The Federal Emergency Management Agency (“FEMA”) has established the Interim Office of the Flood Insurance Advocate, effective December 22, 2014, which will be led by the Acting Flood Insurance Advocate, David Stearrett. The Advocate’s position was created by the Homeowner Flood Insurance Affordability Act of 2014 (HIFIAA). The Acting Flood Insurance Advocate and Interim Office … Continue Reading
I have long since come to terms with the fact that I am a nerd. Politics, sports, and insurance fascinate me to no end. Thus, I spend a good bit of time reading articles and searching the internet for information about these three subjects. However, since my fantasy football team lost in the first round … Continue Reading
On December 18, 2014, Dennis Kuhns, the Division Director of the Risk Insurance Division of Federal Emergency Management Agency (“FEMA”) issued Write Your Own (“WYO”) Bulletin W-14062, entitled, “FEMA Announces Launch of the Interim Office of the Flood Insurance Advocate.”… Continue Reading
Hurricane season just ended in Florida without any significant storm landing on our shores. As noted in Slow hurricane season could spell relief for Citizens Property Insurance policyholders,11 the 9-year break from storms should have stabilized the property insurance market and led to reduced premiums for policyholders. Unfortunately, the reality is a bit different. The … Continue Reading
Helping policyholders when their home or business has been damaged or destroyed can be especially heart wrenching during the holidays. Due to the way some insurance companies handle claims, some of our corporate clients cannot run their businesses or run them at max efficiency during this holiday season. Many of our homeowners with damaged or … Continue Reading
Last week, Corey Harris and I had the pleasure of speaking at the RMAPIA (Rocky Mountain Association of Public Insurance Adjusters) annual meeting. This organization consists of Public Adjusters who work in Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming. We covered many topics, including Colorado’s Homeowners Insurance Reform Act of 2013. This … Continue Reading
If you have ever had an insurance claim or negotiated a loss on behalf of a property owner, you would probably agree that one of the most frustrating aspects of the claims investigation process is the virtually endless set of documents requested from the insurance company. Finding and sending all the documents can take days, … Continue Reading
By now, everyone knows that the midterm elections produced joy for Republicans and sorrow for Democrats both nationally and here in Florida. Nationally, the Republicans took over control of the United States Senate and widened their control over the United States House of Representatives. Here in Florida, Gov. Rick Scott (Rep) was re-elected by a … Continue Reading
Florida Insurance Consumer Advocate Steve Burgess brings a wealth of consumer advocacy to his position. He was an excellent choice by Florida CFO Jeff Atwater. He spoke at the Florida Association of Public Insurance Adjusters (FAPIA) Fall Convention.… Continue Reading
If you have been a reader of our blog, you know that we have frequently partnered with and supported a non-profit organization called United Policyholders. This organization helps policyholders after a loss and has been an incredible help to insureds after catastrophic disasters like wildfires, earthquakes, and hurricanes.… Continue Reading
Several weeks ago, California Governor Jerry Brown signed a consumer protection bill (Assembly Bill No. 1804) that will allow more policyholders to designate a back-up contact to receive notices from their insurance companies when adverse actions are taken due to nonpayment of premiums.… Continue Reading
If organized criminals in Texas wanted to get off easier and pay less for their misdeeds, they would probably hire lobbyists to make up a propaganda campaign to change laws to go easier on crooks. This is similar to what the insurance industry and their trade groups plan to do in Texas this year – … Continue Reading
It’s no secret that public adjusters in Florida are subject to a number of strict rules and regulations. All it takes is a quick glance at Section 626.854 of the Florida Statutes and you’ll see that state law regulates almost every aspect of a public adjuster’s profession – from the days of the week to … Continue Reading
Insurance companies asking to increase property insurance rates by an average of 25% has been called excessive and unfairly discriminatory by the North Carolina Commissioners Office, but how will Commissioner Wayne Goodwin respond?… Continue Reading
National flood claims are having all kinds of problems in New Jersey and New York at an unprecedented level. What is causing this? The answer is obvious – the Write Your Own Carriers (WYO) and especially their attorneys have no penalties so long as they underpay claims. The only penalty, as repeated often by the … Continue Reading
On this blog, we often try to educate homeowners so they can be protected. In the past, we have urged homeowners to read their homeowner insurance policies and to ask questions if there are terms or provisions they do not understand. Well, here is another important tip: Obtain a copy of your policy from your … Continue Reading
On July 1, 2014, several law changes went into effect as a result of the Homeowner Claims Bill of Rights passed by the legislature earlier this year.… Continue Reading
When politicians uphold their promises, we should applaud them. Florida’s Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater was noted in my post last week, Public Adjuster Arrest, Umpire Ethics, and Good Faith Opinions–An Intriguing Story:… Continue Reading
On January 23, 2014, Florida’s First District Court of Appeal overturned a trial court order that found Citizens Property Insurance Corporation was immune from bad faith liability. The First District held that the statute subjecting insurers to bad faith liability for railing to act in good faith, also applies to Citizens.1… Continue Reading
Recently, Robin Westcott left her post as Florida’s Insurance Consumer Advocate, but even though Robin is gone, the Homeowners’ Policy & Claims Bill of Rights continues on. Robin Westcott left the ICA to start work as the vice president of governmental affairs for American Association of Insurance Services.… Continue Reading
In May, Universal Property & Casualty was fined 1.26 million dollars after an extended market review found new and repeated statutory insurance violations. Although Universal initially challenged the fine, a consent order was signed last week and Universal says it will pay, and has reportedly agreed to change its business practices. Nearly 300 denied claims … Continue Reading
Florida loses another policyholder advocate. On Tuesday, Robin Smith Westcott resigned from her appointed position as Florida’s Insurance Consumer Advocate. Ms. Westcott will leave her consumer post on October 31, 2013 to work for an advisory organization for insurance companies. Westcott will take a job as the vice president of governmental affairs for the American … Continue Reading
The insurance claims industry has a quiet battle raging with the roofing restoration industry. Insurance companies dislike some roofers’ sales tactics involving assignments of rights, agreeing to absorb deductibles, scope and pricing. Insurance companies have accused some roofing contractors of outright fraud.… Continue Reading
(Note: This guest blog is by Ashley Smith, a recent law graduate clerking in our Tampa, Florida, office) The New York Department of Financial Services provides New York insureds a way to grade their insurance companies. This consumer information, known as a report card, covers the insurers who compose the majority of the insurance market … Continue Reading