Yaël Ossowski, Deputy Director of the Consumer Choice Center, said that the tort reforms in HB 837 have helped reduce Florida’s reputation as a litigious hotspot while promoting accountability in the civil justice system. Ossowski made this statement in a press release on March 20.
“The rising cost of litigation is something that impacts every consumer or customer, whether they know it or not,” said Ossowski. “The reforms ushered in by HB 837 in 2023 have gone a long way to undo Florida’s reputation as a litigious hotspot and make the civil justice system more accountable for small businesses and the consumers that rely on them. The significant cost inflation that weaves its way into our courts via exaggerated liability claims harms consumers and deprives those who are legitimately injured from seeking justice. Florida lawmakers should continue to support these reforms and ensure that consumers can remain protected while also benefiting from a less costly and inflationary legal system imposed on entrepreneurs and innovators.”
The Consumer Choice Center, a consumer advocacy group, has praised the impact of Florida’s HB 837, a significant tort reform law passed in 2023. According to their policy primer, the reforms have helped shed Florida’s reputation as a litigious hotspot. The group highlighted benefits such as stabilized insurance rates, increased transparency, and fewer frivolous lawsuits. They believe the legislation has had a positive effect on everyday Floridians, reinforcing the value of the reforms.
On February 5, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis issued a press release announcing significant improvements in Florida’s insurance market. Statewide, major auto insurers such as GEICO, Progressive, and State Farm have filed for rate reductions of 10.5%, 8.1%, and 6%, respectively. Additionally, Citizens Property Insurance is implementing premium decreases averaging 5.6% statewide, benefiting approximately 75% of homeowners in Miami-Dade County. Over the past two years, eleven new insurance companies have entered the Florida market, contributing to increased competition and market stability.
Florida Insurance Commissioner Mike Yaworsky highlighted a year of achievements by the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation (OIR) in a January 8 press release. Yaworsky said that thanks to reforms championed by Governor Ron DeSantis, Florida’s insurance industry is improving. The agency made significant progress in stabilizing the property insurance market and strengthening the state’s health insurance sector. Reforms aimed at protecting consumers and improving market conditions have delivered tangible results. OIR has worked to ensure greater industry accountability and resilience against future challenges.
According to a February 18 post on InsuranceRateReporter.com, a survey by the American Property Casualty Insurance Association (APCIA) and Munich Re US found that plaintiff lawyer tactics, such as third-party litigation funding (TPLF) and jury anchoring contribute to rising insurance costs amounting to an estimated $529 billion impact on the U.S. economy. The survey indicates that 69% of Americans believe these practices increase insurance premiums while 86% support legal reforms to address these issues. However, a significant portion of respondents remain unaware of these tactics with 75% unfamiliar with jury anchoring and 70% not recognizing TPLF.
Yaël Ossowski is a consumer and technology advocate, journalist, and deputy director at the Consumer Choice Center. With experience as a journalist, policy analyst, and grassroots organizer in Europe and North America he previously served as Watchdog.org’s Florida Bureau Chief and a national investigative reporter. His work has been published in outlets like USA Today showcasing his expertise in consumer policy and advocacy.
