According to a survey of more than 4,000 automobile and homeowners insurance customers in the United States, consumers still prefer personal contact with agents over the internet.  The study by Accenture found that while there has been in increase in digital sources of insurance quotes and information, U.S. consumers...

During Tuesday’s legislative session, the Florida Senate unanimously passed a bill (SB 52) to outlaw text messaging while driving.  The Senate Bill was sponsored by Senator Nancy Deter, R-Venice, and makes texting, emailing or instant messaging while driving a secondary offense. A first violation is a non-moving violation and...

A recent survey by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) suggests that, after an accident, many Americans do not really know what information they should share with the other driver.  State laws vary, but in most cases your name and vehicle insurance information is all that is required,...

US Secretary of Transportation Ray Lahood called for a federal law banning all cell phone use while driving.  The ban would include talking on the phone as well as texting while driving.  Lahood noted that law enforcement officials require such a strong federal law in order to write tickets. ...

New statistics from insurance and the healthcare industry provide some troubling news about the severity of auto crashes involving teen drivers.  It’s estimated that 30% of teens involved in car accidents suffer from head injuries.  According to the Insurance Journal, “Since full recovery from serious head injuries is often...

Florida’s Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater has announced the arrest of 15 individuals involved in an alleged auto insurance fraud that involved food truck workers who organized and staged auto accidents in order to collect insurance money.  According to law enforcement officials, more arrests are forthcoming.  The alleged scam...

Florida personal injury protection reform (PIP) passed both Houses of the Florida Legislature Friday evening in the last hour of the legislative session.  The PIP reform bill marks the first time since 1972 that significant auto insurance legislation has been approved.  It is a foregone conclusion that Governor Scott...

As the 2012 Florida legislative session heads into its final week of regular session, two major insurance issues remain unresolved.  Both insurance issues remain contentious and no clear resolution is in sight.  One involves personal injury protection or PIP insurance while the other concerns property insurance coverage issues related...

An ordinance passed last fall in Hillsborough County may be the reason why the Tampa Bay county is experiencing a reduction in “staged” auto accidents.  The ordinance was meant to close a loophole that allowed certain medical clinics to operate without a license.  Such a loophole, experts argued, was...

As the 2012 Florida legislative session passes the midway point, both the House and Senate are under pressure to pass substantial personal injury protection auto insurance reform.  PIP reform advocates argue that auto insurance claims fraud cost the Florida consumer nearly $1 billion.  Thus far, proposals in the House...