State: Drivers, it could be your fault

The Florida Senate unanimously passed an automobile insurance bill Friday that the Florida House won't like. That could mean the end of Florida's mandatory no-fault laws, which currently require Florida drivers to carry $10,000 worth of personal injury protection (known as PIP) to cover health care costs in wrecks, no matter who is at fault.

The Senate voted 37-to-0 on a bill to extend the state's no fault law until 2011, with $2.8-million toward fighting fraud, similar to a bill the Legislature passed last year, which Gov. Jeb Bush vetoed.

But even the Senate bill's sponsor Bill Posey, R-Rockledge, predicted doom and couldn't say whether his colleagues should vote for the bill. That's because House Speaker Marco Rubio has said he would rather let the state's no fault law disappear, as it is scheduled to do on Oct. 1 if the Legislature does nothing, then pass something less than meaningful reform.

"It's unfortunate we don't have a 'choose-not-to-vote' button," said Posey, whose own automobile insurance bill was rewritten earlier this week by senators lobbied by the health care industry.

On Monday, the House unveiled its auto insurance plan. It would replace the current no-fault system with one requiring drivers to carry $15,000 worth of coverage to pay mostly hospital and emergency care bills that are triggered by an emergency room visit, regardless of who is at fault.

Both Rubio and Rep. Ellyn Bodanoff, R-Fort Lauderdale, who is in charge of the House automobile insurance plan, doubted the House would pass the Senate's plan.

"We have to wipe out fraud, the current PIP system has so much fraud built in, and unless that's addressed, I'm not sure we're going to be able to do anything about it," Rubio said.

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Comments on this article

by JAVI	05/22/07 08:50 AM
IF PIP GOES AWAY THEN WHAT? WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU DO GET INTO AN ACCIDENT? HEALTH INS. WILL NOT COVER BECAUSE OF THE ACCIDENT. IF YOU EVEN HAVE HEALTH INS. I'M NOT SAYING PIP IS PERFECT BUT AT LEAST HAVE SOMETHING IN PLACE TO PERTECT US AS A CONSUMER

by JEN	05/02/07 02:04 PM
Insurance for Miami is $250.00 every 6 months and I have never used it! LET'S GET RID OF NO-FAULT! JT said it best, "Goodbye PIP. Sorry scamsters, lawyers and shady clinics you will not be getting honest law abiding Floridians money anymore...

by Joe	05/02/07 02:46 AM
Mandated insurance on the whole is a scam on the citizens, reaping huge profits for the insurance companies. I've been driving over 30 yrs without ever having filed a claim, yet still the rates go up, and god forbid you let your policy lapse.

by Pete	04/29/07 08:11 PM
Medicare has fraud, lets get rid of that. health insurance has fraud, lets get rid of that too. Or how about lets make stronger penalties and fight the fraud for a great coverage. PIP is a great 1st party coverage. It pays wages if you get hurt.

by Pick a basket	04/29/07 08:03 PM
If PIP goes away, you will save money on not paying for PIP. But that savings will be wiped out and cost more with the increase in health insurance rates and mandatory liability insurance. PIP does pays wages if you are hurt and can not work.

by Greg	04/29/07 11:18 AM
Politicians do not protect the Insurance Companies anymore. They are making record earnings "MILLIONS". Put in A bill that has a fee schedule,"Protect the People" rid the state of Ask clinics who thrive on large fees. Do the right Thing!

by jeff	04/29/07 09:26 AM
There are scores of crash victims who benefit greately from their pip covereage. Why do you all side with ins cos. when all they want to do is increase their bottom line? PIP only costs me $81 every 6 mos for $10k in ins. Don't be stupid, people!

by jeff	04/29/07 09:09 AM
In one state if you are caught without insurance on the road, they take your tag, and impound your car, not to mention, hefty fines and loss of license. The solution is not to abolish pip; the solution is to enforce tight penalties.

