In light of the recent National Insurance Crime Bureau report indicating that questionable claims involving staged vehicle accidents have substantially increased in Florida between 2008 and 2009, Florida Insurance Consumer Advocate Sean Shaw will host a roundtable discussion on Personal Injury Protection (“PIP”) insurance-related issues on Wednesday, August 4, 2010 from 9:00 a.m. to approximately 4:00 p.m. 

PIP fraud is among the primary reasons attributed to the recent increase in staged accidents.  Many think that abusive and fraudulent activities associated with Florida’s mandatory PIP coverage may outweigh its intended benefits. 

The August 4 roundtable participants will include insurance industry members, medical providers, attorneys and other professionals who work directly with PIP-related claims.  Their goal will be to identify areas of PIP-related concern and make recommendations to ensure that PIP coverage remains a cost-effective means for Floridians to receive medical treatment for minor injuries without undue financial hardship on medical providers and facilities.  Roundtable participants also will review ways to curb fraudulent activities, improve the claim payment process and ensure licensure of health care clinics is adequate.  Accomplishing these goals is expected to help control automobile insurance rates.