A Look Inside Florida’s Recent Property Insurance Reform

Two years after implementing meaningful assignment of benefits reform, Florida enacted broader property insurance claim reform.

On June 11, 2021, Governor DeSantis signed S.B. 76, which takes effect on July 1, 2021.

S.B. 76 focuses on reducing insurance claim litigation by, amongst other things, requiring timely notice of claims, curtailing certain solicitation practices used by roofing contractors, and limiting the circumstances in which attorney’s fees can be awarded to policyholders in property insurance lawsuits.

S.B. 76 expanded Florida Statutes Section 627.70132, which previously set notice deadlines for windstorm claims.

The amended Section 627.70132 is applicable to both admitted insurers and surplus lines insurers and applies to claims arising from any peril.