This post is dedicated to one thing: the Florida Consumer Claim Complaint form. If you have property in Florida that is damaged and you feel the claim is not being handled in the correct way by your insurer or something is not quite right, please log your complaint with the State. Without filing a consumer … Continue Reading
The next stop in our 50-state tour of claims handling requirments is the Keystone State. While New Jersey and Pennsylvania may have a bit of rivalry (Giants v. Eagles or Pennsylvania drivers in the left lane, for example). Their claims handling requirements are somewhat similar.… Continue Reading
The Rigsby sisters have now prevailed in the highest court of the land in their decade long fight against State Farm.1 The Rigsby sisters were catastrophe adjusters working for State Farm on Hurricane Katrina claims. I have noted this case for some time: The Insurance Adjuster’s Dilemma: Tell the Truth and Face the Consequences By … Continue Reading
Think robbers would want to turn over their secret plans and motives so their victims could discuss how they were ripped off and figure out among themselves what they could do to obtain justice from the robbers?… Continue Reading
We almost did too, because of the lack of notice and advertisement. But Lynn McCartney from the Florida Justice Association emailed the information to us just in time. Here is the Nov. 30th press release: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE November 30, 2016 Contact: Ashley Carr, CFO Atwater (850) 413 – 2842 Contact: Amy Bogner, Commissioner Altmaier … Continue Reading
If you have spent time handling your own insurance claim or are fortunate enough to represent policyholders in claims with their insruance carriers, you know that not all insurance companies are created equally. Some treat their customers very well. Some don’t. Likewise, not all states are equal when it comes to laws that … Continue Reading
The devastation that occurs from natural disasters such as Hurricane Matthew is unexpected and overwhelming. Natural disasters take a huge emotional toll on the human psyche and can drastically affect a person’s ability to function and cope. Initial feelings of shock and denial can quickly give way to a hyper-emotional state that could include debilitating … Continue Reading
Last Tuesday night, I held my head in my hands almost crying after Sean Shaw confirmed he won election to Florida’s House of Representatives by a little more than a hundred votes. I could see the relief in Sean’s eyes as well. Waiting for a jury verdict and results from an election have certain similar … Continue Reading
Critics thought that the storm was hyped too much because for such a long time, it was known only as a TD9. Now, Hurricane Hermine has made landfall as a Category One Hurricane just east of St. Marks, Florida but the impact that this storm has caused severe impacts many counties. A state of emergency … Continue Reading
California Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones must decide whether to approve an order signed by an administrative judge ordering State Farm pay its policyholders.… Continue Reading
This blog has followed the procedure and politics behind the departure of Kevin McCarty as Florida’s Insurance Commissioner. Commissioner McCarty has been a wonderful servant to the people of Florida. More specifically, he has been an excellent insurance commissioner under very difficult circumstances.… Continue Reading
I am using this blog to get the word our to all persons in Texas who care about working Texans and Texas businesses who pay insurance premiums every day. Please read below from Alex Winslow of Texas Watch and please go on the Texas Watch website and oppose this type of policy. I emailed Alex … Continue Reading
I wish I didn’t have to write this blog. I say that because although we are the Policyholder’s Advocate, and I’d rather blog about policy issues, case law, and statutes—not about impartiality or fraud regarding a government agency’s handling of the Sandy Review Process. However, these topics are pertinent to the field of law and … Continue Reading
Merlin Law Group’s own Brandee Bower was recently awarded the Pro Bono/Public Service Award from UMKC law school. This award is given to an alumnus who has made an outstanding contribution to the public welfare through the legal profession.… Continue Reading
In this day of lawyer Internet advertising, policyholders should carefully consider the lawyers they select. Most of my policyholder lawyer colleagues I have met and worked with over the years doing this type of property insurance litigation are hard-working and ethical. But some other law firms that rely heavily on advertising utterly fail, and cause … Continue Reading
Most times, Policyholders and Consumers don’t get intimately familiar with their insurance policies and the provisions until a claim destroys or damages their home or business. House Bill 79 addresses a provision called appraisal, the alternative dispute resolution process that is in some policies.… Continue Reading
About a year ago, I posted a blog, Kevin McCarty and the Florida Cabinet. At that time, there was chatter that Commissioner McCarty would be fired by the Financial Services Commission (made up of the Governor, Attorney General, and CFO). Thankfully, he was not let go.… Continue Reading
Speeches are significant, especially ones where courage is important to say what is really going on in the world. On Wednesday, I will be giving a speech about Texas attorneys using runners to obtain property insurance claims to the Texas Department of Insurance in Austin, Texas. Many of the stories and examples are from Texas … Continue Reading
My colleague Denise Sze recently blogged about the Butte and Valley wildfires. More than 5,000 homes were damaged or destroyed. Indeed, many residents face a painful road to recovery. Last week, to increase the speed of the recovery process for wildfire victims, California Insurance Commissioner Jones obtained agreements from several insurance companies to adopt various … Continue Reading
On November 9, 2015 at 11am, CAPIA renews its fight against Senate Bill 488 after the bill turned into a two year bill earlier this year. CAPIA will hold an informative membership general meeting to discuss the bill and reach out to all public adjusters to invite and encourage input into the needs of the … Continue Reading
Florida’s new Insurance Consumer Advocate, Sha’Ron James, will be in South Florida on Monday October 12 and Tuesday October 13 to speak with the public about insurance issues.… Continue Reading
On Wednesday, June 3rd, public adjusters will have a unique opportunity to get together with friends and colleagues on a festive evening. . .… Continue Reading
Spurred on by a request from a policyholder who has a bad experience with a public insurance adjuster, the New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance (DOBI) has proposed rule changes that will affect all New Jersey licensed public adjusters. The policyholder was sued by their public adjuster to recover fees. The matter went to … Continue Reading
Recently, as outlined in Nicole Vinson’s blog post, Will Kevin McCarty Remain Florida’s Insurance Commissioner?, it has become apparent that the Florida Insurance Commissioner is on the hot seat. Unfortunately, there is no good reason for him to be in such a position. I was quoted on this topic by the Miami Herald and stated: Kevin … Continue Reading
