Mr. Bob Ritchie and me in Tallahassee
This past week I had the privilege of sitting in the Senate gallery with CEO Bob Ritchie of American Integrity Insurance Company and a longtime supporter and client of Lisa Miller & Associates. Joining us were many other colleagues and consumers to watch the debate on final passage of the Assignment of Benefits Reform Bill (HB 7065/SB 122).
Senator Doug Broxson, a warrior in my book, beat back several attempts by “bad actors” (a term coined by the House bill sponsor Rep. Bob Rommel of Naples) to stop this much needed law from passing. You will read more about the substance of the final bill that is awaiting the Governor’s signature in our lead story but suffice to say that having an insurance company leader by our side was particularly impactful.
For the past many sessions individual CEOs and leaders have come to advocate for AOB change but this year is memorable because of the tenacity of legislative leaders who were finally receptive to the message that this isn’t about insurance companies, it’s about you and me as property insurance rate payers. The math put forth by Mr. Ritchie, using statistics from CaseGlide, the country’s leading lawsuit tracking system – plus data from regulators and legislative staff reflecting thousands of lawsuits – was compelling. So was key testimony from vendors, including Alachua County roofing contractor Senator Keith Perry, who said he’s been in business 40 years and never used an assignment document.
Not surprising, the father of AOB himself now has this video on the street asking folks to hurry up and file their AOB lawsuits before July 1, when the new law would take effect.
So to say this past week is one for the memory books is an understatement. It’s the culmination of seven years of diligence and hard work by many. Hope each of you can be in Tampa on May 6 at the Oxford Exchange for a Lunch & Learn AOB live seminar about what this law does and how it will moderately change the lawsuit games of Mr. Cohen and his brethren. (You can RSVP to Stacy Simmons at [email protected] to reserve your complimentary seat – CE credit information is pending)
This Friday, May 3 is the last day of the 2019 legislative session. If any of you want to come join and join democracy, please do so. Happy to host you
!
LMA Newsletter of 4-29-19
