Assignment of Benefits (AOB) property insurance abuse in Florida is a prevalent issue leading to higher rates for homeowners all across the Sunshine State. AOB allows contractors to represent the insured to obtain payment from insurance agencies for services rendered. Even though AOB has been around for more than 100 years, loopholes have resulted in […]
Avoid Escrow Fraud and Work with Licensed Agent
Escrow fraud is not a new problem, it’s been covered in the media for years. Florida’s CFO has issued a press release concerning the conduct of an unlicensed Miami man who represented himself as an insurance agent, and stands charged with 72 counts of fraud. George Garcia, 69, is suspected of embezzling nearly $50,000 in […]
Florida Insurance Scam Alert!
Just in time for a renewal of hurricane season, along come the scammers. You have to admit, this time they aimed high by impersonating Insurance Commissioner David Altmaier himself. These emails were first brought to everyone’s attention on September 8, but as with all scams the news rarely gets to the people it needs to. […]
Miami Condo Boards Ripping Off Consumers
Almost everyone in SoFlo has read the Miami Herald’s article about condominium boards thumbing their noses at the law by charging exorbitant fees. Just because people don’t know it’s illegal does not make it alright. Instead of charging the $100 fee per applicant – with married couples and parents with children being counted as one […]
Assignment of Benefits in Florida is Out of Control
If the legislature in Tallahassee was a football player, they would be Jim Marshall – the defensive end for the Minnesota Vikings who in 1964 ran 66 yards the wrong way into his own end zone. The legislative session has adjourned with a complete failure to pass any solution to the out-of-control Assignment of Benefits […]
Takedown, Shakedown, You’re Busted: Personal Injury Protection Fraud
A recent report in the Orlando Sentinel says that auto insurance fraud is no longer growing. This should be taken in the same spirit as news that Mount St. Helens no longer erupts. A 2012 law was designed to put the brakes on auto insurance fraud, but instead has resulted in Florida starring in an […]
Abuse of the Law: How Corrupt Contractors Can Scam You With an Assignment of Benefits
It’s a natural instinct: have as little to do with paperwork as possible. This goes double for emergency situations, such as water damage, when you require work to be done fast and without hassle. Apart from honest craftsmen, there are contractors who are more interested in making a quick buck at your expense than helping […]
Avoiding Homeowners Insurance Fraud at the Hands of Your Contractor
Your home is a sanctuary. It’s where you go to get away from the stress of the outside world and spend time with those closest to you. Unfortunately, just because your home is a special place doesn’t mean that it is impervious to the threat of fraudulent activity. In fact, the Nebraska Department of Insurance’s […]