Policyholders should exercise caution regarding digital “case runners” who engage in the unethical—and potentially criminal—practice of soliciting clients for attorneys after large-scale disasters. While it’s perfectly lawful for attorneys to advertise their services, the act of compensating non-attorneys to procure and refer clients breaches ethical standards. In many jurisdictions, this can also carry criminal penalties.
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 complaint, our Insurance Commissioner and CFO do not have an accurate read of how carriers are responding, or the problems Floridians are facing when their property is damaged.
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 Claims Handling Requirements by State – Pennsylvania
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:
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?
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, 2016Contact: Ashley Carr, CFO Atwater
(850) 413 – 2842
Contact: Amy Bogner, Commissioner Altmaier
(850) 413 – 2515CFO Jeff Atwater and Commissioner David Altmaier to Host Insurance Roundtable Marking the End of Hurricane Season
ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. – On Friday, December 2, 2016, Florida Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater and Insurance Commissioner David Altmaier will host a roundtable discussion focused on the 2016 Atlantic Hurricane Season, which ends today, November 30. Insurance company executives will join local leaders to discuss Hurricanes Hermine and Matthew, two storms that ended Florida’s decade-long hurricane-free streak.
Experts in their respective fields will present on topics including: the financial impact of the 2016 hurricane season, the federal flood insurance program, helping consumers through the insurance claims-filing process, and more.
Recent data reports show more than 100,000 insurance claims totaling $606 million in losses as a result of Hurricane Matthew and 18,000 insurance claims totaling $95 million as a result of Hurricane Hermine.
WHAT: 2016 Hurricane Season Roundtable
WHERE: Flagler College
Ringhaver Student Center, 2nd Floor Virginia Room
50 Sevilla Drive, St. Augustine, Fla.
WHEN: Friday, December 2
10:00am – 11:30am EST
Continue Reading Did You Miss the Hurricane Matthew Meeting with Florida CFO Jeff Atwater?
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 protect policyholders in their fight to get their claims paid properly.
Continue Reading Rutgers Law School and United Policyholders Launch Essential Protections for Policyholders Project
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 levels of anxiety, guilt helplessness, or depression. These trauma symptoms could likely affect a person’s ability to make rational decisions. Unfortunately, for those directly affected by the disaster, time is of the essence and proper decision making skills are an absolute necessity. Those that have suffered property damage must take the proper steps to protect themselves and the value of their property damage claim. During times of natural disaster, it is crucial to reach out for the proper assistance. It is imperative to stay connected to federal, state, and local agencies. The following is a quick reference guide to assist survivors with the information necessary to stay connected.
Continue Reading Quick Tips and Useful Links – Hurricane Matthew
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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 emotional similarities.
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 has already been declared for 51 counties in Florida.