Consumer Advocate Office Issues PIP Report

Florida is ranked No. 1 in reported questionable claims involving staged vehicle accidents, according to the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB). Within Florida, Tampa has now edged out Miami as the number one city for these claims. Florida’s new ranking prompted the state’s Office of the Insurance Consumer Advocate to host a roundtable discussion in July focusing on Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage under Florida’s Motor Vehicle No-Fault Law. Participants included staff from the office and other regulatory agencies along with members of the insurance, health-care, legal and law enforcement communities. The office has now issued its report, defining the issues and offering recommendations in specific areas: staged accidents; licensure of health-care clinics; PIP claims handling process; fee schedule; examination under oath; and policies rescinded for alleged misrepresentation. Staged Accidents While a partnership between law enforcement and the insurance industry to create the Major Medical Fraud Task Force in South Florida has helped, participants see a need for additional legislation and further funding. Other recommendations include: