FPCA Volunteers Needed for July 23 Florida Insurance Consumer Advocate Claims/Damage Estimating Roundtable

The Office of the Florida Insurance Consumer Advocate has contacted Colodny Fass to request that members of the Florida Property and Casualty Association (“FPCA”) participate in a round table meeting with Florida Insurance Consumer Advocate Sean Shaw from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on July 23, 2009, at The Capitol in Tallahassee. 

Volunteers from the FPCA will join other members of the insurance and home repair/remodeling industries for an examination of how claim and repair estimates are developed and what can be done to bring uniformity to the process.

Based on a review of complaints received by the Office of the Florida Insurance Consumer Advocate, initial claim disputes appear to arise when a difference exists between damage and repair estimates.  Since many insurers use a more advanced estimating system than most building contractors, the ensuing discrepancy has been identified as having led to a prolonged dispute resolution process. 

Mr. Shaw believes that a streamlined, uniform cost estimate system will assist in reducing the expense of further property damage, mediation, appraisal, litigation and ultimately, premium increases. 

FPCA members are encouraged to participate in the July 23 forum.  Please contact Katie Webb at kwebb@cftlaw.com by Wednesday, July 15, if you are interested in sending a representative from your company to participate.

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