Florida's No-Fault Reform: Anti-Fraud Laws Are Working

Top State for Suspicious PIP Claims Sees Big Reduction

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Jan 08, 2015, 01:32 ET

DES PLAINES, Ill., Jan. 8, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- A new report released by the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation provides fresh evidence that anti-fraud laws are working to reduce the number and cost of Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance claims.

Long known as the nation's top state for "questionable" PIP claims, Florida enacted legislation in May 2012 (House Bill 119) that established stronger penalties for medical providers who commit PIP fraud, including a five-year license suspension and 10-year restriction from PIP reimbursement. The law also established a 14-day, post-accident window for accident victims to seek medical treatment and reduced certain PIP benefits and treatments.

Since the law went into effect in January 2013, the Florida Department of Financial Services reports a "substantial decline" in PIP fraud with a projected 16 percent decrease during Fiscal Year 2013-2014 compared to Fiscal Year 2011-2012. The findings showed a general decrease in the per claim costs and the overall number of claims, especially in South Florida and the Tampa/St. Petersburg regions. The trends are expected to continue over the next year. The findings are similar to those reported by NICB in March of last year.

The results for auto insurance customers may be even more encouraging. In an analysis of rate filings by insurance companies both before and after the anti-fraud law went into effect, the Office of Insurance Regulation determined that statewide, PIP rates increased 43.3 percent in the two years prior and decreased 13.6 percent afterwards.

"It's clear that this progressive move by the State of Florida to strengthen anti-fraud legislation was the right move for the state's auto insurance customers," said Joe Wehrle, president and CEO of the National Insurance Crime Bureau.

"Organized crime rings and unscrupulous lawyers and medical providers are finding it much riskier to rip-off insurance companies by filing fraudulent PIP claims" he added.

Wehrle cautioned that more data will be needed to know the full effect of House Bill 119, but stressed that continued enforcement efforts by regulators and law enforcement are vital to reducing PIP fraud.

Anyone with information concerning insurance fraud or vehicle theft can report it anonymously by calling toll-free 800-TEL-NICB (800-835-6422), texting keyword "fraud" to TIP411 (847411) or submitting a form on our website. Or, download the NICB Fraud Tips app on your iPhone or Android device.

About the National Insurance Crime Bureau: headquartered in Des Plaines, Ill., the NICB is the nation's leading not-for-profit organization exclusively dedicated to preventing, detecting and defeating insurance fraud and vehicle theft through data analytics, investigations, training, legislative advocacy and public awareness. The NICB is supported by more than 1,100 property and casualty insurance companies and self-insured organizations. NICB member companies wrote $371 billion in insurance premiums in 2013, or more than 78 percent of the nation's property/casualty insurance. That includes more than 93 percent ($168 billion) of the nation's personal auto insurance. To learn more visit www.nicb.org.

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SOURCE National Insurance Crime Bureau