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Boyd Leading on Consumer Reforms

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Focus on ACV & solicitations

Senator Jim Boyd

It’s week #4 of legislative committee weeks in Tallahassee, but the agenda is rather light this week on insurance issues.  The big news was last week, when the chair of the Senate Banking and Insurance Committee, Senator Jim Boyd (R-Bradenton) said he will file bills to further enhance consumer protections accomplished in this past spring’s legislative session.  Senator Boyd said he wants to allow insurance companies to offer policies covering actual cash value of older roofs, rather than full replacement value, to reduce a cost-driver contributing to double-digit rate increases.  That provision was removed from SB 76, which passed last spring and became law.  Boyd also wants to clarify the roofing solicitation language in SB 76 so that it passes court muster in current legal challenges in federal court that have resulted in a preliminary injunction on that part of the law.

Lisa chatting after her presentation with members of the Pensacola Association of Realtors

We salute Senator Boyd’s leadership in pursuing further reforms.  Insurance availability and affordability were of great concern at meetings I presented to last week at the Pensacola and the Navarre Area Board of Realtors.  These insightful Realtors are sounding the alarm that real estate closings will be in jeopardy without further consumer protections.  I explained the loopholes in the law that certain contractors and lawyers use to take advantage of homeowners.  My message to them: visit your state legislator. 

During committee week #3 (October 18-22) the House Insurance & Banking Subcommittee heard from Colonel Simon Blank, Director of the Department of Financial Services (DFS) Division of Investigative & Forensic Services.  He talked about the growth of insurance fraud and his team’s efforts to fight it.  Legislators also heard from Insurance Consumer Advocate Tasha Carter about her fraud awareness and prevention initiatives and how consumers are impacted by these market shenanigans. You can view their slide presentations here, especially Carter’s sample roofing contractor solicitation on page 23. 

Floridians for Lawsuit Reform last week did the math, declaring “If Hurricane Harvey occurred today, Citizens would be forced to pass on assessments of $11.6 billion to Florida taxpayers.”  That’s because Citizens Insurance, as the state-backed insurer of last resort, has been gaining an average of 5,000 new policies per week, from the growing lack of availability and affordability in the private market.  This reform organization is doing great work on behalf of consumers.  Their website and YouTube channel have examples of various solicitation practices.

Credit: Andy Marlette, Pensacola News Journal

Also new from the past two weeks is the announced DFS legislative priorities for the 2022 session.  They include a new Home Hardening Initiative proposal to provide a sales tax exemption for retrofit improvements that benefits both homeowners and businesses.  Some of the items included are impact resistant doors, windows and roof securements.  Also, Senator Jeff Brandes (R-Pinellas) has filed SB 610 that extends current COVID-19 liability protections for health care providers through December 2023.  It’s vintage Jeff Brandes, keeping up with everyone and recognizing the pandemic hasn’t gone away completely, so this bill simply extends current expiration dates of protections.

There are two more committee weeks scheduled after this week (Nov. 15-19 and Nov. 29-Dec.3) leading up to the start of the formal 60-day legislative session on January 11.  Governor DeSantis has called the legislature into special session November 15 to address coronavirus vaccine mandates.  

LMA Newsletter of 11-1-21

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Tags: Florida Homeowners Insurance Market, Florida Legislature 2022, Florida Property Insurance, Floridians for Lawsuit Reform, Insurance Litigation, Jeff Brandes, Jim Boyd, Navarre Area Board of Realtors, Pensacola Associations of Realtors, SB 76, Simon Blank, Tasha Carter

“Thank you Lisa for staying on top of, as well as advocating, for Florida residents and legislative reform. Your newsletters are very informative and enjoy reading the points of view.”  

Shawna Miller, Sr. Claims Quality Assurance & Compliance Manager
Florida Peninsula Insurance Company
Jacksonville, FL

“Lisa this is another great newsletter, and we appreciate the time and energy you put into these informative updates – you are on top of these topics!”

Mike Graham, CEO
Smart Vent Products, Floodproofing.com, & Risk Reduction Plus
Juno Beach, FL

“Just wanted to say that I thoroughly love your newsletter. It’s is always informative and insightful to the ins and outs of our industry.  You are an inspiration and an important asset in the insurance world.  Keep up the great work!” 

Cynthia Scott, President
University Insurance Group
Davie, FL

“Just a quick note to let you know how much I have appreciated your newsletter over the years and the assistance they offer for those in the field of claims. We depend on the information more than you will ever know!”

Laurie Rasberry, Chief Claims Officer
Acorn Claims
Prosper, Texas

“Great article on Risk Rating 2.0!”

Austin Perez, Senior Policy Representative for Federal Housing, Valuation, Insurance and Commercial Issues
National Association of Realtors
Washington, D.C.

“I have followed your weekly newsletter and podcasts and now have a full appreciation for what you bring to this industry.  You are an inspiring force, plain and simple.  I wanted you to know that you make a difference.  Thank you for all you do!”

Jeffrey Karam, CPCU
Bradenton, FL

“Lisa Miller is a true champion for the insurance industry, with her regular updates! We appreciate all you do and keeping us up to date on priority issues!”

Gillian Lloyd, Account Executive
Zywave
Milwaukee, WI

“Your newsletter is fabulous!  I greatly appreciate the topics you expose, so that insurance professionals like myself can keep up with the latest events that affect the public we serve and ourselves.”

Cynthia Hoehn, Independent Property & Casualty Personal Lines insurance agent
Clermont, FL

“Another great Newsletter on Florida industry this week.  Your service and advocacy in Florida is very important to keeping me updated and apprised of the Florida insurance laws, trends and overall environment.  Something similar is very much needed in Louisiana, too.”

Jennifer Tedesco, Esq., Claims Director
Pharos Claims Services
Orlando, FL

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