Sinkhole insurance fraud reform bill passes

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - A sinkhole insurance fraud bill is on Governor Scott’s desk. The measure would require claimants to prove they were using their insurance money to fix their homes, before the full payment was made.

Florida Insurance Council Spokesman Sam Miller says the bill is in response to more than 1.6 billion dollars in sinkhole claims paid out over the last five years.

“There should be mechanisms in the insurance payment system to encourage, if not in some cases require, that the repairs be made," Miller said.  "It should not take money from what you claim as “sinkhole” and then pay-off your mortgage.”

 Governor Scott is expected to sign the bill. Opponents of the legislation say if Scott does it would be harder for lower income families to get their houses fixed because the claims money would be awarded in phases and, in some cases, after work was completed.