New Consumer Advocate and New Web Site for Floridians

The new Florida Insurance Consumer Advocate will operate under a three-pronged approach designed by Alex Sink, the state’s Chief Financial Officer.

Sink joined Bob Milligan Monday on his first day reporting for duty as Insurance Consumer Advocate. The two unveiled a new Web site designed to educate Floridians about their vision for the position, as well as provide contact information for consumers with insurance-related questions. Floridians can now go online at www.fldfs.com/ica/ to access the Insurance Consumer Advocate’s office.

Milligan and Sink said they will work with leaders in the House and Senate to enhance the current powers of the Insurance Consumer Advocate. This may include the ability to intervene as a party in legal and administrative proceedings, have access to the public model for hurricane loss projections, investigate insurance schemes or practices that adversely affect Floridians, appeal any action taken by the Office of Insurance Regulation, and hire additional staff in the areas of health and life insurance.

Milligan’s said his approach to advocacy will be to investigate “bad practices” and to challenge “unfair rates.”

“As the Insurance Consumer Advocate, it’s my goal to help educate and help defend the rights of Floridians when it comes to insurance,” Milligan said. “Together, the CFO and I will also be searching for new insurance solutions that will increase competition, stabilize the insurance market and offer consumers more choices.”

Milligan was elected Florida’s Comptroller from1994 until 2002. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps for 35 years, rising to the rank of lieutenant general. While a member of the Florida Cabinet, he helped create the current position of Chief Financial Officer.

Source: www.fldfs.com