Consumer Advocate Working Group Kicks Off
Today marks the first meeting of the Homeowners Policy & Claims Bill of Rights Working Group. The group, convened by the Insurance Consumer Advocate, consists of regulators, consumer groups, representatives of trial lawyers and public adjusters, and the insurance industry. The formation of the group follows feedback received by the consumer advocate and the Department of Financial Services in recent forums throughout the state. Topics to be addressed by the working group include:
- Adjusting & Investigating the Claim – Examinations Under Oath
- Post-Claim Underwriting & Material Misrepresentation on the Application
- Solicitation of Consumers within 48 – 72 Hours of a Loss and Policyholders’ Requirement to Mitigate Damages
- Assignment of Claims and Unauthorized Adjusting of Claims
- Insurers’ Right to Repair – Safeguards and Warranties for Consumers
- Non-Renewal of Policies – Post-Claim but Prior to Repairs
- Mortgage Company Withholding of Funds for Repairs for Loans in Arrears and Guarantee 100% Replacement Cost
- Mediation and Appraisal
- Other Issues Indentified by the Working Group
The goal of the group is to produce a report that includes recommended administrative or legislative reforms in the areas presented. In addition, the working group will review the current Policyholders’ Bill of Rights.
The working group will have two full-day workshops in Tallahassee. The workshops will be held in the Florida House of Representatives Capitol Complex, Committee Room 404, House Office Building today from 10:00 A.M. – 5:00 P.M., and tomorrow from 9:00 A.M. – 5:00 P.M. The workshops will be televised on the Florida Channel WFSU at http://thefloridachannel.org/. The conference call-in number for those who wish to listen to the workshop is 850-413-1558, Conference ID: 6125894.