with expenses relating to the personal injury protection (PIP) system within that state. Governor Chris Christie released a proposal on August 1, 2011, which suggested changes that are intended to decrease internal system use and claim settlement arbitration legal fees, and lower the overall costs for alternative providers. There will be approximately three thousand new treatment codes to be included into the system. For every dollar collected in premiums relating to PIP,…

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Minnesota no fault insurance system may crack under pressure

Minnesota’s no-fault auto insurance law has been under fire recently. Opponents of the law have been trying for some time to repeal the legislation, with their latest attempt again being overruled today. However, the state’s Senate committee approved a number of amendments to the law that may curb legislators drive to repeal it. The committee will also be examining alternatives to the law that will favor insurance companies by limiting payouts. The number of underinsured and uninsured drivers in the state is rising, according to Deputy Senate Majority Leader Geoff…

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