A self-serving insurer

Re: Deterioration of property insurance market is a man-made catastrophe | Opinion

In self-serving fashion, so typical of the CEO of the American Property Casualty Insurance Association, opinion writer David A. Sampson blames abuse of Florida’s legal system and rampant fraudulent roof replacement schemes for economic woes in the property insurance market.

He cites exceptionally high jury awards and an increase in cases to support his position. His argument lacks facts or substance. None of these high jury awards involve property damage to homes. If an insured is forced to sue his or her insurer, it’s because the insurer has failed to either reasonably investigate or settle an otherwise meritorious claim. At trial, the insured can recover only what the insurance company refused to properly pay, plus fees and costs, if he prevails.

That typically comes years after a loss and the insured has been forced to bear the economic burden until then. Insurers, look in the mirror and stop blaming everyone else for your incompetence.

Lawrence Kopelman, Plantation