FL S0256

Prohibits attorney fees and costs paid by property insurers pursuant to s. 627.428 from being included in the insurer's rate base or used to justify rate increases or changes.

Prohibits personal lines residential, commercial residential, and commercial property insurance policies from prohibiting or limiting post-loss assignment of benefits, effective January 1, 2019.

Requires assignment agreements to be in writing, limited to work performed by the assignee, allow policyholders to cancel within 7 days without penalty, include scope of work statements, require assignee water damage certification, and contain specified disclosure notices in 14-point capitalized type.

Requires assignees to provide final invoices within 7 business days of completion, limits referral fees to $750, prohibits charging policyholders beyond the deductible except for non-covered work, and guarantees work conforms to industry standards.

Requires insurers to make initial property inspections within 7 business days of receiving assignment agreements and prohibits requiring particular vendors or recommending vendors for repairs to dwellings without insured's express request.