FYI – thanks to Jay Mussman Scott P. Pence | Carlton Fields Board Certified in Construction Law by The Florida Bar Direct: 813.229.4322 | Fax: 813.229.4133 4221 W. Boy Scout Blvd., Ste. 1000 Tampa, Florida 33607-5780 bio<http://www.cfjblaw.com/spence/> | vcard<http://www.cfjblaw.com/FCWSite/Features/_Attorneys/vCard.aspx?attorney=7> | linkedin<http://www.linkedin.com/in/pencescott> From: Mussman, Jay D. <jmussman@daypitney.com> Sent: Wednesday, April 24, 2019 3:15 PM To: Pence, Scott <spence@carltonfields.com> Subject: FW: Press Release: Citizens applauds passage of AOB reform package Please share Thx Jay D. Mussman | Attorney at Law | Attorney Bio<http://www.daypitney.com/professionals/M/Mussman-Jay-D> [cid:image001.jpg@01D4FAB0.6F6316E0]<http://www.daypitney.com/> Mizner Park Office Tower | 225 NE Mizner Boulevard, Suite 350 | Boca Raton FL 33432-4078 t (561) 537 4934 | f (561) 952 4267 | m (561) 862 8107 396 Alhambra Circle | North Tower, 14th Floor | Miami FL 33134 t (561) 537 4937 | f (305) 373 4099 jmussman@daypitney.com<mailto:jmussman@daypitney.com> | www.daypitney.com<http://www.daypitney.com> BOSTON<http://www.daypitney.com/about/offices/boston> | CONNECTICUT<http://www.daypitney.com/about/offices> | FLORIDA<http://www.daypitney.com/about/offices> | NEW JERSEY<http://www.daypitney.com/about/offices/parsippany> | NEW YORK<http://www.daypitney.com/about/offices/new-york> | WASHINGTON, DC<http://www.daypitney.com/about/offices/washington-dc> [Day Pitney LLP on Facebook] <http://facebook.com/DayPitney> [Follow Day Pitney LLP on Twitter] <http://www.twitter.com/daypitneyllp> [Day Pitney LLP on Linkedin] <https://www.linkedin.com/company/day-pitney-llp> From: Newsroom [mailto:Newsroom@citizensfla.com] Sent: Wednesday, April 24, 2019 3:14 PM To: Newsroom Subject: Press Release: Citizens applauds passage of AOB reform package [[EXTERNAL EMAIL]] ________________________________ [cid:image008.jpg@01D4FAB0.439085C0] FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 24, 2019 Contact: Michael Peltier (850) 264-7702 (cell) (850) 513-3774 Citizens applauds passage of AOB reform package TALLAHASSEE, FL – Citizens Property Insurance Corporation on Wednesday applauded Florida lawmakers for passing meaningful legislation that will provide relief to Florida property insurance policyholders by reducing unnecessary litigation and assignment of benefits abuse. The Senate’s passage of HB 7065<https://myfloridahouse.gov/Sections/Documents/loaddoc.aspx?FileName=_h7065e1.docx&DocumentType=Bill&BillNumber=7065&Session=2019> caps a five-year effort to address runaway litigation and AOB abuse, especially surrounding nonweather related water loss claims that after decades of stability skyrocketed in recent years. These rising costs forced Citizens in 2019 to propose a rate increase for 97 percent of its homeowners policyholders. In 2015, Citizens passed on rate reductions to 70 percent of its homeowners policyholders. Along with industry, business, and consumer groups, Barry Gilway, Citizens President, CEO and Executive Director, thanked Governor Ron DeSantis, Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis, and Florida Insurance Commissioner David Altmaier for their support throughout the session. “Today’s vote is a critical step in our efforts to bring relief to our policyholders, who have had to pay the bill for runaway litigation and AOB abuse,” Gilway said. “The bottom line is we could not have done this without the leadership of Governor DeSantis, CFO Patronis, and Commissioner Altmaier.” Citizens’ actuaries have estimated the reforms would reduce the statewide average rate need from 25.2 percent to 10.1 percent for homeowners policyholders. In South Florida, the epicenter of the AOB abuse, the average rate need would drop from 30.4 percent to 12.8 percent. These figures will change slightly as policy information and data are updated. Wednesday’s vote followed months of negotiations between stakeholders, legislative sponsors and their staff. Christine Ashburn, Citizens Chief of Communications, Legislative and External Affairs, praised legislative leaders and sponsors for their commitment throughout the sometimes contentious process. “Chairman Broxson and Chairman Rommel were critical to the passage of this much needed legislation,” Ashburn said. “We now have a reform package that will make a difference.” ### In 2002, the Florida Legislature created Citizens Property Insurance Corporation (Citizens), a not-for-profit alternative insurer, whose public purpose is to provide insurance to, and serve the needs of, property owners who cannot find coverage in the private insurance market. [Citizens on Facebook]Find us on Facebook<https://www.facebook.com/pages/Citizens-Property-Insurance-Corporation/313353039304> [Citizens on Twitter] Follow us @citizens_fla<https://twitter.com/citizens_fla> ________________________________ This message contains PRIVILEGED AND CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION intended solely for the use of the addressee(s) named above. Any disclosure, distribution, copying or use of the information by others is strictly prohibited. If you have received this message in error, please notify the sender by immediate reply and delete the original message. Thank you. ********************************************************************************************************** ________________________________