The Façade of Consumer Protection: How Florida’s Political Leadership Continues to Favor Insurance Companies Over Policyholders — Are Florida’s Politicians in Bed with the Insurance Industry?

While Jimmy Patronis and Governor DeSantis trumpet their latest emergency rule as consumer protection following the CBS 60 Minutes Expose noted in CBS 60 Minutes Exposes Alleged Insurance Company Fraud: Adjusters Reveal Altered Hurricane Damage Estimates by Claims Management, the reality reveals a different story. Governor DeSantis’s response to the CBS 60 Minutes exposé on insurance fraud has been tellingly inadequate, demonstrating a clear pattern of prioritizing insurance industry interests over policyholder protection. Rather than suggest concern for Florida policyholders and confronting the scandal head-on, DeSantis has focused on touting disaster fund distributions and celebrating his “reforms” that actually stripped policyholder rights. This superficial attempt at reform comes only after CBS 60 Minutes exposed widespread insurance company fraud, showing how insurers systematically altered damage estimates to shortchange Florida policyholders.

As the 2024 Presidential election concludes, one thing is certain: Donald Trump correctly noted how Florida’s Republican politicians are in bed with the insurance industry and its lobbyists by noting:

‘[T]he worst Insurance Scam in the entire Country!…the biggest insurance company BAILOUT to Globalist Insurance Companies, IN HISTORY.’ Trump noted that the Insurance Commissioner ‘does NOTHING, while Florida’s lives are ruined.’

Does DeSantis or Jimmy Patronis call out Trump for being wrong or inaccurate? No! Trump has accurately reflected what DeSantis and Patronis have been—pawns of the insurance industry.

In a world where Floridian policyholders want to know whom to trust, listen carefully to what Trump is saying and follow the insurance money.

Following the Money Trail

The cozy relationship between Florida’s leadership and the insurance industry is impossible to ignore. Insurance industry employees contributed a staggering $3.9 million to DeSantis’s gubernatorial campaign and political committee between 2018 and 2022. This financial backing preceded legislation that made it significantly harder for policyholders to sue insurance companies for wrongful practices, calling out insurance claims executives who deliberately underpay or deny claims.

The Real Impact on Policyholders

The December 2022 insurance code rewrite, championed by DeSantis and Patronis, has devastated policyholder rights. As Amy Bach from United Policyholders notes, “It’s now economically absurdly risky for a consumer to file a lawsuit, and it’s going to be incredibly hard to find a good lawyer.” Instead, the new legislation passed by DeSantis and Patronis seems to have the fox guarding the henhouse in Florida’s insurance regulation. Rather than allowing the victims to pursue civil remedies, the new laws have government bureaucrats trying to do the same. Want to guess how successful that will be? DeSantis, Patronis and the insurance lobby know that answer.

A Call for Real Reform

Florida’s policyholders deserve genuine advocates, not political theater designed to appease public outrage while maintaining insurance company profits. The emergency rule represents too little, too late, and fails to address the fundamental imbalance of power between insurance companies and their policyholders. Until Florida’s leadership prioritizes policyholder rights over insurance industry profits, homeowners will continue to suffer under a system rigged against them.

Patronis’ Dangerous “No Contract” Rhetoric

In a particularly troubling development, CFO Jimmy Patronis’s recent advice telling policyholders to “sign no contracts” demonstrates either a fundamental misunderstanding of the claims process or, more likely, a deliberate attempt to disadvantage policyholders in favor of insurance companies. Professional assistance is often crucial for policyholders facing complex insurance claims. By discouraging contracts with licensed public adjusters and restoration contractors, Patronis effectively leaves vulnerable homeowners to face sophisticated insurance companies alone. This creates an inherently unbalanced situation where insurance companies hold all the cards.

Patronis’ advice is irresponsible and clearly sides with insurance company interests, keeping policyholders uninformed and ignorant about their rights. I will appear anywhere and at any time about this issue against him. There are many reputable insurance restoration contractors and licensed Florida public adjusters who can help and make sure that policyholders have their businesses and homes quickly rebuilt and the full amounts of money paid — money that will be wrongly delayed if people follow Patronis’ ignorant and insurance industry-sponsored advice.

Patronis’s stance aligns perfectly with insurance industry interests. By discouraging policyholders from securing professional representation, insurance companies face less scrutiny and resistance when undervaluing claims. This “helpful advice” serves to maintain the power imbalance that allows insurers to minimize payouts while maximizing profits.

The Real Cost to Homeowners

Without professional representation secured through proper contracts, many policyholders lack the expertise to identify all covered damages. They will miss crucial documentation requirements. They will accept lowball settlements out of desperation. They will have no sophisticated advocate when claims are denied or delayed.

This misguided guidance from Florida’s CFO represents yet another example of state leadership prioritizing insurance company interests over the rights and needs of Florida’s property owners.

Join the Fight Against Insurance Industry Abuse

The time has come for policyholders to take a united stand against the systematic exploitation by insurance companies and their allies in the Florida government. The recent emergency rule in Florida, while masquerading as consumer protection, fails to address the fundamental issue: Insurance companies are systematically underpaying claims and getting away with it.

The Battle Lines Are Drawn

On one side stand the insurance companies, backed by millions in campaign contributions and protected by politicians who serve their interests. On the other side are homeowners, families, and businesses fighting for fair treatment and full compensation for their losses. The insurance industry continues to manipulate damage estimates, delay legitimate claims, hide behind complex policy language approved by insurance regulators, and use political influence to avoid accountability.

Join us in this crucial battle for policyholder rights. We can expose the truth, demand justice, and ensure that insurance companies fulfill their promises to policyholders. The time for action is now. Look forward to seeing those in person against the insurance lobby in Tallahassee on these issues next Monday.

Thought For The Day

We are not sticking up for small businesses and individuals in the state of Florida, who are being taken advantage of by a number of these insurance companies who are not doing right by them.
—Senator Erin Grall