News
Florida’s fight against automobile insurance fraud
Fighting automobile insurance fraud is a top priority for Gov. Rick Scott, key legislators, regulators and the insurance industry this year because they say it’s driving up premiums.
Consumer Advocate Seeks PIP Data
Insurance Consumer Advocate Robin Westcott has requested information from insurers writing personal injury protection (PIP) auto insurance. The request for information, made through an open letter to the auto insurance industry, is designed to facilitate the Consumer Advocate’s analysis of problems with PIP and potential solutions. As noted in her letter, the Consumer Advocate has …
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Florida leaders demand insurers fork over fraud data
Florida Insurance Consumer Advocate Robin Westcott told Florida Cabinet members today that the first thing required to address automobile insurance fraud is to get more information from the insurance industry on where money its spends on claims is going, what medical treatments are being provided and how much attorneys’ fees for disputed claims cost.
Gov. Scott, Cabinet to be briefed on PIP coverage
Gov. Rick Scott and the Florida Cabinet are receiving a briefing on the controversial personal injury protection insurance frequently called PIP.
Lawbreakers taking Florida for a ride
Crime pays, but increasingly it’s Tampa Bay’s law-abiding drivers who are footing the bill. Enterprising criminals are taking Florida’s no-fault auto insurance law for a ride, fueling soaring insurance rates for everyone else.
OIR Hears NCCI Request for Rate Increase
NCCI filed a request for a statewide average rate increase of 8.9% and the OIR held a public hearing to gather testimony and evidence regarding the request. Insurance Commissioner Kevin McCarty chaired the panel listening to the presentation of the NCCI. He was joined on the panel by Belinda Miller (General Counsel), Richard Koon (Deputy …
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PIP Working Group Resumes Analysis
The PIP Working Group convened by Insurance Consumer Advocate Robin Westcott resumes its consideration of the complex issues affecting the Florida market at an October 10, 2011 workshop. This workshop is part of a series of meetings scheduled by the Consumer Advocate to bring PIP stakeholders together. She intends for the process to culminate in …
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PIP’s cap set in 1979 is far below 2011 realities, insurance industry says
The second meeting of Insurance Consumer Advocate Robin Westcott’s personal injury protection work group picked up where the first meeting left off: with members taking jabs at one another.
Consumer Advocate to Convene PIP Group
Robin Westcott, Florida’s recently named Insurance Consumer Advocate, has indicated she will create a working group to develop policy recommendations to address concerns in the Personal Injury Protection market. PIP fraud has received considerable attention over the last year, but efforts to address problems in this area stalled in the 2011 legislative session. In announcing …
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Consumer advocate wants lawmakers, ’stakeholders’ to combat soaring PIP costs
The state’s new Insurance Consumer Advocate, Robin Westcott, has set up a working group “to combat the spiraling costs” of Personal Injury Protection, the compulsory part of your auto insurance that pays up to $10,000 for accident-related injuries without regard to fault.
Officials Urge Phase-In of Citizens Sinkhole Rate Change
Citizens Property Insurance Corporation got the insurance world talking recently when it announced that rates for sinkhole coverage would increase by an average of 400 percent, and by much higher amounts in certain areas. Citizens’ rate increases are capped at 10 percent per policyholder per year, but the 2011 legislature removed sinkhole coverage from the …
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Robin Westcott Named Insurance Consumer Advocate
Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater has named Robin Westcott as Florida’s next Insurance Consumer Advocate. CFO Atwater chose Ms. Westcott based on her long career in insurance regulation and her knowledge of issues that affect the insurance-buying public. “Robin will be an ardent, outspoken and persistent advocate for Florida’s insurance consumers,” said CFO Atwater. “She is committed to …
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Insurer Report Card Rule on Hold
The insurer report card rule reportedly must go through the rulemaking process again if it is to move forward. The rule originally was scheduled to be presented for final adoption at a November Cabinet meeting, but it was deferred until the December 7 meeting. However, it was then withdrawn because the rulemaking process would have exceeding the …
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Terry Butler Named Interim Consumer Advocate
Florida’s Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink has announced that Terry Butler will serve as the interim Interim Insurance Consumer Advocate. Terry has worked as an attorney in various insurance regulatory capacities throughout his career, including as the Senior Attorney in the Office of the Insurance Consumer Advocate since August 2007. “Terry’s legal experience and expertise in standing up for Florida’s …
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Report Card Rule Raises Public Policy Issues
The Office of the Insurance Consumer Advocate held its most recent hearing last week on the insurer report card rule. Most insurers commenting on the rules believe that a “report card” can provide valuable information to insurance consumers as they consider their residential insurance options. However, the industry believes that the rule in its current …
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