The American Property Casualty Insurance Association (APCIA) is encouraging Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis to veto a measure repealing the state’s personal injury protection “no-fault” auto insurance system.
State legislators have forwarded Senate Bill 54 to DeSantis, maintaining that the legislation possesses the ability to increase yearly auto insurance costs by as much as $860 for some drivers, add more uninsured drivers, and contribute to rising litigation.
“Floridians have been loud and clear in asking the governor to protect their wallet and their roads by vetoing this major policy change,” Logan McFaddin, APCIA assistant vice president of state government relations, said regarding 37,000 letters forwarded to DeSantis on the matter. “Florida drivers are overwhelmingly concerned because they already pay the highest premiums in the country for full auto insurance coverage, and this change could mean their costs may be driven up even higher, making coverage unaffordable for many.”
Per the APCIA, the average auto insurance policy would be increased by as much as 23 percent or $344 if the legislation is signed into law.
“Consumers and businesses have already suffered significant financial hardship due to the unprecedented pandemic, and now is simply not the time to make drastic changes to Florida’s 50-year-old no-fault auto insurance system that are likely to increase costs for Florida drivers, especially those who can least afford it,” McFaddin said. “APCIA, alongside the many Floridians who have written letters, is urging Gov. DeSantis to take action to protect Florida drivers from higher auto insurance costs and from more uninsured drivers on Florida’s roads by vetoing SB 54.”