While generic medications can be cost-effective and appropriate alternatives, it is important to get the approval of your prescribing physician. Patients pay health care premiums to their insurance company so that, when the time comes, the insurance company will step up and pay for the necessary medications that are covered by the policy. Insurance companies should put their patients’ health first and not base the decision to switch medications on an attempt to save a few dollars at the risk of causing injury to the patients.

This new option is only for people who own their homes and don’t have a mortgage. I don’t recommend it. In 2004, when Hurricane Ivan hit, I met with many people in the panhandle and Central Florida who were devastated because they did not have adequate homeowners insurance to cover their property losses. I will never forget the look of despair and fear on their faces.

Insurance companies do not always do the right thing. If you are the victim of the insurance company’s delay tactics and frivolous denials, you may have to hire an attorney to protect your rights against an insurance company and allow a group of six jurors to settle the dispute at trial.

I commend the Orlando Sentinel for this article and particularly reporter Anika Myers Palm’s reference to flood insurance.

After the tough hurricane season Florida endured in 2004, the insurance industry successfully lobbied for legislation that provides more protection for itself than it does for homeowners. For instance, insurance companies now have less of a burden to provide coverage for damage resulting from a flood. As a result, the door is open for self-interested insurance companies to claim that damage was caused by flood as opposed to wind driven rain.

As such, I highly recommend that homeowners purchase flood insurance even if they don’t live in a flood zone.

In January, the Florida Office of Insurance Regulations (OIR) banned Allstate from writing new insurance policies in Florida because the insurance company failed to comply with subpoenas issued last October to produce documentation pertaining to its property insurance policies in the state. The First DCA granted a stay from the OIR’s order the next day. The OIR told the Insurance Journal that Commissioner Kevin McCarty will continue to pursue this matter until Allstate complies fully with the subpoenas.

Commissioner McCarty should be commended for suspending Allstate’s license to sell insurance policies in Florida. It is nice to see the OIR flex its muscle when needed. Allstate’s abject failure to comply with the state’s subpoena begs the question: What does this insurance giant have to hide from Florida citizens? The deadline for the producing the documents was mid January yet Allstate still has not fully complied. Even more disturbing, Allstate is currently being held in contempt by a Missouri court with a fine of $25,000/day for its failure to produce similar documents. The fines have exceeded $2 million, yet Allstate still has not produced these documents.

After the courts stayed the upheld suspension, allowing Allstate to continue writing policies for now, Allstate Spokeswoman Amy Moore remarked, “The rehearing gives us the opportunity to articulate to the court that OIR’s position jeopardizes the ability of our agents to serve their communities.” In other words, it gives Allstate a little more time and opportunity to collect more money from the citizens of Florida.

Unfortunately, there was little the firm could do for this couple or other victims hurt by uninsured drivers when there is no uninsured motorist coverage available. Instead, they would like others to learn from their accident. Be sure to:
– Talk to your insurance agent and make sure you have adequate auto coverage.
– Insist that your agent provide you with stacked uninsured motorist coverage on every vehicle and motorcycle in your household.
– Take every safety precaution if you are going to ride a motorcycle.

Motorcycles can be dangerous even for safe, experienced riders. For more information, visit the Motorcycle Safety Foundation.

This is just another example of those in the insurance defense industry trying to manipulate the legal system in their favor when they cannot win on a level playing field. Other efforts over the years include attempting to change the laws in favor of the defense or to provide complete immunity and becoming involved in judicial races by supporting candidates who are preferential to their cause.