Bill would ease rules on insurers with claims from condos and businesses. TALLAHASSEE - Whe... Insurance Guarantee May Be Weake

TALLAHASSEE - When lawmakers approved sweeping insurance reforms early this year, they promised Floridians would no longer wait months or years to collect on insurance claims.

Under a bill that moved forward Wednesday, insurance companies would no longer be forced to pay claims from condo associations and business owners within 90 days.

But 99 of the 119 insurance companies that offer homeowners insurance in Florida have now filed rate reductions that haven't lived up to predictions lawmakers made during January's special session.

Reagan said it will fix "unintended consequences" of the insurance reforms. Such changes are common for ambitious legislation, especially bills drafted during a two-week special session.

Remove a new law that permits condo associations and business owners to forego wind insurance on their property. Homeowners could still give up the coverage, however.

But the part of the proposal that has drawn the most criticism from consumer advocates is the plan to allow insurers to take more than 90 days to pay claims if condos or businesses are damaged.

Under the proposal, condo owners who choose to carry additional personal insurance on their homes would still be able to collect within 90 days.

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