The Florida Office of Insurance Regulation (OIR) has launched a new webpage as part of its efforts to educate Florida consumers about the state’s ongoing challenges with assignment of benefits abuse.
The AOB resource webpage has been added to the OIR website and offers information about what an AOB is – a document signed by a policyholder that allows a third party, such as a water extraction company, a roofer, or a plumber, to “stand in the shoes” of the insured and seek direct payment from the insurance company. The site also includes information for Florida’s consumers about changes needed to discourage fraudulent AOB activity.
AOB’s have become prevalent in water and roof claims across the state, and because of loopholes in the way it is being used in the marketplace costs for homeowners are going up from unnecessary litigation associated with certain AOB claims, OIR advises.
The page also provides information on what consumers should expect in terms of rate increases because of the abuse.
“The new webpage provides a sobering projection of insurance rate increases homeowners can expect to see in the next five years without any legislative reform,” said a statement from OIR.
The site includes various presentations, video links, and news articles related to the AOB abuse.
“This issue is a primary legislative priority of [OIR] and our number one objective has been, and will continue to be, holding consumers harmless. [OIR] is supportive of legislation addressing attorneys’ fees and providing for additional protections for consumers,” the page advises consumers, with a link for visitors to follow if they wish to get involved or contact their legislative representative.
OIR has primary responsibility for regulation, compliance and enforcement of statutes related to the business of insurance and the monitoring of industry markets.
Source: Florida Office of Insurance Regulation
Related:
- Florida Senator Alleges ‘Smear Campaign’ After Industry-Backed AOB Bill Stalls
- Top Florida Stories of 2016: The AOB ‘Insurance Crisis’
- Florida’s AOB Abuse by the Numbers: ‘Alarming Trend’ Reaches Crisis Point
- Florida’s Citizens to Lawmakers: AOB Reform Must be Passed in 2017
- Florida Fights Back Against Assignment of Benefits Abuse
- Florida’s Citizens Says AOB Abuse to Blame for Statewide Rate
- First Florida Bill Addressing AOB Introduced for 2017 Session
- Report: Florida Water Loss Claims up 46 Percent in 5-Year Period
- Citizens Posts Net Loss of $27M for 2016; Says Water Losses, AOB to Blame
- Citizens Seeks Florida Agents’ Help Fighting Water Claims Abuse
- Heat Is on Florida Lawmakers to Fix Assignment of Benefits Crisis
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