Assignment Of Benefits Fraud In Florida In Matthew’s Wake

Hurricane Matthew lashed Florida’s eastern coast in early October, causing significant damage to both residential and commercial property. While Hurricane Matthew is gone, Florida insurers are now bracing for another type of storm: a flood of assigned insurance claims in the wake of the destruction. Over the past few years, assigned insurance claims—often referred to as assignments of benefits (AOBs)—have been particularly challenging for first-party property insurers in Florida. AOBs raise unique issues, including fraud concerns.