summary
Introduced
02/27/2025
02/27/2025
In Committee
03/06/2025
03/06/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2025 Regular Session
Bill Summary
An act relating to property insurance claims; amending s. 627.7015, F.S.; establishing a mandatory procedure for resolution of disputed insurance claims; deleting the alternative procedure for resolution of disputed insurance claims; providing legislative intent and purpose; requiring certain entities to administer a specified law in a certain manner; requiring insurers, at specified times, to notify policyholders of the mandatory procedure; requiring the Department of Financial Services to prepare a consumer information pamphlet to be provided to policyholders at a specified time; authorizing a policyholder to file with the Division of Administrative Hearings a petition to resolve claims; specifying requirements for the filing and service of such petition; requiring the administrative law judge to review the petition and dismiss certain petitions; requiring that the petition include a certain certification; specifying that a dismissal of the petition or a portion of the petition is without prejudice and does not require a hearing; requiring the insurer to pay the requested claim or file a response to the petition in a specified timeframe; specifying filing and content requirements for the petition; requiring the administrative law judge to conduct proceedings in a specified manner; providing an exception; requiring the administrative law judge to make a final determination of total coverage within a specified timeframe; revising the definition of the term “claim”; repealing ss. 627.70151, 627.70152, 627.70153, and 627.70154, F.S., relating to appraisal clauses in property insurance contracts, suits arising under a property insurance policy, consolidation of residential property insurance actions, and mandatory binding arbitration of property insurance policies, respectively; creating s. 627.7156, F.S.; specifying that the homeowner’s insurance policy insurer is the primary insurer under certain circumstances; requiring such insurer to pay the insured’s loss according to specified terms; providing such insurer with the right to seek subrogation; amending ss. 627.351, 627.70131, and 627.7074, F.S.; conforming provisions to changes made by the act; providing an effective date.
AI Summary
This bill establishes a mandatory procedure for resolving disputed property insurance claims in Florida, replacing the previous alternative dispute resolution method. Under the new system, policyholders can file a petition with the Division of Administrative Hearings to resolve claims that are due and owing. The bill requires insurers to notify policyholders about this mandatory procedure and provides specific requirements for filing and responding to petitions. Within 14 days of receiving a petition, insurers must either pay the requested claim or file a detailed response explaining why the claim is not being paid. The administrative law judge must review the petition, potentially dismiss incomplete petitions, and make a determination of coverage within 60 days, with a final determination of the total coverage amount to be made within 180 days. The bill also creates a provision specifying that for claims involving multiple insurance policies (such as homeowner's, windstorm, and flood insurance), the homeowner's insurance provider will be the primary insurer and can seek subrogation from other insurers. Additionally, the bill repeals several existing statutes related to appraisal clauses and alternative dispute resolution in property insurance claims, streamlining the claims resolution process and aiming to provide a more efficient method for policyholders to resolve insurance disputes.
Sponsors (1)
Last Action
Indefinitely postponed and withdrawn from consideration (on 05/03/2025)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2025/1508 |
| BillText | https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2025/1508/BillText/Filed/HTML |
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