Volume 2 Issue 2 ● 2nd Quarter 2010
Dear Floridian:
In May, the Office of the Insurance Consumer Advocate petitioned the Office of Insurance Regulation (OIR) to launch an investigation into The Hartford’s practices when revoking disability benefits. You can find a description of the allegations in this quarter’s newsletter. These practices were also featured on Good Morning America on April 7, 2010. In addition to the investigation, Sean Shaw sought to protect consumers by forming the Florida Insurance Consumer Coalition. The coalition and its members pooled resources to better represent consumers on all insurance issues before the Legislature during the most recent legislative session. Sean Shaw, and several coalition members, supported Senator Ronda Storms’ amendment (267518) to Senate Bill 2044. Consumers can read why the amendment is advantageous to Floridians inside this edition of the newsletter. Read more...
ICA Shaw Recommends Investigation of The Hartford Business Practices
ABC’s Good Morning America reported on Wednesday, April 7, 2010 that the Office of the Insurance Consumer Advocate (ICA) has launched a special review of The Hartford Insurance Company. Consumers can find an explanation of this review inside this quarter’s newsletter.
ICA Supports Property Insurance Bill Amendment
Florida’s Insurance Consumer Advocate Sean Shaw applauded Senator Ronda Storms’ amendment to Senate Bill 2044. Amendment 267518 would ensure that Florida’s insurance consumers, who have experienced a loss, are not further victimized by undue hardship in the replacement of their personal property. Inside this newsletter consumers will find an explanation of how the amendment would further ensure prompt payment for the repaired property.
Insurance Consumer Advocate Sean Shaw Forms Coalition to Fight for Florida Consumers
Florida Insurance Consumer Advocate Sean Shaw announced on March 3, 2010 the formation of the Florida Insurance Consumer Coalition, a group of insurance consumer organizations that will work together to weigh-in and advocate for issues impacting Florida’s insurance consumers. Consumers who wish to know more about the coalition can find a press release in this issue about the formation of the coalition.
ICA Shaw Offers Consumers Tips on Navigating the Claims Process in Preparation for Hurricane Season
June 1st will usher in another hurricane season, and consumers should begin preparing for the potential of a storm making landfall in Florida. Hurricane preparedness also entails understanding the claims process in the event of storm damage. To help all of Florida’s citizens prepare for the upcoming hurricane season, the Office of the Insurance Consumer Advocate prepared an advisory on navigating the claims process. Consumers who would like more information are encouraged to read this advisory which is contained in this newsletter.
ICA Sean Shaw Discusses the Effect of Automobile Recalls on Consumers’ Insurance Coverage
In response to the recent congressional hearings regarding the Toyota recall, Insurance Consumer Advocate Sean Shaw answered questions consumers may have regarding their automobile coverage in the event of a recall. If you have been affected by a recall, you will find some useful information inside this quarter’s newsletter.
ICA Sean Shaw Consumer Tips about Auto Accidents and Filing a Claim
Just about everyone can agree that accidents happen, but what should consumers do when they find themselves in an automobile accident? The Office of the Insurance Consumer Advocate would like to share some information regarding automobile insurance and accident protocol. These tips should provide assistance to consumers during the summer months when the amount of drivers on the road increases. Thus, we encourage any consumer who drives to read this article inside this newsletter.
ICA Sean Shaw Provides Advice for Consumers When Disputing Claims
When claim disputes between policyholders and insurance companies occur, it is important for consumers to know what to do in the event that they are unhappy with the settlement offer. Many issues arise that may compel consumers to contest a settlement offer. As a result, the Office of the Insurance Consumer Advocate would like to share some information with consumers about how to resolve a disputed claim. As hurricane season approaches this information is especially valuable and ICA Shaw encourages all property owners to read this article.
ICA Sean Shaw Recognizes National Kidney Awareness Month and Supports End-Stage Renal Disease Access Legislation
In recognition of National Kidney Awareness Month, the Office of the Insurance Consumer Advocate would like to provide consumers with information about End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) and dialysis treatment coverage. ESRD requires an extensive amount of time and care and usually includes dialysis treatment in order to sustain life. According to The National Kidney Foundation, 26 million American adults have chronic kidney disease and millions of others are at increased risk. ESRD can be caused by various factors such as diabetes, hypertension and genetic history. To help consumers who have been affected by this disease, this issue of the newsletter contains information regarding the insurance needs of these consumers.
ICA Shaw Discusses the Effects of Boomerangers on Family Insurance Coverage
As the United States economy continues to recover, many recent graduates find themselves without employment and forced to move in with their parents. “Boomerangers” are young adults who are unable to financially support themselves, because of layoffs and hiring freezes in this difficult economy are making it tough for young professionals to achieve financial stability. This is especially important as many consumers have children who are recently graduating college or will be graduating during the summer. Thus, we recommend these consumers take some time and read this article contained in this newsletter to ensure that their insurance coverage is adequate.
ICA Sean Shaw’s Insurance Advice for Newlyweds Part I - Insuring Your Life Together
As summer approaches, many couples will make one of the most important decisions of their lives, marriage. However, each year many couples forget that there are crucial decisions to make regarding their post-nuptial insurance needs. The Office of the Florida Insurance Consumer Advocate prepared a three part series to aid newlyweds with their post-nuptial insurance decisions. In the first part of the series, ICA Shaw provided newlyweds with information on Health and Life Insurance in order to aid these couples in making the proper decisions on regarding these types of insurance.
ICA Sean Shaw’s Insurance Advice for Newlyweds Part II—Protecting Your Joint Assets
In the first part of this series life and health insurance issues were discussed. In the second installment of this series, insurance issues relating to personal assets were discussed. Marriage means not only increasing the size of your family, but also increasing the amount of possessions in your home. As consumers join all aspects of their lives in marriage, there are some issues that should be discussed if the new family seeks to protect all of their assets. If you are expecting to get married or are already married, inside this newsletter you will find some useful information relating to insuring your assets.
ICA Sean Shaw’s Insurance Advice for Newlyweds Part III—Later in Life Insurance Needs
In the first part of this series life and health insurance issues were discussed. In the second installment of this series, insurance issues relating to personal assets were discussed. In the third, and final, edition of this series insurance needs for later in life were discussed. Although it is an unpleasant thought, couples should have a plan should a serious, non-lethal injury befall either spouse. To help consumers plan for these unfortunate events this edition of the newsletter contains information on Disability Income Insurance and Long-Term Care Insurance.
Public Adjusters: An Alternative to Handling a Claim on Your Own
In a continuing effort to make sure that consumers are prepared for this hurricane season, the Office of the Insurance Consumer Advocate believes it is necessary for consumers to understand what public adjusters do and what services they provide.
Immediately after experiencing a loss, there are certain steps that all consumers should take whether they hire a public adjuster or not. Most claims are resolved quickly and repairs can be done expeditiously, but the claims process can be stressful, especially for homeowners or business owners dealing with the emotional experience of a major loss.
The Insurance Consumer Advocate is appointed by Florida Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink and is committed to finding solutions to insurance issues facing Floridians, calling attention to questionable insurance practices, promoting a viable insurance market responsive to the needs of Florida’s diverse population and assuring that rates are fair and justified.