The bill amends Florida Statutes to establish mandatory mediation for disputed property insurance claims, making it a prerequisite before any litigation can commence. It requires all parties involved in a property insurance claim dispute to participate in mediation, which can now be conducted via teleconference or other electronic means if mutually agreed upon. The bill also mandates that all insured parties or their representatives must attend the mediation in person. Additionally, it specifies that the insurer is responsible for the costs of mediation, with certain provisions for rescheduling if a party fails to appear. The Department of Financial Services is required to adopt rules for the mediation program and is authorized to implement emergency rules as necessary.

Furthermore, the bill revises the definition of "claim" and outlines the responsibilities of policyholders, including the requirement to provide relevant information and documents to the insurer within ten days after mediation is invoked. It also clarifies that if a settlement is reached and the policyholder is unrepresented, they have three business days to rescind the agreement. The bill includes an appropriation of $1 million from the Insurance Regulatory Trust Fund to support the implementation of these changes, with an effective date of July 1, 2025, for the appropriation and January 1, 2026, for the rest of the act.

Statutes affected:
H 459 Filed: 627.7015, 627.7074