Florida Names Westcott as Insurance Consumer Advocate

Florida Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater said he is naming Robin Westcott, an attorney and longtime insurance watchdog, to the post of Insurance Consumer Advocate.

Westcott began her career in 1993 with the Florida Department of Insurance, Division of Rehabilitation and Liquidation. She served with the department until 2001, when she entered private practice. Westcott returned to the public sector in 2002 with the Florida Agency for Workforce Innovation, where she served as assistant general counsel and counsel to the Florida Partnership for School Readiness. In 2004, she returned to the Office of Insurance Regulation, most recently serving as the acting deputy commissioner of property and casualty.

Atwater said Westcott’s expertise will be asset to policyholders trying to resolve conflicts with insurers.

Over the last several years, Westcott has repeatedly called on the insurance industry to hand over data on various insurance products important to consumers, including auto insurance and sinkhole coverage. She has also called for accountability from insurance companies charging excessive fees for servicing policyholders through affiliated companies.

In addition the new duties, Westcott will also continue to serve as the executive director of the Medicaid and Public Assistance Fraud Strike Force.

Topics Florida