Insurers see a scam, critics see an excuse to
raise rates |
Article Courtesy of The Tampa Bay Times
By John
Romano
Published
March 27, 2016
Let's give them the benefit of the doubt.
Let's assume the attorneys are entirely benevolent, the insurance
companies have your best interest at heart and the contractors haven't
exploited a rigged system.
Even if that's all true, we may still have a problem.
Insurance claims for non-storm related water damage in homes are on the
rise, both in numbers and in cost. The numbers are rising so fast,
insurers say, that you will soon be paying higher rates because too many
people are cashing in on a technicality.
"It's a bigger problem right now in South Florida, but it is absolutely
coming up the state,'' said William Stander, executive director of the
Florida Property & Casualty Association, an insurance trade group. "The
use of these assignment (claims) is on the rise in both the Orlando and
Tampa markets.''
At issue is a legal/business practice known as "assignment of
benefits''.
Consumer advocates and insurance companies both agree the concept behind
these assignment claims is a good one. For the most part, they exist to
help individual homeowners bypass insurance red tape and get repairs
done quickly.
Here's how it works:
You come home from a late movie to find a pipe has burst in the bathroom
and your floor is flooded. You call a plumber and a home clean-up
company at midnight, and they suggest you sign an "assignment of
benefits'' form.
This document means the contractors are now the ones dealing with your
insurance company, including any legal disputes that may arise over the
cost of repairs.
For the individual homeowner, it can be a great tool. Your home is fixed
quickly, and hassles are kept to a minimum.
But insurance companies say it has become ripe for abuse, and it's
costing them so much money that it's now driving up Florida's already
nation-high rates.
The problem, supposedly, is contractors are filing excessive bills while
finishing repairs before insurance adjustors even arrive. If the
insurance company balks at paying, it's turned over to lawyers who are
also operating under the "assignment of benefits.''
The insurance companies say it has become a cottage industry. Water
damage claims have risen 46 percent since 2010, according to state
officials, and the number of "assignment of benefits'' agreements have
nearly tripled.
To make the point that it's become more of a profit-driven loophole
rather than a consumer protection issue, Stander says a handful of law
firms are now handling more than 50 percent of the lawsuits. Since most
of the claims start out legitimately — the issue is exaggeration —
insurance companies typically settle rather than go to court.
"As these losses grow, the insurance company has got to charge for it,''
Stander said. "If these assignments continue to grow, we have to plan
accordingly.''
Citizens Property Insurance president and CEO Barry Gilway recently told
his Board of Governors that this is becoming a crisis. Citizens rates in
South Florida will likely rise the maximum 10 percent annually for the
foreseeable future, which could means hundreds or even thousands of
dollars in higher bills for homeowners.
Lobbyists for the industry have been trying to get lawmakers to pass
reforms the past few years, but the Legislature has not yet acted.
So should the politicians get involved?
Perhaps, but only if they make sure the pendulum doesn't swing too far
in any one direction. "Assignment of benefits'' exists for a reason. The
typical homeowner has neither the time nor the expertise to deal with
insurance companies, and they often get the run-around in times of
emergency.
If insurance companies want to cut down on the so-called middle man,
they need to be more attentive to the needs of their customers.
They need to hire more adjustors and get them on the scene much quicker.
And the state needs to revise a law that gives insurance companies up to
90 days to pay or deny a claim.
If it's true that some contractors and lawyers have taken advantage of
the "assignment of benefits'' provision, you can be reasonably sure that
some insurance companies will take advantage if the law is somehow
weakened.
On second thought, let's not give anyone the benefit of the doubt.
|