After many years of reports and complaints to the state, DFS is finally cracking down on roofers and contractors who hold themselves out as adjusters or insurance specialists in an attempt to generate business for themselves at the expense of homeowners. 

In the matter of UNITED ROOFING SYSTEMS, LLC AND GREG HADDOX, Chief Financial Officer and Gubernatorial Candidate, Alex Sink has filed a Notice of Intent to Issue Cease and Desist Order as the result of their investigation into the alleged unlicensed adjusting of this entity.   To read the Order - click here.

Alex Sink's Order charges that: "no person may be, act as, or advertise or hold himself or herself out to be an insurance agent, insurance adjuster, or customer service representative unless he or she is currently licensed by the department and appointed by an appropriate appointing entity or person"

If you know any person or company who is holding themselves out as an unlicensed public adjuster or "insurance specialist" - please report this to FAPIA by contacting This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .  Scan any of these types of advertisements you see and email them directly to FAPIA.

The Palm Beach Coiunty Roofing and Sheet Metal Contractors Association has issued a Consumer Advisory Bulletin and press release regardin their stance against unlawful adjustment practices by unlicensed opportunists.   To read that bulletin - click here.

FAPIA has prepared a follow up for the researchers at the Office of Program Policy Analysis and Accountability.  To read the follow up report from FAPIA along with all of the attachments referenced therein, click here.

CITIZENS PROPERTY INSURANCE has successfully petitioned Florida's Office of Insurance Regulation for a policy language change that may adversely effect millions of Floridians when they need to dispute an insurance claim.  As of January 1, 2010, the Citizens policy appraisal clause language will be changed to read;

CONDITIONS

E. Mediation Or Appraisal

2. Appraisal. If you and we fail to agree on the

amount of loss, either may request an

appraisal of the loss by presenting the other

party with a written request for appraisal of the

amount of loss. If the other party agrees in

writing to participate in appraisal, then

appraisal shall proceed pursuant to the terms

of a written agreement between the parties.

[End of appraisal clause]

This language fundamentally changes the appraisal process from a unilateral demand to a bilateral agreement where either party could decline to submit the loss to appraisal.  To read FAPIA'S official position, click anywhere on this article.

FAPIA'S MEMBER BENEFITS PROGRAM

The volunteers on FAPIA'S MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE have been working very hard to bring additional benefits to the members of our association.  This is a partial list of the valuable benefits we have obtained so far.  A more detailed list will be provided to all of the attendees of the Winter Conference and will be available in the members only area, soon thereafter.

FAPIA Responds to OPPAGA Study

A law passed last Legislative Session called for a study of the Public Insurance Adjusting Industry by the Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability. FAPIA team members Paul Handerhan, David Beasley, Lenny Bauman, Ray Altieri, Jr., and Mark Boardman, along with countless others behind the scene assisted with the study. Copies of the FAPIA response can be found at fapia.net.

CLICK HERE TO SEE ENTIRE REPORT PREPARED BY FAPIA FOR OPPAGA (Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability)

FAPIA Initiates
Constitutional Challenge
of the 48 Solicitation Law

A lawsuit, funded and supported by the Florida Association of Public Insurance Adjusters, was filed in Leon County Circuit Court yesterday to challenge the constitutionality of the 48-hour solicitation law. The law firm of D'Alemberte & Palmer PLLC, renowned experts in Constitutional Law, is the counsel on this suit.
 
FAPIA is pleased to be involved in this constitutional challenge to the statutory 48-hour solicitation ban. As such, we are seeking policyholders who have been harmed by the inability to be contacted by a public insurance adjuster during the first 48 hours following a loss. Those individuals could become a part of the constitutional challenge suit. If you know of any such person or persons, please contact:
 
Melissa Edwards, Ex. Dir.
FAPIA
PO box 940666
Maitland, FL 32794
407-830-4892
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
 
A copy of the complaint as filed will be available at the FAPIA website -- fapia.net. You may also view it at the Circuit Court of the Second Judicial Circuit in and for Leon County --
Frederick W. Kortum, Jr., Plaintiff,
vs.
Alex Sink, in her capacity as Chief Financial Officer and head of the Department of Financial Services for the State of Florida
 
Or case number 37 209 CA 003926
 
The association's leadership has been working diligently for over four months to prepare the suit which challenges this very unfair law.
 
Kudos to our member Fred Kortum who has personally taken up the gauntlet to fight this battle.
 
No battle comes cheaply. Contributions to the cause will be accepted gratefully.

READ THE COMPLAINT HERE