summary
Introduced
11/18/2025
11/18/2025
In Committee
11/24/2025
11/24/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
01/09/2026
01/09/2026
Introduced Session
2026 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 property insurance claims; deleting obsolete provisions; revising 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 specified times; authorizing a policyholder or an insurer to file a petition with the Division of Administrative Hearings to resolve certain claims; specifying requirements for the filing and service of such petition; requiring the department to inform policyholders of the location of the Division of Administrative Hearings and the division's website address; specifying that the parties to the claim must bear the cost of certain conferences; requiring an administrative law judge to review the petition upon receiving it; requiring the administrative law judge to dismiss petitions that do not contain specified information; requiring that the petition include a certain certification; specifying that dismissal of a hb459-00 petition or a portion of a petition is without prejudice and does not require a hearing; specifying that motions to dismiss must be handled in a specified manner; requiring the insurer to pay the requested claim or file a response to the petition within a specified timeframe; specifying filing and content requirements for the insurer's response to 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 amount within a specified timeframe; requiring such amount to be paid in a specified manner; 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; 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 system. Under the new process, policyholders or insurers can file a petition with the Division of Administrative Hearings to resolve claims that are ripe, due, and owing. The petition must include specific details about the claim, such as the policyholder's and insurer's contact information, a detailed description of the loss, and the reasons for the dispute. Within 14 days of receiving the petition, the insurer must either pay the requested claim or file a response explaining why the claim was not paid. An administrative law judge will review the petition and is required to make a final determination of the total coverage amount within 180 days, which must then be paid to the policyholder or held in escrow. The bill eliminates previous provisions related to appraisal clauses, arbitration, and mediation in property insurance claims, and requires insurers to notify policyholders about this new mandatory procedure at policy issuance and renewal. The legislation aims to create a more efficient and streamlined process for resolving insurance claim disputes, with the goal of helping property owners restore their property and livelihood after a loss while maintaining reasonable costs for insurers.
Committee Categories
Business and Industry
Sponsors (1)
Last Action
Withdrawn prior to introduction (on 01/09/2026)
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/2026/459 |
| BillText | https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2026/459/BillText/Filed/PDF |
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