CFO Jimmy Patronis: Cracking Down on AOB Windshield Schemes Will Help Lower Premiums

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - Today, Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Jimmy Patronis issued a statement following the passage of Senate Bill 1002, Motor Vehicle Glass, by Senator Linda Stewart and Representative Griffitts in the Florida House. Senate Bill 1002 cracks down on Assignment of Benefits (AOBs) abuse within the automobile windshield repair and replacement industry to fight rising car insurance rates. This legislation will end the use of inducements or gift cards to unethically entice consumers and ensure that replacement windshields are recalibrated to original manufacture standards to ensure driver safety.

CFO Jimmy Patronis said, "Floridians across the state have been taken advantage of by bad actors pushing AOBs for far too long. I’m glad to see this great piece of legislation make it all the way through the Florida House and the Senate to help fight back against AOB windshield repair schemes and help lower auto insurance premiums for all Floridians. When you sign an AOB, you are signing away your insurance benefits and this bill will provide better protection against those bad actors who want to separate you from your hard earned dollars. I can’t thank Senator Stewart and Representative Griffitts enough for all of their efforts to push through this bi-partisan bill to keep Floridians free from auto AOB abuse.” 

Senator Linda Stewart said, “I am thankful to my colleagues for their support of this great bill. Senate Bill 1002 will reduce fraud, provide additional safeguards so that consumers are not taken advantage of, and lead to reduces car insurance rates. Thank you to CFO Jimmy Patronis and his office for providing the support necessary to pass the legislature.”

Representative Griff Griffitts Said, “Thank you to CFO Patronis for supporting this bill through the process and ensuring that Floridians are protected from fraudsters who seek to pray on the innocent. This legislation is a major step in the right direction, and I look forward to seeing it signed by the Governor.“

To view CFO Patronis’ 2023 “Keep Florida Free” Legislative Priorities, click HERE.

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About CFO Jimmy Patronis  
Chief Financial Officer and State Fire Marshal Jimmy Patronis is a statewide elected official and a member of Florida’s Cabinet who oversees the Department of Financial Services. CFO Patronis works each day to fight insurance fraud, support Florida’s firefighters, and ensure the state’s finances are stable to support economic growth in the state. Follow the activities of the Department on Facebook (FLDFS) and Twitter (@FLDFS).