Florida House of Representatives warns that House Bill 1551 will increase insurance premiums

The Florida House of Representatives announced that House Bill (HB) 1551 may have a negative economic impact on the private sector due to a potential increase in insurance premiums. The announcement was made in a bill analysis on March 13.

According to the Florida House of Representatives' bill analysis, HB 1551 seeks to mandate courts to award prevailing party attorney fees in specific insurance lawsuits, aiming to encourage insurers to resolve disputes promptly and fairly. The bill also intends to motivate insured individuals to accept equitable settlement offers and enable attorneys to represent clients who might otherwise lack financial means to pursue legal action. However, the analysis cautions that these provisions could lead to an increase in insurance premiums, thereby negatively impacting the private sector.

A report by the Insurance Information Institute indicates that prior to recent reforms, Florida homeowners paid premiums up to three times the national average, largely due to excessive litigation. The introduction of reforms in 2022 and 2023 led to a 70% decrease in litigation and attracted new insurers to the state. The report warns that passing HB 1551 could reverse these gains, potentially leading to increased premiums and reduced market stability.

An article from Florida Politics highlights concerns that HB 1551 might not lower insurance premiums and could, in fact, lead to higher costs for consumers. The article references a House staff analysis predicting potential premium increases, suggesting that recent legislative reforms should be given more time to demonstrate their effectiveness before introducing new changes.

The Florida House of Representatives is the lower chamber of the Florida Legislature, consisting of 120 members elected to two-year terms. The House is responsible for proposing and enacting laws, including those regulating the state's insurance industry. Members serve on various committees that oversee specific policy areas, such as the Civil Justice & Claims Subcommittee, which analyzes bills like HB 1551.