Nick Primrose, a former candidate for Florida’s 18th House District, said that rolling back insurance reforms would undermine recent market stability, increase rates, and send the wrong message to insurers.
"Legislators need to stay the course on insurance reform," said Primrose, Candidate for State Representative House Florida District 18. "I've spent the last three years interacting with insurance pros from Lloyd's syndicates to domestic carriers, and they all agree that the reforms have brought stability and certainty to a market that desperately needed it. Despite rising inflation and rebuilding costs, we've seen insurance rates begin to stabilize. Even hinting at rolling back these reforms sends the wrong signal—risking instability and driving rates up preemptively. I'm all for cracking down on shady companies and making sure consumers are protected from unfair practices, but let's be smart about this."
In response to an impending insurance crisis characterized by rising premiums and insurer withdrawals, Florida implemented significant reforms aimed at stabilizing its market. These measures targeted legal system abuses by curbing predatory lawsuits and eliminating one-way attorney fees that had previously made Florida a hotspot for litigation. As a result, the state's insurance market began to recover, with a notable decrease in lawsuit filings and a substantial shift of policies from the state-backed insurer, Citizens Property Insurance Corporation, back into the private sector. In contrast, California's stringent regulations have led to insurers exiting the market, leaving homeowners with fewer options and higher premiums.
According to Florida State Representatives Hillary Cassel and Paula Stark, they are advancing HB 1551. This bill establishes a "loser pays" standard for attorney’s fees in insurance lawsuits, intended to level the playing field for policyholders. The bill passed the House Insurance and Banking Subcommittee with a 15-1 vote. Representative Mike Caruso was the lone dissenter, arguing it could lead to higher costs for consumers rather than reducing premiums. Caruso pointed to Governor Ron DeSantis’ recent announcement that Florida's previous insurance reforms have stabilized the market and attracted insurers. The Personal Insurance Federation of Florida and the Florida Chamber of Commerce expressed concerns that HB 1551 could reignite excessive litigation and drive up premiums.
March 24 marked two years since Governor Ron DeSantis signed Florida's tort reform law, HB 837. The legislation targeted excessive litigation which had driven up homeowners’ insurance rates and caused insurer failures. Before these reforms, Florida accounted for only 8% of the nation’s homeowners’ insurance claims but a disproportionate share of lawsuits. Supporters credit HB 837 with reducing frivolous lawsuits and stabilizing the insurance market.
Florida Insurance Commissioner Mike Yaworsky highlighted a year of accomplishments by the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation in a January 8 news release. Yaworsky credited reforms backed by Governor DeSantis for improvements in the state’s insurance industry. The agency reported progress in stabilizing the property insurance market, strengthening the health insurance sector, and promoting consumer protection. The Office of Insurance Regulation also emphasized efforts to increase industry accountability and build resilience against future challenges.
Primrose is described as a lifelong conservative and former Deputy General Counsel to Florida Governors Ron DeSantis and Rick Scott, with extensive experience in legal and policy issues ranging from disaster response to election integrity. He ran to represent District 18 in Northern St. Johns County on a platform focused on protecting families, improving infrastructure, expanding educational choice, and lowering insurance costs. A committed public servant and Chair of the Florida Elections Commission, Primrose resides in St. Johns County with his wife and son.