Jimmy Patronis, Florida’s Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and State Fire Marshal, stated in a July 24 post on X that Florida’s insurance market is improving after state leadership “confronted insurance lawsuit abuses” through legislative reforms.

“Bold, corrective actions are the answer,” said Patronis. “For example, since Florida confronted insurance lawsuit abuses 2yrs ago: 8 carriers have entered FL,13 insurers filed for rate decreases, 800% increase in take-out activity from Citizens (FL’s insurer of last resort).”

Gov. Ron DeSantis signed HB 837 into law on March 24, 2023, with the goal of reducing the number of “frivolous” lawsuits in the state and preventing trial attorneys from engaging in “predatory practices,” according to a press release from the governor’s office. The bill enacted tort reform measures including clarifying that negligence alone does not constitute “bad faith,” eliminating attorneys’ fee multipliers, and establishing uniform standards to assist juries in calculating accurate medical damages. “Florida has been considered a judicial hellhole for far too long and we are desperately in need of legal reform that brings us more in line with the rest of the country,” DeSantis said in a statement at the time. “I am proud to sign this legislation to protect Floridians, safeguard our economy and attract more investment in our state.”