AIF TOP PRIORITY ISSUE
HB 1181 - Motor Vehicle Insurance

On Thursday, March 27, HB 1181 by Representative Danny Alvarez (R-Fish Hawk) was heard by the House Civil Justice & Claims Subcommittee and was reported favorably with 13 yeas and 2 nays. Representatives Kim Berfield (R-Clearwater) and David Borrero (R-Sweetwater) voted against the bill. AIF spoke in opposition to this legislation.

This bill repeals Florida’s “no-fault” law, also known as personal injury protection, or (PIP), relating to motor vehicle insurance. The revisions outlined in the bill would remove the requirement for motorists to have PIP coverage in Florida. Additionally, the bill provides for non-economic damages in personal injury cases. Currently, bodily injury coverage is capped $10,000 per person. This bill would increase that coverage to $25,000 per person. These reforms would allow more claims to be filed, regardless of the severity of the injuries disputed, leading to increased frivolous litigation and “sue to settle” schemes that increase premiums against consumers and businesses.

HB 1181 will now go to the House Insurance & Banking Subcommittee for consideration.

AIF opposes PIP repeal until sufficient data is collected to show that the proposed replacement system will enhance competitiveness, ensure access to medical care, and promote consumer affordability. These changes as written would increase insurance costs for businesses and consumers, undoing a lot of the positive initiatives from the 2023 tort reform legislation.