House Bill 459 amends Section 627.7015 of the Florida Statutes to implement a mandatory procedure for resolving disputed property insurance claims, replacing the previous nonadversarial alternative dispute resolution process. Insurers are required to inform policyholders about this new procedure at the time of policy issuance, renewal, and when filing a first-party claim. The Department of Financial Services will create a consumer information pamphlet to assist policyholders. The bill allows either party to file a petition with the Division of Administrative Hearings to resolve claims, detailing the requirements for the petition and the insurer's response, and mandates a timely final determination by an administrative law judge regarding the total coverage amount.

Additionally, the bill repeals several existing statutes related to appraisal clauses and alternative dispute resolution methods, specifically Sections 627.70151, 627.70152, 627.70153, and 627.70154. It clarifies that the Citizens Property Insurance Corporation can adopt policy forms for dispute resolution through the Division of Administrative Hearings and updates the terminology from "mediation" to "proceedings" to cover a wider range of dispute resolution methods. The bill also modifies the tolling of requirements for insurers during proceedings and ensures that policyholders are informed of their rights regarding sinkhole insurance claims. These changes are set to take effect on July 1, 2026, aiming to create a more structured and efficient process for resolving insurance claims in Florida.

Statutes affected:
H 459 Filed: 627.7015, 627.351, 627.70131, 627.7074