Fla. Panel Advances Bill to Expand Insurance Consumer Advocate

Led by Sen. Bill Posey, R- Rockledge, the Florida Senate Banking and Insurance Committee unanimously approved Senate Bill 1884, which expands the Office of the Insurance Consumer Advocate.

“This bill puts consumers on more equal footing with insurance companies and gives them a louder voice,” Florida Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink said.

This bill gives the advocate the ability to intervene as a party in legal and administrative proceedings, access to the public model for hurricane loss projections, investigate insurance schemes or practices that adversely affect Floridians, appeal any action taken by the Office of Insurance Regulation, and hire additional staff in the areas of health and life insurance.

SB 1884 will now proceed to the Senate General Government Appropriations and Rules Committees, before being heard on the Senate Floor.

Source: www.fldfs.com