A Senate committee next week will take up a potentially far-reaching bill that would make changes in Florida’s property-insurance system.
The Banking and Insurance Committee on Tuesday will consider a measure (SB 76), filed by Chairman Jim Boyd, a Republican from Bradenton, that seeks to reduce attorney fees and litigation in property-insurance disputes and limit the costs of claims for roof damage.
But who does the bill protect? An article by Karen Murphy in The Capitolist explains:
“Merlin Law Group president Chip Merlin of Tampa, specializes in representation of policyholders in disputes with insurance companies. He called the proposed legislation ‘the most anti-consumer anti-policyholder’ he has seen in quite some while.”