State Representative Rick Kriseman sent a three-page letter to Governor Rick Scott. He’s asking the Governor to take a second look at the new PIP insurance reform bill.
Kriseman says there are many problems with it.
“The first and foremost would be ‘the glitch,’ as it’s affectionately being referred to as,” Kriseman said.
Starting July 1st, new licensing requirements go into effect, but some medical providers can ask for an exemption.
But that exemption doesn’t start until January 1st.
So Kriseman is worried some insurers may deny claims made by those exempted for that six-month period.
“The problem that I have is, the carriers are all saying ‘trust us, we’ll go ahead and pay those claims.’ But they also said ‘we’ll reduce your premiums,’ and meanwhile people are getting notices their premiums increased.”
Kriseman says the bill was passed at 3 a.m. on the last day of the session. He says it was rushed through, without much debate.
“Unless people are really following this, they may not even know the law is changing and that they’re paying for coverage they might not have,” Kriseman said.
The Governor says the law was needed to cut down on insurance fraud. The Tampa Bay area leads the country is staged accidents. Many drivers say insurance fraud is a problem and does need to be addressed.
But they are also worried about not having the coverage.
“I count on my insurance covering me, that’s what I pay for. And I expect it to cover me if I’m in an accident,” said driver Jim Barker.
Drivers hope the Governor does take a second look, before the law goes into effect July 1st.
“I can’t imagine this will hold, and I’ve got to imagine the governor would take an objective look at it,” Clint Decuir said.
If it does go through though, without a second look, Kriseman says “You have to hope you don’t get in an accident.”
At least not only after January 1st.
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