assignment of benefits (AOB) News

With Inadequate Natural Catastrophe Prices, Swiss Re Gives Florida a Wide Berth

Premium rates for natural catastrophe risks in Florida continue to be inadequate, which is why Swiss Re is giving that market a wide berth — for the time being, at least. “Historically we believe the Florida market has been underpriced …

Florida Appeals Court: Pre-Suit Notices Required in AOB Cases After July 2019

In a decision that’s being called a win for insurers, Florida’s 4th District Court of Appeals held last week that the statutory notice of intent to sue applies to all assignment-of-benefits agreements signed after the 2019 law was enacted, even …

Secondary Perils Responsible for Growing Share of Disaster Claims: RMS

Not only did natural catastrophes in 2021 break insurance claims records, but they also highlighted the growing cost of non-modeled characteristics of disasters, which are altering the industry’s understanding of these risks, according to a report published by RMS. “Secondary …

Three Years From Loss, Not Denial, Appeals Court Holds in Carolina AOB Case

In a property insurance claims dispute, the statute of limitations’ clock starts ticking on the date of the loss, not the date the insurance company allegedly breached the contract, a federal court has decided in a North Carolina assignment-of-benefits case. …

Hurricane Irma’s ‘Last Gasp’: 3-Year Claims Deadline Put to the Test

It’s been 3 years since Hurricane Irma made landfall in Florida as a Category 4 storm, and the trail of damage left in its wake is still being felt across the state today, particularly by the insurance industry as it …

Florida High Court Rejects Strems Bid to Dissolve Suspension; Contempt Petition Filed

A Florida attorney accused of causing great public harm through a “vast campaign of unprofessional, unethical, and fraudulent conduct,” by way of thousands of insurer lawsuits has lost his latest battle to overturn his suspension and now faces a petition …

Suspension of Florida Lawyer Accused of Causing ‘Great Public Harm’ Justified: Judge

A Florida judge has recommended the Florida Supreme Court deny the motion to dissolve the suspension of a Florida attorney who, with his firm, has filed thousands of assignment of benefit and first party lawsuits against Florida property insurers over …

Florida’s Citizens Accuses Embattled Law Firm, Others of Sham Lawsuits, Racketeering

Florida’s state-run Citizens Property Insurance Corp. has joined a chorus of insurance companies accusing the Strems Law Firm of lawsuit abuse. Citizens says it has lost millions of dollars due to an alleged scheme of “sham” claims by the law …

Reinsurers Maintain Upward Pricing Momentum-But Will It Last?

Positive pricing momentum—it’s the favorite phrase of many reinsurance executives, who are hoping that the momentum they’ve seen in 2019 will continue during the coming January renewals and beyond. The question is whether they will be disappointed, once again. Over …

Fake Claims, Price Gouging, Bogus Contractors: How Fraudsters Steal Disaster Aid

As the scale and frequency of major disasters escalate, millions of dollars in federal, state and insurance payments intended for recovery efforts are being stolen by fraudsters taking advantage of chaos and the pipeline of aid flowing into the stricken …