Florida Consumers Are Under Attack Again in Tallahassee

We are all consumers, we pay our insurance and we expect that the legislators that were elected by us, their constituents, would protect us and not big insurance! This is not happening, and anti-consumer bills HB 1185 & SB 1398 filed last week are far from protecting consumers.   
 
Our insurance premiums continue to increase year after year, but our coverage keeps eroding, and we are covered for less and less.  Big insurance companies want to blame everyone for their losses, yet they never point the finger at themselves for their poor claims management, claim delays and nonpayment of covered insurance claims.
 
What Is Going On?
Legislators want to take more of your rights away should you have a property damage insurance claim and want to restrict your ability to get help when you need it most.  From the language in these bills, I believe they expect you to determine and document all your damages in critical times without the help of a public adjuster.  Shouldn’t that be your choice and not theirs?  Could you imagine having to get on your own roof and prove it was damaged?

Click Here for Bill Language

​Why Is This Allowed?
Yesterday, I called all our legislators and left messages asking them to oppose these bills and explained a current claim where my elderly client sustained tornado damage to her property and needed my help throughout the claim process.  Her roof is irreparable, the damage is extensive, and the tile is no longer available amongst other damages to her home.
 
We provided the insurance company with a full report from a local contractor with proof confirming this and demanded they pay to replace her roof.  Although the insurance company asked for this report, they continued to ignore the findings and requested additional roof inspections by local roofers.
 
Due to the continued delays and additional inspections, which confirmed what we had already confirmed, her insurance company went out of business before a payment for the roof replacement could be issued.  However, during the process of delaying and underpaying their policyholder’s claims, the insurance company executives still received exorbitant bonuses all while under the watchful eye of the Office of Insurance Regulation.  How could this happen?
 
Accountability
Why aren’t insurance companies held accountable for their bad behavior? Why are the numerous consumer complaints filed with leadership being ignored?  After all, our very own CFO said on television he would help, call him first. Yet, there is no help because they are tragically understaffed, nor will they get on your roof or fight with your insurance company on your behalf. Time and time again we see there is no action against insurance companies – proof as my above client’s complaint still has gone unanswered.
 
There have been very minimal complaints about public adjusters, I can count them on one hand, in comparison to the numerous complaints against insurance companies.
 
Protect Your Rights
Public Adjusters in Florida are already highly regulated more than any other state. These bills contain more restrictions that will limit your access to help if you choose to get help. 
 
As consumers, small business owners, and true consumer advocates for 17 years, we have always put our client's needs before our own.  We work tirelessly to prepare and submit claim packages, conduct all inspections with your insurance company and negotiate fair and proper claim settlements for you, our clients.
 
What Can You Do?
The time is now, we need your help. Please contact our legislators in opposition to these bills. Just click the link below to access their contact information.

Click for Legislator Contact Information

​If you have any questions about these bills, please contact us and we will be happy to discuss them with you.