Property Casualty Insurers Association of America (PCI) Launches www.InsuranceFraudUncovered.com to Fight Florida Auto Insurance Fraud
Feb 9, 2011
William Stander, Assistant Vice President of State Government Relations for the Property Casualty Insurers Association of America (“PCI”), announced on February 8, 2011 that PCI has launched www.InsuranceFraudUncovered.com to help inform the public, opinion leaders and Florida lawmakers about the seriousness of the auto insurance fraud problem currently plaguing the State of Florida.
Because Florida leads the nation in staged accidents and questionable auto claims, the resultant cost of insurance fraud has greatly contributed to higher insurance costs that affect all Floridians, many of whom do not yet know the magnitude of the problem or how it impacts them.
By presenting anecdotal and statistical fraud-related evidence, PCI’s new Web site demonstrates the impact of fraud on all motorists across the State of Florida. The site also provides tools for grassroots involvement, through which PCI will mobilize citizens to contact their legislators and push for action to rein in the pervasive problem of fraud.
To support this new Web site, PCI soon will also be launching a publicity effort targeted to the media, business community and elected officials as part of the organization’s effort to pass legislation to repair the State’s Personal Injury Protection (PIP) system.
In his announcement, Mr. Stander recognizes the “very generous” financial support that has enabled PCI to launch this project and extends his thanks to all who continue to participate. Contributions are still needed to fund the project’s mobilization and public affairs efforts.
In addition to financial support, Mr. Stander strongly encourages interested parties to take the following steps:
1) “Prime the pump” for grassroots action, which PCI will trigger in early March 2011. Start by taking the necessary steps to activate your company’s grassroots capabilities by encouraging employees and policyholders to visit www.InsuranceFraudUncovered.com to learn more about the issue and contact their elected officials. To aid in this effort, PCI sample messaging is available that can be used to engage local employees and policyholders on this issue. A copy of these sample letters is attached for use. Contact PCI’s Michael Gilhooly (michael.gilhooly@pciaa.net) with any questions or requests for assistance with grassroots strategies.
2) Send examples of insurance fraud-related stories that can be featured on www.InsuranceFraudUncovered.com to Cliston Brown (cliston.brown@pciaa.net) at PCI. Securing this type of information is critical to the anti-fraud effort, because the more real life examples of fraud that can spotlighted in the public domain, the better PCI’s chances of achieving the passage of legislative reform during the upcoming Florida Legislative Session.
Should you have any questions or comments, please contact Colodny Fass.