Tort reform in Florida turns to auto insurance and loopholes

Bipartisan legislation filed ahead of the upcoming legislative session in Tallahassee will, if passed, change current state law that tort reform advocates say allows lawyers and repair shops to cash in on window replacements.

Sen. Linda Stewart, D-Orlando, and Rep. Griff Griffitts, R-Panama City Beach, have filed bills in each chamber that closes so-called loopholes in the current law and will keep vendors from taking assignments of insurance policy benefits for auto glass claims. The senate bill would also prohibit glass companies from giving perks to customers to get them to file an insurance claim.

The bills are SB 1002 and HB 541.