Atwater ins. reform bill on Crist’s desk

By John Johnston
Managing Editor

Calling it a “strong, bipartisan reform that Florida can be proud of,” Sen. Jeff Atwater’s insurance reform bill won approval in the House and Senate Friday.

“The Homeowner’s Bill of Rights now before Governor Crist dramatically expands consumer protection for all Floridians from abuses by big insurance companies,” said Atwater. “This bill makes great strides towards making Florida's insurance market fair and open.  I look forward to working with the Governor in the coming days to see this bill signed into law.”

Atwater, (R-North Palm Beach), and who also represent Boca Raton, said the new law would:

• Freeze rate hikes by Citizens Insurance for one year.
• End the insurance companies' ability to use arbitration panels to raise rates over the objections of regulators.
• Stop the practice of arbitrary cancellations.
• Mandate companies pay claims in a fair and timely manner.
• Increase civil penalties for insurance companies who evade the law or abuse consumers.
• Improve the market for new, innovative insurers to cover more Floridians at lower rates.

Also in the bill, potential purchasers of residential properties insured for $500,000 or more by Citizens – as well as residential properties located in the wind-borne debris region – would be informed of the structure’s windstorm mitigation rating.

“Our goal from the beginning has been strong new consumer protections, affordable rates, fairer practices and respect for Florida consumers from insurance companies,” said Atwater.  “This bill accomplishes that, and more.”

Atwater praised his Senate colleagues, House Insurance Committee Chairman Dennis Ross, Speaker Marco Rubio and the professional staff of both the House and Senate “for their invaluable support in the development and passage of the Homeowner’s Bill of Rights.”

Stakes High

Despite what Governor Crist does with the bill, approval of it by both the House and Senate approved it is an accomplishment by itself. Both legislative bodies have approved only 25 of the more than 2,100 filed this year.

The stakes are high for Atwater.  Looking toward what’s likely to be a bruising re-election campaign, Atwater’s election would mean his designation as the next Senate president would become reality.

Atwater -- and in whose District 25 are major portions of the cities of Boca Raton and Delray Beach – recently announced a record breaking fundraising quarter.  Atwater reported raising $511,983 in January and February for his reelection campaign.

The money was raised in “just 58 days,” Atwater said in a prepared release. He explained that, and while the quarter didn’t officially end until March 31, Florida Senate ethics rules forbid fundraising during the 60-day legislative session.

And political pundits say that Atwater will need that much and more for re-election to the far-flung District 25 seat. The district extends as far north as Juno Beach, and as far south as major portions of Fort Lauderdale. 

And it’s toward Fort Lauderdale that Atwater will be looking, because he will face Tamarac resident and former State Sen. Walter “Skip” Campbell in what many are saying will be the biggest legislative fight of the year.

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