by Sonia	04/28/07 09:32 PM
as a past pip adjuster I agree that rampart fraud makes this law an insurance nightmare

by Gabrielle	04/28/07 05:27 PM
It's been widely reported that no-fault was created to prevent lawsuits! Now individuals run through coverage and still sue! Rubio is looking out for consumers and not being swayed by special interests who make a killing off no-fault Just 1800AskGary

by Jim E	04/28/07 05:21 PM
Robert - the no-fault law stops virtually no lawsuits. It has failed to do anything it was created to do, so YES, I want it like it was before we paid some of the highest auto insurance rates in the country. Most states don't have it, and they're OK.

by robert	04/28/07 04:22 PM
Why didn't you report the reasons that no fault was created. If we ever get rid of no fault every single fender bender will wind up being a lawsuit. Do we really want it like that again.

by Tom	04/28/07 04:13 PM
All of the state legislators are defrauding us in every way possible.We are sunk unless we pursue the RICO Act against our legislators and their corrupt cronies.

by Albert P	04/28/07 03:54 PM
Thank you Marco! So long PIP!! JT's right. The scam has gone on long enough. Patrick, wake your brain up. If PIP goes away, the insurers don't collect the high premiums on it anymore. Refund MY money and stop giving it to clinics and bad doctors!

by Name	04/28/07 03:49 PM
Isn't it against the law not have insurance coverage?? Many illiegals in SF have NO AUTO INSURANCE. They should take their license, impound their cars and throw them in jail!! They could KILL somebody!!! WAKE UP LEGISLATORS!

by jack s	04/28/07 12:13 PM
JT, read the article more closely, PIP is not going away, only the 10,000 min coverage. The house wants a 15,000 min. the senate isnt saying what they want. Either way all premiums are going up soon. mandatory coverage is the real scam.

by Chuck	04/28/07 12:04 PM
If I didn't have PIP, the state wanted my drivers license and tags. How do others get by with no insurance ? I think Florida Insurance Companies have gouged the public long enough. How about it State ? Get into the fight for justice or get out period

by Bonnie	04/28/07 11:44 AM
I agree with Shirley. They should rename the state to: Flawrida

by Patrick	04/28/07 11:17 AM
"Wrought with fraud" = insurance company not making enough money. When will citizens wake up and realize that the powerful are continuing their lobbying to take away the average joe's rights, in this case the ability to obtain medical.

by Tom Worischeck	04/28/07 10:39 AM
ED: PIP fraud usually involves dishonest health care providers (like walk-in clinics) that pay people to stage accidents seek care for non-existent injuries, so the clinic can bill the ins. co. for very expensive services that were never rendered.

by Elizabeth	04/28/07 10:38 AM
So does this mean the end of "1-800-axe Harry" commercials? is that the kind of fraud the state congress was alluding to?

by Fred	04/28/07 10:31 AM
Not having insurance on your car used to be a crime. It is not anymore. Now it is just a civil infraction and a very small fine. Oh, and the cops can't impound your car OR suspend your license for it either. So the uninsured can go wreak another.

by Bart	04/28/07 09:52 AM
Sounds like ridding of one scam to create another. Hospitals are not necessarily equipped for those seeking alternative healthcare.

by JT	04/28/07 09:22 AM
Goodbye PIP. Sorry scamsters, lawyers and shady clinics you will not be getting honest law abiding Floridians money anymore. I am sick of subsidizing deadbeats, scamsters and law breakers with PIP.Those with insurance covered under uninsured.No ins.=jail

by Ed	04/28/07 09:18 AM
what sort of fraud are you talking about? You write that there is so much fraud, but don't mention anything about what type of fraud and how it is accomplished.

by shirley	04/28/07 09:09 AM
Really does not matter all insurances are not rational in Florida.

Politics

Drivers, it could be your fault

The state Senate loves no-fault laws, but House lawmakers says the system is ripe with fraud.