A controversial bill has been passed by Florida’s Senate Banking and Insurance committee. The bill could increase the premiums paid by customers of Citizens Property Insurance by 25% and will eliminate coverage for some homeowners over time for properties whose value exceeds $500,000. Strict requirements will also be imposed, preventing homeowners from being able to enter the insurance program unless their only alternatives are 25% more expensive than coverage offered by Citizens. Representative Alan Hays of Umatilla, one of the bill’s sponsors, claims that raising premiums is the very last…
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Homeowners insurance premiums on the rise
Insurance rates are increasing all across America. Homeowner’s policies, automotive and healthcare have all seen sizeable increases over the last few years. It’s looking like 2011 will be no different; several states will be seeing moderate to substantial increases to their homeowner’s policies. Homeowner’s across the United States have been seeing an increase in premiums for several years. The first major increase was due to the 2004 and 2005 hurricane season; the damage in those two years (especially from hurricane Katrina), caused massive claims and payouts. Many agree that as…
Read MorePersonal injury fraud is costing us all!
Lawmakers will be focusing on ways to control auto insurance prices; mainly, by reducing the amount of scams and civil lawsuits associated with bogus personal injury claims. Staged accidents are costing law enforcement, insurance companies and private tax payers millions of dollars a year. In most states, insurance fraud is a (2nd degree) felony, with a minimum, mandatory two year prison term if convicted. In some states, like Florida, organized crime rings committing auto related accidents have gotten so out of control, the insurance industry has developed special investigation units.…
Read MoreProgressive offers a huge discount with new “Pay As You Drive” program
Earlier this year, the Progressive insurance company began offering Florida residents a pay-as-you-drive insurance program. Dubbed Snapshot, the program gives consumers lower rates of approximately 30% on average, based on their driving behavior. The insurer analyses driving habits with the help of a small device that is installed in vehicles. According to the insurer, the device has tracked over two billion miles, and is now ready to be used throughout the nation. Drivers that signed up are reporting a savings on average of $150 annually. Progressive notes that the possible…
Read MoreFlorida Property Insurance Reform Underway
In Tallahassee Florida, the fight for the insurance reform could mean an expensive cost of millions of dollars to the concerned customers during the legislative session. According to the private insurance industry, Citizens Property Insurance – a government run company, should raise its rates to its customers as well as reduce the coverage for them since they cannot possibly compete with these. The state lawmakers are now considering this and it could lead to a rapid increase of payments for the residents of Tallahassee. Similar changes have been noted, such as…
Read MoreAre no-fault insurance laws creating fertile ground for fraudlent claims activity?
Florida legislators are facing pressure to make changes to the state’s no-fault auto insurance laws. Several insurers want to see changes that would help reduce the amount of fraudulent claims they are receiving. State law requires that drivers have personal injury protection coverage that would help them pay medical expenses whether or not they were at fault. The law is designed to avoid lawsuits but insurers are saying that it is creating incentive for drivers to stage accidents. The Property Casualty Insurers Association of America, along with the Florida Chamber…
Read MoreProgressive announces new options in car insurance
Progressive, the second largest auto insurer in Florida, has announced their new program that will provide discounts to drivers that spend less time on the road. To be eligible for the coverage, drivers must allow the insurer to track how much they drive. This usage based insurance is designed to encourage people to drive less, lowing greenhouse emissions, and also to provide more accurate pricing on auto policies. The plan will specifically benefit travelers who leave their cars parked at airports for several days, families with additional, less used vehicles,…
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