Bowing to pressure from Governor Rick Scott and insurance lobbying groups, the Florida Legislature passed House Bill 119, dramatically changing automobile insurance personal injury protection benefits. According to Governor Scott and big insurance companies, reform was necessary to combat fraud which was causing Florida residents’ motor vehicle insurance costs to soar.
Consumer advocates were disappointed with the “reform.” “Floridians are in for a rude awakening,” Florida Consumer Action Network spokesman Bill Newton said. “Instead of measures aimed at preventing true fraud, we’re left with a bill that pads the pockets of big insurance companies.”
It is not clear that facts even support the purported basis for the bill. According to Insure.com, the average premium in Florida is $1,476 a year, while the national average is $1,500.
Why was Governor Scott so interested in this legislation? The legislation appeared dead on Wednesday with the House and Senate at a stalemate. However, on March 7, 2012, Governor Scott’s Political Action Committee received $100,000.00 from United Group Underwriters, an affiliate of United Automobile Insurance Company. On Thursday, Governor Scott went to work to get the bill passed. According to the Miami Herald, a lawyer familiar with the legislation, David Kuczenski said, “What’s really interesting is the governor and insurance commissioner are becoming like voices for the insurance industry as opposed to the consumers.” That’s not surprising when the Governor is for sale.
Read more in the Miami Herald. And this Miami Herald article too.
United Auto Insurance Company is well known to Tallahassee insurance regulators. Based in Miami Gardens Florida, over the past ten years The Florida Department of Financial Services has received more than 7,600 complaints of unlawful practices by this company.
Under the new PIP law, policy holders injured in motor vehicle accidents will not receive the PIP benefits they purchased unless they seek treatment within 14 days of the accident. These payments will be capped at $2,500.00 even though the policy holder purchased $10,000.00 in benefits, unless a medical care provider certifies that the insured person has an “emergency medical condition.”
The 2012 PIP Legislation dramatically limits Floridians health care choices. The government has chosen to take over Floridian’s medical decision making including when, where and how Floridians receive treatment. For consumers, the legislation represents a significant blow to their ability to control their own medical care. Consumers can no longer decide when they will seek treatment, how often they may see their doctor, or even from whom they will receive treatment.
If you have any questions or concerns regarding your rights under this law, please contact us at (888) 888-3903 for a free consultation.
It is not clear that facts even support the purported basis for the bill. According to Insure.com, the average premium in Florida is $1,476 a year, while the national average is $1,500.
Why was Governor Scott so interested in this legislation? The legislation appeared dead on Wednesday with the House and Senate at a stalemate. However, on March 7, 2012, Governor Scott’s Political Action Committee received $100,000.00 from United Group Underwriters, an affiliate of United Automobile Insurance Company. On Thursday, Governor Scott went to work to get the bill passed. According to the Miami Herald, a lawyer familiar with the legislation, David Kuczenski said, “What’s really interesting is the governor and insurance commissioner are becoming like voices for the insurance industry as opposed to the consumers.” That’s not surprising when the Governor is for sale.
Read more in the Miami Herald. And this Miami Herald article too.
United Auto Insurance Company is well known to Tallahassee insurance regulators. Based in Miami Gardens Florida, over the past ten years The Florida Department of Financial Services has received more than 7,600 complaints of unlawful practices by this company.
Under the new PIP law, policy holders injured in motor vehicle accidents will not receive the PIP benefits they purchased unless they seek treatment within 14 days of the accident. These payments will be capped at $2,500.00 even though the policy holder purchased $10,000.00 in benefits, unless a medical care provider certifies that the insured person has an “emergency medical condition.”
The 2012 PIP Legislation dramatically limits Floridians health care choices. The government has chosen to take over Floridian’s medical decision making including when, where and how Floridians receive treatment. For consumers, the legislation represents a significant blow to their ability to control their own medical care. Consumers can no longer decide when they will seek treatment, how often they may see their doctor, or even from whom they will receive treatment.
If you have any questions or concerns regarding your rights under this law, please contact us at (888) 888-3903 for a free consultation.
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