Florida lawmakers take action against homeowners receiving insurance discounts fraudulently
An application amendment would require homeowners to photograph windstorm mitigation measures.
In an effort to promote windstorm mitigation, Florida insurers grant premium discounts to homeowners who protect their property.
The state’s lawmakers recently took action against those who receive such discounts fraudulently. An amendment by the Florida Cabinet now requires that homeowners applying for discounts must provide photographic documentation of windstorm mitigation measures, as well as signatures from the inspector, an individual certifying the inspection and the homeowner.
This may prevent inspectors from granting discounts for homes that are not well-prepared for a storm and, in turn, lower premiums for honest homeowners, according to a recent report by Central Florida News 13.
“Up and down the state, there could be untold millions of dollars in fraud taking place, all based on the premise that if it’s on paper, it must be true,” the report said. “But a picture doesn’t lie.”
Private insurers have also offered incentives for homeowners to protect their property from storm damage. Residents of Mississippi, Louisiana, Alabama and South Carolina were eligible for discounts on retrofitting and other measures taken to mitigate windstorm damage, according to a recent report by the Sun Herald.
Posted: March 10, 2010
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