For Immediate Release:
June 11, 2021
Contact:
For Consumer Protection Coalition:
Megan Sweat, (850-521-1258), media@flchamber.com
CPC statement on Governor DeSantis for signing Senate Bill 76
The Consumer Protection Coalition is grateful to Governor DeSantis for signing into law a property insurance reform bill that will address some of the cost drivers threatening the domestic market. That includes taking steps to address runaway attorney fees and questionable roofing repair solicitations that are fueling double-digit rate increases for consumers.
Senate Bill 76, which is now law, includes the Legislature’s first significant attorney fee reforms in years and contains language restricting roof repair solicitations that should help to reduce the number of frivolous and fraudulent roofing claims plaguing the marketplace.
Florida’s top insurance regulator has reported that the state’s domestic insurers suffered combined losses of more than $1.5 billion in 2020, and that while the state accounts for only eight percent of all the homeowners’ insurance claims in the U.S., it accounts for 76 percent of all homeowners’ insurance lawsuits.
The CPC is cautiously optimistic that provisions within the new law will help to mitigate rising coverage costs and lead to more choices for consumers. While more work may be needed in the future, the CPC applauds Governor DeSantis for his leadership on this issue, and Senate and House leaders for coming together this spring to approve this legislation.
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